Accepting your destiny isn't easy as Raya soon finds out in Sara Pascoe’s teen fantasy novel, Being A Witch. When she first discovers the truth, Raya just cannot believe it! Witches don't exist, plus they're always portrayed as having these large-beaked noses! No, it just can't be true. But when she meets Pavel, Raya’s not so sure anymore. Oh, and the term is integrator- not witch! Prav, an expert on all things magic, helps ease the stubborn teen into her new world, paving the way for Raya to discover who she really is. As she grows, Raya learns that bad things sometimes happen for a good reason and that opening up and placing a little trust in people is a helluva lot better than pushing people away all the time.

I loved the fast-paced Being A Witch from the start. Sara has a knack for spinning intriguing stories and making the characters come to life. Oscar was both hilarious and quirky, always having me in stitches and I absolutely loved his personality; Pavel's story was reminiscent of what so many people go through– accidents happen, we can't change that, but we can accept it in order to heal. Another thing I enjoyed was the playful banter between the characters; they were really good friends to Raya and provided the love Raya so desperately yearned for. Being A Witch is a beautifully-written novel and I absolutely enjoyed it to the fullest! I recommend it to fans of talking cats and teens who, like Raya, have also wondered about their place in the world. ( )

Being a Witch by Sara Pascoe takes you along as young Rachel “Raya” Hollingsworth discovers her special powers. Raya thought she was experiencing schizophrenia like her mother when she began hearing animal and people's thoughts. Then the dreams came. Her powers as a witch slowly are awakened, placing her and everyone around her in potential trouble. When Jake runs away from the foster home they shared; Raye takes the blame when he is hurt badly. She travels back to the most dangerous time and place for witches. She is unpredictable and where she’ll end up is anyone’s guess.

Sara Pascoe is one of those authors who write outside the box. Being a Witch isn’t a cookie-cutter story following a predictable outline. It unfolds with multiple twists, friends with the least likely people or creatures, and travel to the most improbable places. I loved how each chapter left you hungry for the next one. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good adventurous read. ( )

There are many reasons why I enjoyed this story, and a few why I didn’t.

Author Sara Pascoe has crafted a wonderful story about a young girl who is dealing with life and the unfair twists and turns she has been forced to navigate during her fourteen years. In her quest to find herself and establish a life where she can make the decisions and not be forced into situations she would never choose, Raya suddenly discovers that she is an integrator (witch). Her new skills thrust her into a series of adventures, and it becomes imperative that she develops these skills in order to save herself and her companions.

Although currently not indicated on the website, I would guess that this is intended to be a YA novel, and is probably aimed at the younger set (perhaps 13-15). While the historical settings and characters are informative, the inclusion of modern day speech would not be as acceptable to adults as it would be to young teens. This same audience could also overlook the easy and predictable solutions that are used to pull Raya and her friends out of hot water, solutions that adults might find predictable rather than exciting.

Unfortunately, the author has strangely chosen to allow a few more than a handful of vulgarities to sneak onto the pages, including an f-bomb. While I believe the items in the last paragraph may turn off a majority of adults, due to the language I would find it difficult to put the book in the hands of my own children. It is mind-boggling that Ms. Pascoe wouldn’t simply omit these few questionable words. There are not many, and they in no way add to the story.

In summary, I would have to say I have mixed feelings about this book. It is an entertaining story for young teenagers that is potentially marred by unnecessary and improper words. I have given it four stars because I usually don’t remove stars for language, and thus leave the eventual choice of purchase in the hands of each consumer. ( )

The story is something like a sequel to the book "Get Rich or Get Lucky," as the story starts from the same point as where the previous one ended. Adam, our central character, found a book of magic spells in his basement, which he was practicing. Then arrives a "suspicious woman" at his doorstep, claiming to be an inhabitant of the house for some time. Torn in the situation and unable to understand what and why it is happening, he juggles around the situation. He tries to hide the thing while at the same time trying to find a situation. This doesn't end here; someone in his dreams, calling himself "the master," is haunting him to return the magic spell book. He has a lot of drama to deal with. The drama set around the book, Witch and the Master, is entertaining. Sometimes you would feel pity for Adam, but at another time, you would feel that everything was going right. The entertainment quotient of this book is high and can definitely grab a good place in your reading list. ( )

"Sara Pascoe's 'Being A Witch, and Other Things I Didn't Ask For' is a captivating story, especially for young adults as it explores adolescence, and merges the topic with magic, and historical adventures, providing a nice blend of reality and fantasy. Raya, is a 14-year-old girl is trying to navigate foster care and her emerging identity as a witch.
The narrative is sensitive, whilst exploring foster care and mental health. Raya struggles with her so called schizophrenia, which actually turns out to be her abilities as an 'integrator’. Its a fantastical tale, and an educational journey, that I really got involved in, its both entertaining and thought-provoking​​.
'Being A Witch, and Other Things I Didn't Ask For' is a delightful and quirky story that deals with complex themes like foster care, fitting in, and emotional struggles. I would definitely recommed this book not just to young adults but anyone who loves to read a well told story, that deals with several themes at the same time. ( )