A spooky tale that had me burning the midnight oil.
In all fairness I did struggle initially to get into the story – but that had more to do with my mind-set than anything else. The first few chapters can be difficult to get through but they help to effectively set the creepy atmosphere for the novel
This gripping retelling had me second guessing and jumping at shadows and wanting to dance in fairy shoes. This spooky read would be great for October if you want something that is not too scary. It has everything from Enchanted Balls to hauntings.
The storyline is quite interesting and I found for me it resembles a ball of yarn, you never know which way it is going to go. The writing style is intriguing enough to keep you on the page but not always as easy to follow. This can be because of the retelling of a classic story. But nevertheless I found that I could not wait to read it all.
There were a few obvious plot twists, but they pulled into the story perfectly adding to the spooky atmosphere throughout this novel. (I did not read the twelve dancing princess beforehand) There were elements that I did not love, but can definitely see their purpose in the story. To keep this review spoiler free, I will refrain from listing them.
If you liked the Hazelwood and Wicked Deep this would definitely be your kind of tale.
SYNOPSIS
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.
After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.
An avid reader, decent embroiderer, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.
She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.
Reading Caffeinated 