In HOW TO HANG A WITCH by Adriana Mather, being a high school student isn't just like a witch hunt, it is a witch hunt. The novel was a great read; I found myself loving every page. With its perfect combination of teenage sarcasm and mystery, you won't regret picking this book up this summer.

One thing that makes HOW TO HANG A WITCH incredibly interesting is that the author, Adriana Mather, is a descendant of Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister known for his infamous role in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This fact adds a certain level of intrigue and uniqueness to the story that couldn't exist otherwise; very few books, or authors, for that matter, can boast this claim. After all, who better to tell the story of the descendants of those in the trial than one of those descendants herself?

"If you like witty sarcasm and the teenage perspective, historical backdrops, historical realism, fantasy, or stories about fitting in, you are definitely going to love HOW TO HANG A WITCH."

In HOW TO HANG A WITCH, Samantha Mather (a descendant of Cotton Mather) and her stepmother move from the lively streets of New York City to Salem, Massachusetts. Her presence automatically conflicts with a group of of girls known as The Descendants (descendants of those accused in the trials). While in Salem, Sam also meets a handsome ghost. It soon becomes clear that Sam is bound to an ancient curse, one that afflicts those who were involved in the Salem Witch Trials and their descendants. So it is up to Sam to work with the ghost AND the Descendants to put an end to the ancient curse that has haunted the town of Salem for centuries.

I have to admit it: I loved the premise of the book even before I read the first page. I don't exactly know why I loved the concept of this novel, but I did --- and, boy, did it deliver! Every page had me dying to read more. In fact, I couldn't put the book down; I read almost all of it in one sitting. It was so late at night (or early in the morning, technically), that delirious-me could barely fight to stay awake. The story is unique, Samantha Mather's character and voice are illuminating, and the entire backdrop of an old town haunted by a dark past and literal dark magic was fascinating. It was one of those stories that had me constantly wondering "What is Sam going to do next?"

If you like witty sarcasm and the teenage perspective, historical backdrops, historical realism, fantasy, or stories about fitting in, you are definitely going to love HOW TO HANG A WITCH. The perfect blend of coming-of-age and fantasy, this is a must-read summer novel.