Time of the Witches by Anna Myers

Title: Time of the Witches
Author: Anna Myers
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (September 15, 2009)
Source: Library
Setting: Salem (Massachusetts, United States)
Rating: 4 out of 5

My Thoughts:
In the Time of the Witches, Anna Myers has taken the 1962-63 Salem Trials and built a story around it. The events in this book actually happened. When a new reverend comes to Salem village, his appointment is not unanimous. There are many people who are against him. Family feuds also play a major part in this.

Dru and Gabe are 2 orphans who have been shuffled between various families of the village since they were 4 years old. When they are 12, Dru and Gabe are separated and they are sent to live with 2 families that are related to each other but have been fighting over land and other things.

While Gabe gets a good house, Dru is sent to live with a mentally unstable Women with 3 kids. She has lost a lot of babies which makes her think there are people who are conspiring against her babies. When the new reverend comes to town, she finds a perfect way to get back at everyone.

In the beginning Dru goes along with her because she thinks she has finally found a family and a mother. But things start to get out of control when the Witch trials begin. Dru is pushed into a never ending nightmare with no way to get out.

I really liked this book. Anna Myers bought the Salem village to life. She also effectively conveyed the mass hysteria, the false accusations that followed. It’s a book where fiction mixes seamlessly with the truth. I finished it in 2 days which is very rare these days since I seem to be having a very short attention span.

Since it’s Young Adult, it’s not too heavy. If you like YA or are just plain interested in the Salem Witch Trials, do read this book.

About the Author: Anna Myers has written a lot of books and has won a LOT of awards. See this page for details.