Too sleepy for a full review, but here's the short version:Flat plot (i.e., no highs or lows) + flat characters + repetitive Puritan emoz + confusing Puritan politics = 3 stars. However, the writing itself was good & the setting was vividly described with strong details woven throughout. It feels like Chance was trying too hard to make Serious Lit-Fic(tm) after getting her start in romance novels -- the overcompensation was strong in this one -- but I'll not be afraid to try her later novels. Edit: After posting last night, I realize the single biggest flaw of this book is an idiot hero. I'm not judging his errors re: the witch craze -- though modern readers may wonder at Salem's bizarre group-think hysteria, the culture of that era was very different. Fair enough. But Lucas' idiocy is far more basic. He knows nothing about his family & very little about human nature in general. He was completely oblivious to glaringly obvious things, & there's no legit reason why he should be so clueless (or such an emo crybaby). He's just dumb. Only in fiction would Susannah & Lucas fall in love -- their romance is rather forced, & it weighs the novel down.
I became curious about the stories of the Salem witch trials. This book follows a family who lives in this small town. I can totally understand how the insanity was spread, and I was glad to see that the father found out his own guilt. Preaching about the evil men do and their punishment made their children afraid, instead of loving God and each other they pointed fingers and were able to manipulate an entire town. Very nice story but I expected more burning at the stake instead of inner turmoil at the constant. It could have been a bit more well rounded, but it was a nice take on the times.
Did not finish.Charity is a 15/16 year old who just lost her mother who died in childbirth. Charity's beautiful aunt Susannah comes from London just in time to help the family with their loss. Unfortunately for the aunt Susannah, Charity's family lives in Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1691. Susannah sticks out like a sore thumb with her beauty, bright clothing, and forward nature. I had to stop after 150 pages of Charity's teenage issues, insecurities, peer pressure, etc.... I just wasn't interested. I skimmed the rest of the book. It had a predictable storyline and ending.
—Shannon
Megan Chance really brought the Salem witch trials to life. With a mix of historical fact and well written fiction woven together the madness of the times comes to life with intensity. I have read many portrayals of this time in history but never have I been so moved or involved. It astounds me that an entire state could be caught up in something so insane. I wanted to shake some sense into them all. If I have any criticism, it would be that the ending was not as satisfying as I had hoped. Still a fabulous read.
—Dana Burgess
This book is about the witch trials of Salem, and at the same time its about so much more. The most complicated relationship in the book is between father and daughter. I loved reading this book, it didn't take long to finish at all. I kept thinking "I just know something really bad is going to happen". The writer did a great job using research she did on Salem in the 1600s to capture realistic enough emotions from the characters. My only complaint and reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the ending.
—Irma Fox
