Review: The Sacrifice - Kathleen Benner Duble

The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble
Genre: YA, historical fiction
Published on September 6, 2005
Published by Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 224
Read From: 7.9.12 - 9.10.12











SYNOPSIS

In the year 1692, life forever changes for ten-year-old Abigail Faulkner and her family. In Salem, Massachusetts, witches have been found, and widespread fear and panic reign mere miles from Abigail's home of Andover. When two girls are brought from Salem to identify witches in Andover, suspicion sweeps the town as well-respected members of the community are accused of witchcraft. It isn't long before chaos consumes Andover, and the Faulkners find themselves n the center of it all when friend turns against friend, neighbor against neighbor, in a desperate fight for the truth. At the heart of this gripping story are Abigail and her sister, Dorothy, who together must find a way to persevere during a period marked by terror, adversity, and ignorance.

Review

For such a fast-paced story, it was pretty intense. It doesn’t take long for Abigail to be accused of witchcraft, and once that happens, things move along at a clipped pace, holding one’s attention until the very end. The ending itself is pretty abrupt, but the Author’s Note fills in what holes are left, so it is definitely advisable to read that. The writing itself is pleasing, the dialogue authentic, though I kept thinking that it really should have been told in Abigail’s voice. I think she would have made a great narrator. Other than that little complaint, this is a very quick, fun read that I’d recommend to any historical fiction fan, guy or girl.