The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

 

Title:  The Witch Haven

Author: Sasha Peyton Smith

Narrated by:  Piper Goodeve

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

Length: Approximately 13 hours and 31 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Shuster Audio. Thank-you! 

 Frances Hallowell is a seventeen-year-old seamstress in New York City in 1911.  After her boss tries to assault her, he is found dead with her scissors in his back.  How did they get there?  Did Frances murder him?  Before Frances can be arrested, two mysterious women arrive to state that she has tuberculous, and they need to take her to a sanitarium in the country.  Frances discovers that the sanitarium is actually a haven for witches called Haxahaven.  As Frances discovers truths about her mother, she still wonders at her brother’s death.  Who killed him and why?  What is the mysterious organization that seems to be after her for her power?  Will the mysterious Finn who can enter her dreams help her in her quest?  What about Oliver her childhood friend?

 I enjoyed this audiobook. Piper Goodeve is a good narrator that was the voice of Frances. T It’s a young adult novel and I liked the journey Frances went on.  The story started off with a bang and really pulled me into the narrative.  I liked that it was a historical fantasy novel with Frances living in New York City of 1911, but with another layer to that world of magical people.  I loved how Frances found her power and was intrigued by the mystery of who killed her brother.  I was annoyed at times though by teenage Frances as she made some rash decision and seemed to believe different people at different times instead of just stepping back and thinking through things herself.  I guess that is being a teenager, but when it involves the taking of lives, it annoyed me. 

 Overall, The Witch Haven is an intriguing young adult historical fantasy that was a perfect audiobook to listen to for Halloween.