A Spirited Panda Blog

Hello everyone! I’m back with another book review. I was sent The Making of a Witch by Judy Molland by Mind Media Book Publicity, and I am so grateful they chose me as one of the writers to give their review of this novel. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release. The story immediately captured my attention from the first paragraph, which made me want to take my time with it. 

The Making of a Witch follows the life of Alice Molland, a 10-year-old girl living in 17th-century Exeter, England. After losing a close friend from the accusation of witchcraft, she starts to question her life and the morals her mother and father have taught her. Alice develops a unique power that guides her in life, helping her face challenges like death, loss, scrutiny, and betrayal. As she learns about healing and magic, Alice strives to make a difference in a world ruled by religion and misogynistic men. 

This is the first book I have read by Judy Molland, and I’m now a fan. I love historical fiction, and the notes at the end show that Alice Molland is Judy’s ancestor, which adds a personal touch to this story. The dialogue matches the time period, and the detailed world-building and research make Alice’s emotions,her worries, happiness, accomplishments, and sorrows feel real. 

What stood out to me about Alice was how she used her knowledge and magic to help others and found a sense of belonging with those who shared her passion for magic and harmony.  She stood her ground against bullies and stood on business that what she was doing is healing others and no magic was bestowed upon those who accused her of witchcraft. She’s still just a girl who chases her feelings and is headstrong about what she wants out of life. Judy wrote this story amazingly and she has a great way with worlds. As you read, you will know who to trust and who she should worry about. By the end of the story, all of Alice’s choices make sense, and I was both angry and relieved at how she controlled her own fate. 

In summary, I give this story 4.5 stars. The Making of a Witch shows how a young girl’s quest for knowledge scares others as well as inspires others around her, especially in a Christian society, as she hopes to become a healer and believes in her own power. In the end, Alice chooses her own destiny, and through her friends and family, her legacy lives on.

This book releases Tuesday, June 9th, and I will be buying a physical copy. Thank you again to Mind Media Book Publicity for letting me read this ARC. All thoughts and wording are my own. If you plan to buy the book or liked my review, please let me know in the comments. 

Thank you for reading!