This was a fine read but I think that YA has come so far in the last few years so my expectations are very high. The characters didn't feel quite convincing enough for me, but I still enjoyed it

It's been 20 years since the Salem Witch Trials and people are still haunted by what happened. Most people still keep a close lookout for witches in their area and try not to do anything that might lead to suspicion coming down on their heads.

Sarah Kelly is the eldest child in her home and is diligent about following the word of God and obeying her strict father.

Except when the call to dance in the moonlight comes.

On those nights, she and her friends meet up in the forest and dance until near dawn, enjoying the freedom that comes with those nights.

But one night, things go too far. Sarah's friends are caught up in something new and different by a woman who is new, strange, and powerful. Before Sarah leaves, the woman hands her a journal, which will begin Sarah's education into what really happened in Salem.

What Sarah doesn't understand immediately is how key her role is in the vengeance that is about to come down on one of the key players from 20 years before.

Final thoughts: Very slow paced at the start and then racing at the end, like a snowball starting at the top of the mountain, only to become an avalanche at the bottom. Sarah's story is interesting on its own, but it becomes horrific and grisly towards the end. While some of the information within is historically accurate, this cannot be said to be a historical fiction novel. There's just too much horror here for that. Ok, but not great. Don't need to read the rest of the series.

Rating: 3/5 (more like 2.5)

Emma is at the window calling Sarah to go to the moon dance. Ruth is also there waiting for Sarah. They go to the woods to dance. It had been three months since the last dance. They are missing one of the girls who normally would also be there. Charlotte but her father suspects she has danced. Emma fears her father does also. As they come to the place to dance there is a ring of girls that surround a fire. Then they see Charlotte who leaves the strange girls with their strange tattoos that cover their naked bodies. Then Sarah notices a tall slender at the center of the rings of girls. The woman wears a dark veil lined with scarlet silk that covers the top of her head and goes down her back. She is named Hectate- the Devil’s daughter. The girls were told Hectate came to lead them. Sarah wonders why Hectate stares at her. Hectate asks why Sarah won’t participate then Sarah feels something put in her apron pocket and Hectate told Sarah to learn her truth. At home in the barn Sarah looks to find what Hectate gave her- it was a book- a journal on Sgt. Thomas Putman Jr. The real witches led by Hectate want to avenge the wrongful deaths of the Salem Witch Trials that had been twenty years earlier. Then the whole town seems to be following an evil influence and Sarah uncovers some ugly truths about the past. Hectate wants revenge from Sarah’s own father. Sarah was joined by the Bishop and the mysterious Priest to fight the witch's, Sarah had to mature quickly for the role she had taken on.
I didn't really get into this book it just wasn’t for me. I am sure others will enjoy it.