"Incantation" is a lovely, haunting YA novel set during the Spanish Inquisition, focusing on themes of identity, love, and betrayal. The central character, sixteen-year-old Estrella, discovers that her family are actually conversos, Jews forced to convert to Christianity but secretly practicing Judaism at extreme peril to them all. Alice Hoffman's writing is, as always, passionate and full of the mysteries of love and human nature. "Incantation" is a tragic story, but leaves the door open to hope and the possibility of a better life. Recommended for teens as an introduction to the historical era in which it's set, as well as a good starting point for discussions of loyalty, family, and self; also recommended for adults looking for a quick but deep read.