Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    The Hanging Tree: A Novella by Michael Phillip Cash | Dedicated Review

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze2 Mins Read Author Showcase
    The Hanging Book
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | November 5, 2013

    81LqKTCZwAL__SL1500_The Hanging Tree: A Novella

    By Michael Phillip Cash

    Paperback: 90 pages

    Age Range: 17 and up

    Publisher: CreateSpace (October 15, 2013)

    What to expect: Divorce, Sexuality, Witchcraft, Ghosts, Mystery

    Michael Phillip Cash’s latest book is a fast paced novella with a tricky plot of lovers, witchcraft, ghosts, and parallel lives.

    What seems to be multiple stories of old times and present time, is one well thought through tale of purposefully intertwined events that collide for a grand finale. While 5 spirits connected by death to a tree propel the novella, 17-year-old Arielle and her relationship with 18-year-old boyfriend Chad are the focus. In an evening of rebellion Arielle finds herself alone with Chad at The Hanging Tree, which is steeped in legends of hauntings. The question of whether Arielle will consent to have sexual intercourse with Chad is set from the very beginning and Cash has readers concerned for her safety and wondering whether Chad will respect her ultimate decision. Cash has developed the character of Arielle well, unveiling her emotional baggage in tidbits and forcing readers to question Arielle’s ability to make an appropriate judgment call on her impeding efforts to maintain her innocence. As the spirits of the tree look on, Cash prudently stitches in the intertwined side stories of hangings, homosexuality and witchcraft-midwifery. The scenes are painted quickly and easily with Cash’s high moments of prose:

    “[N]o matter how much she greased her hands with the sweet honey she had found on a shelf over the fireplace, or how many sharp knives she placed under the sheets to cut the pain, nothing helped Mary, and, as dawn melted darkness, she quit this world for paradise, leaving the farmer alone with a toddler and no help meet.”

    I suspect that readers looking for a quick and engaging read will devour this story and savor the complex reactions that it is sure to induce.

    Add this book to your collection: The Hanging Tree: A Novella

    For more information, visit: michaelphillipcash.com

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of this book paid for this non-biased review. Learn more …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Schism: The Battle for Darracia: Book 1 | Dedicated Review
    2. Collision: The Battle For Darracia, by Michael Phillip Cash | Dedicated Review
    3. Risen: The Battle for Darracia, by Michael Phillip Cash | Dedicated Review
    4. The After House, by Michael Phillip Cash | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Michael Phillip Cash
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleLucky’s Lick by Mary Esparza; Illustrated by Denis Proulx
    Next Article Five Family Favorites with Jeff Kinney, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Author
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • The Shrewd Granny, by Janell L. Jordan | Dedicated Review
    • The Lie Berry, by Dean Bonner | Dedicated Review
    • Wishes & Whinnies: Tyler’s Dream | Dedicated Review
    • Charli’s Turtle Triumph: A Marine Biology Adventure | Dedicated Review
    • An Interview with Jill Rosen and Stephanie Rohr, Creators of the ‘Ode to a Pug’ Series
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.