Woodwitch

There are always some books and authors that when they release a book, you know that you need to read that book, and as soon as you get the book everything stops until you have finished reading it.

Hedgewitch was one of those books and I quickly fell in love with the book and the characters.

Skye McKenna wrote an amazing debut book and it felt like Woodwitch the second in the series took forever to be released.

I couldn’t wait and as soon as Woodwitch arrived I started it straight away. 

The first thing I noticed was that it was a lovely long book ( I love a long book) and the second thing I noticed was that the cover was so beautiful. It will make anyone pick it up.

Cassie has settled into life in Hedgely when, out of the blue, her troubled cousin, Sebastian, comes to stay for Halloween. 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.

It was wonderful being back with old friends and I quickly caught up with them.  Woodwitch sees the return of our favourite friends Cassie, Tabitha and Rue and it feels so lovely that this friendship continues to blossom. It is lovely to see a positive friendship in books that children can relate to.

We are able to go deeper into the character of Ivy this time and how Cassie and Ivy’s families have a shared history that has sealed both of their fates. And made them the characters they are today.

It was impossible to have just one favourite character when they all gel so well together and the book wouldn’t be the same without any of them.

The story continues at the same frenetic pace as before with scene setting and jeopardy at every turn, all of which will leave the reader wanting more and more.Personally when I’m asked about what I like in a book I always say I love a magic/witch book because the author has the power to do anything with the plot, and for me it allows my imagination to go places I’d not normally be able go.

This is one reason I adore this series, but it would be nothing without the brilliant writing of Skye McKenna, she is the reason why these books are the best and the reason I hope this series goes on and on.

I was so pleased to have been given the opportunity to read this brilliant book and I don’t think there are words to express how much I love this series, and people who love fantasy/magic books will definitely need this on their to be read pile. 

I am so looking forward to the next one to catch up once again with these wonderful characters.

As a primary school librarian I am always asked which book series I would love to be made into a tv programme or film and this is always the books I mention.