The Hanging Tree by Michael Phillip Cash

Seventeen year old Arielle is at a crossroads in her life.  Disenchanted with her father, she is testing the boundaries of his trust by dating someone he does not approve.  Under the moonlit sky in Long Island, Arielle and her boyfriend meet under the infamous hanging tree.  The couple's destiny is rooted to the five spirits in the tree whose lives and deaths are determined by an ancient curse.  Will her future be determined by the past or will Arielle's choices alter the course of her life?  (taken from the back of the book)

I would have to consider myself a Cash fan.  I adored Brood X.  Stillwell was a little predictable for me, but I still enjoyed it.  I was really anxious to find out how I'd feel about this one.  Would I find it predictable or would I find it the fascinating read of Brood X?

I was pleasantly surprised.  Though it didn't have the gruesome scenes I loved about Cash's work, it was still gripping.  The over all story was predictable, but written in such a way that I just didn't care.  The characters are easy to identify with and you find yourself sucked in immediately.  Goody Bennett in herself is a fascinating character study.  I'm hoping Cash goes back and writes a book just about her. 

You'll find yourself stuck in several different time periods, with all of the characters from the hanging tree.  Each has his own story to tell and you'll want to hungrily lap it up until you've heard them all.  Though it's a novella, which for me means a quick read, it was a wonderful escape from reality and a great way to pass the time.

If you've read any of Cash's other works, then you know that he improves with everything he puts out.  I'd love to see him delve even deeper into the thrilling sci-fi/fantasy world and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.