Sorceress by Celia Rees

Two Stars

When Agnes, a Native American, reads a book titled Witch Child, she recognized the story as one that has been passed down through her family for generations. The story of a white woman who joined her tribe over 400 years ago and became a renowned medicine woman. The end of the book asks for help tracking any of the people mentioned in the story, so Agnes emails the researcher in charge of the project.  Their conversation leads Agnes on a spiritual and life changing journey that connects her to her past in a very real way.

This book was okay. It’s the whole current character uncovers the true story from the past approach, but this one is a little different. Agnes uses more than just simple research to connect with Mary and discover what happened to her after she was chased out of the Puritan village.

Rees said she was trying to tell the rest of Mary’s story and that of her ancestors down to the present day, but I think it would have been better strictly as a continuation of only Mary’s story without all of the other stuff added in. The book is over 80% Mary, and the parts that aren’t are fairly superficial and don’t tell much about the other characters or their story beyond their involvement with this storyline. I didn’t see the need for the extra layer (other than it’s kind of interesting for the characters to be discussing the first book in the second one) and would have enjoyed it more as simply the rest of Mary’s story.

That said, I do enjoy Celia Rees' writing and will be looking into her other series.

Witch Child by Celia Rees

I can't believe it's been this long since I  posted. Sick kids and the beginning of the holidays make time fly by in a lovely stressful way. I haven't posted lately, but I have been reading so watch for a lot of reviews coming soon!

Four Stars

Mary left England at 14, after her adopted grandmother was executed as a witch, knowing the suspicion would soon fall upon her, because it’s true. She finds a new life with a group of Puritans in America and works hard to hide what she is. But suspicions and tensions run even higher in the strict life of the Puritans and whispered rumors are soon swirling threatening to destroy Mary all over again.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s very Witch of Blackbird Pond as the story of a young girl in a Puritan community who is accused of being a witch. Only in this case, it’s true. It’s written as Mary’s journal and jumps a bit, but still manages to flow and moves along at a good pace. I instantly liked Mary and grew to love some and hate others along with her. I also really like the cover. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by that but sometimes, after reading a book, a well-chosen cover can take on a power of its own.

Another interesting twist is the book begins with a forward explaining that the following story was discovered sewn into a quilt from the early American colonies, and asks anyone with more information on the people mentioned to contact the researcher in charge of the project. It even lists an email address. This blurs the line between fiction and reality and adds an interesting level to the story.

As I think about this book I keep comparing it to Blackbird Pond, kind of can’t help it. They are essentially the same story, but so different at the same time. Mary’s story is more about her life as a whole, the accusations are just a small part. This story also ends much differently.

My cousin, Kim, sent me this book, along with its sequel Sorceress, and it was an awesome recommendation.