Four stars: A surprising story that gives a new ghostly take on the Titanic. 

Sam is trying to get back to normal after her father almost died, and she was almost hanged by her stepmother. She just wants to be a boring girl. Unfortunately one morning at breakfast, Sam sees a ghostly girl. She does not want to interact with ghosts. Then things get even more weird when she receives a mysterious package supposedly from a distant aunt. In the package is a vintage dress from the turn of the 20th Century. When Sam tries on the dress, something strange happens. She finds herself on board the Titanic, but she isn’t herself. Sam finds herself in the body of one of her relatives who was actually on board the fated ship. As the days go on, Sam continues to visit the Titanic in her dreams. Who is behind the spells and why? 

What I Liked:

Haunting the Deep was a surprisingly good read. I went in with low expectations because let’s face it, the Titanic is a well known story, how can it be reimagined? Well surprisingly, it can. I loved this ghostly version of the Titanic that is a result of spells and witchcraft. It was unique and entertaining. Definitely worth trying if you are a tried and true Titanic fan. 
I didn’t read book one, but I was pleased that I wasn’t lost in the story. The author does an excellent job of recapping all the events that occurred in book one, so much so that after reading this one, I want to go back and read the first book. 
I liked the focus on friendship in this book. Sam finds herself in a troubling situation so she reaches out to the three girls who are descendants of the original Salem Witches. It was nice that this book was all about friendship instead of romance. I liked seeing the girls come together and learn to trust each other in order to solve the problem.
Of course, I loved the whole Titanic story line. I appreciated that the author brought to life some lesser known characters, and that their stories were brought to light. It was interesting to learn that the author had relatives on the Titanic, and she featured them in the story. There are many fascinating tidbits of information that aren’t as well known about the ship. 
The ending was satisfying, it concluded the story lines, no cliffhangers. There were some hints to what is to come. 
And The Not So Much:

There wasn’t much romance in this story which was fine with me. It appears that there is an ongoing love triangle from the first book, which I find annoying, especially considering that one of the love interests is a ghost. I have a feeling what is going to happen next, and I am not sure that I am on board with that. 
When the villain was unmasked, it was a surprise, which was a good thing, but I found myself confused over the motives. I wish that there had been more insight into this person. 
This would have been a better read if I had read the first book. I would recommend reading book one before going into this one. 
Haunting the Deep was an entertaining and interesting read that surprised me. I loved the new take on the Titanic. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the spells and the witches. If you are looking for something different in the YA genre, this is one to try. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Ever since I watched Titanic when I was a kid I've been absolutely obsessed with anything related to it. In addition to watching the movie a ridiculous number of times (including the remastered 3D version in theaters), I've also watched several documentaries, read countless articles, and walked through the Titanic exhibition in the Luxor (Las Vegas, NV) and cried. So the moment I first discovered that the sequel to How to Hang a Witch was going to revolve around the Titanic (because Adriana not only has family ties to the Salem Witch Trials, but also to the Titanic. And here I thought she couldn't get any cooler), I immediately decided that I had to somehow get my hands on it ASAP.

During the LA Times Festival of Books this year, Adriana was having a signing where she was giving away a few ARCs of Haunting the Deep. I was so excited and completely set on going. Unfortunately, I became really sick on-and-off again from January until the end of April and was physically unable to go. Thankfully, my wonderful friend Alli was so kind as to pick up a copy for me and have Adriana sign it!

Haunting the Deep begins a few months after the conclusion of the first book, How to Hang a Witch and certainly does not waste time raising the creepiness factor! This sequel was seriously goosebumps-inducing and definitely creepier than the first book, partly because of the variety of spirits we encounter (two of which in particular that made me keep my lamp on when I went to bed), and also because of the mystery that unfolds throughout the story. If I didn't get so jumpy reading about all these creepy spirits, I would have kept reading throughout the night because the mystery involving Sam, the Titanic, and all these different spirits had me completely enthralled. There was never a dull moment and I just didn't want to stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next!

One of my favorite aspects was definitely the friendship between Sam and the Descendants. I have a soft spot for books with a strong theme of friendship in the story, so it was incredibly heartwarming to see Sam working with and hanging out with the Descendants this time, rather than being enemies with them. There is one scene in particular where they sort of officially induct her into their Circle and, I exaggerate not when I say I had to stop to say "aww!" out loud while clutching a hand to my heart because of all the warm and fuzzy friendship feelings I was experiencing. Seriously, in every scene Sam had with the Descendants I was wishing that I had a group of friends like them.

Yes, the love-triangle still exists in the sequel but it feels more one-sided and like unrequited love than anything else. I adore both Elijah and Jaxon but I'm definitely on Team Elijah, so you can imagine how excited I was when he appeared again. I literally paused reading (and fangirling) just to tweet Adriana my reaction because I just had to tell someone how much I was freaking out. Haha I loved that we got to see more development between Sam and Elijah!

I only have a few critiques, one of which is that I wish there were more Sam and Elijah moments! But that's the hopeless romantic in me talking. Haha There was a minor error and I'm probably being nit-picky about this, but once I notice something I can't let it go. Maybe it's already been corrected in the finish version of the book, but there's a part where Sam told the Descendants exactly what kind of dog it was but she had never been given that information before then, so how did she know? Again, minor error but it stuck with me. There's one more but it involves a spoiler so I won't mention it here.

Can I officially say that Adriana is one of my favorite authors now because I am seriously hooked on these books and will definitely keep reading any and all future installments as long as they have Sam, Elijah, and the Descendants in them. Oh, and Mrs. Meriweather and her drool-worthy treats. Spooky, witty, fun, and a serious page-turner, Haunting the Deep is a perfect read for this Halloween season! If the creepy ghosts don't keep you up at night, the mystery of Sam's connection to the Titanic will keep you enthralled until the last page! I could not recommend this book more and am highly anticipating a possible third installment that Adriana says might totally happen. Eeep!

Haunting the Deep has been haunting me since YallWest and with its release today on audio, I couldn’t wait to consume it. Let’s put it this way: it’s 5pm on release day and the 10 hour audio is already marked as finished.

Because it’s THAT GOOD.

Having not finished How to Hang a Witch, I was concerned I would be lost going into the story. These characters and their world have already been established and Adriana does a fabulous job of introducing it to new readers in a way that won’t bore fans of her debut.

Haunting the Deep centers its story around the Titanic and the connection between that story and the main character. As a bonus, Adriana’s family has history with the Titanic, something she explains in her author note (side note: what a fabulous voice she has!). I was completely sucked in by the story and it’s fictionalized account based on real events.

I loved the timing of this release. The atmospheric elements are perfect for Halloween. From the ghosts to how eery it is, Haunting the Deep isn’t so much scary as it is creepy. Oh, and did I mention the magic? Witches! Magic!

This is fun historical fiction wrapped in contemporary so there’s wide appeal for all audiences. Highly recommend on audio - the narrator is great!

Historians have been known to say if you’re obsessed with a particular part of History, chances are you were there in a past life. I feel that to be true when it comes to the Titanic. When Adriana brought up book two of her Descendants series going to the Titanic I had a near panic attack. I knew I had to get a galley and read it before the book before it was published. As an author she hasn’t failed me yet.

HTD takes you to the bottom of the ocean to the ghost of the Titanic and breathes new life into the ship in a way I hadn’t dreamed of. But is it in a good way? For that you’ll have to read to find out. This is one read I will NOT spoil.

It was amazing to reconnect with Sam, Jaxon, and the Descendants again. The witchy girl group makes you feel like you want to be part of the Descendant family in Salem. They make you want to visit Massachusetts. They make you want to live in Adriana’s world. For that I am grateful because it’s been a long while since an author hasn’t made me so excited to press PREORDER on Amazon.com so quickly!

When I finished the book I was left with that book hang over feeling. That ache of losing friends I didn’t know I had. Or as if they left after a second long vacation after leaving me from book one. The characters are well rounded from the get. The drama is well placed and drawn out. The romance is appropriate for most ages and not so in your face that I feel it’s too typical and annoying (THANK YOU FOR THIS!).

I will stand by as an Adriana fan until given a reason not to be. I don’t see that as a forth coming issue, however.

If you love witches, History, The Titanic, and a bit of a scary ride through the mind, book two in the Descendants series, Haunting the Deep, is a go for you.

Check out How To Hang A Witch for Book one!

I really liked this book, but I wish I'd read the first book. I felt like I could catch up pretty quickly, though if you plan on reading How to Hang a Witch, make sure you read it first. This one pretty much tells you everything important from the first one.

Sam and her dad live in Salem and she is a descendent of Cotton Mather. She also is a witch which is pretty ironic if you know anything about the Salem Witch Trials.

This story starts with Samantha seeing a ghost girl and from there moves on to her having a connection to the Titanic. I like the characters in this book and think the storyline was very well developed. If you're a fan of ghost/witch stories, I definitely think this is a series you'll enjoy. Be sure to read the first one first though!

Samantha Mather is back in book 2 of the How to Hang a Witch series. She is still living in Salem with her father, close with her neighbors and has a new group of maybe friends in the Descendants. Only she is still seeing dead people, particularly people from the Titanic.

I liked Book 2 better than the first story, I thought it was a little stronger in friendships and motivation for the story, the lead up a bit better. However I am still frustrated with Sam and her behavior, and her treatment of Jaxon. Enough of the love triangle, just give the poor guy a break!

The ending was foreshadowed perhaps a bit too much, a little too easy to see coming but the Titanic is a compelling story always.

Ghosts, mystery, witchcraft and even a bit of mystery weave together seamlessly to form a grabbing read.

Samantha hasn't completely gotten past the terrors she suffered only months before, but things appear to be looking up. When she discovers a letter which reveals that some of her relatives had survived the Titanic, things start running amok. Not only do ghosts appear but other, even stranger and spookier things occur. When the warning comes that death is on its way, Sam has no clue how she's going to escape.

I did not read the first book in this series (a mistake I'm definitely going to correct), but I still didn't have too much trouble getting into this story. So it can be read as a stand-alone, but some background information is missing.

The author does a great job at mixing the easy read style of modern YA with a dark, multi-layered and thrilling mystery. Samantha and her friends come across as everyday teens even though the magic and dark past of Salem and its families hangs in the background like a constant cloud. The fact the author herself has both Salem and Titanic ties adds a nice touch, which gives this tale a bit more spice. And the author doesn't let this tie disappoint. The wonderful, dark touch of Salem's past is ever present, while the completely differing atmosphere of the Titanic filters in with its own touch. It's a well done mixture, which heaps on the possibilities.

The scenes and characters of the Titanic come across beautifully. Sam's version of the ship and life there draw in with the lovely descriptions. It's easy to picture and get lost in. The flip-flops between the realities slide together nicely and create a thrilling atmosphere. Add this with the twisty plot and mysterious pieces, which are difficult to shove together, and the tension is complete. It's hard to put this one down, since every scene brings something new and it's hard to guess where the entire thing will end.

Summed up, this is an engaging read for YA mystery/magic/paranormal friends. It has the dramatic feel of a YA read but layers the mystery and intrigue masterfully to create an engaging plot. I hope to see more of Sam and her friends in the future.

Honestly, Adriana Mather has the coolest family history ever, and I'm kind of jealous.

Haunting the Deep follows Sam Mather as she is recovering from her How to Hang a Witch trauma and trying to lead a normal life. Unfortunately, normal isn't in the cards for her. When her school's spring fling dance is decided to be a Titanic theme and her history class dives into studying the Titanic, Sam gets thrown back into the world of magic and ghosts.

One of the coolest things about this series is the history woven into the stories. The Titanic is something that I never really studied in school, so it was really cool to learn more about what the Titanic was like as well as about some of the people who were on the ship. While the scenes depicted on the ship were fiction, most of the people were real, and it's heartbreaking when you really examine the tragedy.

I was also very excited to see the whole crew back for this second book! While there is a bit of Jaxon and Elijah, the focus of this book was definitely on friendship. Sam becomes closer with the Descendants at the start of Haunting the Deep, and their friendship crew throughout the book. I really enjoyed seeing Sam become a part of this girl squad since there wasn't much for female relationships in How to Hang a Witch (I mean, they all hated her so makes sense) and also because it meant more witchy business and MORE WITCHES IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER!!!!!

As for Jaxon and Elijah, fans of the romantic aspect from the first book may be disappointed - they were both kind of jerks for a lot of the book, which is understandable in the context of the story since Other Things were happening. I am still super conflicted about what team I'm on, so I'm interested to see where it goes in the next book.

Similarly to how the first book dealt with bullying, Adriana Mather wove elements of choice into this story. One thing that was really prominent in all the characters was the idea of what you think is right for someone being different than what is right for them. Explored through many different characters and situations, it was a really interesting thought to explore and very well done.

Overall, Haunting the Deep was an extremely satisfying follow up to How to Hang a Witch. The sequel delivered on the same suspense, excitement, and magic promised by the first book, and I simply could not put it down until I was done. I highly recommend both How to Hang a Witch and Haunting the Deep to readers who love witches, ghosts, history, and good books because this is a quality series.

This was one hell of a book! I was completely immersed in the story. Adriana Mather's writing definitely made me feel like I was in the Titanic. I was anxious about Sam and how she's going to get out of this one. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoyed How to Hang a Witch. Actually, this was so much better than the first book.

This was so much better because of the characters! I loved the character development and how the witchy coven in this book reminded me of the film, The Craft. The plot was away from the history of the witches in Salem and the focus was on the Titanic (what they're now learning about in class). At first, I thought it was predictable how the subject matter of the book was based on what the characters were learning in class. It mirrors the first book when the characters were learning about the Salem witch trials. However, this time, the book wasn't similar to the first book. This time, Sam's family had nothing to do with the Titanic. Sam just happened to be caught into something. I'm still not really sure why and how, hence the 4 stars. Still, the plot was original and not repetitive.

I was able to predict one of the two plot twists in the book based on Samantha's POV. But for the most part, the story was still unpredictable. The adventure, mystery, and returning characters (there, I said it!) was enough to allure the readers to be invested in the story. I believed the author's writing improved in terms of the pacing, the character development, and the concept of the story (as a whole). There's a lot of girl power and camaraderie - and is it too early to hope for the next book in the series?? Please tell me there is more! I'm looking forward to what these girls are up to...

I liked Samantha's character in this book. She was definitely a lot more mature (as well as her friends). I felt that I understand her more and she became a much more relatable teenager. I liked how she's not a conventional young adult character. While other young adult fictional characters are either tough or demure, Samantha is neither. Her character is complex, but at the same time she can be read like an open book. In short, the characterization in the novel was refreshing to read because I do not often read about characters like Samantha.

Finally, I definitely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend it. Needless to say, I'm eager to read more about the author's family history and/or how she's going to write a young adult fiction based on her family's history.

Haunting the Deep is the second installment of the How to Hang a Witch series by Adriana Mather. Before you crack the spine, I do recommend reading How to Hang a Witch first as the author makes several references from that book - plus it was a great book so you will not want to miss out on anything!

I really enjoyed reading Haunting the Deep. With ghosts, witches and a mystery to solve, this book kept me mesmerized throughout. Not only was the story intriguing and suspenseful, it was fast paced and never boring. Plus as an added bonus, some history is seamlessly incorporated into the story which in my opinion added so much more to my reading experience. I love to read anything Titanic related, so the fact that the author included this piece of history into the plot made it that much more fascinating.

The author, Adriana Mather, is an amazing storyteller and her talent shines through, not only with this book but the series. I am hooked and I can't wait for the next installment of this exciting series. This story is perfect for all age groups and one that I would highly recommend.

I made a bit of a mistake here, having not read the first book. I didn't realise it was a sequel. Luckily that didn't detract from my enjoyment, however. The novel was well paced, with a really well-crafted mystery at its core that kept me reading into the wee hours. I was even pleasantly surprised by the well researched historical elements woven through it. Will give it a re-read once I've read the first book to see if there's anything I missed!

Ghosts, the Titanic, and witches' magic combine in Adriana Mather's Haunting the Deep as a mystery involving the disappearance of ghosts connected to the sinking of the Titanic. 

Living in Salem, Samantha Mathers's familial connection to the witch hunting Cotton Mathers impacts her teenage social life, particularly with a group of magic-practicing girls known as the Descendants. Sam's ability to see and interact with ghosts leaves her reputation among her peers as both intriguing and frightening, but the waterlogged ghosts Sam's seeing lately are accompanied by mysteriously delivered artifacts from and dreams about the Titanic, which also happens to be the theme for the Spring Fling dance. With the help of ghost heartthrob Elijah and the Descendants, Sam works to figure out how she can help the ghosts of the Titanic. 

Weaving together historical facts from both the Titanic and the Salem Witch Trials as a fictional narrative allows for entertainment that informally educates, with some high school drama added in by placing the responsibility on a teenager. While an interesting story on its own with good development and pacing, it seems to rely upon having knowledge of the previous book through the constant calls back to earlier events and characters (my thoughts are always conflicted about this - I often prefer series to be able to act as standalones, but creating a sense of community and continuity by relying upon previous knowledge is also special for a series); the basic story line and characters also greatly reminded me of Meg Cabot's Mediator series, but with the addition of witches and magic. 

Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.