Incantation

Title: Incantation

Author: Alice Hoffman

Standalone

Number of Pages: 182

Date Read: 11/24/13

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads.com)

Estrella is a Marrano: During the time of the Spanish Inquisition, she is one of a community of Spanish Jews living double lives as Catholics. And she is living in a house of secrets, raised by a family who practices underground the ancient and mysterious way of wisdom known as kabbalah. When Estrella discovers her family's true identity--and her family's secrets are made public--she confronts a world she's never imagined, where new love burns and where friendship ends in flame and ash, where trust is all but vanquished and betrayal has tragic and bitter consequences.

My Review:

Incantation is a quick read about the Spanish Inquisition in Spain. 

I enjoy and dislike reading books like this. I enjoy the history that is told in the book, the characters and how they overcome such horrible times. I dislike the evil of the people in charge. When I read about how they tortured and killed the Jews I want to jump into the book and kill all of the soldiers, judges and leaders. The cruel ways they killed people appalled me and its unthinkable that these things actually happened hundreds of years ago. These methods of torture and killing were not something the author invented. These things really happened and the author researched about them, finding them factual. Its really sick to think that evil people like this existed and still exist today. 

The books basic plot line is that Estrella is living in Spain during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. The Spanish Inquisition then comes into her small town. This is not really a spoiler because it is so obvious from the get go~ Estrella is secretly a Jew but she has no idea because her family hid that fact from her. Over the course of the book she realizes that her family is Jewish and she goes to her grandmother to confirm it. Once she finds out about her family, the true horror begins. Before Estrella was just witnessing the Inquisition happen to other people. That changes now because her family is thrust in the middle of it. And what ensues is horrible, heartbreaking and hopeful.

I like Estrella. She is a good person and an all around nice person. She is best friends with Catalina and falls in love with Andres. She is brave and a survivor. When she loses everything she remains hopeful. She takes her hardships and survives them. She is very intelligent and quick thinking. 

Catalina is a true bitch. She is supremely jealous of Estrella and her good looks. She throws away their friendship over nothing. She turns on Estrella in the blink of an eye. All because of jealousy. I wanted to throttle her and I would of loved to see her die for her actions. 

There is a bit of romance that happens but it is in no way the focal point of the book. The main focus of the book is Estrella and her family, with their hardships. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. 

Rating:

B+