It's 1750, and Anne and her daughter escape ahead of the hangman when they are deemed to be witches. They find an ancient tree in the forest and, joined by others who don't believe them to be witches, build a settlement near it. Anne unwittingly unleashes a power in the tree that is both good and evil.
Anne's descendant, Mary, is caught in a marriage in the 1950s that is smothering her. When she meets Sharon, a single career woman, she is torn between her love for her daughter and her desire to be with Sharon.
In 2007, Mary's granddaughter, Camilla, is also caught in a stifling situation. The daughter of a strict preacher, she is at odds with the community and her role in it because of her rebellious nature. Camilla is also drawn to the tree, but what she sees both horrifies and fascinates her. She is determined to find the true nature of the tree and its ancient power.
I associate witch trials with New England, so I was confused to find that this takes place near Atlanta, Georgia. Once I figured out that the women were, indeed, related, and the locale, the story picked up. It was also confusing as to the nature of the tree: how could it be both good and evil? What the tree drove some women to do was truly horrifying. The theme of women realizing their power was central to each character in their time period. With one exception, it painted men as overbearing and power-hungry. I've never been a fan of male bashing, so although the men's need to control the women was a propelling force behind the narrative, I was put off by it. Overall, this is a compelling, dark read.
3/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is December 9, 2025.
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