Celia Rees - Witch Child

[Kell]

Author: Celia Rees

ISBN # 0747550093

 

Every now & then I like to read a book that's supposedly been written for children. I'd seen this one on the "Teen Fiction" bookshelves for some time & it caught my interest. I finally bought it at the weekend & I'm so glad I did! This is not a book specifically for children at all, but one that can be enjoyed by readers of any age.

 

Set in the 1600's & written in diary form, Witch Child charts the journey of Mary, a Warwickshire lass who is orphaned when her only living relative, her grandmother, is executed as a Witch. Packed onto a ship with Puritans, she makes her way to the New World to settle in Beulah, a small town not far from Salem, Massachusetts. Mary's wildness & natural ease in the forest set her apart from the rest of the town & it isn't long before she is in danger of being accused of Witchcraft herself.

 

I was blown away by how well written this book is & will certainly get hold of the sequel, Sorceress.

[Michelle]

Now that does sound good!

[Kell]

It's excellent - I'm just about to post the review to it's sequel - Sorceress...

[lexiepiper]

I first read this when I was about 14, and I still have it now, it's a great book isn't it, I love the way it's set out, I must get around to re-reading it soon

[Lucybird]

I have a signed copy of this from when I met Celia Rees when I was a teenager, I've read a few of hers but this and Sorceress are the best, I can barely remember them now though

[lexiepiper]

Wow a signed one I haven't read any of her other books, just this and Sorceress, which I have both of still

[chrysalis_stage]

Like Lexie I read both this and the sorceress when I was younger, I loved them both! I keep meaning to pick up others of Rees.

 

Lucy, wow signed book thats very cool!

[*phoenix*]

I read it and it was great. I had no idea there was a sequel.

[chesilbeach]

I've just found this thread after reviewing the book in my book list, and had no idea there was a sequel! Will definitely be adding it to my wish list, but here's my thoughts on Witch Child

 

Through the eyes of a young woman who has much to hide, the story is a compelling read where religious fervour, suspicious neighbours and jealous peers play their part in the destiny of Mary, with an unease at the beginning building to a much more palpable sense of tension and drama at the conclusion.

 

I became absolutely immersed in the story, and thought it was an absolutely engrossing read.