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hollyxbear's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an interesting read. Books based on true events always entice me, especially if they are done in the right way. This book was absolutely done in the right way. The twists weren't TOO twisty, and some of the topics mentioned are very real and could be happening at your own school. Such a good book.
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only did Katherine Howe create an exciting dualistic storyline but she integrated true historical fact as well, which I appreciated. The ending is a bit ambiguous but in a way that was purposely done.
Truthfully as I sit here, I try to recall if the promise of suspense was ever delivered. I suppose it didn't but the tension throughout the book made up for a somewhat flat ending.
I recommend this book
Truthfully as I sit here, I try to recall if the promise of suspense was ever delivered. I suppose it didn't but the tension throughout the book made up for a somewhat flat ending.
I recommend this book
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
A modern spin on the Salem witch-hunts, moving on from Miller's The Crucible now, but paying it its due throughout, this is a perfect setting for the topic - a highly-competitive girls' school, with the senior class fighting for college places the characters who suddenly start displaying troubling symptoms.
Colleen is battling hard for her cherished place as class valedictorian, and nervously awaiting to hear about her college applications, as is her entire senior class in the town of Danvers, formerly called Salem. Out of the blue, a popular class member suddenly has a fit in class, seemingly sparking off a series of other frightening reactions from other girls around the school. For one girl, her hair falls out, another loses the use of her legs.
Hysteria begins to set in with parents, teachers and especially the media as crusading celebrities each try to grab a slice of publicity and stir the hornets' nest further.
Interspersed with the story are small glances into the life of one of the girls at the centre of the real Salem witch-trials and her confession to a priest of what really happened during that period. This for me felt in-the-way for most of the book but increased in relevancy and potency as the story neared the trials...
I loved the media's portrayal in this, and the updating felt perfectly judged and right - the small-town hysteria of a group of young servant girls enjoying attention transferred to the pressure cooker of an exclusive single-gender academy.
Whether or not you want to go with a supernatural explanation (I don't), the story is intriguing, the history fascinating, and the insight into the schools of the elite highly readable.
Colleen feels reliable as a narrator, you like her, she's smart and not about to use the excuse of illness to keep her from her goals. I wasn't too keen on the final explanation of the 'phenomena' but went along with it as I enjoyed what came before.
I would definitely look for more by this author, a wonderful idea for a debut, especially for a Young Adult audience, a great way to interest a new generation in Arthur Miller and the history of witch-hunts. A lesson to be remembered.
A modern spin on the Salem witch-hunts, moving on from Miller's The Crucible now, but paying it its due throughout, this is a perfect setting for the topic - a highly-competitive girls' school, with the senior class fighting for college places the characters who suddenly start displaying troubling symptoms.
Colleen is battling hard for her cherished place as class valedictorian, and nervously awaiting to hear about her college applications, as is her entire senior class in the town of Danvers, formerly called Salem. Out of the blue, a popular class member suddenly has a fit in class, seemingly sparking off a series of other frightening reactions from other girls around the school. For one girl, her hair falls out, another loses the use of her legs.
Hysteria begins to set in with parents, teachers and especially the media as crusading celebrities each try to grab a slice of publicity and stir the hornets' nest further.
Interspersed with the story are small glances into the life of one of the girls at the centre of the real Salem witch-trials and her confession to a priest of what really happened during that period. This for me felt in-the-way for most of the book but increased in relevancy and potency as the story neared the trials...
I loved the media's portrayal in this, and the updating felt perfectly judged and right - the small-town hysteria of a group of young servant girls enjoying attention transferred to the pressure cooker of an exclusive single-gender academy.
Whether or not you want to go with a supernatural explanation (I don't), the story is intriguing, the history fascinating, and the insight into the schools of the elite highly readable.
Colleen feels reliable as a narrator, you like her, she's smart and not about to use the excuse of illness to keep her from her goals. I wasn't too keen on the final explanation of the 'phenomena' but went along with it as I enjoyed what came before.
I would definitely look for more by this author, a wonderful idea for a debut, especially for a Young Adult audience, a great way to interest a new generation in Arthur Miller and the history of witch-hunts. A lesson to be remembered.
kayteaface's review against another edition
3.0
Oh me, oh my, this has to be one of the most disappointing books I've ever read. I enjoyed the first third a lot, but, as it went on, it became more farfetched and I honestly struggled through the last 100 pages. I feel like it was a story that could've had a lot of potential but it just lacked.
blee98's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
mysticmarisa's review against another edition
3.0
This book was.... ???
That's seriously how I feel. I didn't hate it; I didn't love it. In some ways I'm sort of confused, but I think she wrote it in a way so that it's open ended. I just want to know this: does she think there was witch craft in the Salem witch trials or that the girls were lying???
When I finished reading this I was like why was that so long...? I feel like not much happened for it being a rather large book. Also, the character Spence was totally irrelevant to the story.
I really liked at the end how she connected the book to the real world though. I had no clue that this actually happened in 2012. And that she was related to 3 of the people accused of being witches (in the Salem witch trials- not the 2012 thing)! I thought that was super cool
That's seriously how I feel. I didn't hate it; I didn't love it. In some ways I'm sort of confused, but I think she wrote it in a way so that it's open ended. I just want to know this: does she think there was witch craft in the Salem witch trials or that the girls were lying???
When I finished reading this I was like why was that so long...? I feel like not much happened for it being a rather large book. Also, the character Spence was totally irrelevant to the story.
I really liked at the end how she connected the book to the real world though. I had no clue that this actually happened in 2012. And that she was related to 3 of the people accused of being witches (in the Salem witch trials- not the 2012 thing)! I thought that was super cool
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
For part of this I listened to the audiobook, while other parts I read.
I enjoyed this book; however, it did seem to drag on in some parts unfortunately.
I enjoyed this book; however, it did seem to drag on in some parts unfortunately.
mehsi's review against another edition
I have been trying this book for 3 days, it was a good book, but around 240 in, I just couldn't go on. The book seemed to go on and on without much exciting happening or any conclusion getting closer. The past parts were pretty bland after a while, and they just annoyed me as they popped up at random intervals.