Review of The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmieri

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most beautifully written novels I’ve read in a long time. Very quickly, I fell in love with the setting and the characters. I’m from the South, and it’s so refreshing to see a novel that portrays that environment in a positive light. The Faulkneresque aphorisms and slow-moving style were absolutely captivating. Seeing the power in nature and the connection to the land is a huge part of the novel, and anyone who’s spent time in that area knows how true that connection is. The novel shows the value in every living thing, even the trees, and not in a strange hippy way.
Byrd is the most intriguing character. I loved this kid! She’s a twist between Fancy Nancy and that chick from Beetlejuice. She’s described as an “old soul,” a description that truly fits her. Wise beyond her eleven years, she spouts truth at every turn. You genuinely believe this kid is powerful.
I did have a few issues, but they were nitpicky things like Wyn’s name. Each time someone used her full name, I was frustrated trying to figure out how to pronounce it correctly. I also became a little aggravated with the flashbacks. They are essential to the plot, but the timing bothered me some. Sometimes I became a little lost in who knew what as well. I had to go back and reread to see which characters had given which piece of information. Every character has secrets, and all of those secrets had to be unraveled, but again, this was something I loved at the same time.
4.5 Stars