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Book Review of The Heretic's Daughter

The Heretic's Daughter
theotherjamie avatar reviewed on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


This is a story of the Salem witch trials told through the eyes of Sarah Carrier, a ten year old child. Sarah lives in Andover with her parents, her brothers, and her two year old sister. By the end of the first chapter I was invested in the Carrier family, their struggle to coax a living from the land, and the hard times that I knew were coming.

Most readers will be familiar with the Salem witch trials of 1692. Among the accused are Sarah's mother Martha Carrier. As you read, you will watch neighbor turn against neighbor and friend turn against friend as the hysteria escalates. This book is also a story about a mother's love. Kent illustrates how one cannot always judge by exterior signs the depth of love and devotion a parent has for a child. In the story, Martha asks Sarah to commit an act of heresy that will both condemn Martha to death and save Sarah and her brothers.

Kathleen Kent's crisp prose and a well-rounded plot bring the story to life. I was able to lose myself within the pages of this book. I came to love the Carrier family and the story of Sarah, the Heretic's Daughter.