Sorceress

Sorceress by Celia Rees

The sequel to Witch Child, this title reveals what happens to Mary Newbury, who has disappeared into the forest. Alison finds out from Agnes Hearne that Agnes is a descendent of Mary's and has a special skill which allows her to be in touch with Mary in the spirit world.

I received this book shortly before heading out on a trip to California and stuck it into my carry-on bag as travel reading.

Having read it now, I'm really not sure how I feel about it. I really enjoyed Rees' Witch Child and this book, though a sequel, was completely different from it. I like the fact that the book does stand alone - you can read, understand, enjoy it with out having read Witch Child. But I'm not so sure I like it as a sequel. It does follow up on the story of Mary, Witch Child's protagonist, but it does it in a very different way while introducing a bunch of modern-day characters. The story itself is mouch more complex, as is the meta-narrative that Rees introduces in Witch Child.

Anges, the real protagonist of Sorceress is interesting and does deserve a book of her own. Mary's story, however, didn't seem quite as real to me as it did in Witch Child.