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a_h_haga's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one of my favorites growing up. I read it again and again and again. Now, I wonder what my cautious Christinan mother must have thought about it, but she never told me not to read it.
I haven't read this book for years, however. Often I thought about buying it, as I originally borrowed it from the library, but I never found it in bookstores, and so it didn't happen. But this year I've been in the mood for rereads, and so I thought this might be a good book to do it with. It was.
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.
I usually don't give books 5 stars unless they really touch me in some emotional way, and while I was nostalgic for this book and found it as interesting as ever, flying through it in all but one sitting, it doesn't stir my feelings more than any other story about that time and what happened to girls and women all over the US and Europa.
However, this is a good book. I really do like it, and am glad I now have it as an audiobook as well, ready for my listen whenever I might want to.
I haven't read this book for years, however. Often I thought about buying it, as I originally borrowed it from the library, but I never found it in bookstores, and so it didn't happen. But this year I've been in the mood for rereads, and so I thought this might be a good book to do it with. It was.
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.
I usually don't give books 5 stars unless they really touch me in some emotional way, and while I was nostalgic for this book and found it as interesting as ever, flying through it in all but one sitting, it doesn't stir my feelings more than any other story about that time and what happened to girls and women all over the US and Europa.
However, this is a good book. I really do like it, and am glad I now have it as an audiobook as well, ready for my listen whenever I might want to.
readingwithmal's review against another edition
3.0
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
This book has been sitting unread on my shelf since fifth grade. Whoops. I may have liked it more then, but I wasn't thrilled by it. The writing style came off a bit bland and consequently made the narrator seem unsympathetic. I wish we could have read more about Mary's grandmother or even Mary's witch powers, but her spiritual abilities were demonstrated only about twice throughout the whole novel. However, the buildup to the end was paced well, and the cliffhanger wasn't a tear-my-hair-out-how-could-they-end-it-like-that ending but rather left an eerie wonder of Mary's whereabouts. The sequel seems promising considering that it adds a modern storyline that aims to recover Mary's diary entries after having to flee Beulah. Witch Child was a decent read and can be enjoyed by the young adult reader.
This book has been sitting unread on my shelf since fifth grade. Whoops. I may have liked it more then, but I wasn't thrilled by it. The writing style came off a bit bland and consequently made the narrator seem unsympathetic. I wish we could have read more about Mary's grandmother or even Mary's witch powers, but her spiritual abilities were demonstrated only about twice throughout the whole novel. However, the buildup to the end was paced well, and the cliffhanger wasn't a tear-my-hair-out-how-could-they-end-it-like-that ending but rather left an eerie wonder of Mary's whereabouts. The sequel seems promising considering that it adds a modern storyline that aims to recover Mary's diary entries after having to flee Beulah. Witch Child was a decent read and can be enjoyed by the young adult reader.
gennaaandersen's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
morgancmorgal's review against another edition
4.0
Witch Child is a captivating historical novel that tells the story of Mary, a young girl who flees from England to America after her grandmother is executed for witchcraft. The book is written in the form of diary entries that Mary secretly keeps throughout her journey and her life in the New World. Through Mary's eyes, we witness the harsh realities of the 17th century, the dangers of being different, and the power of courage and friendship.
I enjoyed reading this book for several reasons. First, I liked the diary format, which made the story more personal and engaging. I felt like I was reading Mary's thoughts and feelings, and I could relate to her struggles and hopes. Second, I appreciated the historical details and the vivid descriptions of the settings, the characters, and the events. The author did a great job of recreating the atmosphere and the culture of the time period, and I learned a lot about the history of witchcraft, Puritanism, and Native Americans. Third, I admired Mary as a protagonist. She was smart, brave, independent, and compassionate. She faced many challenges and dangers, but she never gave up on her dreams and her identity. She also formed meaningful relationships with other people, especially Martha, Jonah, and Tobias, who supported and protected her.
The only thing that I did not like about this book was the ending. I won't spoil it, but I will say that it was very abrupt and left me with many questions and emotions. I understand that the author wanted to create a realistic and mysterious ending, but I wish there was more closure and resolution for Mary and her friends. I also wish there was a sequel to this book, because I would love to know what happened to them after the last diary entry.
Overall, I would recommend Witch Child to anyone who likes historical fiction, especially stories about witches and the Salem witch trials. It is a well-written, well-researched, and well-crafted book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. It is also a thought-provoking and moving story that explores themes such as identity, freedom, prejudice, and faith. I give it four stars out of five.
I enjoyed reading this book for several reasons. First, I liked the diary format, which made the story more personal and engaging. I felt like I was reading Mary's thoughts and feelings, and I could relate to her struggles and hopes. Second, I appreciated the historical details and the vivid descriptions of the settings, the characters, and the events. The author did a great job of recreating the atmosphere and the culture of the time period, and I learned a lot about the history of witchcraft, Puritanism, and Native Americans. Third, I admired Mary as a protagonist. She was smart, brave, independent, and compassionate. She faced many challenges and dangers, but she never gave up on her dreams and her identity. She also formed meaningful relationships with other people, especially Martha, Jonah, and Tobias, who supported and protected her.
The only thing that I did not like about this book was the ending. I won't spoil it, but I will say that it was very abrupt and left me with many questions and emotions. I understand that the author wanted to create a realistic and mysterious ending, but I wish there was more closure and resolution for Mary and her friends. I also wish there was a sequel to this book, because I would love to know what happened to them after the last diary entry.
Overall, I would recommend Witch Child to anyone who likes historical fiction, especially stories about witches and the Salem witch trials. It is a well-written, well-researched, and well-crafted book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. It is also a thought-provoking and moving story that explores themes such as identity, freedom, prejudice, and faith. I give it four stars out of five.
nathaneal's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
it was alright but left me completely unimpressed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, and Miscarriage
Minor: Death of parent
eberico's review against another edition
Another bit of YA fiction that I don't recall reading. This must be one of the last ARCs that I got from Wonderland, as I stopped working there around the beginning of July 2001.
__mk's review against another edition
3.0
Feels like the first in a series and that's upsetting, I wanted a little more from this
rozenn_'s review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
1262lindsey's review against another edition
3.0
There's more??? I would have never guessed this was part of a series... I may need to read the others now... A good book, but it is definitely not something that was permanently seared on my memory... To be perfectly honest, I don't remember much of it.