The epic conclusion to Aaron Galvin's Vengeance trilogy!
History is the story of events, with praise or blame.
Rebecca Kelly believes in the latter.
After months of traipsing through the wilderness, she and her companions arrive in colonial Boston to bring vengeance against those aiding in the deaths of their loved ones.
When Rebecca finds the city a foreign hunting ground littered with spies, fate forces her to align with strangers. Questioning identities, motives, and loyalties, she discovers the plots that began in Salem stretch further than anyone could have imagined...and it will be her actions which determine whether history attributes praise or blame to the true masterminds of Salem's legacy. *Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts*
Aaron Galvin learned that he could get away with making up stories at age five and has continued telling them ever since. He is a conflicted Slytherin/Gryffindor, a known rascal, and sometime ne’er-do-well.
Also, he writes. Daily, sometimes, but mostly nightly.
He currently lives in Southern California with his two lovely daughters and an adoring wife, who continues to put up with his antics even though he doesn’t write the kissy-kissy, ‘everyone lived happily ever after’ books of which she much prefers.
Drop him a line ➜ aaron@aarongalvin.com Visit his website ➜ aarongalvin.com Send a tweet ➜ @aarongalvin5 Instagram➜ /galvinaaron/ Like the Aaron Galvin Facebook page ➜ facebook.com/aarongalvinauthor/
Received by author in exchange for a honest review.
This is one of the more bloody books in the series. Just to let anyone know who is queasy at that thought. Although it is bloody it is amazing. A great way to end the series although there is sadness as well.
Dear Aaron,
thank you for writing such a unique and wonderful series on the Salem witches and what happened than and after. To see the ancestors and the ones who too part and how they handle not only their actions and the consequences but also the revelations of loved ones and what is happening to them now due to this is intriguing and beguiling.
Each character adds substance and layer to the book. From Red Banshee (Rebecca) who learns such valuable lessons like trust and faith in others. She also finds out more about herself and the character of others. She sees love at its finest and what revenge can do as well. She sees the effects of Devil’s Powder and the horrible consequences of the experiments Mather conducted. George showed us strength of character and the value of forgiveness and letting go. He showed us trust and faith. I loved how he was able to help Rebecca and guide her on this path but also be there in the end to help end the cycle of evil. For that is what Mather and his cronies are Evil.
Andrew a great misunderstood character. His loyalty and love was tested throughout but he was a constant for Rebecca and George. He proved his love and how much he would always be there for them.
Priest: love him but felt so sad for him. He was a complex character who loved and had strength but would also sacrifice for those he loved.
Betty and Sarah: Betty was sneaky and yet brilliant at the same time. She was trusting to a point but also cunning. These two play a big role in ending the cycle of evil.
Mary: This character showed the most growth. She went from being meek to finding herself and strength from those around her. She became a better person and loyal to George and Rebecca due to their kindness and also because they wanted the same goal.
Ciquenacqua: Very complex. Very steadfast and kind. He stood beside Rebecca no matter what and his strength and loyalty. He loves Rebecca and I think Rebecca feels the same. Although he wants revenge he doesn’t allow it to take over all his thoughts. He is loyal to Rebecca throughout everything and the ending was wonderful for him.
this is a fast paced, intriguing, addicting book that draws you in like moths to flame. You get ensnared from the beginning by the desire to learn more of what is going on, about Mather, how are they going to exact revenge and how they will keep themselves from changing into something that goes against who they are so they can get their revenge. The adventures and danger increase and are written with a intricate style that allows you to feel like you are in the moment with the characters but also on the outside so you can see all perspectives.
The plot grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Their is so much anger and distrust at the beginning and for Rebecca she needs to let go and begin to see that having faith in others is needed in order to not become what you are fighting.
A truly addictive, complex book that is the perfect combination of adventure, danger, romance, violence and revenge where characters grow and learn but also come to terms with themselves and the pasts of their relatives and themselves. Where the end of the Salem witches reach on this group of characters is seen or hopefully is seen and they can let go and move on.
Rebecca Kelly has been wandering through the wilderness for months. She and her group finally arrive in Boston, to seek vengeance against those that have killed their loved ones.
Soon she has to rely on strangers to carry out her task not knowing who to trust. Loyalties are tested, everyone is suspicious, there are spies all around. Will she be able to carry out her plans and be the hero, or will she be to blame for what is about to happen?
A fantastic conclusion in the Vengeance Trilogy. The plot is original, having a Witch as a lead character was clever. The attention to detail, gave the feel of what is truly going on. Filled with drama and suspense I was at the edge of my seat. I found the story intriguing and very enjoyable. Salem's Legacy is a true 5-star read. I highly recommend to those who love a great Witch story.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own.
I was extremely happy that I was given the opportunity to read this book before its release as I have truly loved and enjoyed reading the Vengeance Trilogy. I will however say that I am now saddened and even heart broken that this trilogy has come to an end as I feel I have lost some amazing friends. I found myself becoming emotionally invested in this outstanding series but more so with this final book. Though there is closure for some of the characters, there are others who face their deaths.
Mr. Galvin went above and beyond my expectations and truly gave this book a deserving end. His creativity and ingenuity are one of the best aspects of his writing and his world building and characters are superb. Readers of varying age ranges from teen to adults will certainly love his books.
I now bid goodbye to friends that seemed as family but to the Red Banshee most of all.
This trilogy was one of my most favorite ever. It combines fact w fiction and the attention to detail made these stories ones to always remember. I am actually very sad that I just finished the 3rd book on this Salem series. I want more! I was so involved with the story line and was always dying to know what was going to happen. The characters were probably the strongest and best thing about these 3 books. They were depicted SO realistically, with such detail and vivid, distinguishable personalities, that you felt like you knew them, like they were real people. It may sound silly, but I felt real emotions throughout the trilogy as things happened with, and to, various characters. I think I even cried more than once. And that’s essentially how both the book and this review end- I am pulling myself together after a sense of grief that I was made to feel by the author, as I realize there are no more books about these characters now that I finished the 3rd of three. That speaks volumes for how amazing they were...I HIGHLY recommend reading them, and I will be adding this great author to my list of faves :)
I found Book III, of the Vengeance Trilogy, as good, maybe better than the first two in the series. It brings the remaining children of Simon Campbell to Boston, where they seek to destroy their enemies and avenge all they have lost. But, as soon as they arrive, they are betrayed and captured by the very witches they hoped to slay. After terrible suffering at the hands of the Salem sisters, who are fueled by the Devil's powder, they manage to escape, only to come face-to-face with Cotton Mather, the man who started it all. The author's theory that the Salem witch trials were brought on and fueled by a few wealthy men who experimented on young girls with horrible drugs is intriguing. It makes me want to read more about this time in our history. However, this book wraps up the story of the Campbell family and gives a satisfying end to their trials and suffering. I recommend it to all historical fiction fans.
When you have written a series that has two books of the quality and intensity of Salem’s Vengeance and Salem’s Fury you must be under great pressure to not only follow it up but also create a fitting finale for the series as a whole. Aaron Galvin achieves both those aims with great skill giving his readers just what was required. This book is full of tension and fury from Rebecca as she seeks the vengeance she has promised herself. The story takes her on a journey of some highs and a great many lows before the final page. The author weaves it all with the great characters he has created giving his readers a fun, sometimes unexpected but mostly satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Great work from a great author that I can’t read enough of.
I loved this series, great writing and a great story, I wish there was another book to find out how Rebecca gets on. This last book made me cry, made me sit on the edge of my seat, it’s a series that is well worth a read!!
The third installment in the Salem series is a wonderful conclusion to a surprisingly interesting series. I know these will be re-read a number of times.
Without giving spoilers, because that is a true annoyance of mine. I found this series to be so good. The historical references and the storyline all made for a very enjoyable read
What an end to a brilliant series! If you thought the last two books questioned your ability to trust then wait until you read this one!
Let's start with my love of the series overall. It's different, it doesn't centre on the typical young adult traits such as romance and the supernatural. It is more centred around history, science and action. The witches in the series do posses some supernatural strength but it is only due to the Devil's powder that they are addicted to. Galvin paints a picture of history in his series. Through his writing we are taken back to the origins of America completely. There is no doubting the setting of this series as even the character's voice speaks in a way that transports you through history.
Where in the last few books I found them a little slow to start and get going, this one was different. You were thrown into the action from the very start so It is easy to say that this was my favourite book of the series.
This book was also full of more plot twists than any of the others and that is another reason why I loved it so much. You could never predict what was going to happen next, there was so much action and the characters got into such desperate situations that it broke my heart into a million pieces at times to witness their struggle. It was a journey to follow them through their fight against their parent's legacy and I needed a box of tissues to help me through it.
The characters are also so complex and written perfectly. I loved reading about them as they all had such distinguished voices and complex histories that not one of the characters were sent to the background.
Rebecca is still one of my favourite protagonists. She is so strong and doesn't need a man beside her, like most YA female leads, to get her vengeance. She is determined, resourceful, clever, skilled and she has a huge heart. She cares deeply but that doesn't mean she trusts easily. But when she does, she is the most loyal companion anyone can ask for. I really like reading the book from her point of view as she has a brilliant, complicated and interesting mind that I can't help but want to understand more. Her fight for Vengeance was painful to read about at times, especially when her quest put herself and those she loves in danger.
Elizabeth and Cotton were great villains to the story. Unlike the witches in the other novels who were scheming and plotting and fighting their way around. Elizabeth and Cotton were mostly upfront about their plans but that didn't make them any less chilling. They were like the Mafia bosses of Salem. Their power and control over the city meant that they didn't need to betray and sneak around as much as the witches in the last book, they could just do what they wanted to anyway. They were just evil. Pure evil.
Andrew grew on me so much in this book. Before I just saw him as a whiny, weak man with no inhibitions. But his sacrifices for others in this book changed my opinion on him. He became a brave character in my eyes who would do anything for the girl he loves. Even if it means following her on a quest that could cause them all harm.
George also grew on me in this book. I didn't dislike him before as I had Andrew, but I didn't see him as anything special either. But his determination to do anything to look after his sister and avenge his wife's death was admirable and his strength was incredible. We saw another side to him in this book. We began to see a little of Rebecca and his father in him. He did remind me a lot of his father from the first book.
Priest has always been a favourite of mine and to see him go through as much as he did in this book was the reason for my box of tissues. Poor priest, he went through a lot and all I wanted to do was cry for him and the hurt that his pain caused his daughter.
Ciquenackqua was more present in this book too and although I was a little disappointed that the romance I had been hoping for between him and Rebecca never actually happened in so many words, there was no mistaking their love for each other by the end. I loved this character as he was the embodiment of native America and therefore interesting as he and Rebecca taught me a lot about their traditions. I also loved his bravery, he was always so brave, as all the natives in the book were. Unlike Priest and Rebecca he was a born brave and that's one of the reasons I found him interesting.
Mary was another interesting character, she was similar to the character Betty in their background and both characters led us in a dance of trust. They were the biggest plot twisters in the book. You never knew whether to trust them or not.
This is definitely my favourite book of the series and I do not have one bad thing to say about it.
This is the third book in the Vengeance trilogy, so if you haven’t read the first two books, Salem’s Vengeance and Salem’s Fury, you should stop right now and read them.
While Sarah Kelly introduced us to the world of post-witch-hunt New England in Salem’s Vengeance, it’s clear by the second book that her younger sister, Rebecca Kelly, is now the main protagonist. In book three, Rebecca is leading the charge for justice, fighting to end the evil that Cotton Mather and his witches have unleashed.
Salem’s Legacy picks up with the survivors of the attack on the trading post and the Miamiak village. Rebecca is obsessed with taking her fight to Cotton Mather’s door, fighting through the wilderness and winter weather to make him pay for the deaths of her friends and family. She is suspicious of nearly everyone, even questioning the loyalties of people she’s known all of her life.
Anyone connected to Salem is suspect, even those who have pledged their aid. Everything seems to be against her: the journey to Boston, treacherous weather and strangers who may betray her at any turn. She leads her group into the unknown, trusting in her guardian spirit to guide her and her need to avenge her family driving her forward.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, and Aaron Galvin does not disappoint in this conclusion. His skill with characters is top-notch. Even though it’s written in Rebecca’s perspective, the rest of the cast shines through with vivid dialogue and action. And, oh, the action! Just when I got comfortable and thought I had everything figured out, the plot turned in an unexpected direction with an intensity that kept my face firmly planted in the book.
The historical record shows that Cotton Mather was a well-regarded man in his time, but in this novel, he may be the devil himself. Cotton and Elizabeth are a nasty pair, using the language of piety as a cloak for their actions, making for a truly evil conspiracy. But Rebecca has many allies, some known and some completely unexpected. I got caught up in the full scope of the story and couldn’t put the book down in the last chapters.
The Vengeance trilogy is one of the best series I’ve read all year. It was a suspenseful, and completely engaging experience. Salem’s Legacy brings the plot to a white-knuckled conclusion. If you’re a fan of historical fiction full of action and supernatural overtones, take a journey into this engrossing trilogy. I’d recommend this for readers 16 and older, due to violence and some terrifying scenes.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review originally published at www.bookie-monster.com
"Salem’s Legacy" is the brilliant conclusion of Salem’s Trilogy. Rebecca has reached Boston and is ready to deliver her vengeance to all those who hurt her loved ones.
Once again, Aaron Galvin creates a dark world full of twists where nothing is what it seems. However, this time, the scenery is Boston. I just loved how every book gave an inside look of the people's life in different places - from a puritan and native-American community to the colonial Boston. There was always something new to learn and the history geek inside me couldn’t be happier.
Rebecca is one of the most courageous characters I have ever met and an excellent protagonist (you just keep rooting for her). When in a mission, she never gives up. But sometimes being brave also makes her reckless. Once awhile, I simply wanted to yell at Rebecca and explain to her that she wasn’t in the wilderness anymore. She was in Boston where the witches and Cotton had eyes everywhere. Rebecca wanted to believe that she was in control, but she stepped on a vipers nest, so she could never be in control.
I recommend this trilogy to everyone who loves a good horror story as well as to everyone who has interest in the Salem Trials. It's a great Halloween reading. And Halloween is just around the corner! ;)
[I received this book from the author Aaron Galvin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.]
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
Having had the opportunity to read the previous two books in this trilogy, I was really eager to read the third book. And it was good to be able to see the characters I recognised from the previous two books, as well as to meet new ones.
I really liked seeing more of the stark contrast between Rebecca and the other characters and in particular in contrast to her as a child in book one. I thought it was good that Rebecca was a capable person... but that the way she was raised meant that she had weaknesses that were clear and that there were things she couldn't do. It was good to see that her issues with trust meant that she was second-guessing everything about the people she didn't know well.
There was a lot of good tension in this book. I didn't trust Betty at all at first, though I hadn't trusted Mary in the previous book. I was able to understand her a bit more during this book, but I still didn't trust her until towards the end.
I liked seeing more of Priest, though it was a bit strange to see him talk so much during one of the scenes. I would have liked to see more details of him and Rebecca. I wasn't completely sure how Priest felt about her, even though it was obvious towards the end of the book that he did care about her more than himself. I would have liked to learn a bit more of him, but it was good to see his appearances during the book... even though I didn't understand how he could live through everything that he did.
There were some really intense moments in this book and parts where I was reading frantically to see what would happen next. I liked seeing George and Rebecca interacting together and it was good to see how George was still strong, despite being laid out with a fever. There were some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and there were quite a few characters that I did like and who made this book easy to read, since I cared about what happened to them.
In the future, I would like to read more books by this author... but this trilogy was a good read and drew me in. I'm sad to see it finished, but I did enjoy it.
Final book of the Vengeance Trilogy and oh this book was good...wait, let me stop right here because I'm getting ahead of myself again and ahead of the review. Back to the review...
Rebecca is back and she is back together with her brother and companions and they have just arrived in colonial Boston. They are ready to bring vengeance against those of have caused the death of their loved ones.
One thing that Rebecca didn't see herself doing was aligning herself with strangers, people that she doesn't trust, the city is full of spies living her no choices. While she is going around questioning people, she starts to find out that the plots that began is Salem goes much further than anyone can imagine and her actions which determine whether history attributes praise or blame to the true masterminds or Salem's legacy.
This book? Holly Molly, it was raw and cruel and you never really new where it was going, that's for sure. You knew what you wanted Rebecca to do but at the same time you didn't know how she was going to do, there were sooo many things at sake and so many characters at sake too. Of course, lots of death and cruel deaths at that, some characters died that I wasn't expecting and some characters did get a happy ending, FINALLY.
Overall this was a great ending to a really great trilogy, I ended up giving 4 out of 5 stars to this book. It did ended nicely but I wanted to see a little more into the future of Rebecca and how she is doing. Do I recommend this Trilogy? Heck yes, be prepared for a holler coaster ride because you will get one and don't get too attached to characters as you never know who is going to die. And talking about death, expect lots of it and some crazy and raw and cruel ways. And finally, I just want to say that I loved the writing style, so easy to read and one of those styles that once you start reading you just can't put the book down. So, if you are craving witchy book, start this trilogy now.
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Vengeance Trilogy.
I really enjoyed all the tension in this story, not knowing who to trust and who was going to betray who made this such an intense read.
I really enjoyed Priest making a re-appearance in this book, however, I really wanted more from his backstory in this. I had a lot of questions that I felt were left unanswered which was a little frustrating.
Overall this trilogy was really enjoyable and quite different from a lot of books I have read.
The author grabbed me with the first book in this Salem trilogy, and refused to let go until the last word of the third book. I got totally lost in the storytelling, and couldn't stop reading. Rebecca aka Red Banshee is such an amazing heroine yet, so vulnerable when she fears she's not making the best decisions, and one thing I loved about her is her determination and loyalty to those she holds dear.
Mr. Galvin, thank you for writing these books. I've had such a wonderful time reading them, and thank you for caring so much about your characters that it was easy to get lost while listening to them speak through you.