The witch hunt surrounding Sasha Peyton Smith is a distressing example of how misinformation and speculative accusations can tarnish someone's reputation. It began when anonymous internet users started spreading false allegations about Sasha being involved in dark magic and witchcraft. These claims gained traction due to the viral nature of social media and the lack of critical thinking by some individuals. Many people jumped to conclusions without any solid evidence to support these allegations. They relied on hearsay and rumors rather than investigating the truth. As a result, Sasha Peyton Smith became the target of public scrutiny and backlash, with her personal and professional life being greatly affected.
We are thrilled to welcome back Sasha Peyton Smith for the release of her sequel to her best-selling THE WITCH HAVEN, THE WITCH HUNT! She will be in conversation with Jennis Voris, whose debut comes out in the spring.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy.
As a result, Sasha Peyton Smith became the target of public scrutiny and backlash, with her personal and professional life being greatly affected. It is important to remember that witch hunts have a long history and have often served as a means to vilify and marginalize individuals who are seen as different or outside societal norms. In this case, Sasha Peyton Smith became a victim of this age-old phenomenon, as people projected their fears and anxieties onto her.
Review of The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith (physical arc)
The lush and pulse-pounding sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Witch Haven follows Frances and her fellow witches to the streets of Paris where family secrets, lost loves, and dangerous magic await.
Months after the devastating battle between the Sons of St. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy. But one thing nags; her magic has begun to act strangely. When an opportunity to visit Paris arises, Frances jumps at the chance to go, longing for adventure and seeking answers about her own power.
Once she and her classmates Maxine and Lena reach the vibrant streets of France, Frances learns that the spell she used to speak to her dead brother has had terrible consequences—the veil between the living and the dead has been torn by her recklessness, and a group of magicians are using the rift for their own gain at a horrifying cost.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Her only choice is to team up with the person she swore she’d never trust again, risking further betrayal and her own life in the process.
Expected publication: October 11th 2022 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
This is a sequel, so there are spoilers from the first book below.
Frances has been working at Haxahaven for the past year and a half. She still struggles with the deaths she caused. And her magic isn’t working right. She received an address in the mail. Since she was going to Paris with Maxine and Lena, Frances decides she will go to that address and see if the person can help her with her magic issues. She’s also hoping to spend time with Oliver. The three take a long boat ride and arrive in Paris. They are staying with Maxine’s family. Frances, Maxine, and Lena all work together to see what they can do. Frances learns that the veil is open and she and Finn are the cause of it. When boys start showing up murdered at a church, Frances is sure they are connected. There is a secret society of men and she just happens to find a person that can help her with that. But she doesn’t want his help. There is another person that could maybe help, but he’s not showing much interest in her. Frances wants to figure everything out on her own, but in the end, she’ll need a lot of help. She will do anything to close the veil.
While I loved the magic in this duology, what I loved most were the relationships with the characters. I wanted to hate Finn, but I honestly liked him a lot. Maxine is definitely a favorite. The pacing was good throughout the book. I found myself reading longer than I planned.
I gave this book 4 stars.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a physical arc for review.
Frances has been working at Haxahaven for the past year and a half. She still struggles with the deaths she caused. And her magic isn’t working right. She received an address in the mail. Since she was going to Paris with Maxine and Lena, Frances decides she will go to that address and see if the person can help her with her magic issues. She’s also hoping to spend time with Oliver. The three take a long boat ride and arrive in Paris. They are staying with Maxine’s family. Frances, Maxine, and Lena all work together to see what they can do. Frances learns that the veil is open and she and Finn are the cause of it. When boys start showing up murdered at a church, Frances is sure they are connected. There is a secret society of men and she just happens to find a person that can help her with that. But she doesn’t want his help. There is another person that could maybe help, but he’s not showing much interest in her. Frances wants to figure everything out on her own, but in the end, she’ll need a lot of help. She will do anything to close the veil.
This witch hunt serves as a cautionary tale about the power of misinformation and the harm it can cause. It shows how easily one's reputation can be tarnished by baseless accusations and how important it is for society to critically evaluate information before jumping to conclusions. It is crucial that we challenge and question the narratives that circulate on social media and that we hold ourselves accountable for the information we share and consume. The Sasha Peyton Smith witch hunt highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and rational thinking in the face of rumors and false allegations. Ultimately, it is our responsibility as individuals to support truth and justice, rather than taking part in the spreading of unsubstantiated claims. We must learn from the mistakes of this witch hunt and strive to create a society that values evidence-based information and fair treatment for all individuals..
Reviews for "A Witch Hunt in the Digital Age: The Sasha Peyton Smith Story"
1. John - 1 star - I found "The Witch Hunt" to be extremely disappointing. The writing was weak, the characters were one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable. I could not get invested in the story or connect with any of the characters. The pacing was also off, with slow and uninteresting parts dragging on for too long, while potentially exciting moments were rushed through. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 2 stars - "The Witch Hunt" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, the execution fell short. The story lacked depth, the characters were underdeveloped, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I also found the pacing to be inconsistent, with some parts dragging on unnecessarily, and others being hurried through without much explanation. The ending was particularly unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I was incredibly bored reading "The Witch Hunt." The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The writing lacked creativity and the characters were flat and uninteresting. I found myself struggling to finish the book as it failed to keep my attention. The story felt disjointed and the pacing was all over the place. I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated by this read. I would not recommend "The Witch Hunt" to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging witch-themed story.
4. Mark - 2 stars - "The Witch Hunt" had an intriguing concept, but the execution was flawed. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, and the characters lacked depth and motivation. The plot had potential, but it never fully capitalized on it. Additionally, I found the resolution to be rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity to explore a fascinating topic, and I would not recommend it to others looking for a captivating witch-themed read.
5. Jenny - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "The Witch Hunt." The writing was mediocre, with lackluster descriptions and unimaginative dialogue. The characters were forgettable and had no real development throughout the story. The plot was predictable and failed to engage me. There was no suspense or excitement, and I found myself skimming through the pages just to finish it. Overall, I regret spending time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating witch-themed novel.