Image Map Image Map

Friday, May 6, 2016

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather ARC Review + Giveaway

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather
Paperback ARC, 358 pages
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Expected Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Pre-Order it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?

If dealing with that weren't enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials.

Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with the Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it's Salem. But history is about to repeat itself.



For ages, I have been looking for that perfect Halloweeny read, and I've finally found it! It's witchy without being too creepy, and being the big scaredy-cat that I am, the latter is extremely important. I'm fascinated and horrified by the history of the Salem witch trials, and How to Hang a Witch uses that history and turns it into a spooky and romantic story. I really identified with the main character's voice, and I now have a new book boyfriend in Elijah—a swoony ghost with a sad and dark past. In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of the movie The Craft, which I loooooved growing up, but a cuter version!



Once I got to the middle of the story, I was tearing through the pages! I couldn't get enough of the story and all the romantic scenes were amazing. The book ends in a way that makes you want to rip your hair out—but in a good way haha. When I reached the end, I couldn't believe it. It left me with so many questions and hopes, but I have no idea what's going to happen in the sequel. I needed more, and now I have to wait over a year for the next book!


Alas, I will eagerly await the sequel... until I get it, I'll just have to push this book on everyone I know haha.



1) Elijah is so swoony, I can't even. So long has it been since I've been swept away by an otherworldly gentleman, but then Elijah entered my life and I'm adding him to my long list of book boyfriends. He's so serious, but sweet... I totally get Mr. Darcy feels from him.


2) I love the main character—she is incredibly relatable. I found myself nodding along to her thoughts and being like, "this is so me right now."

3) This book is modern, but at the same time, it somehow has such an old-world feel that it makes you nostalgic. It made me want to plan a trip to Salem as soon as possible, and it made me even more interested in its history.

4) I really love the family dynamics in this book. Not only do the teens have parents, but they have parents that care! There were a couple of familial relationships that really pulled on my heartstrings; I especially adored the tidbits with Sam and her dad, those were priceless.

5) There is a moment towards the end of the book (where even though I had my suspicions, I wasn't sure) where I was totally heartbroken... it was just so upsetting that I didn't want to be right.


6) The ending! I couldn't read fast enough. There was just so much going on, I couldn't sit still! When I thought all of my hopes and dreams were crushed, Adriana left me with a little granule of hope and I just. . .



1) In the beginning, I was a little put off because I wanted a really witchy book, and at first, it seemed like a teen book about a girl who was just disliked by everyone for no apparent reason. But once I got past that early section and on to the witchiness, I was all in.

2) I don't quite understand all of the parental roles of the Descendants (the kids with witchy powers). Do they know about the magic? Do they practice magic? This was a little unclear to me.







a Rafflecopter giveaway

20 comments:

  1. I'm so excited to read this book...any literature about witches, and I'm all over it, LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're going to love this one then! Can't wait to see what you think ^_^

      Delete
  2. Ahhh, you just brought up so many feels with that Witches of East End gif. I'm still getting over its cancellation. Speaking of The Craft, did you hear they are making a sequel?! :D This book sounds really good. I've always been into witch books/movies/TV shows. Odd fact, but I've always wanted to visit Salem, Massachusetts, too. They have really fun looking tourist attractions. Thanks for the review, girl!

    Sarah | Kerosene Lit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That gif is actually from The Craft. I'm wary of a sequel since it's been so long since the first. I don't think that it's an odd fact, I'd really like to see it too ^_^

      Glad you liked the review!

      Delete
  3. I haven't read this one, but it sounds really good!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much for another awesome review. I've wanted more family in YA and from what you wrote, this will be a perfect book for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope How to Hang a Witch is to your liking!

      Delete
  5. Yay! So excited to see a high rating such lovely thoughts about this one! It's one of my most anticipated reads this year. I'll have to read this one before Halloween, because if it's not that creepy, I like to save Halloween time for the creepiest stories! xD The characters sound great, I love the quote about the graveyards LOL, and swoony love interests are always a plus!;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a little creepy but not overly so. So much swoon when it comes this one. I can't wait to see what you think of it ^_^

      Delete
  6. I have a soft spot for witch stories. I grew up watched Sabrina and Bewitched and I loved Born Wicked when I read it a few years ago. I added this recently to my TBR and your review makes me even more excited for it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to love Sabrina! I'm so glad to hear that How to Hang a Witch is on your TBR and I hope that you love it!

      Delete
  7. I am right there with you on the scaredy cat level! I can read creepy books as long as they don't scare me so much that I can't sleep. The fact that you loved the story so much that you want to visit Salem has me really intrigued. It's not often that a book can pull you into the setting so well that you need to check it out. Definitely one that I will add to the TBR! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This creeped me out but I didn't lose any sleep over it, so hopefully you'll feel the same way. How to Hang a Witch definitely pulled me into the setting and on all accounts I hope you does the same for you ^_^

      Delete
  8. You had me at Mr. Darcy! ♥ *Clears throat* I mean, the rest of the book sounds awesome and I love me some bit of creepy (but not too much because also #TeamScaredyCat). So yeah, I think I need this book! Must brew a potion to bring me luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you need this book! Trust me, the guy is enough to love the book but there are many other reasons to love it! Good luck on the giveaway!

      Delete
  9. This books sounds amazing and I'd love to read it asap. The thing about ARCs is when you fall in love with one and have no way to get your hands on it so you stare at the cover all day instead XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I stare at the cover and reread my favorite sections, that's the only way I deal with it. That, and I read more books haha. I hope that you enjoy this book, good luck on the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. Ohh, not heard of this one before :D But SO glad that you liked it a lot sweetie. <3 YAY! And ahh, you make the boy sound pretty amazing, haha ;) Thank you for sharing about this one sweetie. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope that you pick this up, and Elijah is soooo swoony and wonderful! Thank you for stopping by as always!

      Delete