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Showing posts with label Witchcraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witchcraft. Show all posts
Friday, December 20, 2019
Unrelentingly Grim, Salem Witch Trials Novel is a Tough Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Author Kathleen Kent grew up hearing stories about her ancestor, Martha (Allen) Carrier, one of the first women to face charges of practicing witchcraft in Salem Village, Massachusetts. Amid the superstition and paranoia pervading the area at the time, any woman who didn't conform to society's ideal was suspect. In The Heretic's Daughter, which is narrated by Sarah Carrier, Martha's oldest daughter, Martha is portrayed as a stern, authoritative woman whose outspoken ways make her stand out in her strict Puritan community. Tongues have long wagged over Martha's unsettling forthrightness. When it catches the notice of attention-hungry accusers, it leads to her eventual imprisonment for witchcraft and death by hanging in 1692. Guilt by association meant her husband and most of her children, Sarah included, also spent time in jail. The Heretic's Daughter tells the whole unbelievable story.
I've read many books about the Salem Witch Trials and none of them were light, happy reads! The whole subject is heart-wrenching and disturbing. Truthfully, I wouldn't have picked this one up (although the topic does fascinate me) if it weren't for book club. One of the leaders, who is a direct descendant of Martha, picked The Heretic's Daughter as a Halloween read, which was apropos. Appropriately sad and depressing, the novel is rather dry, even dull in places. It's also grim, unrelentingly so. These elements made it difficult for me to get into and really enjoy the read. So, while I can't say I liked the book, I can say it's interesting. With lots of fascinating historical detail, plus some truly devastating descriptions of imprisonment, the book is vivid and affecting. Comparing actions of the day with modern "witch hunts" made for a lively, thought-provoking book club discussion.
Being a genealogy nerd, I, of course, had to figure out if I, too, was related to Martha Carrier. Guess what? I am! Not directly, but we are long-lost cousins going way back. It's likely you are, too. If you have a family tree posted on FamilySearch, you can look up Martha (Allen) Carrier's profile and click "View My Relationship" to see if and how you are connected to her. Don't have a family tree? No problem. You can make one easily on the site—as soon as you add a deceased relative, your tree should automatically populate using information already in the FamilySearch database. It's a simple, fun way to trace your roots and learn about your ancestors, even famous ones like Abraham Lincoln (my cousin), Helen Keller (my cousin), Albert Einstein (not my cousin), or even Martha Carrier (my cousin).
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about witchcraft/the Salem Witch Trials, like The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill, Father of Lies by Ann Turner, and Dear America: I Walk in Dread by Lisa Rowe Fraustino)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, mild sexual content, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Heretic's Daughter from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Shivery Sophomore Novel A Liked-It-Didn't-Love-It Halloween Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A year after his wife died in childbirth, Gabriel Stone is still wracked with grief. Desperate to make a new start away from the memories that haunt his every step in Massachusetts, he accepts a position as a minister in the small town of Pale Harbor, Maine. Hiding his own secrets, Gabriel soon becomes acquainted with the village's biggest mystery—Sophronia Carver. The young widow, who's rumored to be everything from a witch to a heartless murderer, hides away in creepy Castle Carver, with only a gruff spinster housekeeper for company. Intrigued by the sinister stories surrounding her, Gabriel seeks out Sophronia, who surprises him with her kindness, beauty, and intelligence.
When strange things start happening in Pale Harbor, the townspeople know immediately who's at fault—Widow Carver. Gabriel doesn't believe it for a second. Someone else is scaring people with Edgar Allen Poe-ish tricks. Gabriel must find out who before all of Pale Harbor comes for Sophronia with pitchforks and torches. They don't know her like he does, or do they? What is the widow hiding? And who is really behind the macabre doings in town? Gabriel won't stop digging until he finds the truth.
I loved Hester Fox's debut novel, The Witch of Willow Hall, so when I was offered an early copy of her sophomore book to review, I accepted eagerly. While The Widow of Pale Harbor shares many elements with its predecessor—a shivery, atmospheric setting; strong, creepy Gothic vibes; and a cast of interesting, sympathetic characters—I didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I'm not sure why, but Fox's second effort just didn't impress me like her first did. I still liked The Widow of Pale Harbor, I just didn't love it.
(Readalikes: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox and The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Widow of Pale Harbor from the generous folks at HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Halloween Horror Novel a Shivery, Spine-Tingling Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After a traumatic childhood under the chaotic care of his flighty, hippie-dippy mother, Will Conner flees his hometown with no intention of ever returning. When she falls down a flight of stairs, however, he's forced to take a leave of absence from his job as an English professor in New York City to care for her. As soon as Will arrives in Cape Ann—a small village north of Boston—the inherent strangeness of the place overwhelms him, flooding him with memories of the night one of his mother's spirit circle rituals went horribly wrong, leaving one man dead. At five years old, Will didn't understand what was happening. He still doesn't. All he knows is something sinister was released that night almost thirty years ago, a malevolent presence that still has Will in its clutches. If anyone can help him get rid of it, it's the witchy women of Cape Ann.
Despite constant warnings from the townspeople to go back to the city, Will can't leave his childhood home without getting some answers. He's desperate to know what really happened the night the ritual went wrong, frantic to free himself from the presence that haunts him. Answers lie with the original members of his mother's spirit circle, many of whom have died mysterious deaths over the ensuing decades, but no one's willing to talk. With the help of Samantha "Sam" Hall, his odd childhood pal, Will is determined to get the answers he seeks. He's been warned that digging into old secrets could cause even more danger and pain, but he will not stop, no matter what new horrors he unleashes in the tiny, cursed town of Cape Ann, Massachusetts ...
There's nothing super original about Before the Devil Fell by Neil Olson, but it's a solid horror novel that would make for a shivery, spine-tingling Halloween read. The atmospheric setting gives the book an appropriately spooky backdrop. The tale also features interesting characters, a compelling plotline, and capable prose. While I can't think of any real stand-out elements that make Before the Devil Fell unique or really memorable, it definitely kept me turning pages. In the end, I liked it well enough, but I didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of House of Echoes by Brendan Duffy)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Before the Devil Fell from the generous folks at Hanover Square Press (a division of Harlequin) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Shivery Gothic Story a Satisfying Yarn
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been two centuries since the famed Salem Witch Trials took place, but that doesn't mean a Massachusetts woman can't still be accused of conjuring evil. Lydia Montrose should know. Although the 18-year-old is quiet and serious, there's a restless itch inside her that sometimes grows into more. It's whispers of a scandal involving her older sister, however, that force the family to flee Boston. As they settle into Willow Hall—their country home in tiny, isolated New Oldburg—both Lydia and her younger sister, Emeline, feel happier, especially thanks to their association with handsome John Barrett. While Lydia falls helplessly in love with the only man who's ever really noticed her, Caroline, the eldest, only grows more self-centered.
Despite its idyllic setting, Willow Hall is a place acquainted with tragedy and sorrow. It's not long before its quiet darkness seeps into the sisters' souls, taunting them with a power that will take its toll on the entire Montrose family. As the dormant force that lies asleep inside Lydia slowly awakens, she will have to harness what she doesn't understand in order to save everyone and everything she's ever loved ...
The Witch of Willow Hall, a debut novel by Hester Fox, has gotten a lot of buzz this year. And deservedly so. Its bewitching (See what I did there?) backdrop, compelling plot line, and shivery Gothic vibe combine to create a read that is engrossing and entertaining. Lydia is a sympathetic heroine whose bravery and kindness make her an appealing character to follow. Her relationship with her sisters feels authentic, true. While this is a sad novel, it ends on a hopeful note which, combined with its other appealing aspects, makes The Witch of Willow Hall a very satisfying read. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare and a little bit of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
Saturday, February 03, 2018
Magical Prequel Compelling Enough
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"...whoever they were, whatever their history might be ... They were not like anyone else" (13).
For centuries, the Owens Family has lived under a curse that taints their lives and, especially, their loves. By leaving behind the witchery that has earned her family its dubious reputation, Susanna hopes to live a normal life. After a modeling career in Paris, she marries a psychiatrist and bears three children: Franny, Jet, and Vincent. It's obvious from the get-go that the kids are more Owens than anything else. Franny can commune with birds, Jet can read minds, and Vincent can see the future. Desperate to keep her family's secrets, Susanna admonishes the children to avoid magic at all costs.
When the children are summoned to the Owens' ancestral home in Massachusetts, Susanna knows her efforts have been in vain. Under the tutelage of Aunt Isabelle, the kids begin to uncover the secret of who they really are and why they can do the remarkable things they do. With that knowledge, the three must learn how to cope with their unique gifts in a world that can't understand them.
Back in the Dark Ages before this blog was even a twinkle in my eye, I remember enjoying Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman both as a novel and as a film. When I heard the author was publishing a prequel, I snatched it right up. The Rules of Magic isn't quite as charming as I thought it would be (actually, it's super depressing), but it's still mostly enjoyable. The characters are complex and interesting, though not always likable. While there's not a ton of plot going on in the novel, it's compelling. Overall, then, I liked The Rules of Magic, didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, January 04, 2018
Fun, Magical Debut a Promising Series Start
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although she descends from a powerful, long-time magical family, Amber Sand is certainly not a witch. The high school senior got gypped in the sorcery category. Her "gift" is very specific and totally lame. She has the ability to see a person's true love within seconds of gazing into their eyes. While she's able to make a few bucks playing matchmaker at her mother's magic shop on Navy Pier, Amber's ability is pretty much useless. She can't even discern her own true love. How ridiculous is that?
When Charlie Blitzman comes to Amber for help, she's confused. Especially since he's not asking for romantic advice, but for her aid in finding his father's missing girlfriend. Amber can't say no. After all, Charlie's dad is the mayor and Amber's mother's best friend. It doesn't hurt that Charlie's gorgeous and the most sought-after guy at her school either. Although Amber can tell instantly that she is not Charlie's true love, she can't help falling for him. As she tries to unravel both a mystery and her growing feelings for a boy who clearly isn't meant for her, Amber will have to figure out her place in the equally confusing worlds of magic, love, and high school.
The Best Kind of Magic, a debut novel by Crystal Cestari, is a fun, light-hearted romance that highlights the everyday sorcery at work in all our lives. While I found the rules of its magical world a tad confusing, I enjoyed the story overall. It's an engrossing novel that will appeal to teens who like their contemporary fiction sprinkled with a little bit of magic. With the next book in the series—The Sweetest Kind of Fate—coming out on February 13, now is the perfect time to get caught up in Amber Sand's enchanting Windy City world. It's no Harry Potter, but the series promises to be enjoyable and engrossing.
(Readalikes: Um, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Best Kind of Magic from the generous folks at Disney/Hyperion. Thank you!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Why Cage a Grave? The Possibilities Are Endlessly Creepy ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Verity Boone hasn't been back to the small mountain town of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, since she left it behind as a toddler. Raised by an aunt in Boston after her mother's death, Verity barely remembers "home." Still, the 17-year-old is excited to return. In Catawissa, she'll finally be able to meet her fiancee who, judging by his romantic letters, is absolutely perfect.
Verity is confused by the cool reception she receives in Catawissa—not just from the father she barely knows, but also from his housekeeper, Verity's intended, and pretty much everyone else in town—until she discovers the source of their apprehension. Outside the village's cemetery gates are two graves, one belonging to Verity's mother, the other to her mother's sister. Unlike those inside the cemetery, these are caged. The sight sends shivers down Verity's spine. No one in town will explain the cages except to say that, sometimes, Catawissa's dead refuse to stay put. Verity can't believe the town gossip—that her mother and aunt were dangerous witches who needed to be imprisoned even in death—but she's still unnerved by the idea. What is the real reason for the caged graves? Who was Verity's mother, really? And is it true, what the townsfolk say about restless spirits? In between trying to understand her confounding fiancee, ignoring her growing feelings for another man, and getting to know her distant father, Verity intends to find out the answers to the town's deepest, darkest mysteries.
The Caged Graves, a haunting historical mystery by Dianne K. Salerni, was inspired by the intriguing existence of two caged graves in present-day Catawissa. No one knows the reason for the cages, but the possibilities are spooky indeed. Salerni's imagined story definitely provides a few chills, although it's more of a mystery than a horror show. While the tale is predictable in some ways, it's surprising in others, making it on-the-whole, a very compelling novel. The ending did disappoint a bit—still, I enjoyed this one.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, scary images, and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Haunting, Hopeful Classic Endures for Good Reason
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kit Tyler's unconventional upbringing makes her an oddity in colonial Connecticut. Having been raised on the island of Barbados with little supervision from the grandfather who reared her, she's a fun-loving, free spirit who bucks against the strict Puritan society in which she finds herself after her grandpa's death. The aunt and uncle who have taken Kit in, despite her surprise appearance on their doorstep, hardly know what to do with a 16-year-old who refuses to behave like the other girls in Wethersfield.
Developing a secret friendship with Hannah Tupper—an elderly Quaker woman who has not only been shunned by "polite" society, but also labeled a witch—brings even more trouble for Kit. Kit's being courted by Wethersfield's most eligible bachelor; if she can just conform and learn to follow the rules (which includes stopping her visits to Hannah's house), she can become one of the most enviable women in town. Can she resist her natural willfulness? Or her outrage at the mistreatment of people like harmless old Hannah? Should she let go of everything that makes her unique, just to fit into a society that fears anything different?
When a vicious illness strikes the settlement, Kit and Hannah stand accused. Desperate to clear her good name, Kit must make the most difficult decision of her life—bow to the rigid community leaders or risk death by standing up for what (and in whom) she believes.
It's been a long, long time since I first read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare's Newbery Award-winning masterpiece. No matter. I enjoyed it just as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid. Originally published in 1958, the book tells a haunting story, which plays out against a vivid historical backdrop. Speare brings Colonial America to life with fascinating detail, giving readers a rich, realistic sense of the setting, in terms of both place and time. With a blend of adventure, romance and suspense, the plot keeps the story moving right along, making for an engaging, exciting read. Sympathetic and brave, Kit is a heroine who dives right into the reader's heart, ensuring that they will care deeply about her plight. Although The Witch of Blackbird Pond is set in the late 1600s, it will appeal to anyone—in any decade—who's ever felt out-of-place, misunderstood, or suffocated by a society that doesn't appreciate their particular brand of different. Compelling and hopeful, it's a classic that should be read again and again.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books about the Salem witch trials, including I Walk in Dread by Lisa Rowe Fraustino; Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill; and Father of Lies by Ann Turner)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, January 19, 2012
C'mon, Sophie Mercer, Work Your Magic A Little Harder ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers from Demonglass, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Hex Hall. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
When Sophie Mercer first arrived at Hecate Hall—a reform school for screw-up paranormal teens—she believed herself to be a witch. A crappy one, who couldn't even begin to control her powers, but definitely a witch. She also believed herself to be in love with a gorgeous warlock named Archer Cross. Then, two witches were killed (one by the ghost of Sophie's great-grandmother, no less), a large family secret was revealed (Sophie's father is a demon, making her part human, part monster) and Archer turned out to have a secret of his own (A demon hunter? Who knew!). Now, Sophie's not sure what to believe. About anything.
The one thing Sophie's pretty sure of is that she no longer wants to possess any powers at all. She longs to travel to England where she can go through the Removal, a process that will take away her magic forever. Or kill her. Either one is preferable to the catastrophic damage her powers always create. So, when Sophie's estranged father shows up, offering to take her back to London with him, she agrees to go. What she discovers across the pond, though, gives her pause. Although Sophie and her father are supposed to be the only demons in the world, she meets two more, which can only mean one thing: someone is secretly raising demons. Oh, and she's betrothed. But not to the guy she's in love with, the guy who's currently stalking around London trying to kill her. To complicate matters, Sophie's having friend drama with Jenna, parental drama with her father and ghost drama with her dead best frenemy. What's a witch-turned-demon to do?
With the paranormal world at the brink of all-out war, Sophie's scary-powerful magic could really come in handy. But she refuses to unleash it, especially since she can't even decide which side of the battle she's on. As the fight escalates, Sophie has to decide who she is, what she wants, and how much she's willing to risk to get it. Everything—her family, her friendships, her future, even her very life—depends on what she does next.
Like Hex Hall before it, Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins is a fun, lighthearted paranormal romance. Sophie's snarky, but lovable; flawed, but admirable; strong, but sympathetic. Her upbeat voice keeps the story engaging, even when it dwindles into predictability (something that happens often in this second book of the series). Plotwise, Demonglass gets a little slow and, unfortunately, nothing surprising really happens. So, while Sophie continues to amuse me, I still say this series lacks a certain polish that keeps me from truly loving it. Which isn't to say I don't enjoy the books—I do—I just think there's a whole lot of potential here that's not being realized. And that's always a bummer. Sophie just needs to work her magic a little harder to win me over. That shouldn't be too tough for the most powerful demon in the world, now should it?
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for mild language (no F-bombs) and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Demonglass from the generous folks at Disney/Hyperion. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
In A Village Where "Witches" Roam, Words Can Be Very Dangerous ...
(Image from Indiebound)"We must repent and repair, and tread with care, for the Devil is running amok in Massachusetts" (47).
The last thing on Earth 12-year-old Deliverance Trembley needs is more problems. She's already nursing her frail older sister, completing all the chores around the farm while her uncle's away, and doing her level best to convince the nosy citizens of Salem Village - as well as herself - that she and Remembrance haven't, in fact, been abandoned by said uncle. When rumors of witchcraft sweep through the town, it makes Deliverance shudder. Hysteria's taken over people's good senses, and there's no telling who will be accused next.
Unlike a lot of girls in the village, Deliverance knows how to read and write. When she finds a blank book in her uncle's farmhouse, she starts journaling as a way to vent all the feelings she holds inside. It becomes her solace, her haven, a place to record not only her own emotions, but also her exhiliration and fear as witch hunting fever takes over the town. Deliverance has never been tight with the accusing girls. Crossing them now means risking a hanging. But as careful as she is to watch her step, Deliverance has never been good at holding her tongue. Will her skepticism about the girls' "ability" put her own head in the noose? With her uncle gone, her older brother training with the militia, and her own sister caught up in the witch hunts, Deliverance has no one to turn to, no one to protect her. Only in her diary can she express her true thoughts - dangerous thoughts, thoughts that could get her in trouble if anyone ever read them ...
First published in 2004, I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials by Lisa Rowe Fraustino was one of the last novels published in Scholastic's popular Dear America series. Now it's among the first to be reissued. Available on September 1 with new cover art, this taut, well-told novel chronicles the strange events that transpired in Salem, Massachusetts in 1691. What began with a group of young girls accusing their neighbors of practicing witchcraft ended with over 100 people imprisoned and 20 dead. As Deliverance recounts it all in prose that grows from fascinated to incredulous to fearful, she draws the reader in, making her an eyewitness to history. It's difficult not to empathize with our heroine, whose courage makes her admirable while her impatience keeps her human. I Walk in Dread doesn't necessarily add anything new to the story of the Salem Witch Trials, but, with authentic narration, vivid historical detail, and plenty of nail-biting tension, it's a strong, gripping novel that truly brings history to life.
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild violence and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of I Walk in Dread from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Monday, March 07, 2011
Father of Lies: In Salem, Massachusetts, Being Different Can Be Deadly ...
(Image from Indiebound)Unlike all the other girls in Salem, Massachusetts, 14-year-old Lidda can't stand th
e thought of spending her whole life trapped at home caring for a husband and children. Her own mother can barely stay awake, so exhausted is she by the requirements of her household. Lidda longs for something more. Her traitorous soul craves frivolous things, forbidden things. Dancing in the sunshine, wearing bold colors, singing out loud - anything but the daily torture of quiet, pious living demanded of her by her religion, her community and her family.
e thought of spending her whole life trapped at home caring for a husband and children. Her own mother can barely stay awake, so exhausted is she by the requirements of her household. Lidda longs for something more. Her traitorous soul craves frivolous things, forbidden things. Dancing in the sunshine, wearing bold colors, singing out loud - anything but the daily torture of quiet, pious living demanded of her by her religion, her community and her family.Lidda knows she's different, but when she starts seeing a handsome, otherworldly figure sitting in her room, she wonders if she might be crazy. When she hears his voice in her head, urging her to rip off her stays and run wild, she knows he's dangerous. When he laughs at her obedience, mocks her prayers, and encourages her flights of fancy, she wonders if he may, in fact, be the Devil. Others in town seem possessed by evil, why not she?
When other girls in Salem began convulsing on the floor, claiming to be cursed by witches, Lidda wonders about her impairment. It's not like the plague coursing through her friends, giving them power so great, it frightens Lidda. Plus, the evil in her seems real, while the witch-possessing looks a lot like play-acting. She longs to accuse these accusers, who send innocent people to their doom without a prick of conscience, but if she dares cross the girls, won't she be just as vulnerable as the girls' other victims? Especially since she really is possessed by the Devil? Someone has to stop the madness overtaking Salem. Does Lidda dare confess what she knows, even if the telling the truth could mean swinging from the gallows herself?
In Father of Lies, a new historical novel for teens by Ann Turner, the author expresses the same idea that drives Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill: namely, that the young Salem girls who accused so many of witchcraft did so knowing full well that their insinuations were untrue. Perhaps it was out of boredom, or a desire for power in a society where little girls had none, or simply part of the religious fanaticism rampant in the area at the time. Whatever it was, the results of their tantrums are grim -
"... one hundred fifty women had been accused and thrown in jail ...; nineteen men and women had been hanged; one elderly man, Giles Corey, had been pressed to death by stones; several people had died in jail, two dogs were hanged for associating with witches; and one little girl, Dorcas Good, went mad while confined in irons with her mother in jail" (244-245).
Although I found Turner's story interesting, it didn't give me any really new information about the Salem Witch Trials, especially considering the recent publication of the very evocative Wicked Girls. The one thing that stands out here, though, is the idea of a young girl trying to understand her mental condition in a time when things like bi-polar disorder were not only misunderstood, but seen as curses from God or Satan. As Lidda grapples to understand herself, the reader is forced to ask the question - Is the specter haunting Lidda simply a byproduct of her disease or something far more sinister? The conundrum gives needed depth and originality to an otherwise familiar tale. It wasn't, however, enough to make Father of Lies more than just an average, okay, read for me. Oh well.
(Readalikes: Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill - see review and author links above)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for frightening images
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Father of Lies from the generous folks at Harper Teen. Thank you!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Shivery Wicked Girls A Perfect Halloween Read (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
None in the Village dare step
on the shadows we forge,
lest their name
be next proclaimed.
For as evening approaches
and heat subsides
our elders shrivel and shrink,
and we girls
grow spine tall (224).
on the shadows we forge,
lest their name
be next proclaimed.
For as evening approaches
and heat subsides
our elders shrivel and shrink,
and we girls
grow spine tall (224).
The more I read, the more I'm convinced - nothing is quite as chilling as the truth. Ghosts, zombies, vampires, and demons have their place, sure, but at the end of the da
y, we know they're not real (okay, maybe not at the end of the day, when monsters easily slip into our dreams; in the light of the morning, then, we know they're not real). Not so with the devils we see on the 5 o'clock news or learn about in the paper. Those fiends are real. And that's terrifying.
y, we know they're not real (okay, maybe not at the end of the day, when monsters easily slip into our dreams; in the light of the morning, then, we know they're not real). Not so with the devils we see on the 5 o'clock news or learn about in the paper. Those fiends are real. And that's terrifying.
History gives us this frightening tale: Between February 1692 and May 1693, 19 citizens of Massachusetts were executed for practicing witchcraft. Hundreds of others were accused, tried, and imprisoned for the same crime. The kicker? All of those acts were performed based on the word of a small group of teenage girls. Considered "seers" by the pious folk of Salem Village, the girls regularly "saw" their neighbors engaging in questionable acts. Although doctors could find nothing physically wrong with the girls, they were afflicted by constant fits, in which they would scream, throw things, contort thei
r bodies into impossible positions, and proclaim that they were being tortured by witches. Boiling over with righteous indignation, the townspeople took it upon themselves to rid their community of anyone the "seers" accused. Concrete evidence hardly mattered when the purest vessels in the land were receiving holy visions. The leaders of Salem Village accepted the girls' accusations as the God's honest truth, a mistake that led to some of the cruelest deaths in American history.
r bodies into impossible positions, and proclaim that they were being tortured by witches. Boiling over with righteous indignation, the townspeople took it upon themselves to rid their community of anyone the "seers" accused. Concrete evidence hardly mattered when the purest vessels in the land were receiving holy visions. The leaders of Salem Village accepted the girls' accusations as the God's honest truth, a mistake that led to some of the cruelest deaths in American history.
What motivated the girls (Religious fanaticism? PTSD from witnessing violent Indian attacks? Eating infected rye bread? Hunger for power?) is unknown, but Stephanie Hemphill runs with the idea that the "seers" would do and say anything to keep the town's attention focused on them. In Wicked Girls, she introduces the 7 girls who, collectively, caused the deaths of 20 people, and were directly responsible for tarnishing the reputations of scores of others. Although Hemphill uses her literary license to enlarge the characters, the girls she describes are those identified in the history books: there's orphan Mercy Lewis (17), who works as a maid for the Putnam Family; Ann Putnam Jr. (12), a young lady of stature in town; Margaret Walcott (17), Ann's step-cousin; Abigail Williams (12), niece of Reverend Samuel Parris; Betty Parris (8), the Reverend's daughter; Elizabeth Hubbard (17), a niece of the town doctor; and Susannah Sheldon (18), a girl from Salem town who serves a local family. Together, they form a tight clique. As their little fits gain notice from the people around them, they heighten the drama by writhing on the floor with greater agitation, pinching themselves, crying out during church services, and swooning. So poison are their accusations that no one dares cross the girls.
The girls believe in their own visions to varying degrees. Mercy knows she hasn't truly seen a thing, but she'll do whatever it takes to punish the man she holds responsible for her parents' deaths. Margaret's stained by her own sins, yet punishes others with fervor. Ann's more concerned about her own power within the group than about anyone they might hurt with their accusations. Insisting on managing her own outbursts, Abigail struggles to keep her position in the clique. Susannah's too slow to truly understand, Betty too young. Elizabeth is tortured by what she does, but can't stand up to Ann, let alone those who abuse her. All crave the attention and power they get from their stunts. The high is too exhilirating to give up.
As the girls' power builds, crests and eventually diminishes, we witness their every thought and action. Written in free verse, the novel grows more chilling with every sentence. What results is a taut, terrifying story of innocence tainted by greed and power lust. More frightening than any Stephen King novel, Wicked Girls is a perfectly shivery Halloween read. I've still got goosebumps.
(Readalikes: Although I've never read it, The Crucible by Arthur Miller tells the same story. It also reminded me of Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult.)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for violence, some sexual content, reference to physical abuse of children
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Wicked Girls from the generous folks at Harper Collins. Thank you!
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Believe it or not, this is the 700th post I've published here at BBB. I know, right? Wow. In celebration, I'm giving away a brand new, hardcover copy of Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill. Thanks to Harper Collins for providing me with it. Since I will be mailing it myself, I'm opening the giveaway to all of my readers, wherever in the world you may reside. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me how you feel about Halloween. Love it? Hate it? How do you celebrate? What books are you reading to get you into that shivery, quivery Halloween state of mind? I will choose a winner (using random.org) on October 15. Please remember to leave a working email address if you do not have a public blog. Thanks and good luck!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
"Fat Free" Hex Hall Lacks the Lusciouness of a True Original
(Image from Barnes & Noble)Unlike most halflings in modern urban fantasy, Sophie Mercer knows exactly what she is. A witch. And a pretty crappy one at that. With her warlock father out of the picture, she's had to learn the ropes under the eye of her human mother. The result? Disaster. They've had to flee more towns than Sophie can count. As her powers grow stronger, so do Sophie's blunders. Now, following a love spell gone hugely and publicly wrong, Sophie's being exiled to Hecate Hall, a reform school for teenage Prodigium (the children of powerful witches, warlocks, werewolves, fairies, etc.) in need of ... instruction.
Even at "Hex Hall," where Sophie can finally be "herself," she's having trouble fitting in. Unlike her classmates, she's never been surrounded by so many different creatures - she doesn't know all their different histories, customs and prejudices. She only knows that everyone seems to be giving her a wide berth. The harder she tries to blend in, the more she stands out. Sophie refuses to join a coven of stuck-up witches; she's crushing on a totally hot, totally unattainable warlock; her roommate's a suspected murderer; and, oh yeah, she's being stalked by a ghost. To make matters worse, she can't cast a decent spell to save her life. And that's exactly what she's going to have to do. As the school's witches get attacked one-by-one, it's pretty clear who's next. Can Sophie figure out who's to blame before it's too late? What if the would-be killer turns out to be the only real friend she has at Hex Hall? What's a crappy, misfit witch to do?
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is, as the author describes it, a "Southern-fried paranormal romance." As the description indicates, the book's a light, funny take on the whole urban fantasy thing. Hex Hall has its share of gore, but it's definitely more snarky than sinister. I've heard the book compared to the Harry Potter novels and, while I see some similarities, it's kind of like pitting fat free cream cheese against the rich, lusciousness of the original. Same product, but the imitation can never equal the real thing. You know what I mean? That being said, the story did keep me turning pages, made me laugh a couple of times, and even surprised me with a couple of its twists. Hex Hall doesn't come anywhere near the greatness of HP, but it's a quick, entertaining read that will probably appeal to female fans of the boy wizard.
(Readalikes: kind of like the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for language, violence, sexual innuendo and references to homosexuality
To the FTC, with love: I received this book from the generous folks over at Disney/Hyperion. Thanks!
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