I liked this--it was an interesting read. I had no idea that the modern story-line was also based on a true story till the end. The mind is a crazy thing. ( )

3.5 stars

This was a page-turner, and the modern story seemed so familiar, I had to peek at the author's notes at the end to see if it was based on something that really happened. It was. Obviously the historical segments in Salem were based on actual events.

The true story that this (the chapters set in 2012) is based on is fascinating and weird, and I enjoyed reading Howe's fictionalized version.
There was a little too much going on, though (a friend who has Pica and another who's had an affair with a teacher, on top of the mystery illness plot, made things kind of crowded in there.) I guess I can see why the Emma/Tad plot needed to be in there to support one of the possible interpretations of the ending. .
The Ann Putnam chapters got tedious after a while too, and it wasn't fun to read from her point of view. The present tense narration when she was telling Reverend Green her story from years before didn't make sense to me. Using the present tense when the setting is in the past drives me crazy anyway.
It was a good choice for teen book club. With the factual basis, the subject matter, and an ending open to interpretation, we'll have plenty to talk about. ( )

Interesting juxtaposition between a contemporary "outbreak" of hysteria a la Salem and flashbacks to the original trials. Good portrayal of high pressure prep school culture, and some unexpected twists. All in all, I enjoyed it and it was a solid read. ( )

A mystery illness has struck the quiet halls of St Joan's Private School for Girls that has everyone in Danvers, Massachusetts on edge. With so many girls being afflicted with so many different, bizarre symptoms everyone is racing to try and discover what is causing the illness. Colleen is among the young students of St Joans, but has not been affected by the illness...yet. As she races against time to try and help solve the mystery of the illness, she may just discover another mystery hundreds of years old...one that Danvers would like to forget.
This was a great book that was woven with the tale of the Salem Witch trials to provide a historical perspective and tie to the City of Danvers...with a guest appearance by the Dane family! Another great read from Ms. Howe! ( )

Previously having read and enjoyed two of Katherine Howe’s other books (The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and The Penguin Book of Witches), I had high expectations for Conversion. Unfortunately, it did not deliver.

It started out well enough, as I meandered through alternating chapters set in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 2012, and Salem Village In 1706. I can see where Howe was going with the story, showing that in both instances teenage girls under pressure can be susceptible to Conversion Disorder. I liked the focus on Ann Putnam Jr.’s confession. I was less a fan of how Howe wrapped up both stories. Endings are important to a story, and when they arrive too abruptly or in a less than satisfying manner, they can drag a book down. Because of all of the above, I give the book 3 stars. It’s worth reading, but it isn’t a five-star effort. ( )