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There Flies the Witch: An Enchanting Fantasy About Finding Family and Identity for Children
Red may not know who her true family is, but she’s determined to find out where she belongs, in this story about magic, nature, family, love, and betrayal. There Flies the Witch will enchant fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Grace Lin. Red doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. In fact, her only memory is a terrifying, repeating dream of a threatening shadow and a foggy field. But after many years, she wonders if that’s just something she made up. Red does know that she now belongs with Yakaka, the witch who rescued Red when she was a little girl. Full of power and magic, Yakaka travels the world, healing the planet when it calls for her help. Yakaka carries Red between the wings on her back during these journeys, teaching her the skills of witchcraft, storytelling, and healing—skills Red can never seem to master. After a dangerous mission leads to Yakaka and Red’s falling from a great height and into the stormy ocean, Red wakes up alone on a seemingly deserted island. Days later, a young boy and his mother find Red and help her recover. For the first time, Red has a friend her own age to play with, and a chance to live a different kind of life. But what happened to Yakaka? Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev explores themes of family, identity, belonging, and resilience in this truly extraordinary coming-of-age story for readers of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon , Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea , and Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island .
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2023
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3253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 21, 2023
4-4.25/5
February 3, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.
Wow!! This was such a sweet, wholesome, and enchanting read! Red was an amazing character and I loved how this story explored important topics while also remaining kid friendly and fun. I loved where the story went and I also loved the world that this author built. A beautiful story and you should all read it.
Wow!! This was such a sweet, wholesome, and enchanting read! Red was an amazing character and I loved how this story explored important topics while also remaining kid friendly and fun. I loved where the story went and I also loved the world that this author built. A beautiful story and you should all read it.
February 3, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.
Wow!! This was such a sweet, wholesome, and enchanting read! Red was an amazing character and I loved how this story explored important topics while also remaining kid friendly and fun. I loved where the story went and I also loved the world that this author built. A beautiful story and you should all read it.
Wow!! This was such a sweet, wholesome, and enchanting read! Red was an amazing character and I loved how this story explored important topics while also remaining kid friendly and fun. I loved where the story went and I also loved the world that this author built. A beautiful story and you should all read it.
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February 4, 2024“Ma says freckles are pockets of secrets belonging to the sea. Most of us have one or two or three pockets of secrets spotting our faces or arms or legs. Some of us, like me, are gifted with many secrets to keep. "The sea thinks you're special, so it gave you more pockets of secrets to keep," she says.”
This was a magical coming of age story about family, identity, belonging, and resilience. The prose was very poetic, yet simplistic and even repetitive. I loved the underlying message of finding yourself. There was a strong theme of abandonment too, so those parts made me sad. Oral storytelling is a lost art, so I appreciated how the author used her culture and upbringing and incorporated it into this story. Also, the MC’s name/nickname is Red and that is Phillip’s nickname for me.
This was a magical coming of age story about family, identity, belonging, and resilience. The prose was very poetic, yet simplistic and even repetitive. I loved the underlying message of finding yourself. There was a strong theme of abandonment too, so those parts made me sad. Oral storytelling is a lost art, so I appreciated how the author used her culture and upbringing and incorporated it into this story. Also, the MC’s name/nickname is Red and that is Phillip’s nickname for me.
May 10, 2023
4.5 stars.
Very beautiful poetical prose in the present tense, first person. Tells the story of a girl that doesn't belong to the woman raising her but who she sees and loves as her mother. It's a fast read, but very beautiful with the short chapters and lyrical sentences, and plenty of repetitions, these make the paragraphs sound like a song.
I love the story of the island, the characters, the nature themes, and how Red finds her past to find herself. She is Red but she is also something else and instead of turning her back on one part of herself, she embraces it all. I love the surrealist, folkloric mood that invoked.
Themes like identity, foster family, love for found family, and coming of age.
Will please readers who enjoy books like The Girl Who Drank the Moon but it is also shorter and easier to read and focus on. Good for children and adults who like whimsical magical stories.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest opinion.
Very beautiful poetical prose in the present tense, first person. Tells the story of a girl that doesn't belong to the woman raising her but who she sees and loves as her mother. It's a fast read, but very beautiful with the short chapters and lyrical sentences, and plenty of repetitions, these make the paragraphs sound like a song.
I love the story of the island, the characters, the nature themes, and how Red finds her past to find herself. She is Red but she is also something else and instead of turning her back on one part of herself, she embraces it all. I love the surrealist, folkloric mood that invoked.
Themes like identity, foster family, love for found family, and coming of age.
Will please readers who enjoy books like The Girl Who Drank the Moon but it is also shorter and easier to read and focus on. Good for children and adults who like whimsical magical stories.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest opinion.
June 23, 2024
There is a beautiful rhythm and cadence to this story that just....speaks to you. Or at least, it did to me. This was both brilliant and heartbreaking. Red is lost in so many ways, even before Yakaka disappears. Growing up and becoming who you are meant to be is a hard journey but there's magic waiting on the other side.
April 9, 2023
I wanted to like it more than I did. The premise was intriguing, but I found the story to be a bit boring. For most of the book, the MC is wandering around on a secluded island. It’s cool for a while, but it became kind of repetitive. It was a quick read, though, which I love. I wish more books were 200-250 pages.
I think I’m so used to magical stories in which there’s some adventure, too, so I think my rating is based on that. I live for adventure stories, but that’s not really what this is. And, that’s ok. I think some people will love it.
I think I’m so used to magical stories in which there’s some adventure, too, so I think my rating is based on that. I live for adventure stories, but that’s not really what this is. And, that’s ok. I think some people will love it.
February 9, 2023
There Flies The Witch by Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev
I really wanted to like this book, but it just isn’t what I thought it would be. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. The story follows a girl named Red who lives with an older woman who can fly. They travel around the world healing the planet using magic. The older woman, Yakaka, has been trying to teach Red magic, but Red knows she is not like Yakaka and cannot perform magic, which is something that really bothers her and makes her feel like she is different. One day, while out flying, Yakaka doesn’t feel well and lands on a small island. She tells Red to go fetch her some water and when Red comes back Yakaka is missing. Red runs into a young boy and eventually heads to his home while she waits for Yakaka to come back. The island is abandoned except for the young boy and his mom. Red eventually sees the boy and his mom as her family just as she sees Yakaka as her family. While living on the island there is a massive storm which will have Red relying on all her family members to help overcome the devastation of the storm and realize the magic within herself.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev, Greenwillow Books, and HarperCollins Publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy of There Flies The Witch. While I did not enjoy the story as much as I had hoped to, I did enjoy Red’s sense of wonder in regards to the nature around her.
I really wanted to like this book, but it just isn’t what I thought it would be. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. The story follows a girl named Red who lives with an older woman who can fly. They travel around the world healing the planet using magic. The older woman, Yakaka, has been trying to teach Red magic, but Red knows she is not like Yakaka and cannot perform magic, which is something that really bothers her and makes her feel like she is different. One day, while out flying, Yakaka doesn’t feel well and lands on a small island. She tells Red to go fetch her some water and when Red comes back Yakaka is missing. Red runs into a young boy and eventually heads to his home while she waits for Yakaka to come back. The island is abandoned except for the young boy and his mom. Red eventually sees the boy and his mom as her family just as she sees Yakaka as her family. While living on the island there is a massive storm which will have Red relying on all her family members to help overcome the devastation of the storm and realize the magic within herself.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev, Greenwillow Books, and HarperCollins Publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy of There Flies The Witch. While I did not enjoy the story as much as I had hoped to, I did enjoy Red’s sense of wonder in regards to the nature around her.
April 19, 2023
I loved the character Red. Such an interesting story and the narrative is written as if one is in Red’s head. Serious, emotional and beautiful tale of finding one’s place and accepting oneself.
February 4, 2023
Red lives with a witch who takes her on journeys where she heals the world. She is the only mother she has ever known, even though she looks nothing like her. One day, she takes her to an island, and leaves her there, to be found by a boy and his mother. They are the only ones living on the island, as everyone else has left, and the boy's father has gone to sea. It is implied he is not coming back.
Red has been taught magic speaking, magic story telling, but she never has learned how to use it. Even so, she tries to bring her mother the witch back, but she does not come back.
And so, she lives with the boy and his mother on the island.
And that is the story. I mean there is more to the story, but that is the main plot, of Red learning to use her magic, and living on the island where her mother left her.
This is a quick read, middle grade book, with very short chapters, so it runs along at a solid clip, as we explore the island, and Red's relationship with her new family.
I found it a little, well, boring. I wanted something more to happen. I wanted things to happen sooner. It took the whole novel for things to happen, so perhaps that is on me.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Red has been taught magic speaking, magic story telling, but she never has learned how to use it. Even so, she tries to bring her mother the witch back, but she does not come back.
And so, she lives with the boy and his mother on the island.
And that is the story. I mean there is more to the story, but that is the main plot, of Red learning to use her magic, and living on the island where her mother left her.
This is a quick read, middle grade book, with very short chapters, so it runs along at a solid clip, as we explore the island, and Red's relationship with her new family.
I found it a little, well, boring. I wanted something more to happen. I wanted things to happen sooner. It took the whole novel for things to happen, so perhaps that is on me.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
April 27, 2023
For as long as she can remember, Red has had a terrible nightmare, one which recurs every time she closes her eyes, and one that seems to hold more meaning than a typical dream. But Red’s mother Yakaka claims the vision means nothing, so the two go about their nomadic existence as they work to heal the ailing earth. Every day, Red attempts to learn the skills Yakaka possesses, but no matter how hard she tries, the words she utters do not carry the same weight as they do when Yakaka speaks them. And when Yakaka disappears unexpectedly one day, Red finds herself adopted by a pair of humans who ultimately provide Red with a new perspective on the world she thought she knew.
This intriguing story is written in three parts, each one pertaining to a specific stretch of time in Red’s life. The words are fairly simple and the sentences are clipped, giving the narrative the feel of a novel in verse despite it being organized in a traditional manner. Within the brief chapters, readers find occasional shifts from the general presentation, and these alter the momentum of the story enough to give readers pause, allowing them to consider the events in a new light. While the overall design of the novel makes it accessible to a wide range of readers thanks to its straightforward language and frequent transitions from one chapter to the next, it simultaneously inspires readers to dig deeper to discover the true meaning behind the words.
Multiple layers make up the overall narrative in this novel, and as readers consider the events taking place within it, they find themselves uncovering nuances hidden beneath each interaction. Red’s existence is something of a mystery from the very beginning, and as different truths come to light, readers realize more of what is happening than the characters themselves do. These elements make this story well-suited for discussion in classrooms and book clubs, and the novel inspires reflection while encouraging readers to revisit previous passages to look for clues. Repeated phrases, unusual characteristics, and mysterious circumstances all weave together to create a unique and thought-provoking tale. This is an interesting addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
This intriguing story is written in three parts, each one pertaining to a specific stretch of time in Red’s life. The words are fairly simple and the sentences are clipped, giving the narrative the feel of a novel in verse despite it being organized in a traditional manner. Within the brief chapters, readers find occasional shifts from the general presentation, and these alter the momentum of the story enough to give readers pause, allowing them to consider the events in a new light. While the overall design of the novel makes it accessible to a wide range of readers thanks to its straightforward language and frequent transitions from one chapter to the next, it simultaneously inspires readers to dig deeper to discover the true meaning behind the words.
Multiple layers make up the overall narrative in this novel, and as readers consider the events taking place within it, they find themselves uncovering nuances hidden beneath each interaction. Red’s existence is something of a mystery from the very beginning, and as different truths come to light, readers realize more of what is happening than the characters themselves do. These elements make this story well-suited for discussion in classrooms and book clubs, and the novel inspires reflection while encouraging readers to revisit previous passages to look for clues. Repeated phrases, unusual characteristics, and mysterious circumstances all weave together to create a unique and thought-provoking tale. This is an interesting addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
April 2, 2023
I would like to thank HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC.
There Flies the Witch follows the main character, Red, who feels different and out of place in her world. After Yakaka goes missing after having her fetch some water at a beach, Red begins to find herself with a new family and a place in the world.
I think the themes of this book were fantastic. I loved that the topic of not feeling like you belong was explored. The world building was interesting. Although it felt like some aspects of the story could have been fleshed out a bit more for young readers. I do think this was a good book that will speak to many young readers. The narration of the story was very interesting and really helped to bring out Red's voice and characterization. I had a lot of fun reading this book and getting to know Red. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
There Flies the Witch follows the main character, Red, who feels different and out of place in her world. After Yakaka goes missing after having her fetch some water at a beach, Red begins to find herself with a new family and a place in the world.
I think the themes of this book were fantastic. I loved that the topic of not feeling like you belong was explored. The world building was interesting. Although it felt like some aspects of the story could have been fleshed out a bit more for young readers. I do think this was a good book that will speak to many young readers. The narration of the story was very interesting and really helped to bring out Red's voice and characterization. I had a lot of fun reading this book and getting to know Red. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
July 15, 2023
What a weird experience.
The writing/prose is mostly fragments or incomplete sentences, making the writing feel choppy—almost like it’s being too literally translated from another language. While that definitely works for some, it does not work for me.
The other main issue I have is that nothing happens for the majority of the book. The chapters are short and repetitive, mostly narrating the heroine’s day to day activities with little action or fulfilling any sort of objective.
I feels this should’ve been either a short story, or a short story in verse.
I really wanted to like this. I enjoyed the beginning, and the opening sentence grabbed me right away. But this ended up being…annoying for me.
The writing/prose is mostly fragments or incomplete sentences, making the writing feel choppy—almost like it’s being too literally translated from another language. While that definitely works for some, it does not work for me.
The other main issue I have is that nothing happens for the majority of the book. The chapters are short and repetitive, mostly narrating the heroine’s day to day activities with little action or fulfilling any sort of objective.
I feels this should’ve been either a short story, or a short story in verse.
I really wanted to like this. I enjoyed the beginning, and the opening sentence grabbed me right away. But this ended up being…annoying for me.
July 8, 2023
There Flies the Witch by Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev - 5 /5
Children's Fiction - Multicultural Interest - SciFi & Fantasy
There Flies the Witch is a beautifully written story about finding out where one truly belongs. This story made my heart burst with all the emotions one could experience. It has magic, betrayal, family and love. I adore this story, it is written well and would recommend it to others.
The story follows Red and her determination to find out where she belongs in the world. She has only one repeating memory that scares her to her core, but that doesn't stop her for pressing on.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the eARC.
Children's Fiction - Multicultural Interest - SciFi & Fantasy
There Flies the Witch is a beautifully written story about finding out where one truly belongs. This story made my heart burst with all the emotions one could experience. It has magic, betrayal, family and love. I adore this story, it is written well and would recommend it to others.
The story follows Red and her determination to find out where she belongs in the world. She has only one repeating memory that scares her to her core, but that doesn't stop her for pressing on.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the eARC.
May 23, 2023
Too many incomplete, choppy sentences. I really don't get why "it" and "I" were omitted repeatedly at the beginning of sentences, for instance. Instead sentences were often written as commands or as if making list. It sounded odd. I was listening to the audio version. There was so much shouting that it was starting to get me mad because I would have to keep adjusting the volume.
I stuck with the story even when I felt like abandoning it. I wanted to like it but the writing style just didn't work for me. I was glad when the story was over. At least others seem to be getting more pleasure out of the book than I did!
I stuck with the story even when I felt like abandoning it. I wanted to like it but the writing style just didn't work for me. I was glad when the story was over. At least others seem to be getting more pleasure out of the book than I did!
July 22, 2023
I’m still not sure what to feel about this one, I felt it was tied up nice and neat but I don’t know if I liked that or not. I loved the older witch character - the reasons she used her powers and helped the world around her. Lots of touching moments in the story after Red loses her and finds new people to be in her life and then I wonder if the magic was ever real at all as I’m reading but you feel it lying underneath the whole tone of the book. I love the way it was written, definitely pulled me in as a reader and the chapters were nice and short.
July 25, 2023
Red realizes that her "mother" is really not, but stills loves her. She is taken back to her true mother and brother and loves them too.
The book is a quick read because of the short chapters, but it took to near the end for Red to find her truth. I personally felt a young reader may find it scary reading Part 2 because Red is scared. However, I will put it on my library shelf at my school.
I won my copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
The book is a quick read because of the short chapters, but it took to near the end for Red to find her truth. I personally felt a young reader may find it scary reading Part 2 because Red is scared. However, I will put it on my library shelf at my school.
I won my copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
May 21, 2023
NetGalley ARC Educator 550974
Family's change. Red experiences changes under the tutelage of Yakaka and the love and care of the boy and his mother. All of the joys and pain make Red who she is.
This book is full of whimsy, fantasy and care. Themes of magic, family and friendship are throughout as well as finding one's voice and purpose on life.
Family's change. Red experiences changes under the tutelage of Yakaka and the love and care of the boy and his mother. All of the joys and pain make Red who she is.
This book is full of whimsy, fantasy and care. Themes of magic, family and friendship are throughout as well as finding one's voice and purpose on life.
January 15, 2024
I wished I enjoyed this more. I think the writing style, would be difficult for a middle grader to read and process because it is verrrryy prose. Very repetitive. I appreciate the length of the story because if it was any longer I probably wouldn’t have been able to get through it. This would definitely be for folks who enjoyed The Girl who Drank the Moon. Definitely those vibes.
February 20, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This was a magical story that would be good for readers who liked Elle's A Taste of Magic, Royce's Root Magic, Okogwu's Oneyka and the Academy of the Sun, and Dumas' Wildseed Witch. It also reminded me a little of the works of Ruth Chew (Everyday Magic).
This was a magical story that would be good for readers who liked Elle's A Taste of Magic, Royce's Root Magic, Okogwu's Oneyka and the Academy of the Sun, and Dumas' Wildseed Witch. It also reminded me a little of the works of Ruth Chew (Everyday Magic).
May 2, 2023
ARC Copy...Very good on the imagery and poetic language. It felt magical and warm.
May 15, 2023
This is beautiful. The storytelling in this book is amazing, so refreshing. It's an excellent fairy-tale.
May 30, 2023
Did not enjoy the writing style.
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July 17, 2023Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't a fan of the lyrical writing style but I enjoyed the few characters and story.
I wasn't a fan of the lyrical writing style but I enjoyed the few characters and story.
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September 11, 2023I was not a fan of the stilted/simple sentence structure in this book.
November 6, 2023
Was very good needs a book a book 2 this author is a good story teller
November 23, 2023
Beautiful middle grades work for a range of readers to enjoy.
February 29, 2024
Intriguing, but the narrative voice didn't work for me and the story didn't engage me.
June 24, 2024
This book was beautiful and sad and full of love and I’ll definitely book looking for other books that Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev writes.
August 25, 2025
Lyrical style novella about abandonment, found family, and self discovery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews