High school can be brutal, especially as the new girl in town. Salem Wickburn moves to Thornhaven, Washington, following the tragic death of her mother. She escapes the daily struggles of teenaged angst, chronic depression, and religious uncertainty through the pages of poetry that she writes in her journal. Her life becomes slightly less ordinary after stumbling upon an object full of dark magic, backed by an old Thornhaven curse. The only thing harder than resisting eternal power, is keeping it a secret as she falls in love for the first time. Salem soon realizes that vengeful magic is not without consequences, but giving it up would mean returning to her life as a doormat for her high school bullies.