Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
What do you do when you discover you’re a witch... And that using your new powers destroys your soul a little each time?

Set in the Swiss countryside, this story blends ancient folklore with a coming of age tale about a young witch on the brink of womanhood.

Anna Sophia has always known she was different. She didn’t know just how different until now.

On the eve of her 13th birthday — in the orphanage where she’s spent most of her childhood — Anna wonders about her past. She never knew her parents, doesn’t even know where she came from. All she has to go by is an unbelievable fairy tale her uncle used to tell: that she was found as a baby, tucked among a pack of bear cubs in the wilds of Russia.

To make matters even more complex, Anna has discovered that she can see and do things that no one else can. So far, she’s kept her powers a secret, and they remain strange and frightening even to her.

It’s only when Anna receives a letter from her mother — a mother she will never meet — that she discovers some of the truths about her past, and begins to uncover the possibilities in her future. As Anna continues to learn more about her secret abilities, she finds out that her neighbors are hiding something of their own: a plot to harm Anna and her friends.

Can Anna Sophia use her newfound supernatural powers to stop them? Can she fight back, without endangering her own soul? And maybe, just maybe, is her own secret tied up with theirs?

Through a story of otherworldly magic, Anna Sophia finds a sense of real-world belonging. With its cast of strong characters, inventive setting, and engaging storyline, this fantasy adventure is a relevant novel for middle grade children or young adults.

Genre: middle grade / young adult adventure.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2014

237 people are currently reading
607 people want to read

About the author

Vic Connor

12 books12 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
155 (41%)
4 stars
111 (29%)
3 stars
77 (20%)
2 stars
17 (4%)
1 star
13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
Profile Image for Dana.
440 reviews303 followers
February 3, 2016

Diary of Anna the Girl Witch is a fun, albeit slightly dark middle grade mystery about a young girl discovering the magic within herself as she unravels a nefarious plot.

The age recommendation for this is middle grade to young adult. I do find this to be a little too young for teens, but I think that this book is interesting enough for an adult to read to a child without either party being bored.

The story teaches the importance of being kind and not acting out of revenge. Overall this is an intriguing read filled with just enough pictures to help ensure a child's attention. 3.5/5

Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Fafa's Book Corner.
515 reviews347 followers
March 18, 2016
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner !

I received this E-ARC via Helvetic House and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

When I got the email from Netgalley that this book was available for 'Read Now' I immediately requested it! I love MG fantasies! Unfortunately I did not enjoy it.

The book begins with Anna writing a letter to her Uncle Misha. She's getting worried because he hasn't responded to her previous letters. When she was born her Uncle found her with a few bears. Her parents are dead and he took after her for some years. Then when she was 6 years old he took her to school. At some point she was transferred to the orphanage that she is currently in.

Anna is extremely excited for her 13th birthday! It's not because she is becoming a teenager. She can feel it in her bones that something life changing will happen on her birthday. Anna has started noticing strange things lately. For example when the sun is out she can see the moon.

The only reason I didn't enjoy this is because of the writing style. In the beginning I wasn't bothered by it. But as I continued to read on it started to bother me.

I liked Anna's character. And the relationship she had with her Uncle. It was cool to read about some of Anna's abilities! Hence why I rated it 2 stars.These aspects couldn't save the writing style for me.

Overall I did not enjoy the writing style. I still recommend it because it sounds like a sweet story.
Profile Image for Vera (Estante da Vera).
245 reviews33 followers
January 25, 2016
This is how a book for kids should be like, exciting, interesting, warm and thoughtful.
The lessons about friendship, loyalty, the difference between good and evil, and that actions have consequences are old but are always welcomed when done right - which is what happens here.

The characters are fun and interesting. Both kids and adult characters teach that appearances can be deceiving, and like we've heard a million times, we should not judge a book by its cover.

The art is also beautiful, and the drawing reminded me of the books from my childhood.

This is a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. You just have to open your heart and dare to dream.

***

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Helvetic House and author Max Candee for providing me with a copy of Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Book 1: Foundling Witch in exchange for an honest review.

*** Review also posted on my blog. Click here to check it out.
Profile Image for T.J. Burns.
Author 83 books44 followers
July 12, 2016
Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Foundling Witch is a fun and exciting middle grade adventure.

I liked Anna from the start. She's an independent, confident, and good-hearted thirteen year old, who, during the course of the book, discovers that she is a witch and has all kinds of magical powers.

It's fun to follow Anna's journey of self-discovery, along with her realization that magic can be used for good and bad, and that magical powers can be summoned by altruistic as well as destructive tendencies within herself. The inner-struggle is one of the most fascinating aspects of the story.

The lines between good and evil characters are drawn pretty early on and there are no big surprises there. But still, not everyone recognizes these lines, and there are some smaller surprises that add to the suspense.

I can highly recommend Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Foundling Witch to all readers, middle-grade and up and I am looking forward to continuing with Anna on her journey in Wandering Witch.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

TJ's Time Travel Tips:
https://tjtimetraveltips.wordpress.co...

BUDDY READ:Paranormal/Fantasy > Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Foundling Witch by Max Candee - Starting June 1st, 2016
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Profile Image for Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews.
901 reviews158 followers
May 21, 2017
(Note: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher and author.)

This is cozy witch book. I enjoyed reading it. I am glad I got a chance to read this book.

All characters were good. I loved her uncle Misha and the life he was living. Anna was really amazing. I loved her both good side and bad side. How she handled them and try to understand the balance between good and evil within her in this book. Another thing I liked about her character was, she was not whiny or despondent on discovering of her being a witch. Of course she was scared but nothing was overly done.

The twists were good. It appeared when I was not expecting. I loved the storyline from very beginning. Story of her birth was really unique and amusing that made this story different from other witch books. I liked the concept of including Anne frank and Malala Yousafzai as a role models of character in this book. Diary Anna was writing in this novel, I enjoyed reading that part the most. Have I mentioned illustrations in the book? They were nice drawings with highlighted main objects in it. I loved them.

Moral behind the story of being kind and there is always good and bad sides in every person, it depends on which side you are feeding. It’s really beautifully written in this book.
I would love to read next two books of the series, “Wandering Witch” and “Fighting Witch”.

Overall, it’s fun, entertaining, cozy, fast paced book.
Profile Image for Kari (BookandCoffeeLover).
112 reviews30 followers
January 30, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Book 1 was a delightful middle-grade novel that was fast paced and entertaining. Realistic characters populated this book and Anna was a fantastic protagonist who was quick thinking and compassionate. Lovely illustrations enhance and add charm to the story. Will be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Aly.
1,898 reviews69 followers
January 6, 2018
A witch book, I have to say I have not outgrown witches. I think this book was a fun read. Anna finds out she is from a family of witches and powerful well known ones. Can be good and bad right? Check this book out to see what you think. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,883 reviews136 followers
April 2, 2016
Rating: 3.5/5

A delightful change of reading genre for me with this brilliant story about thirteen year old Anna Sophia who was originally from Russia but is currently attending a private school whilst living in an orphanage run by nuns. Her thirteenth birthday brings surprise presents from her Mum, no news from her Uncle and amazing powers. She hadn’t known she was a witch, but as she starts to come into her powers she also discovers a terrible scheme which threatens her, her friends and other children. Can she learn to use her new talents for good, helping to save others or will evil take over her heart and turn her into a black magic user? Who can she trust? Who will help her?

This is a great story blending many aspects of ancient folklore intertwined with some ethical and moral dimensions. It is a dark story involving deception, the kidnapping and physical abuse of children (hitting and imprisoning), magic and, of course, witchcraft. It has a few illustrations interspersed through the story to help maintain the interest of less mature readers. It is an action packed, fast paced adventure where Anna has faces dilemmas, learns that people can be like books - you shouldn’t judge them by their cover and that this is just the start of her learning to use her powers wisely! She also consolidates her early lessons, that it is always best to have good intentions and to be kind to others.

This is an intriguing new series, with Anna Sophia and Jean-Sébastien as especially great characters helping the story appeal to both genders. It is well written, encouraging the reader to look on the children as friends and highly engaging. I can think of some children in my previous classes who would have loved to read this series, so have no hesitation in highly recommending it - and wishing to read more of it in future!

Thanks to the author and publisher for gifting me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
12 reviews
January 15, 2016
This was quite the enjoyable read- I would recommend it for late elementary school and upwards. It tells the tale of Anna, a new teenager and, to her surprise, a new witch.

Well, 'supernatural powers' would be a better description than 'witch' but nonetheless, a powers are powers. The charm of this book, however, is not the plotline itself, but the characters who go through the trials. Anna is not only a memorable character but I was also able to form an emotional connection with her. She is much more aware of herself than other thirteen-year olds are, and she shows the reader what she loves. By doing so we, the readers, are shown how much love she possesses and that she is a good girl, not merely a nice girl (there is quite the difference between being nice and being good). The supporting cast is also exceptionally well written. You can tell where each character's mentality and moral standards lie as the book progresses, which help to really set the scene more than any description ever could.

I look forward to seeing a sequel to this book- I've never read anything else by Max Candee but I would be willing to let the kids I watch read his other books, as they would enjoy them, because he keeps the story both family friendly and engaging.

*As a reader of several Kindle books, I feel the need to point out that this book is both well formatted and well edited.
Profile Image for Vanessa Kings.
Author 5 books78 followers
February 25, 2016
Max Candee brings us another great story with "Diary of Anna the Girl Witch 1: Foundling Witch" and although the book is mainly for middle grade children, I found it very entertaining for all ages.

The book, which is the first in the series, centers around Anna who, according to a story she was told by her uncle, was abandoned with a pack of bear cubs in the Russian wild. Anna ends up in an orphanage and while growing up, she comes to discover that she is not at all like the other girls, as she has certain special abilities that she doesn't tell anyone about.

The years go by and she wonders about her powers until one day, as a teenager, she receives a letter from her mother and discovers several secrets about her past. At the same time, she discovers a plot to harm her and she sets out to stop the people that are after her. Along the way, she will find adventure waiting at every turn as she becomes familiar with her powers and unravels the mysteries in her life.

If you liked the Harry Potter books, you will surely love the blend of the supernatural and ancient folklore that you will find in Diary of Anna.
Profile Image for Christina Pilkington.
1,846 reviews239 followers
March 23, 2016
3.5 stars

The Diary of Anna the Girl Witch: Foundling Witch started out as a lighthearted book about an almost 13 year old orphan girl who is get ready for a birthday party. What seems like a typical, school centered story about friendships and a coming of age story, soon grows into something darker when Anna finds out she is a witch and must come to terms with what magic might do to her soul if she allows herself to succumb to its darker side.

This story gradually improved for me. I found the writing at the beginning to be a little stilted, the sentences a bit awkward. The beginning was also a little slow going and could have used a bigger hook to draw the reader into the story sooner.

Also, one of my major problems with the story was the description of Beatrice, one of the characters in the story. She is supposed to be a nine year old girl, but she is clearly written as if she were four or five. I am the mother of a nine year old girl, and have substitute taught many nine year old girls, and none of them have ever behaved like this character did. It might not be a big deal to some adult readers, but I can see middle grade girls reading this and frankly being offended that nine year olds were portrayed as preschoolers.

However, I will say that the story did grow on me. Anna's character arc was nicely drawn, and she grows a lot throughout the story. The plot was a little too predictable for me as an adult reader, but I believe middle grade readers will find the story adventurous and interesting enough.

I believe the strength of this story lies in some of the backstory created and the magic system. There was a lot of originality here which I found refreshing. As a first novel, this could have been a lot stronger, but I think there is a lot of potential for this to be a good series. I would like to read the sequel to see how the story progresses.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nijiko.
25 reviews8 followers
January 28, 2016
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Be kind, yes. But also be wary.

It was too easy. Darkness and evil are easy. happiness takes work.


Captivated by the book cover, I requested this book on Netgalley and expected magic and adventure. Oh gosh, this book is so much fun and I love how the author made a very heartwarming story for children to read. This is certainly not a long book and I got to finish it in one sitting. The characters are just what kids should be : playful, childish, silly, innocent, enthusiastic, and the story line is fanastically enchanting.This book is also illustrated but the illustrations are okay. Most of the pictures are basically just line art, with little color.

Readers may find that there is no pretense in the way she wrote her diaries, she sounds a lot like like how usual kids would sound like, plus she also likes to ramble, which made it exciting to read and really cute. You may find some of the repetitive backstory explanation to be bothersome and boring, but overall the story is super original and not cheesy at all. I dived into the story quite quickly once I started it, and the book left a memorable impression once I finished. Why was my childhood so boring?

The story is likable, but it's not like a super-duper sensational or breathtaking one to me. I guess maybe because this is meant to be a MG book. But the ending of the book holds so much lessons to be learnt (which is good). I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magics and youthful adventures together with likable teen characters who like to investigate creepy mysteries. Enjoy!

Full review : http://3by3meters.blogspot.co.id/2016...
Profile Image for Suzanne.
2,246 reviews45 followers
March 2, 2016
A baby found in a bear's den. The only information about her family is included in a locket around her neck. A trust fund that pays for her place in a private boarding school. It all seems very mysterious from the start, but then the suspense really kick in. It is Anna's thirteenth birthday and she receives a packet of odd things - a faded drawing, a card, and carving of a hand. At her birthday party, she is pretty sure that she saw everyone freeze in place, but no one else seems to have noticed anything. Anna's former roommate and best friend, Gaelle, has been adopted by a wealthy couple in their town. When Anna visits their home for a sleepover, she become sure that someone is imprisoned in the basement. Could it be some of the other children that they have adopted over the years? Who will believe her if she decides to share her fears with an adult?

This is a short, quick read. It is perfect for younger middle grade readers who have enjoyed the Harry Potter movies, but are still a bit daunted by the size of the books. Although there is danger, and there are sinister adults, it is not gory or overly frightening. The story is presented through the narrative and from entries in Anna's diary, as well as illustrations that show Anna and some of the other characters. The moral dilemma of how to use the magic she is discovering is a good point for discussion. Anna is a typical early teen - a good kid, but not too "goody-goody."

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Ally Santra.
41 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2016
I received my copy of Diary of Anna as part of a member giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I could tell before I even opened the book that this was going to be one I'd enjoyed, as I've been a fan of stories about witches since I was a little girl. This particular story is a coming of age tale about an orphan named Anna Sophia, who finds out that she is actually a witch.

The story is an easy read, and a page turner at that. I read the entire story very quickly and had a hard time putting it down, always wanting to know more about the mysteries that were unfolding as the story progressed. Speaking of, it leaves off on a cliff hanger, and believe me, once you get to that point, you'll be dying to get your hands on the next book. I really like how Anna has been growing up as the story progresses, and I am excited to read the next book in this series so that I can see what kind of adventures Anna gets into next time. Oh, and I would also like to add that the book has little illustrations that go along with it, and even as an adult reader, I found them a charming addition to the story. All in all, I'm giving this a 4.5/5 stars.
Profile Image for DivaDiane SM.
1,193 reviews119 followers
May 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up. I had a couple of false starts with this one, but once I was determined to finish it, I found it actually quite good. I won’t recap the plot, you can all go and read the blurb to find out what it’s about. What I will say, is that the evil being fought against in the book is quite dark. Darkness of a supernatural art but also wholly human darkness. The heroine of the story was quite brave and a little fearless. Or at least curious and open to try anything.

And now I kinda wanna find out what happens in the next book!

One thing I’m curious about. My copy shows Max Candee as the author, but he doesn’t seem to exist anymore and there is zero explanation anywhere why or how Max Candee became Vic Connor.
Profile Image for Sohini De.
34 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2016
Fancifully fabricated with fiction, adventure and drama Max Candee’s ‘Diary of Anna the Girl Witch’ is a story full of twists and turns. It is not often that I pick up a fiction book which leaves me craving for more. What makes the book a favorite is a simple plotline with the flawless writing style and thoughtful descriptions to engage the readers.

The journey begins with young Anna Sophia turning 13th. She was raised by her uncle, Misha who worked in Siberia and later brought up in an orphanage. Though an orphan, Anna’s parents had left her enough fortune for her to attend private schooling.

The author has painted a beautiful picture of the orphanage displaying the fun and laughter of the kids, the sisters governing the orphans and their jolly incidents which make all the readers willing to be a part of that merriment. I really enjoyed that the author has kept the characters simple for young readers to connect with.

As Anna turns thirteen, she discovers a secret about herself, the fact that she is a witch. She has certain powers that can either harm or help. While she tries to deal with this new found gem, she is faced with troubles from elsewhere. One of the notable humanitarians in town were the Montmorencys. Though Anna always felt a sense of discomfort around them, she was happy when her friend Gaelle was adopted by them. Unlike her, Gaelle didn’t have a fortune and having foster parents could be her the ticket to a happy life.

When an author creates a character, he doesn’t need to point out every detail about them. But these small incidents, the fact that Anna was happy for her friend instead of being envious, portray that she was a humble human being and that feeling helps the readers have an attachment to the protagonist of the story.

As the story proceeds Anna discovers that something has been bothering Gaelle, and as Anna unveils the mystery she is left dumbfounded. Another character, Jean- Sebastian, who was previously mischievous helps out Anna in need and develops a good friendship. Anna uses her powers, and the help from the sisters and friends of the orphanage to get rid of the evil Montmorencys.

The journey takes us through memorable adventures and amidst all the chaos, lies a tale of friendship and bravery. Indeed, this book elevates the simple concepts of fiction incorporating it with a sense of understanding and responsibility, a book that I would definitely recommend to any adventure lover.
Profile Image for Ripley.
223 reviews13 followers
February 28, 2016
Anna Sophia just turned 13. She feels like 13 is going to bring change and new adventure to her otherwise dreary life. She is an orphan living in an orphanage is France awaiting the day when she may be adopted. But at her thirteenth birthday party something happens that she just can explain. After that other things begun to happen, at which time she gets a mysterious letter and gift from her mother. Anna finds out that she's a witch but she has no control over her magic. It seems to happen accidentally when her emotions are out of control. Her best friend, Gaell, was adopted by a wealthy family from town who have adopted several other girls in the past. Anna doesn't know why, but she gets a bad feeling from them and has repeatedly refused their offer to be adopted. When Gaell's personality begins changing, Anna knows something's up and must find out what going on.

This story is pretty action packed from start to finish. There's one mystery after another from her awakening magical powers to what's going on at the Montmorency's castle. You find yourself rooting for Anna, a very likeable young girl, who is dealing with a lot. Anna is also a good student. This story takes place near the end of the year during final exams and she is a good example of good study habits. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it ended on a cliffhanger and I really want to find out what happens next.

There is some violence in this book and talk about witchcraft so it may not be suitable for more conservative families. But I feel it is suitable for all age ranges, as there is no foul language or sexual themes.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 simply because it left a lot of things unanswered but I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Alysa.
35 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2016
Foundling witch is a quick and easy read perfect reading to your kids or for them to pick up on their own. While it can get a little dark in subject matter it does so without a sense of menace that might scare children.
The story is just different enough to keep my interest and when i reached the end of the book I was surprised with my desire to find out what happens to Anna in the next installment.
If you're looking for a book with a little intrigue, a bit of mystery, and a lot of magic then i'd recommend this book.
Profile Image for Giorgia.
319 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2016
I WAS SENT THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHOR

3.5\5 stars
I really really enjoyed this book! even though it is a middle grade book, I found it interesting and fast paced and everything that was happening just kept me intrigued! Anna-Sophia is a very well developed character and she's very funny and clumsy.
the only doubt I have is about Beatrice's personality, I find it a little bit too childish for her age.
I really cannot wait to read the second one!
Profile Image for Carolyn Swinhart.
7 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2016
Very good

Kept me interested all along. I will be wanting to see what happens next. Has good Morales to teach everyone
Profile Image for Dev.
2,462 reviews187 followers
June 22, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This book was a little bit simplistic for me personally, but I know I'm not the target audience and I think that it would be very enjoyable for middle grade kids. I thought Anna was a great character and I liked how she always wanted to be kind, but not at the expense of being taken advantage of or letting other people get hurt. I liked that she kept a diary because she had read about Anne Frank in school even though that's kind of an over-used trope. But it was still nice and the author kind of updated it a bit because Anna had also read about Malala Yousafzai so there were quotes from her throughout the book as well. It was great that Anna had found role models in these two young girls and I think it sends a great message to the young girls reading this book as well. Definitely a fun story for kids who like witches, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to other adults like me who are trying to find other middle grade series to read in between Rick Riordan's release dates ;)
Profile Image for Maria.
141 reviews80 followers
June 19, 2016
*I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This was an average read, Anna was really young and I did not like how she felt so older and mature. 'I realized there was something wonderful about being thirteen. I was old enough to get treated like an adult sometimes, but still young enough to play silly games with my friends.' Apart from I didn't see anything so special about it.
I liked the pace with all the action and adventure going on.
And the coming-of-age was interesting. Anna's character development was great. Even as a young new witch, already she has to be careful with what she uses her magic for.

'Every bit of magic comes with consequences.'

Other than that, what intrigued me was the dark aspects of the story; the way she fought the evil within her that demanded to be released whenever she was angry, and that was intent on destroying her. And I loved how she was ready to take risks for her friends, and the things she had to face and secrets she learned along the way.

'It was a fair exchange, I believe - a part of my soul for her freedom.'

And that

There were some things that I quite did not understand. One of them unexplained, the other too silly:

There was a mystery about her family and her ancestry, and we were still left with some questions. Also, the book ended in a cliffhanger. I guess I'll continue to the next book then.

Buddy: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Profile Image for Laurie • The Baking Bookworm.
1,811 reviews515 followers
March 28, 2016
Initially I was tempted to read this book based on its premise and its beautiful cover. This middle school supernatural adventure novel follows a 13 year old girl as she learns about her newfound power as a witch. An orphan who learns of their magical powers while at a boarding school sounds familiar but Candee brings his own twist to Anna Sophia's powers and his plot.

I wasn't smitten with this book right off the bat. The plot was a little slow to start, the writing felt overly simplified and I didn't have a good connection with Anna Sophia, her powers or her rather odd unique sidekick. While it was interesting to see her come into her new powers, and I loved how using her powers affected her, it was a little hard to believe that she tackled them so easily considering that she didn't know she was a witch until a few weeks before. She seemed to have an innate idea of how to handle things and I would have liked to see her struggle a bit more.

But I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. About a third of the way through the pace picks up and the writing was much more engaging. There are some great action scenes that had a rather nefarious and eerie feel to them due to the addition of some sinister adults and a faster moving plot. There is some violence in the book but I feel it fit the plot well and really upped the eerie feel of the book without being gory or over the top.

There were some nice sketches of scenes and characters scattered throughout the book which young readers will enjoy and the overall moral of the story regarding using your powers/strengths for good and never for revenge or harming others is a good one.

Readers are left with a bit of a cliffhanger which wasn't frustrating but made me eager to find out more about Anna Sophia's mysterious family and past. It has some good moral lessons about friendship, loyalty and doing what is right. This was a solid start to a new middle school supernatural/suspense series that, while it took me a bit to get into, I feel it will engage older tween/young teen readers and is a great way to introduce kids to magical/supernatural reads.

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Helvetic House for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sissy Lu {Book Savvy Reviews}.
558 reviews49 followers
August 3, 2016
When I was a little girl I loved everything fantasy/adventure and when it came to a strong child leading the way I was all for it. I know if I had read this book when I was little I would have adored it.

Anna Sophia was found in a Bear den when she was an infant and taken in by a man she calls Uncle Misha. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he has to place her in an orphanage. A local husband and wife, Andre and Marie, have taken several orphans in the past and given them what appears to be a loving home. Yet, something doesn't settle well with Anna Sophia and soon she discovers vast many things about not only herself but a family that many are so quick to adore.

This book plunges us into the life of an orphanage, about the struggles of a little girl trying to hold onto her worth when she knows nothing about her heritage. She discovers she is, in fact, a witch and it is something she has in common with her mother. A tale of good and evil, how it tempts us and how sometimes even when doing the wrong thing may end up being a good thing, it is still ultimately wrong. A very strong moral to the story. Plus the pictures every so often helped to depict scenes all the better for a young mind, I'd think!

While it is aimed towards a younger crowd 10-12, it is a darker book effectively showing the dark side as a tangible force. It handles this well but as the story goes on it becomes increasingly darker as its clear it is a struggle.

A great read for a younger mind - even an older one!


Website - Facebook - Instagram
Profile Image for K.J. Chapman.
Author 9 books100 followers
May 11, 2016
This is the first children's book I have reviewed on my blog, and I was pleasantly surprised with how the narrative drew me in. I had to keep in mind that the book was aimed at children/ young teens, but that being said, it was an innovative tale that I'm sure many parents would be happy to read to their children- that is if their kids don't think storytime is uncool *hehe*.

The narrative has dark undertones and impresses morals upon the reader. Anna Sophia learns that she is a witch, and that her magic has two sides- light and dark. If she uses her magic to harm or for 'bad', then she loses a little bit of her soul. She has to use initiative to ensure she only uses good magic, or she may start becoming like an evil relative she only recently learnt existed.

There are dark chapters and incredibly sinister adults, even wicked policemen, but good always triumphs over evil, and that's an important ethic woven into the narrative. Anna Sophia's character is typical for a thirteen year old girl, and I feel the author had her face her trials and hardship in a relatable way for children and young teens.

Squire was a funny little character- a hand that becomes animated when heated by flames. I couldn't help but think of Thing from the Addams Family. I'm showing my age now, but I like that Thing has had a bit of an upgrade for the younger generations.

My own daughter is a little too young to appreciate this book, but I won't hesitate to recommmend it to her when she's older. The ending is open for a second book, and is set to be a good one.
Profile Image for Karen ⊰✿.
1,640 reviews
March 4, 2016
Anna is an orphan who has been told that she grew up with bears before being found and 'rescued'. She discovers on her 13th birthday that she may have some magical gifts, and starts to learn more about her heritage while uncovering a dark plot happening in her neighbourhood.

This is quite a cute, fairy tale story that reads easily and has some nice themes of how to try and find good rather than evil in everyday life. As the title suggests, there is a component of the story which is diary entries - this is the start of each chapter - and then the remainder of the chapter is Anna's first person POV.
I generally judge suitability of a book for children/young adults by the age of the MC, but in this case I think the writing style was a little simplistic for the 13 year old age group, and although it did seem to improve as the book went on (or perhaps I just became accustomed to it), I just can't imagine my niece and nephew being challenged by reading this. So I would aim this more at the younger tween age group, around 10 years old. It would be a nice book to read with a child around this age, and it ends with a lovely cliffhanger so have book two prepared :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author 1 book6 followers
February 17, 2016
This is an interesting coming-of-age story starring a girl Anna (obviously) and her misadventures. It turns that she have a magical power of sorts that basically let her slightly alter the very fabric of reality around her. One catch: this literally eats away at her soul.

So the premise of the book and it's gorgeous cover had been what initially hooked me to the book, and then was the compelling narratives and character arcs that kept me turning the digital pages. It was really one of nicest middle-school/YA book I had read in a while, though I don't really read a lot of books in the genre. But it still managed to keep me hooked and relate to the characters and the world around them.

Without giving too much away, I would reccomend this sort of book to people that enjoy that little spark of magic, wonderful illustrations, and books that could take you to another world and let you stay there.

Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a brilliantly written review copy of the book. :)
Profile Image for Charlie.
73 reviews
September 2, 2021
This book I loved reading and Anna Sophia is my favourite character and she saved the girls from the family was awesome
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamie Pitman.
109 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2016
I love books on the supernatural and reading the about the plot I thought it was going to be like Beautiful Creatures/ Charmed but it was more of a Children's book rather than Young Adult book.

It took a couple of chapters for me to get into it and thought that this was down to the way it was written. The start seemed to be rushed (this may be due to it being a small book) but once it got the pace right I couldn't put this book down.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I felt it was to short a book, It could of been longer and a lot better. I didn't like the pictures in the book. Yes they looked good and are good for kids to keep them interested but no! I like to read books and it started to feel more like a comic book with a story to it by the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.