Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Book Review: Wicked Girls






















Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill.

Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials based on the real historical characters, told from the perspective of three young women living in Salem in 1692—Mercy Lewis, Margaret Walcott, and Ann Putnam Jr.  When Ann’s father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann sees an opportunity and starts manifesting the symptoms of affliction. Ann looks up to Mercy, the beautiful servant in her parents' house. She shows Mercy the power that a young girl is capable of in a time when women were completely powerless. Mercy, who suffered abuse at the hands of past masters, seizes her only chance at safety. And Ann’s cousin Margaret, anxious to win the attention of a boy in her sights, follows suit. As the accusations mount against men and women in the community, the girls start to see the deadly ramifications of their actions. Should they finally tell the truth? Or is it too late to save this small New England town?

A haunting tale of the dark side of human nature penned in a refreshingly unique style.  The first thing readers should know before reading Wicked Girls is that it is written entirely in verse.  As a poet myself I find it encouraging to find a new hardcover release in this style though some readers may be put off by the cadence and structure of this novel.  I highly recommend browsing through a copy in your local bookstore.  I found the rhythm of Hemphill's words pulled me deeper into the time and place of this novel for a unique reading experience.  While many of the characters are unlikeable their selfishness and greed for power illuminated the inequality of the time.  An interesting read for those interested in the Salem Witch Trials and a refreshingly different reading experience.

I recommend Wicked Girls to readers of historical fiction, young adult, and paranormal fiction.

Source: This book was provided by the author or publisher for honest review.

Wicked Girls on Amazon.
Wicked Girls on Goodreads.

7 comments:

  1. WOW! Based on on real charcaters of the Salem withc trial. Sounds interesting... I may need to get this. Great review btw.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Savannah! If you're interested in historical fiction involving witch trials, I also recommend 'The Daughters of Witching Hill'. My review can be found here: http://www.fromtheshadows.info/2010/02/daughters-of-witching-hill.html

    Happy Reading!
    xx,
    E.J.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I actually like to read novels in verse, this one sounds good. I'll be picking it up soon. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You got an award on my blog

    http://midnightsapphiresbooks.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-first-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sapphire,
    Thank you for the lovely award! :)
    xx,
    E.J.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Being a vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, but how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity? contact the vampires creed today via email: Richvampirekindom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. URGENT LOAN IS AVAILABLE NOW

    TODAY I GOT MY DESIRED LOAN AMOUNT $760,000.00 FROM A RELIABLE AND TRUSTED LOAN COMPANY LAST WEEK, BUSINESS/HOME/COMPANY/PROJECT/PERSONAL LOAN? ARE NOW AFFORDABLE HERE FOR YOU TODAY CONTACT Email profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com Whatsapp Number +1(541)279-1406

    Hello,I'm here to testify of how i got my real estate business loan from PROF. MRS.DOROTHY JEAN INVESTMENTS (profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com) I don't know if you are in need of an urgent loan to pay bills, start business or build a house, they offer all kinds of loan Ranging from $5,000.00 to $2,000,000.00USD with a low interest rate of 2% and loan duration of 1 to 33 years to pay back the loan secure and unsecured. Are you losing sleep at nights worrying how to get a Legit Loan Lender?
    MRS.DOROTHY JEAN holds all of the information about how to obtain money quickly and painlessly without cost/stress via Contacts Whatsapp Number +1(541)279-1406 Email profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete