Book Sketch: The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings

THE INVENTION OF SOPHIE CARTER
By: Samantha Hastings
Published By: Swoon Reads
Release Date: July 14, 2020
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Netgalley
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Identical twin sisters take turns swapping places over the course of a summer in order to pursue their secret ambitions in Samantha Hastings' Victorian YA romance.

1851. Bounced from one begrudging relative to another their whole lives, orphaned identical twins Sophie and Mariah Carter have always relied on each other for love and support, even though the sisters couldn't be more different.

Brash Sophie wants to be an inventor, and demure Mariah wants to be an artist. Both long to visit London for the summer—Sophie to see the Queen’s Great Exhibition and Mariah to study the world’s finest collection of paintings. But when their cantankerous aunt answers their letter pleading for a place to stay, she insists she only has time and room to spare for one of them.

So, Mariah and Sophie hatch a clever scheme: They will travel to London together and take turns playing the part of "Sophie".

At first the plan runs like clockwork. But as the girls avoid getting caught by increasingly narrow margins and two handsome gentlemen—both of whom think they’re falling in love with the real Sophie Carter—enter the equation, the sisters find they don’t have the situation quite as under control as they thought.

With all sorts of delightful Parent Trap-style identical twin hijinks, The Invention of Sophie Carter is the perfect light-and-sweet palate cleanser.

First Thought After Finishing: What a fun trip back to historical London!

I’m a fan of historical fiction and foreign settings, so I knew I had to read this book. Samantha Hastings is also a local author, which made me even more eager to dive in. This book was a fun summer read full of sisterhood bonds, adventure, and romance.

Sophie and Mariah Carter maybe next twins, but they couldn’t be more different. Sophie is outspoken, always wanting to know how things work and to take care of their little family. Mariah longs to find love and acceptance. To get away from a bad situation, Sophie writes her aunt in London and asks for help. Her aunt agrees to let her come for a season, but only Sophie. So the twins hatch a plan—they’ll both go and pretend to be one person. Mariah will look for a husband, and Sophie will find an apprenticeship to an inventor. But the best-laid plans are never quite reality. Both twins discover hidden secrets about themselves, and each other, and find adventures they never dreamed of. But as the season draws to a close, they realize they can’t stay “Sophie” forever. Will they lose everything they worked for, or will all their dreams come true?

As an only child, I love books about sibling bonds—especially twins—because it’s one more way to live vicariously. The bond between Sophie and Mariah was felt throughout the whole book, even as they started to find their own paths as individuals. I can only imagine how difficult it is to find an individual identity when one has always been part of a set, and this book handled it very well. I also enjoyed the journey to London as well as the past. The excitement of seeing a new city and being on the brink of so many advancements was also quite fun. Both twins grow into their own strength—one quiet, one more exuberant—and it was quite an emotional journey.

The two budding romances were definitely the stars of this book. Reading Victorian classics has given me a soft spot for rich British gentlemen who are unapproachable or unavailable, and these stories helped me relive those romances that I love. The references to other great novels as well as the appreciation for an intelligent, independent female helped endear both of the male leads to me. Both of the romances are also wrapped up in family obligations, secrets, and class politics, which kept the tension high throughout the story. Although there were some family members that I wanted to reach through the pages and shake, there were other family friends whose witty repartee or unwavering kindness struck just the right balance to all the hardships the twins faced.

After everything Sophie and Mariah went through in their childhood, it was so easy to root for both of them finding their happily ever after and have all of their wishes come true. This book certainly runs the reader through a range of emotions, which made the story all the more impactful. Samantha Hastings has woven a story that will transport and delight readers, and I look forward to seeing what her next novel will be!

Most Memorable Aspect: The sisterly bond between the twins.

Blog Tour & Book Sketch: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN
By: Kiersten White
Published By: Delacorte Press
Release Date: Sept. 25, 2018
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

First Thought After Finishing: What a story! Dark descent indeed.

I love retellings that show a familiar story from a new angle. Add to that the fact that Kiersten White is a brilliant storyteller, and this book was one of my highly anticipated reads. And the book did not disappoint!

Elizabeth Lavenza has spent almost all of her life being everything that Victor Frankenstein needs. Orphaned at an early age and rescued from cruel caretakers to be Victor’s companion, Elizabeth perfected the art of denying who she was to make sure that Victor was okay. When Victor goes away to study and hasn’t written in months, Elizabeth knows that she has to find him and bring him home. Only she wasn’t prepared for what she finds on the journey. And even if he does return home, can life ever really return to normal?

Anyone familiar with the original Frankenstein story will find much to appreciate about Kiersten White’s retelling, but even if you’ve never read the original, this book is a well-conceived story in its own right. I loved the style of the book—from the language to the interspersed flashbacks to the commentary on human nature. Elizabeth is a fascinating narrator. She admits that she is flawed, a con artist of the highest degree, and yet one cannot help but want her to succeed. She is driven by passion, devotion, and self-preservation, and whatever else she may be, she is determined to be a survivor. In a world that would have been hopeless for a female orphan like herself, she created her own version of hope—sometimes monstrous in its own right.

Almost all of the characters in this novel have a depth to them that is not immediately present but that is revealed over the course of the book. I enjoyed reading about the relationships that were formed between the characters; friends became family, and in certain instances, family became something beautifully, almost horrifyingly, more. Chilling depictions of deserted city buildings combined with knowledge of nineteenth-century life and language pervade this book with a haunting quality that lingers far after one has turned the last page.

If you want to read about the depravity of the human mind alongside the triumph of the human spirit, this is the book for you. Although the story itself does not offer many surprises, particularly to those who know the Frankenstein story, the emotional journeys of the characters made for very compelling reading. If you like Victorian horror stories or have ever thought of trying one, look no further!

Most Memorable Aspect: The thought-provoking analysis of human nature and the blurred lines between good and evil.

~ ~ ~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ ~ ~

KIERSTEN WHITE is the New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, the And I Darken series, comprised of And I Darken, Now I Rise, and Bright We Burn; the Paranormalcy series; Slayer, and many more novels. She lives with her family near the ocean in San Diego, which, in spite of its perfection, spurs her to dream of faraway places and even further-away times. Visit her at www.kierstenwhite.com.

Find her online:
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

~ SEE THE FULL TOUR SCHEDULE ~
Week One:
10/15/18 - Under the Book Cover - Review
10/16/18 - Simply Daniel Radcliffe - Review
10/17/18 - Novel Novice - Review
10/18/18 - My Fangirl Chronicles - Review
10/19/18 - Pandora's Books - Review

Week Two:
10/22/18 - Jessica Writes - Review
10/23/18 - Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews - Review
10/24/18 - Here's to Happy Endings - Review
10/25/18 - Savings in Seconds - Review
10/26/18 - Vicky Who Reads - Review

Week Three:
10/29/18 - Smada's Book Smack - Review
10/30/18 - YA Books Central - Interview
10/31/18 - For the Lover of Books - Review
11/1/18 - Malanie Loves Fiction - Review
11/2/18 - Oh Hey! Books - Review

Week Four: 11/5/18 - The Hermit Librarian - Review
11/6/18 - Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Interview
11/7/18 - Bookhounds YA - Review
11/8/18 - Eli to the Nth - Review
11/9/18 - Portrait of a Book - Review


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Review: The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED
By: Page Morgan
Published By: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Series: The Dispossessed (#1)
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction / Paranormal
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA Midwinter
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: After a bizarre accident, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave London with her mother and younger sister, Gabby, trading a world full of fancy dresses and society events for the unfamiliar city of Paris.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house Ingrid’s twin brother, Grayson, found for them isn’t a house at all. It’s an abandoned abbey, its roof lined with stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And Grayson has gone missing.

No one seems to know of his whereabouts but Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant at their new home.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn’t dead—she can feel it deep in her soul—but she knows he’s in grave danger. It will be up to her and Gabby to navigate the twisted path to Grayson, a path that will lead Ingrid on a discovery of dark secrets and otherworldly truths. And she’ll learn that once they are uncovered, they can never again be buried.



I have to admit that I was first drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover and the sound of the title - I am a sucker for gorgeous covers. But I was hooked by the synopsis. I loved The Phantom of the Opera, and any books set around that time in Paris are books I want to read. Add in gargoyles and I knew this would be a book I would like.

After a scandal in London, Ingrid Waverly is eager to escape to Paris. She wants a fresh start, and she also wants to be reunited with her twin, Grayson. She didn't expect to be living in an abandoned abbey surrounded by gargoyles, and she certainly didn't expect to learn that Grayson was missing. Though the Paris police think Grayson is just on an adventure of his own, and though there have been mysterious disappearances, Ingrid knows that Grayson is alive and that he needs help. But her search for him will bring her into a world that she never imagined existed - one in which gargoyles are alive and assigned to protect people. However, Ingrid's own gargoyle, Luc, might end up being a little more than just a gargoyle to her. But with danger all around them, magic in the air and rules surrounding gargoyle protection, can they be anything to each other? And can they find Grayson before his time runs out?

The Beautiful and the Cursed is such a sweeping story, reading just like a beautiful, classic novel. Aside from a few POV shifts, it was easy to get caught up in the writing and feel like I was there on the historic streets of Paris with Ingrid, Luc, and Gabby. I lost myself in the world of gargoyles and magic. There was a rich history surrounding the gargoyles and quite an elaborate world that Ingrid and Gabby found themselves in, and I enjoyed learning all of this background. In some respects, things felt historically authentic - I found myself wishing they could all dispense with propriety rules a few times - but in others, the characters challenged the standards of that society. I especially enjoyed Gabby and her interactions with Nolan. Gabby was no ordinary society lady; instead, she wanted to fight and be fully involved in the new world. I also liked seeing her relationship with Nolan develop alongside the relationship between the one between Ingrid and Luc - they were both different but still interesting and sweet.

Although I did love Luc - after all, who wouldn't want a gargoyle like him protecting them - I have to admit that the "I love you, but I can't be with you" construct is becoming overdone. Still, there was so much else in the story that I was able to overlook this. A few moments were predictable, but with the world-building present it left me wanting more and eager to see where Page Morgan takes these characters next.

If you like historical fiction combined with magic and writing you can be swept away by, then The Beautiful and the Cursed is the book for you. I look forward to reading more from Page Morgan!

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

BORN WICKED
By: Jessica Spotswood
Published By: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles (#1)
Pages: 330
Genre: Historical Fiction / Paranormal
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship — or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood — not even from each other.



Witches are one of my favorite paranormal creatures. Maybe it's because witchcraft seems more possible than something like shapeshifting, or maybe it's because of Harry Potter, but regardless, I love witches. So when I learned that Born Wicked combined witchcraft with historical fiction and a little romance, I knew that I had to read it.

Cate Cahill has a good reason for keeping herself and her sisters out of society as much as possible. People might whisper that the Cahill sisters are eccentric, but Cate hopes to keep them from guessing a worse truth - that the Cahill sisters are witches. Since their mother's death, Cate has tried to keep her sisters and their magic under control as best as she could. However, once Cate finds her mother's diary, magic is all that is on her mind. Well, magic and a certain boy named Finn Belastra. As Cate begins to unravel the prophecy and secrets in her mother's diary, Cate realizes that she has to be more careful than ever, not only with her magic but also with her heart. But how long can the truth stay hidden...about anyone?

Born Wicked is a book that draws you in from the beginning and keeps you turning pages because you never know what will happen next. There is no shortage of intrigue, scandal, and secrets throughout the course of the book, and I stayed up most of the night reading it. Cate is a character who is frustrating at the beginning but soon becomes someone easy to sympathize with. She's taken on the responsibility for her family and is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her sisters. Both Maura and Tess are developed with Cate, and their interactions all felt real. In addition, I loved watching her relationship with Finn develop - there was definitely chemistry between them - and I enjoyed seeing Cate come into her own and embrace her magic.

The one thing that did bother me about this book was the setting. It's set in an alternate 1890, and while I liked the idea, it never felt quite authentic to me. While some elements of the setting were definitely vivid, it was hard to be fully immersed in the world. Despite this, I enjoyed the other aspects this book. The last fifty pages were such a roller coaster, and the ending left me needing the next book already.

Born Wicked is a great debut novel from Jessica Spotswood, blending genres into a spellbinding story. I can't wait to see what happens next for Cate!

Review: Gilt by Katherine Longshore

GILT
By: Katherine Longshore
Published By: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Series: The Royal Circle (#1)
Pages: 406
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Netgalley
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free — and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney’s best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII’s heart and brings Kitty to court, she’s thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat’s shadow, Kitty’s now caught between two men—the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat’s meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.



I love historical fiction, especially books about England's Tudor period. I was particularly excited about this book because it looks at someone other than Anne Boleyn. While reading, I truly was transported to the court of Henry VII and caught up in the gossip, scandals, and flirtations that come with life at court.

Kitty Tylney has always been a "lady-in-waiting" to her best friend Catherine Howard, the "Queen of Misrule." Living away from home while their fathers try to make advantageous matches, Kitty and Catherine plot and scheme about how they can make their way to court. And then one day, their dreams come true. Catherine catches the eye of Henry VIII and is taken to court to be his new wife. Before long, summons also come for Kitty and two of their other friends. At first it seems like old times, but tensions run high at court and secrets are rampant. And no matter how much Catherine might try, she cannot always escape her past. When Catherine starts to fall out of favor at court, what will happen to Kitty? And will Kitty ever have a life of her own?

The thing with historical fiction books is that you already know the ending. However, this book was an exception, because this book was not about Catherine Howard, it was about Kitty Tylney. Gilt is a classic example of a book in which characters come to life. Cat and her life dominated the story. In many ways Cat drove me crazy, infuriated me, and made me want to smack sense into her. At the same time, though, I kept rooting for Kitty. I wanted to see her find her own happiness, and I loved that she was willing to keep trying despite everything that happened to her. I enjoyed some of the games and the glamour of life at court, but underneath that not much was sunshine and roses. There is an underlying element of fear to everything Kitty does, and that kept this from being a completely easy read.

For most of this book, I was whisked away to Tudor England. I found most of the writing style and dialogue to give the sense of the past without being overly stuffy or formal. A few phrases were anachronistic, but for the most part everything was consistent. The descriptions are wonderful, and the romantic interests for Kitty certainly spice up the story.

I definitely enjoyed this debut novel from Katherine Longshore. If you are not fans of historical fiction, I do know of several people who don't typically read this genre and still enjoyed Gilt, so don't let that put you off. I will look forward to reading more from Longshore in the future!

Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

THE GATHERING STORM
By: Robin Bridges
Published By: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Jan. 10, 2012
Series: Katerina Trilogy (#1)
Pages: 386
Genre: Historical Fiction / Paranormal
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Netgalley
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?



This was one of my highly-anticipated debuts for 2012, and thank goodness I didn't have to wait long into the year to read it! With an exotic Russian setting, an intriguing world of paranormal creatures in the royal court, and a boy worth swooning over, Robin Bridges created a fantastic debut novel and one that kept me up reading into the wee hours of the morning.

From her childhood, Katerina Alexandrovna has carried a dark secret with her: She is a necromancer and can reanimate the dead. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, she dreams of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. However, she is also a duchess and expected to behave in the royal court and to marry well. Yet when the tsar's son is in danger from a spell, Katerina cannot help but use her power to protect him. Soon she is caught up in a battle that has lasted for centuries, a battle spanning all of the nobility as well as the living and even the dead. Katerina must try to unravel the plot and stop it before it is too late. But to make matters even more complicated, there are boys. Both carry their own secrets, and being with either one would greatly affect the course of Katerina's life. Katerina will have to embrace who she is and to make a choice...a choice that could affect Russia as she knows it...

I think my love for books with foreign settings has been pretty well established, and the setting of The Gathering Storm is no exception. I enjoyed traveling back in time with Katerina to the late 1800s and being part of the Russian nobility, attending balls and witnessing an era when chivalry was very much alive. The addition of the paranormal elements to this world was nothing short of ingenious. There were a variety of paranormal creatures in this book, from faeries to vampires and beyond, yet rather than being overwhelming, all of these elements worked together to create a truly fascinating world. I found myself caught up in the mystery and intrigue of both the paranormal world and the two boys right along with Katerina. I loved that she looked for the reason behind things - in line with her desire to be a doctor - instead of being a "normal" debutante and only looking for a husband. And for those of you who read "two boys" in the summary and immediately thought "love triangle," let me assure you, it's not what you would expect. There are, however, definitely romance scenes in here that will leave you smiling.

There were only two things I wanted with this story - a better way to keep all of the nobility straight, because the amount of names was a bit overwhelming at first - and more. More of the brilliant writing, more of the world, more interaction between Katerina and George. After the ending of this book, I cannot wait to see how everything works out for Katerina.

Blending elements of historical fiction and the paranormal, The Gathering Storm is a fresh new story that will capture you from the very first pages. I will be eagerly anticipating the next book in this trilogy!

Review: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE
By: Katherine Howe
Published By: Hyperion Voice
Release Date: May 22, 2009
Series: None
Pages: 371
Genre: Paranormal / Historical Fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Source: Publisher
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: "Have you not considered the distinct possibility that the accused were simply guilty of witchcraft?"

Connie Goodwin thinks her academic advisor is teasing her; she has mastered the scholarship surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692 and knows the question he poses is preposterous. She never suspects that answering it will alter everything she knows about the past, her family, and the professor himself.

Sent by her mother to prepare her long-deceased grandmother's home for sale, Connie finds a decrepit dwelling filled with venerable oddities, including a collection of ancient bottles filled with peculiar liquids and powders. On her first night there, Connie chances on a crumbling bit of paper, bearing the words "Deliverance Dane," that has been carefully hidden inside a key tucked between the pages of a 300-year-old family Bible. Combing the local church registry for traces of this mysterious name, Connie strikes up an acquaintance with Sam, a steeplejack engaged in the church's preservation. Together they piece together Deliverance's tragic story and learn of her precious book of spells and recipes for healing potions. When a series of sinister events threaten Sam's life, Connie's search for the book is transformed from scholarly pursuit to a matter of life and death -- and love.



I have always found the history surrounding the Salem Witch Trials very interesting. Given that, I was curious to see how this book would explore the stories from a modern-day perspective. Blending past and present with paranormal elements and a sweet romance, this book drew me in right from the beginning.

Connie is a graduate student at Harvard pursuing her doctorate in history. In preparing for writing her dissertation, her advisor, Manning Chilton, suggests that what she needs is a new primary source. Connie never dreamed that preparing her grandmother's house for sale could provide just that. After finding the name "Deliverance Dane" on a piece of paper hidden inside a key, Connie begins to research this mysterious person. It soon becomes clear that Deliverance was connected with the Salem Witch Trials and that a book of her spells and potions may still exist. In her search, Connie meets Sam, a steeplejack working on church restoration. She cannot help but fall for him, yet, as her advisor constantly reminds her, she knows her work has to come first. At least, it does until Sam becomes seriously ill. Could Deliverance's book possibly contain something that would help Sam? Can Connie find it in time and unravel all of the mysteries before her - even ones that she never expected?

First of all, I loved the fact that Connie was a graduate student. I personally think that we need more books with college students as the protagonist (though I admit that may have something to do with being in college myself). Being that Connie is a researcher and so much of this book is about uncovering Deliverance's story, it would have been easy to be lost in historical details, but that was not the case. Deliverance's life is revealed not only through Connie but also through brief interludes set in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. I loved this juxtaposition of time periods and the chance to see Deliverance's life firsthand. In addition to uncovering this story, Connie is discovering many things about her family, working to understand her mother better as well as herself. When you add to this Connie's friendships and her relationship with Sam, this story contained many layers, which I appreciated.

Though I really did enjoy this book, I have to say that I did have a few problems with it. I had difficulty connecting with Connie's character. Despite the fact that she's a graduate student like myself, her emotions seemed somewhat glossed over or rationalized rather than being felt intensely. In addition, there were times that I got lost in all of the descriptions, and there were times when I found myself enjoying the historical perspectives more than Connie's story. I would have liked to have seen Connie and Sam's relationship develop more, even if it was a subplot.

If you enjoy historical fiction or books about the Salem Witch Trials, then you will enjoy The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. I will look forward to seeing what Howe writes next!