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Only the Stars Know Her Name: Salem's Lost Story of Tituba's Daughter
False accusations and false confessions of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, took her mother, Tituba, away from her. Now Violet seeks revenge on those who tore her family apart. Readers will be instantly transported back in time in this dark and gripping novel!
It's been a year since the Salem Witch Trials ended, and while the townspeople try their best to act like nothing happened, thirteen-year-old Violet simply can't, as everything she held dear was ripped away from her. Her mother, Tituba, was accused of witchcraft by Betty and Abigail Parris, two girls Violet had grown up with and regarded as sisters. And instead of denying those allegations, Tituba had confessed to the crimes. But why? Her mother would never have done the wicked acts she was charged with. Would she?
Once the remaining accused of witchcraft are pardoned, Violet inquires about her missing parents, only to learn that Reverend Parris has sold them to a man who took them north. Now filled with rage and wanting retribution, she comes across Tammy Younger and Elizabeth Prince, two girls who're also seeking vengeance amid all this turmoil. Together, the three form a coven, signing their names to the Devil's book, and they find solace in the newness and excitement of the magic they're practicing.
But once the magic grows darker and forges a destructive path through their community, will Violet achieve the closure she longs for, or will the darkness consume them all?
This historical, powerful story of family, revenge, and reconciling is a can't-miss novel from Amanda Marrone.
It's been a year since the Salem Witch Trials ended, and while the townspeople try their best to act like nothing happened, thirteen-year-old Violet simply can't, as everything she held dear was ripped away from her. Her mother, Tituba, was accused of witchcraft by Betty and Abigail Parris, two girls Violet had grown up with and regarded as sisters. And instead of denying those allegations, Tituba had confessed to the crimes. But why? Her mother would never have done the wicked acts she was charged with. Would she?
Once the remaining accused of witchcraft are pardoned, Violet inquires about her missing parents, only to learn that Reverend Parris has sold them to a man who took them north. Now filled with rage and wanting retribution, she comes across Tammy Younger and Elizabeth Prince, two girls who're also seeking vengeance amid all this turmoil. Together, the three form a coven, signing their names to the Devil's book, and they find solace in the newness and excitement of the magic they're practicing.
But once the magic grows darker and forges a destructive path through their community, will Violet achieve the closure she longs for, or will the darkness consume them all?
This historical, powerful story of family, revenge, and reconciling is a can't-miss novel from Amanda Marrone.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 23, 2019
7 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Marrone
8 books387 followersAmanda Marrone grew up on Long Island where she spent her time reading, drawing, watching insects, and suffering from an over-active imagination. It didn’t help that her father told bloodcurdling stories, and would take Amanda and her siblings for moon lit walks in the graveyard—the highlight of which involved having them march up to mausoleums and knock on the doors—alone. On more than one occasion, Amanda turned around to find they’d ditched her for laughs. (No, she didn’t find that particularly funny.)
Not surprisingly, she was extremely scared of the dark—living in fear of cats meowing at the door at night (she was sure they were really monsters pretending to be her cats), and things lurking in basements, attics, dark rooms, and closets.
Amanda successfully avoided monster attacks by leaving all the lights on in her house, and convincing other family members to let the cats in—eventually earning a B.A. in Education at SUNY Cortland. She taught fifth and sixth grade in New Hampshire, where she was known for putting on mini-musicals, and dissecting eyeballs and owl pellets with her students.
After taking a very early retirement to raise a family and write novels—some of which have vampires and other creepy creatures, Amanda now lives in Connecticut with her husband, Joe, two kids, two cats, a crayfish, hissing cockroaches, and their newest addition is Griffin, a havanese dog who can say "Hello" and "I love you". Check the links page to see Griffin’s YouTube videos where you can see him in action.
Amanda loves reading, going to Broadway shows, creepy crawly things, hiking, annoying her husband with show tunes, and is thinking about getting another tattoo. She is still scared of the dark.
Amanda’s first two books for teens, Uninvited and Revealers are available now, and her next book Devoured will be out in September of 2009. Her middle grade series The Magic Repair Shop Chronicles: The Multiplying Menace, Kobold Blues and The Shape Shifter’s Curse will be available starting in the summer of 2010.
Read more about Amanda Marrone here: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/A...
Not surprisingly, she was extremely scared of the dark—living in fear of cats meowing at the door at night (she was sure they were really monsters pretending to be her cats), and things lurking in basements, attics, dark rooms, and closets.
Amanda successfully avoided monster attacks by leaving all the lights on in her house, and convincing other family members to let the cats in—eventually earning a B.A. in Education at SUNY Cortland. She taught fifth and sixth grade in New Hampshire, where she was known for putting on mini-musicals, and dissecting eyeballs and owl pellets with her students.
After taking a very early retirement to raise a family and write novels—some of which have vampires and other creepy creatures, Amanda now lives in Connecticut with her husband, Joe, two kids, two cats, a crayfish, hissing cockroaches, and their newest addition is Griffin, a havanese dog who can say "Hello" and "I love you". Check the links page to see Griffin’s YouTube videos where you can see him in action.
Amanda loves reading, going to Broadway shows, creepy crawly things, hiking, annoying her husband with show tunes, and is thinking about getting another tattoo. She is still scared of the dark.
Amanda’s first two books for teens, Uninvited and Revealers are available now, and her next book Devoured will be out in September of 2009. Her middle grade series The Magic Repair Shop Chronicles: The Multiplying Menace, Kobold Blues and The Shape Shifter’s Curse will be available starting in the summer of 2010.
Read more about Amanda Marrone here: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/A...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 11, 2019
I was lucky enough to snag one of these beauties at Bookcon 2019 a week ago. Check out that cover, isn’t it gorgeous!?
As a modern day self identifying witch, the Salem Witch Trials have always been a source of fascination for me. Tituba was the slave woman who was the first to be accused of witchcraft in the trials – she was also the first to confess, which I believe came from a place of misunderstanding the language and fear (but that’s another story). She was accused of bewitching Betty and Abigail Parris, two of the girls she cared for in her master’s house. After an unknown buyer “freed” Tituba from the prison after the madness of the Trials, she was never heard from again.
Something that I did not know prior to this novel is that Tituba had a daughter named Violet. There is very little historical context for Violet, but as a slave this is, horrifyingly, to be expected.
This novel is the story of what could have happened to Violet. How the rage and fear after consuming her little town of Salem could consume her. How the betrayal of of the girls (Abigail and Betty), who she thought of as sisters would change who she was forever, by forcing her into the magic that her mother may or may not have also had.
This is the story of one girl’s revenge gone awry and the growth that comes with forgiveness.
As a modern day self identifying witch, the Salem Witch Trials have always been a source of fascination for me. Tituba was the slave woman who was the first to be accused of witchcraft in the trials – she was also the first to confess, which I believe came from a place of misunderstanding the language and fear (but that’s another story). She was accused of bewitching Betty and Abigail Parris, two of the girls she cared for in her master’s house. After an unknown buyer “freed” Tituba from the prison after the madness of the Trials, she was never heard from again.
Something that I did not know prior to this novel is that Tituba had a daughter named Violet. There is very little historical context for Violet, but as a slave this is, horrifyingly, to be expected.
This novel is the story of what could have happened to Violet. How the rage and fear after consuming her little town of Salem could consume her. How the betrayal of of the girls (Abigail and Betty), who she thought of as sisters would change who she was forever, by forcing her into the magic that her mother may or may not have also had.
This is the story of one girl’s revenge gone awry and the growth that comes with forgiveness.
Want to read
July 23, 20197/23/19:
ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh
No no no no no, this is scary.
We learned some stuff about the Salem Witch Trials in my Western Civ class today. Tituba was a character from the Trials that always stood out to me. A video in class mentioned that Tituba told stories of witches and stuff so that was why she was suspected.
I swear I'm not lying, I literally had the idea for a story about Tituba's daughter today. I swear. I was thinking "what if Tituba really was a witch" and thought about specific details from the Trials that I could use in the story.
And now my idea has been stolen. Try to get an idea of how shocked I was when I saw this under "released today!" in my Barnes and Noble email.
Maybe she really was a witch.
Yeah, I'll read this.
*shivers*
ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh
No no no no no, this is scary.
We learned some stuff about the Salem Witch Trials in my Western Civ class today. Tituba was a character from the Trials that always stood out to me. A video in class mentioned that Tituba told stories of witches and stuff so that was why she was suspected.
I swear I'm not lying, I literally had the idea for a story about Tituba's daughter today. I swear. I was thinking "what if Tituba really was a witch" and thought about specific details from the Trials that I could use in the story.
And now my idea has been stolen. Try to get an idea of how shocked I was when I saw this under "released today!" in my Barnes and Noble email.
Maybe she really was a witch.
Yeah, I'll read this.
*shivers*
February 18, 2020
This was a cute story for what it was. My issues were mainly that I felt that it was too rushed in places and the ending was just to convenient in my opinion. Will I ever reread this? Probably not but I am happy i read it though. I will state that I love how much the author got right when it came to her knowledge of The Salem Witch Trials. I did appreciate that.
November 4, 2019
I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this book but the resolution was underwhelming...
February 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this!
November 2, 2022
This was really good. 💖 Way better than I expected 💖✨🎉
June 30, 2019
I managed to grab an arc of this at BookCon this year so this review is based on an early copy and not the finished edition!
I had never heard of this before getting a copy of it and I actually quite enjoyed it. It is very easy to read and it is quite simple but it is middle grade so I can't quite complain. I thought the story was interesting. I haven't read much about the Salem witch trials and I really want to learn more about them now. Overall, this was a nice story and very easy to get through so I would recommend it. It comes out July 23 in the US so if you enjoy middle grade books and historical witchy fantasy, you should read it.
I had never heard of this before getting a copy of it and I actually quite enjoyed it. It is very easy to read and it is quite simple but it is middle grade so I can't quite complain. I thought the story was interesting. I haven't read much about the Salem witch trials and I really want to learn more about them now. Overall, this was a nice story and very easy to get through so I would recommend it. It comes out July 23 in the US so if you enjoy middle grade books and historical witchy fantasy, you should read it.
unhauled
February 22, 2020I don't want to rate this book because I don't necessarily think it is a bad book, but it was just not a book that could keep my interest. This is middle grade (which I usually enjoy). I DNF'd this after reading about 54 pages.
September 23, 2022
LOVED this book! The story line kept me glued for 3 days. I found myself grabbing the book to get in just a few more chapters constantly.
August 8, 2019
Let me start off by saying I really enjoyed this. The storytelling was pretty smooth and I whipped through it in two days. That said, I have mixed feelings about this one. At first I was of the thought that if "real" magic didn't happen when these young women created the coven, I was going to be let down. So much of the novel is historically accurate, so I figured the magic would be missing. Not so.
But it's a different KIND of magic that the girls pull off. So different from what was described in the Salem witch trials. Then the story gets bogged down in morals, which I get, and there are times when Violet is just repeating her concerns over and over again. Violet is also headstrong and very independent in a time when I don't think that would have been something seen very often. I think the girls would be more fearful of society, higher powers and just general spookiness of the woods.
It's fiction, I get it. I just tend to hold historical fiction at a higher level.
Anyhoo, it's good read. I kind of wish it had a Wiccan seal of approval because toes are being dipped in pools concerning the magic, but I hope to be able to recommend this to the right reader.
But it's a different KIND of magic that the girls pull off. So different from what was described in the Salem witch trials. Then the story gets bogged down in morals, which I get, and there are times when Violet is just repeating her concerns over and over again. Violet is also headstrong and very independent in a time when I don't think that would have been something seen very often. I think the girls would be more fearful of society, higher powers and just general spookiness of the woods.
It's fiction, I get it. I just tend to hold historical fiction at a higher level.
Anyhoo, it's good read. I kind of wish it had a Wiccan seal of approval because toes are being dipped in pools concerning the magic, but I hope to be able to recommend this to the right reader.
September 5, 2019
I heard the author give a talk about Only the Stars Know Her Name and after listening to how long she's been intrigued by the Salem witchcraft trials and visits Salem often, I HAD to buy the book because you could tell she was passionate about the subject matter.
I wasn't disappointed. The book is fantastic.
I've never heard of Tituba before, but that didn't matter because the story is more about her daughter anyway.
While Violet's story is fictional, it's absolutely intriguing enough that kids will google Tituba, so it's a nice segue into having a conversation about a true historic event.
The author does a great job of making all the characters seem real but the magical realism elements (familiars!) add just the right amount of intrigue and mysticism.
Overall a fast and enjoyable read by an author who obviously knows and loves the subject.
I wasn't disappointed. The book is fantastic.
I've never heard of Tituba before, but that didn't matter because the story is more about her daughter anyway.
While Violet's story is fictional, it's absolutely intriguing enough that kids will google Tituba, so it's a nice segue into having a conversation about a true historic event.
The author does a great job of making all the characters seem real but the magical realism elements (familiars!) add just the right amount of intrigue and mysticism.
Overall a fast and enjoyable read by an author who obviously knows and loves the subject.
June 18, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book. It’s an easy, quick little read which I appreciate because sometimes books of this nature get bogged down with details about oppression, bad living conditions, weather, and general societal misconduct.
Essentially three little girls, one of them being Tituba’s daughter, go into the woods and create a grimoire. Violet only wants one thing, to see her family again after they were sold, unbeknownst to her one of her terrible new witch sisters knows the secret of where they are and doesn’t tell her.
After a cool ritual of burying some eggs in the ground, allowing familiars to sprout forth, The girls soon discover that there is real magic a foot and that one of them has to be stopped because they fear they are beginning to kill people in the town.
This book tackles the discussion of morality and if it’s fair to hurt others who have wronged you. In order to stop the random deaths in Salem the girls must trick the third witch, and end up forcing her to create a spell that burns the book away.
The book ends with an epilogue where the two witches become friends and leave to finally find Tituba and reunite the family.
While I was surprised that the book did have actual magic, I enjoyed its delivery.
Essentially three little girls, one of them being Tituba’s daughter, go into the woods and create a grimoire. Violet only wants one thing, to see her family again after they were sold, unbeknownst to her one of her terrible new witch sisters knows the secret of where they are and doesn’t tell her.
After a cool ritual of burying some eggs in the ground, allowing familiars to sprout forth, The girls soon discover that there is real magic a foot and that one of them has to be stopped because they fear they are beginning to kill people in the town.
This book tackles the discussion of morality and if it’s fair to hurt others who have wronged you. In order to stop the random deaths in Salem the girls must trick the third witch, and end up forcing her to create a spell that burns the book away.
The book ends with an epilogue where the two witches become friends and leave to finally find Tituba and reunite the family.
While I was surprised that the book did have actual magic, I enjoyed its delivery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2019
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I like this book! It's full of magic and gray-scale morality and the determination of underestimated young girls. While the historical setting often leads to dialogue that doesn't sound natural for girls of this age, I really enjoyed the Salem post-witch trials setting.
Violet has to balance her own values versus revenge — or rather, as she realizes she actually needs, closure after the horrors of the witch trials forced her to question her own mother's goodness. I sometimes wanted to reach into the book and yell "No! Get revenge! Revenge!" but, well, that's exactly the conflict at hand in this book. Violet's sensitive nature means that she has to go on this journey of self-discovery to figure out what she really needs in order to heal. And it's a great read.
Violet has to balance her own values versus revenge — or rather, as she realizes she actually needs, closure after the horrors of the witch trials forced her to question her own mother's goodness. I sometimes wanted to reach into the book and yell "No! Get revenge! Revenge!" but, well, that's exactly the conflict at hand in this book. Violet's sensitive nature means that she has to go on this journey of self-discovery to figure out what she really needs in order to heal. And it's a great read.
September 2, 2019
Oh. Oh, this was EXCELLENT.
I read a lot of Salem Witch Trials stuff, man, and I'm wary whenever I go into fictional stuff with it as the topic because sometimes authors really love to get up on their soapbox and preach, preach, preach, especially about misogyny sexism etc. etc., and that usually involves making excuses for the "afflicted" girls.
This book did not do that, and I was both surprised and DELIGHTED.
Violet was an excellent main character, compassionate and smart. Loved her to pieces and was so glad to see her say "Whoa, okay, I'm MAD, but I am REALLY not okay with killing people." Not what I was expecting, seeing as how so much young adult lit tends to go the "destroy your oppressors completely" attitude.
I was so happy with this book. It wasn't what I was expecting and that made me so happy.
I read a lot of Salem Witch Trials stuff, man, and I'm wary whenever I go into fictional stuff with it as the topic because sometimes authors really love to get up on their soapbox and preach, preach, preach, especially about misogyny sexism etc. etc., and that usually involves making excuses for the "afflicted" girls.
This book did not do that, and I was both surprised and DELIGHTED.
Violet was an excellent main character, compassionate and smart. Loved her to pieces and was so glad to see her say "Whoa, okay, I'm MAD, but I am REALLY not okay with killing people." Not what I was expecting, seeing as how so much young adult lit tends to go the "destroy your oppressors completely" attitude.
I was so happy with this book. It wasn't what I was expecting and that made me so happy.
June 10, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book at BookCon in NYC in June 2019. This book was an easy but addicting read. If you're interested in learning about real history of the Salem Witch Trials with a twist of dramatization, this book is for you. This novel is based on a true story of a woman named Tituba and what could have happened with her daughter, Violet, after her and her husband were found guilty and sent away after the trials. Not a lot of information was given after the Salem Witch Trials about Violet but the author does an excellent job depicting the innocence of the 13-year old girl that got left behind and what she can accomplish out of anger, determination and a little bit of magic.
November 6, 2019
When I first saw this book, I thought it would be amazing. However, when I began to read it, something about the story felt off. Something was nagging me to stop reading, but I kept on anyway, and I am glad I did. What at first drove me away and confused me, now is what I appreciate most about the book. The book seems to move a mile a minute, and it feels like the story is going too fast. Until you realize, that this was intentional. The story took place over maybe a week, so of course, it would feel very fast because it is fast. Once I understood this was on purpose and not a mistake made by the author, I loved the book far more and enjoyed each page significantly more.
June 9, 2020
This book was MUCH shorter than I thought it was going to be as I read an electronic copy. I enjoyed it, though I wish it was longer. I do think however that the quickness of the story was fitting for the subject matter.
Essentially this is about the three girls and their quest for revenge on the people of Salem who caused them the loss of their families. One girl is the instigator, and considering that she was very charismatic, the other two went along with her, not realizing the reality of their choices until it was too late.
So three stars, because I liked it and thought it was a good story, but just very very short.
Essentially this is about the three girls and their quest for revenge on the people of Salem who caused them the loss of their families. One girl is the instigator, and considering that she was very charismatic, the other two went along with her, not realizing the reality of their choices until it was too late.
So three stars, because I liked it and thought it was a good story, but just very very short.
May 10, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
The beginning is a solid 4 stars. It’s such an interesting plot line into the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials. I have what is probably an unhealthy obsession with that topic so I was pumped to find this book - anyone that knows about the trials knows about Tituba and I LOVE where this book took her story!
It fell apart for me at the rushed ending. So much is happening and then BOOM - end. I feel like a more gradual ending would have been nice for this story so I could have absorbed the way it was ending rather than have it smack me in the face.
The beginning is a solid 4 stars. It’s such an interesting plot line into the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials. I have what is probably an unhealthy obsession with that topic so I was pumped to find this book - anyone that knows about the trials knows about Tituba and I LOVE where this book took her story!
It fell apart for me at the rushed ending. So much is happening and then BOOM - end. I feel like a more gradual ending would have been nice for this story so I could have absorbed the way it was ending rather than have it smack me in the face.
March 5, 2021
This book was such a sweet read honestly. Reading about themes of sisterhood and magic whilst in the time period where witches were hung and racism was very prevalent in society; Amanda brought on surprise after surprise with each page. The fact the storyline came from tituba’s daughter, Violet, perspective was very unique and interesting.
It was a great quick read and I would recommend it to all.
It was a great quick read and I would recommend it to all.
March 30, 2025
What an interesting addition to the story! I’m happy with how it went, but honestly am not here for the redemption with the Parrish family. All of them are pretty awful. I mean I know there’s more to it, wives and children had to be complacent, that doesn’t mean they enjoyed it. But nobody forced Betty and Abigail to do what they did and I personally cannot fathom forgiving them. She’s better than me.
October 12, 2019
I picked up this book at the public library because I’m also game for a book about witches and the Salem witch trials.
I enjoyed Violet’s story and the witchy stuff she and two other girls from Salem get into. It was fast-paced and each chapter was a cliffhanger.
I am not sure what age group to recommend this to, I think it will be 6th and 7th graders.
I enjoyed Violet’s story and the witchy stuff she and two other girls from Salem get into. It was fast-paced and each chapter was a cliffhanger.
I am not sure what age group to recommend this to, I think it will be 6th and 7th graders.
November 3, 2019
This was a really fun, quick read. I liked the amount of effort that went into the historical background of this book, even though it quickly turned into a fictional book full of real witches and actual magic. It was a fun read, with some moral lessons sprinkled throughout, and I loved the overall story, and the progression of the main character throughout.
November 29, 2019
Fast read but not entirely enjoyable. Was really intrigued by the concept but the execution was kinda disappointing. And the writing confused me sometimes because I didnt know who was speaking that dialogue. Oh well.
December 15, 2021
I loved this book! After taking my first trip to Salem, Massachusetts, this October, 2021, I wanted to read more about Tituba. This is a fictional story of her daughter. It was just what I needed to take me back to my all time new favorite place in this world. Would definitely read it again.
November 19, 2019
Very dark.
November 30, 2020
This started out engaging and then hit a long patch that felt more like a screenplay and then ended well and quickly as if the author got tired.
February 4, 2021
The beginning was impossibly slow, and the story was relatively predictable. Even so, it was an enjoyable read that re-sparked my interest in the Salem witch trials.
February 12, 2021
I really liked this book, even through I am not a big fan of fantasy. I enjoyed the mystical witchcraft feel and that it was set in the past.
July 27, 2021
Great story. Had some real magic in it.
September 22, 2024
4.8 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews