How to Hang a Witch
by Adriana Mather
Summary
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 almost 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 may be about to repeat itself.
My Review
I absolutely loved this book! It had everything I was looking for in a witchy read—conflict, drama, romance, supernatural elements, like witches and ghosts, and fascinating historical details about Salem, MA. The story was fast-paced, gripping, and impossible to put down. It also delivered all the cozy fall vibes, making it the perfect read for this time of year.
I loved the way the author narrated this audiobook—she did an amazing job! It was also really interesting to learn that she’s a real-life descendant of Cotton Mather, a historical figure from the Salem Witch Trials. Hearing the author’s note at the end, where she shared her inspiration for the book and her writing process, added an extra layer of fascination.
If you love historical facts woven into fiction and enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trials, this book is a must-read. Fans of movies and shows like Mean Girls, Gossip Girl, The Craft, and Hocus Pocus will absolutely adore this story—it carries all those vibes throughout. It was an exciting, wild ride, and I had such a blast listening to it. Highly recommend! I can’t wait to dive into the sequel and read more from this author!