Bea's Witch: A Ghostly Coming-Of-Age Story

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [AD-PR PRODUCT.] “If I’m a doll, I’m a China doll. Hard. Nobody’s getting in here.” On the eve of her twelfth birthday, Beatrice Cross runs away from her new adoptive home. There, she encounters the ghost of England’s most famous prophetess, Mother Shipton. The witch offers her treasure, but can she be trusted? In order to uncover the witches’ secret and return home, Bea must delve into her past and discover her true self. Despite its short length, Bea’s Witch is a hugely impactful read. There’s a slow build-up to the main events, however this allowed for an insightful exploration into how adoption and bullying impact depression and displacement in young children. Bea, the protagonist is regressive due to her traumatic past, and often misunderstood. I couldn’t relate to her, and that’s not the fault of the author, but rather a reflection of my own age. Regardless, I completely adored her characterisation and bubbly stream of consciousness. The integration of both realistic and mythical elements, as well as the real-life photographs scattered throughout, made for a picturesque and magical coming-of-age novel. I would definitely recommend it to younger readers, or adults looking to dabble in light, thought-provoking fantasy.