Role-playing takes on a terrifying cast when 17-year-old Sarah, who is posing as a fortune-teller for a school fair, begins to see actual visions t...
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reviews
Jan 07, 2012
Diego
rated it: 
The author of 'Stranger With My Face' has done nothing to make me like her anymore, in fact she's made me become weary of her novels.
In 'Gallows Hill' we are introduced to Sarah Zoltanne, who moves into a small conservative town named Pine Crest. After many terribly uninspired incidents, she is accused of being a witch.
Let me start off by saying the book was a mess. Plot ideas were everywhere, characters were unreal and dull, and karma and reincarnation themes were written badly. The More...
In 'Gallows Hill' we are introduced to Sarah Zoltanne, who moves into a small conservative town named Pine Crest. After many terribly uninspired incidents, she is accused of being a witch.
Let me start off by saying the book was a mess. Plot ideas were everywhere, characters were unreal and dull, and karma and reincarnation themes were written badly. The More...
Feb 28, 2011
Inoli
rated it: 
Very good story and very well told. My second Lois Duncan and I think I'm going to make a habit of her for a while. I very much enjoyed the style of her writing as well as the story.
It's not complex or challenging to read but there wasn't a second during which it failed to hold high interest for me. I'm very fond of stories that have their origins in the Salem witch trials and speculate on reality and blur the line between what may or may not be true. Or extend the Salem experience More...
It's not complex or challenging to read but there wasn't a second during which it failed to hold high interest for me. I'm very fond of stories that have their origins in the Salem witch trials and speculate on reality and blur the line between what may or may not be true. Or extend the Salem experience More...
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Aug 01, 2010
Serith
rated it: 
There was something so incredibly bland and unoriginal about this book. The concept has been used and abused, though if done right an author can make it fresh and interesting. Not in this case. It felts like a low budget movie script for a film that would be played on a channel that has nothing better to air. I had to put it down about half way.
Even with a dry plot, I look forward to character dynamics, but those were missing too. They were very two dimensional and there was nothing More...
Even with a dry plot, I look forward to character dynamics, but those were missing too. They were very two dimensional and there was nothing More...
Feb 24, 2011
Vicki
rated it: 
This story starts with an unusual paperweight that an old woman bought at a shop. She looked into it and when she died she had all of her affairs in order. Now it falls into the hands of her granddaughter, Sarah. Sarah saw a reflection of a yellow dress in her mothers mirror before she bought it. She saw Charlie fall down the stairs before it happend. Is Sarah a witch? Or is she just losing her mind?
This book compliments the extreme suspense and style that Lois Duncan posseses. The story is More...
This book compliments the extreme suspense and style that Lois Duncan posseses. The story is More...
Oct 16, 2011
Mariano
rated it: 
This book is about a 17 year old girl named Sarah. Sarah is acting/posing as a fortune teller for a school fair because her friends talked her into it.so that kids would see something new this year. All this was sorta like a scam she pretended to see people's future. But then later on she begins to see strange visions that can really see into the future which was grazy.
Sarah can see people secrets and more. Know people,students,friends are saying that she is a wich. And this is a bi More...
Sarah can see people secrets and more. Know people,students,friends are saying that she is a wich. And this is a bi More...
Jun 28, 2011
Stuart
rated it:
A decent enough young adult novel, if perhaps just a bit too contrived. Duncan has to work hard to make her big plot twist seem somehow plausible and the final climax, though exciting, is sort of unsatisfying and the book never quite achieves a level of horror or even creepiness so much as just being an entertaining yarn that hinges too much on largely unlikable characters (the exception being the hero, Charley). The general lack of mood, however, is possibly the novel's biggest failing and thus
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Dec 27, 2011
Zana
rated it:
"Role-playing takes on a terrifying cast when 17-year-old Sarah, who is posing as a fortune-teller for a school fair, begins to see actual visions that can predict the future. Frightened, the other students brand her a witch, setting off a chain of events that mirror the centuries-old Salem witch trials in more ways than one."
It was nice reading something new for a change, it’s not that much fantasy more psychology – which will show in the future of this book. We all know tha More...
It was nice reading something new for a change, it’s not that much fantasy more psychology – which will show in the future of this book. We all know tha More...
Mar 24, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
Witch stories are great. It’s really hard to go wrong with a good witch story. After all, what woman hasn’t considered the perks of finding out they’re magical?
This witchy tale is especially interesting. Taking place in the late nineties, it incorporates some believable details from the Salem Witch Trials. The whole book has a creepy old-fashioned vibe to it, making the reader feel even more connected to the witch trials of the past.
Not only does the story have witchc More...
This witchy tale is especially interesting. Taking place in the late nineties, it incorporates some believable details from the Salem Witch Trials. The whole book has a creepy old-fashioned vibe to it, making the reader feel even more connected to the witch trials of the past.
Not only does the story have witchc More...
Dec 28, 2008
Stacie
rated it:
Sarah, a young teenager, has visions in an antique glass paperweight when she plays a fortune teller at a school carnival. As the story unfolds she learns that the town her family has moved to appears to have some sort of spiritual karma from the salem with trials. A quick read and a nice spooky story with a bit of Salem History. For a young teenager.
I liked the concept, reincarnation bites you back. The end was a little anti-climatic but still an interesting read for a young reader
I liked the concept, reincarnation bites you back. The end was a little anti-climatic but still an interesting read for a young reader
May 12, 2011
Janna
rated it:
I read this book, mainly because of my limited reading sources and was surprised to find that I liked it. I absolutely adore witch stories, and Lois Duncan can keep the suspense going.
I give it four stars because it could have been improved. The book was slowly paced at some parts but I blame this on the fact that certain information had to be introduced. All in all, an enjoyable read.
I give it four stars because it could have been improved. The book was slowly paced at some parts but I blame this on the fact that certain information had to be introduced. All in all, an enjoyable read.
Jan 06, 2009
This book was absolutely amazing. It’s obvious that Duncan did her research well. Gallows Hill is the story of Sarah Zoltanne who is whisked off from Ventura, California to Pine Crest, Missouri by her mother who had fallen in love with the English teacher there, Ted Thompson. Sarah, having trouble making friends, is suddenly asked to do a fortune-telling booth at the school’s Halloween carnival by the handsome class president, Eric Garrett. From there all goes downhill as the students begin accu
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Nov 01, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Lois Duncan delivers as always. Since reading Killing Mr. Griffin (over 10 years ago) I have been hooked on her books and this was no exception. The book starts out and draws you into the characters and helps you feel as she does.
and the turn of events and use of vivid descriptions and spirituality really make this a great read.
I definitely recommend this book!
and the turn of events and use of vivid descriptions and spirituality really make this a great read.
I definitely recommend this book!
Aug 08, 2009
Alicia
rated it:
I remember reading the Crucible which I loved!! This book was really good. The author is amazing. This sort of reminds me of "The Wave" which is basically the same plot only with the holocaust instead it the Salem Witch Trials. This was a very good book. I recommend it to anyone!!! The plot was very creative, I have to say. Sorta Scary xD
Apr 27, 2008
Katie
rated it:
OMG! I loved this book!
It's mysterious. creepy. intersesting. thrilling. mind warping. and overall an amazing book.
It has to do with a high school girl named Sarah. She moved to Pine Crest, Missouri because her mother had fallen in love with a man. This man doesn't agree with Sarah and always puts her down. His name is Ted and he is recently married to Sheila, who has a daughter named Kyra(same grade as Sarah) and Brian(a little conceded boy) The only things Sarah wants in this small More...
It's mysterious. creepy. intersesting. thrilling. mind warping. and overall an amazing book.
It has to do with a high school girl named Sarah. She moved to Pine Crest, Missouri because her mother had fallen in love with a man. This man doesn't agree with Sarah and always puts her down. His name is Ted and he is recently married to Sheila, who has a daughter named Kyra(same grade as Sarah) and Brian(a little conceded boy) The only things Sarah wants in this small More...
Apr 30, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
Oooo I loved this book. Especially because it was longer than most of her other books. Sarah was Awesome! Sarah is forced to move to a small town that is so small townish. A new step family, that think her mother is a home wrecker, including a teenage female who hates her guts. Add a hot jock, a likable outcast, and the fact that the town thinks she's a witch! All of this centered around a small paperweight that shows strange images, and of course, the girl it belongs too. A great read.
Oct 09, 2009
Jen
rated it:
Another Lois Duncan that I loved as a kid, but a recent re-read didn't really capture that same feeling. Still enjoyable, and I will admit that the TV movie (I've Been Waiting For You) they made off this book in the mid-90's is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Aug 16, 2010
Cici
rated it:
I loved this book.
Filled with mystery, horror, and drama, it makes the list of my favorite books.
Sarah, a girl in denial, is the perfect mirror image of me, so I felt what it was like being her in the book.
You all should read it.
A+!
Filled with mystery, horror, and drama, it makes the list of my favorite books.
Sarah, a girl in denial, is the perfect mirror image of me, so I felt what it was like being her in the book.
You all should read it.
A+!
Mar 12, 2011
Leticia
rated it:
When i was getting towards the end when they kidnapped Sarah and took her to the woods to torture or kill her (I think) i was saying man this is the end of her. But when she starts connecting them to the past it all makes sense.
Dec 12, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I READ THIS BOOK OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really mean it! Just read the book, and you will know that you will wand MORE! That's how I got hooked:)
Oct 20, 2010
Kayla
rated it:
This was the first book I read about the Salem Witch Trials. It was an interesting spin on that historical moment. A few of the pivotal people during that time (the girls who faked seizures and accused women of being witches, the man who was crushed by rocks, ect...) were all reincarnated and forced to face their punishment in the modern day. Unfortunately, the teens had no memory of their past lives and it felt like they were being punished for no reason.
Duncan did her homework More...
Duncan did her homework More...
Nov 28, 2011
Kait
rated it:
I read this book when I was in the sixth grade and wrote a huge book report on it. I loved this book, and the tie-ins to the Salem Witch Trials. I'd love to find it again!
Mar 18, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
Proof that people can change, if they can put their past lives behind them. Duncan has a way with realistically working in supernatural elements to stories of our 'normal' world.
Mar 15, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
I have so many memories of reading this book in jr high. I don't know that I would have liked this book as much as I do if I had discovered Lois Duncan now, but she is the perfect writer for young teens. Just enough substance to make the story interesting and worth the read, but not so much that it is a chore to get through. I didn't read much paranormal or fantasy when I was younger, so to have read and liked this one so much was a suprise to me. I still think it's a fun story to spend a few ho
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Jul 13, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I rarely give books just 1 star. But this book was boring, poorly written, and kinda stupid. It also seemed very shallow. Not much depth at all.
Feb 22, 2011
Stefanie
rated it:
This was a different, but fun, book. I loved the "history" in it about the witch trials and how the characters were connected to one another. Kind of strange but still interesting.
Sep 02, 2009
Jess
rated it:
One of her most recent novels, Sarah's mother moves her to a small Missouri town so she can be near her new, not-quite-divorced boyfriend. Sarah is not taking the adjustment well but being the fortune teller at the high school's carnival didn't help. Her crystal ball started revealing truths about other students. Students begin to believe that Sarah is a witch and Sarah's friend Charlie might know why they are being so easily swayed.
While it's not Duncan's best work, it was certai More...
While it's not Duncan's best work, it was certai More...
Jan 07, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Not as awesome as Down a Dark Hall, but not too bad. I loved the premise but wanted a deeper exploration of it.
Jan 04, 2009
Katie
rated it:
When I read this I was on a Lois Duncan mystery kick. I liked this one a lot because it was a little more intense and thrilling then the others Great young adult thriller books.
Oct 09, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
This was a fun little YA read at Halloween--especially after just finishing The Physic Book of Deliverance Dane.
