This book was ok. I thought it was written well, but I was just expecting more to happen. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but more action somehow. More feelings or drama. . . maybe more supernatural stuff. This was a little more like a subdued period piece.

This was an interesting read, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked it up. It was written in a journal-style so it was a quick read. The characters were well written and there was the right amount of scenic setting to apply the ambience.
Partway through I began to wonder if this book was an actual journal found, or a work of fiction. I had expected more witchcraft, but enjoyed how it remained more realistic. Showing the ugly way women were treated in the 1600's, and how no matter what they did, witchcraft could so easily be placed upon an innocent. It was a good way to wrap up October.

This book was important for me as a young girl, reading it for the first time when I was about to enter my teens. It follows Mary, a 14 year old girl orphaned and sent to the New World with a group of puritan settlers after her lat living relative, her grand mother, is hanged accused of witch craft. Mary tries her best to fit in with this extremely religious group and keep a low profile, but it does not go a long time before rumors are spread about her.

A great read for people interested in the witch hysteria, the early European settlers of America or just relates to the feeling of not fitting in to the societies expectations at all times :)

Despite the very mixed reviews on Goodreads, I found this book gripping, entertaining anda real page turner. Firstly, I was immediately drawn in by the cover. Usually I prefer books with illustrated covers, but I found that the photograph on this and the sepia tones really reflect the feel and atmostphere of the book.

With regards to the premise and the style of writing, this book contains diary entries written by Mary, the granddaughter of a witch, around 1659-1660. It is regarded as a children's book, being shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction prize in 2001, but I think it would definitely be suitable for a teenage or even adult audience also. As this book is not a work of fiction, more passages from an irregularly kept diary dating back from the colonial period, more commonly known as 'the Mary papers', I found some of the chapters very emotional and thought-provoking, as I knew they were based on reality.

I am finding it difficult to write a review for this book, as I honestly cannot fault it in any way. I loved the simplistic yet poetic writing style, the story that this girl lived and also the characters that she met along the way. 'Witch Child' by Celia Rees is a definite 5 out of 5 stars for me, and I would thoroughly recommend it to readers of any age, as I think it gives an important lesson in the superstitions and cruelties of human nature, and is a beautiful quick read.

this book was another easy read.
i was expecting more witchcraft and practice to be honest, in the same way Circe shows the crafting of spells and potions, i wanted more of this
instead, it was a more historical piece about a girl trying to hide her true identity.
i still enjoyed the book, but was slightly confused with the whole ‘possession’ thing at the end??
a nice book to get through though :)

3.5 stars

4.5

“I am Mary. I am a witch.”

Witch Child tells the story of a girl named Mary, whose grandmother was hanged for being a witch. She had to leave, before the townspeople turned on her as well. And so she was taken away from the only home she’s know by a mysterious woman she’s never met, Mary is sent to America for her own safety. But life aboard a ship of Puritans heading to the New World is just as dangerous as it was back home in England – maybe more so. Can she keep her secret? Or will she be discovered, and killed just as her grandmother was?

I was captivated, and literally devoured Witch Child. It was an amazing, powerful story, and was also insanely addictive.

Told from Mary’s point of view, it’s written in the form of a diary that was found sewn into the seams of a quilt. As I read, I felt like I had travelled back to the 1600s, and there were loads of little details that just made the history feel alive.

Mary was a brilliant character, strong and brave. I loved her spirit, and found myself feeling everything she felt. Her voice was unique, and her emotions intense: she was an entirely believable character.

The supporting characters were brilliant as well, and all very real. Jaybird, the Native American Indian boy; Martha, the Puritan who took Mary in; Reverend Johnson, the one who believes he’s a prophet of God, who I believe is really the evil one. There were so many amazing characters, and they all went together to form a brilliant, realistic world.

The thing I liked most about this book was the history behind it. The witch trials both fascinate and horrify me, ever since I learnt about them at the very beginning of high school. It amazes me how narrow minded people can be, and how healers can be seen as “spawn of the Devil”. Did you know that at least 250,000 women were killed, and in some villages were left with no women at all? (I’d just like to point out that I didn’t actually get that from the book, it’s just a weird piece of information that I’ve remembered, for some reason or another.) And the Native American Indian history and beliefs intrigued me too: how the settlers forced them out, their ideas on spirits, the way they live. I wouldn’t have thought that the two would go together so well, but they did, and I loved the way they did.

The one and only downside: the concept of magic and witchcraft was left unclear. Mary hinted at visions, controlling storms and voodoo-like dolls, but nothing was confirmed... Unless that’s what Celia Rees meant for it to be like... to make you think, to wonder...

Overall, Witch Child was a brilliantly written story with authentic, unique characters and an amazing plot. It was intense, addictive and ended with a horrible cliffhanger. Even though it’s written for 11+, I think everyone can enjoy the history in it!

Finally, a simple question:
Do you believe in magic?

This is a very short book and the idea while excellent and very in line with The Crucible does come off a bit basic in performance. But very enjoyable.