Witch Child

Rating:
Summary: The end of time
Review: As part of a school assignment we were required to read an independent novel study. As mine I chose to read The Witch Child by Celia Rees. The synopsis as well as most reviews I've read make this book out to be very intiruging and fufilling to the inquiring mind. It depicts a story of adventure and triumps of a young girl, Mary. The beginning chapter or so also seems to be a great page turner as with vivid description the death of Mary's grandmother who was accused of being a witch is told. The author cleaverly starts with a begining that will keep you reading. But as the book progresses I find the novel to be pointless, with an cliff-hanger ending. With no real story for the most part, of the novel as the author Celia Rees describes the 8-week voyage by ship from England to New America. Then continues with small plots of trips to the forest, collecting plants, and meeting then called savages, or now known as Native Americans. Then just as things become interesting as some start covicting her of witch craft and the story picks up you are informed with a single line. "Mary's diary ends here". Then an unknown source continues to tell the story with a mere line. Overall I must conlcude with saying this is a very smart novel by the author. She puts out enough information in the beginning for you to buy the book. Then trudges along with pointless information. And ends it with enough emotion, and thrill that you are compulsed into reading the next book. Don't think I am writing this because I am just another teen who likes to bring down books. I have read many novels, and spend a lot of my spare time reading. Its just I believe there should be a limit to authors many ways of pursuading readers to buy their novels, and I think this book only gives you enough information so it can take your money indiscreetly. I would not recommand this book to anyone and I think that it is a total waste of both money and time. Please save yourself while you can!

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly captivating, I reccomend to all
Review: At 15-years-old, one of the hardest things for me to do is find historical fiction written at my reading level, yet still concerning characters my own age.
Witch Child is the answer to my problems.
Written in a manner that is utterly compelling, this book draws you into the world of Mary, an English girl with a hidden past and very hidden gift. She escapes England by the skin of her teeth, leaving behind a grandmother condemned for witchcraft and a mother she never knew, and sets off to Beulah, a small Puritan town in the midst of the Massachusetts wilderness, with a band of other Puritans, some who open their arms to the orphan girl, others who do their best to isolate and persecute Mary.
The story is captivating, partly because it is written in a manner so like that of a real girl from 1660, including the details of daily life nonchalantly, without excess drama or trivial flourishes. The other reason "Witch Child" is so amazing is Mary herself--she is a complex girl, almost a woman, really, who leaves you guessing at all times if she really is a witch or not.
You remain completely fascinated with Mary, with all her secrets and desires, and also drawn to those she begins her new life with--the kind Rivers family, the Reverend Johnson who rules Beulah with an iron fist, and more.
All in all, this book is absolutely fabulous, and I reccomend it for anyone searching for an excellent historical fiction novel with realistic, complex characters, fascinating situations and beautiful writing.


Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: Celia Rees, Witch Child is about a girl, Mary, who was orphaned at a young age and taken in by her grandma, who was later accused of being a witch. Her grandmother was given the water test and since she floated was hung the next day. Mary was then taken by a woman, she soon found out was her real mother, and who owed her grandma a favor for taking Marry, her daughter, and raising her. Her mother knowing that Marry was in danger because everyone knew that Marry was the daughter of a witch who would make Marry one too and not safe to be around so Marry was shipped across the ocean to America. This is a book based on Mary's diary. She has a hard time on the way to the new world and is accused of breathing life to a baby. In any case, witch craft was being blamed the main source. She is glad to get off of the boat and in a new town. However, it was there that she was discovered sneaking out in the forest and then accused of all the wrong things.
I enjoyed the book; to me it was not boring but told a lot about how life was strictly Christianity, and CPR was considered witch craft. You never knew who you could trust, mainly those who take you in without questions.

Rating:
Summary: The review of the faboulous book Witch ChildWitch child was
Review: For staters lets get a few things straight. THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL DIARY! it was NOT found in a quilt, that's just the author really getting you into the story. and she did a fabulous job to! i really love the first half of it, on the ship and stuff. i was very dissapointed with the end though. it didn't keep me interested as much. the very last line of the diary is just plain aful, cutting us of in the middle of a non cliffhanger sentence. but the first half most defiantly deserves five stars and i reccomend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Very good....
Review: I've always been interested in the Witch Trials of New England. I feel that it would have been crucial had the women who were convicted of Witchcraft, been able to write diaries. And, I've always thought about it. Also, the idea that the convicted person was actually a witch. Not some petty worshipper of Satan, but a real Witch. I feel sadly connected to these stories that are fiction because this book showcased what was done to women convicted of witchcraft. I found Mary's connection with the Native Americans around them very fascinating. The characters were vivid, but they were as how anyone would write them in a diary. I suggest this book to all ages. It's excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Witch Child, if you like mystery you will love this book!
Review: Let me start off by saying that I think this is a very smart book for a young adult.
Celia Rees begins it all with a discovery of a quilt dated from the 1660's. Sewn up inside of it are preserved pages of a diary from a young girl.
Her name is Mary, and she witnessed her Grandmother's hanging in Europe, accused as a Witch. Then a mysterious stranger saves her from that same fate and gives her a chance for a new life in America, without knowing that the people of Colonial America were just as superstitious.
Mary travels to the new world still holding fast to her beliefs as a healer and herbalist, which ultimately leads to her being accused of witchcraft.
The book is written in diary form, so of course it cuts off practically in mid-sentence; which is not at all nice.
Easy read...you will whip thru this in a day.
I DO NOT recommend the sequel 'Sorceress'.


Rating:
Summary: Witch Child
Review: Mary is convicted of being a witch. After Mary's Grandmother is hung for being a witch she is sent to the Americas by a stranger with similar eyes. This is an adventure for Mary. She talks to sailors, meets the Native Americans, makes new friends & enemies!
This is a great book to read & I recommend it to everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Good story telling
Review: This book is set in journal form, so it makes for a quick and retailed read. The story holds your interest as it's set at just the right pace. The main character, Mary, it's your usual witch, bt I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to find out what I mean. This is a worthwhile book to have.

Rating:
Summary: A Bewitching Glimpse at History
Review: Though it is historical fiction, it very much may open the eyes of anyone who still thinks of a witch as some evil creature. How can you not feel sympathy for young Mary stuck amongst Puritans and overzealous preachers who believe things like herbs and 'healing' are the source of the devil?

The beginning where Mary's grandmother is tortured and killed, though she lived a peaceful and helpful life only to have the community turn on her, truly tore at my heart.

My hope is that this brilliant author, through her fiction, will enlighten those who wouldn't typically read on this topic and ease the misunderstandings for those of us who proudly carry the title WITCH.

Thank you Celia Rees, I've now ordered the sequel and recommend this book highly!

Rating:
Summary: Witches - Good or Bad?
Review: Witch Child is a book written by Celia Rees about the witch trials in early American history. It follows Mary, a teenage girl from England as she comes to America to escape being judged for being a witch. But, to her dismay, everyone in America is just as superstitious. She travels to a site where a town is being built. But, three local girls dislike Mary and accuse her of being a witch. Mary denies it, of course, to avoid execution. But that's not where the story ends.

I really enjoyed Witch Child because it showed how everyday life was in the 1600's. I had always wondered what people did, what they wore, what they ate and how they acted. It shows how extremely superstitious and close-minded they were. Rees really develops the characters well. You know who you like and who you don't like. It is a wonderful book and has been extremely well written. I can't wait to read the sequel!