Lois Ruby

As someone who loves everything Salem witchcraft trials - I've seen every documentary, movie, mini-series and probably read every book out there on it, I just could NOT get into this one. I tried my hardest, I really did. I think I went back to this maybe 3 or 4 times and I just could not get into it.

The synopsis made it seem like this book was going to be amazing, so kudos to whoever wrote that, but this book did not live up to the hype. The little girl, Abigail I think her name was, was so show more annoying. Thomas' POV wasn't half bad, but Prudence, it was breathtaking how boring some of her dialogue was.

This is actually the second book I've 'read' by this author. The first one, The Secret of Laurel Oaks was alright. It is another YA book, I basically read it because it is about the Myrtle Plantation and ghosts, both of which I love, and I had difficulties reading that one as well, but not nearly as bad as this one. Maybe the author's writing style and I just don't mix. I read a ton of YA and NA, so I don't think it has anything to do with the genre. show less

This was a great story, set during the Salem witch trials. I loved Thomas and Patience, and I like the twist of Thomas being a Quaker, as usually you here about the Puritans when reading about the trials. My only real complaint is I’m not crazy about the use of present tense. It didn’t flow very naturally, and I think first person narrating with the use of past tense would’ve worked better. That said, the story is compelling, and Ruby does an excellent job of bringing characters and show more setting to life. If you have a teen/YA reader who has an interest in the Salem witch trials, this is a great fictional read to gift them! show less

I read this book to see if it would be appropriate for my daughter. I am handing it over to her; nothing too terrifying here. A solid effort, a fast and easy read and pretty much everything you would expect from a Scholastic offering. I'm sure my daughter will read it and be just fine.

In my own childhood, (back in the 70's, when we didn't wear helmets or seatbelts or sunscreen) life had a much more primitive, medieval quality and the creepy doll/haunted dollhouse novel that terrified me was show more [b:Among the Dolls|24889|Among the Dolls|William Sleator|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391664360s/24889.jpg|498888] by[a:William Sleator|14004|William Sleator|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1206554364p2/14004.jpg]. It was quite dark and disturbing; or at least that is how I remember it. show less

A reviewer says that the propaganda is unrealistic for a 12 yo to express, and that it's antiwhite racism. Wtf? Of course I can't judge for myself, but both propositions seem silly to me.
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halfway through and I have no idea what that reviewer is talking about...
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I am enjoying it as a fun genre adventure. It's got a lot of tropes like a lonely middle school child, middle in the family, sick sibling, mysterious new friend, secrets in the attic, etc.... but all are told refreshingly and with show more just enough twist to engage.
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I do look forward to the ending and to figuring out what that other reviewer was saying.
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The other reviewer misread a couple of minor things and hunted for other things to misinterpret. She's full of it.

The ending was original, creative. I really like this and if you like MG spooky stories I bet you will, too. Honestly, I normally don't love ghost stories, so I'm surprising myself by rounding up from 3.5 stars. show less