Continuing Cassie’s magical quest from its Hedgewitch beginnings, Syke McKenna’s Woodwitch delivers a deliciously welcome return to the world of Hedgely, with the story-world enriched by an even deeper sense of the power of woodlands, and Cassie’s witchcraft training further put to the test. Driven by a sense of adventure, it’s told in the style of classic magical quests, and suffused in faerie lore timelessness.
The scale of Cassie’s quest is set out with urgent clarity from the off. She’s facing three problems that drive the narrative and her emotional journey. First, having spent half her life in a London boarding school, Cassie has a lot of catching up to do if she’s to match the other witches in her coven. Second, her mother is still missing. Thirdly, her “most insurmountable problem was her aunt”. Guardian of the Hedge and Mistress of the Coven, Miranda won’t allow her niece to venture to Faerie to find her mother until Cassie’s shown herself ready to become a fully qualified witch.
While these challenges simmer, Cassie’s troublesome cousin Sebastian comes to stay for Hallowe’en, and she’s tasked with looking out for him just as an ominous shadow emerges from the Hedge, and the villagers seem to be under the influence of a spell. While the Hedgewitch is away, Cassie and her friends take it upon themselves to find out what’s going on.
As the perilous powers of an ancient relic unfold alongside the threat of the Erl King, Woodwitch weaves a thrilling tale of family mystery, magic and courage.
Step into the magical world of Hedgewitch, where the land of Faerie lies just beyond our own . . .
The enchanting new series continues. Cassie has settled into life in Hedgely when, out of the blue, her troubled cousin, Sebastian, comes to stay for Hallowe'en. Sneering and scornful, Sebastian trails after Cassie and her friends, interfering with their coven projects and belittling the dangers of the faery world. But Cassie, Rue and Tabitha have bigger problems - as the nights grow longer, a dark shadow creeps out of the Hedge and villagers start behaving strangely, possessed with the desire to find a mysterious object.
When the Hedgewitch is called away, the girls decide to investigate and discover that whoever is controlling the villagers is seeking a faery relic: an ancient and dangerous weapon, hidden somewhere in the village. Their magical training will be put to the test as they venture deeper into the Hedge and race to find the faery treasure before it falls into the hands of the Erl King.
‘Fantasy lovers should not miss Hedgewitch’ - Daily Telegraph
'Thoroughly magical and compelling' ? New Statesman
'A twisty tale that brings together nature and folklore' ? i weekend
“Vivid and thoroughly assured, Hedgewitch may well stand alongside the works of Murphy and Rowling in years to come.” - Literary Review
“Missing children, magic and an excellent heroine make Hedgewitch one of those books that’s about to break out big time with younger readers.” Stylist
‘This magical story feels like it will be an instant classic.’ – The Week Junior
'Packed full of mystery and imagination' ? BookTrust
‘…delightful debut…’ – The Bookseller
'A magical story of adventure and friendship involving a cast of remarkable characters'? The School Librarian
'Charming magical quest' ? LoveReading4Kids
‘Magical in every sense of the word’ - Eoin Colfer
‘There are only two sorts of fantasy story: the ones that feel fake and the ones that feel real. It’s hard to explain the difference, but you know the real ones when you read them and Hedgewitch is one of them.’ – Philip Reeve
‘A richly inventive story.’ - Gillian Cross
‘So full of magic and adventure – I wish I’d written it myself!’ – Linda Chapman
‘Oozes magic from every page. The start of a cosy, compelling series for anyone who’s ever wanted to be a witch.’ – Aisha Bushby
Author
About Skye McKenna
Skye McKenna grew up in a mining town in the Australian outback. Surrounded by the red dust of the Pilbara, she developed a healthy respect for wild things at a young age. Seeking adventures of her own, she travelled to the UK and fell in love with the British countryside.
Skye now lives in Scotland and when she's not reading and writing, she goes looking for stories in the hills and forests of her new home.