Recent Reads: Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe

Source: From Publishing Push in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe
Publisher:  Trindles and Green
Publication Date:  February 6, 2017

 

Format:  Ebook

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

When you’re fourteen and life has been nothing but hurt and disappointment, maybe it’s time to strike out on your own. But after leaving the boring village and foster home for the excitement of London, Raya finds out she’s a witch, with this annoying habit of time-travelling – by accident. And this sarcastic witch’s cat Oscar tags along for the ride. But why would she fling herself into the midst of the Essex Witch Trials in 1645 England? After being arrested by Matthew Hopkins, one of history’s most notorious witch hunters, her social worker and witch mentor Bryony goes back to try to save them from the gallows. But returning to present day London remains out of reach with Raya’s powers still out of control when they find themselves in 1645 Istanbul/Constantinople. There, life is more amazing than she ever dreamed. Can she stay? And at what cost?

Review: 
I have had this ebook sitting in my email for a while now, and am sorry that it took me so long to get to it. I love reading books about witches and this one was no exception to that. The book following Rachel "Raya", a foster kid who just wants out. She tries to run away and make a new life for herself , but when her foster brother gets into an accident by following her lead she is whisked away to another time. Turns out she is a witch and she can time-travel, but doesn't know how to get back to her own time. 

The story follows her as she grows as a person and young witch. She is a realistic character with very real emotions, and sometimes that even makes her not a very likable character, but she is genuine. 

The story has a few different  sections and feels like three books in one - Raya running away and her new life, her emotion-based time-travel, and then after escaping there, ending up in a new location and trying to get back home.

There was a lot going on in this book. It seems a bit long-winded and a bit all over the place but overall it works out. I liked the character growth and I liked the adventure and the different times and locations. I think that for an Indie YA this was a pretty good one.