Description

If you choose the “Signed & Dedicated” option, Mr Stay can sign and dedicate the book as per your request (keep it clean!), and each copy will be stamped with the exclusive Woodville Library Stamp. You’ll also receive a free bookmark.

December, 1940

The Holly King is coming, and you’re on his list . . . 

You are cordially invited to the FEAST OF FOOLS.
A YULETIDE celebration in the village of WOODVILLE.
Your host is THE HOLLY KING, benevolent demigod and newly-restored RULER of the woodland realm.
Confront your fears and banish darkness at our Saturnalian Revels, with food and drink aplenty for all you lusty guts. Join your neighbours, Dead-Eyed Fairies and a Woodwose, all overseen for one night only by the Lord of Misrule.
STRICTLY NO WITCHES ALLOWED.
Have you been Naughty or Nice?
RSVP, regardless.

As Christmas looms, the villagers come under the spell of the Holly King, a demigod bent on destroying Woodville. Faye, Bertie and the witches are determined to stop him, but first they must confront terrible truths that threaten to tear them apart.

Don’t miss the other magical books in the WITCHES OF WOODVILLE series!

#1 The Crow Folk

#2 Babes in the Wood

#3 The Ghost of Ivy Barn

#4 The Holly King

#5 The Corn Bride

Praise for The Witches of Woodville series

‘A rural Ben Aaronovitch!’—Caimh McDonnell

‘Mark’s ingenious decision to set his magical saga not in some ancient realm of wizards and dragons but in a vividly recreated WWII-era rural England gives us the most lived-in and believable fantasy world. I wish I’d thought of it.’—Mitch Benn, author of Terra

‘Mark Stay’s brilliantly written Witches of Woodville books are somehow funny, cosy, clever and disturbingly dark all at the same time. Terry Pratchett fans will LOVE em.’—Lucy Strange

‘I so enjoyed The Crow Folk. Set in an endearingly odd village in deepest Kent, it’s full of engaging characters and weird, witchy goings-on. Fast-paced, entertainingly creepy and at times laugh-out-loud funny, it’s also genuinely moving’—Michelle Paver, author of Wakenhyrst

‘ACE. Smart and funny and written so warmly. It’s an absolutely smashing read’—Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World ​

‘Swept me straight back to days of losing myself in Diana Wynne Jones novels, and getting lost in truly absorbing, sometimes scary, sometimes emotive adventure with its roots in folklore and history. A story that is full of magic and delight that will thrill readers of any age’—Rowan Coleman, author of The Girl at the Window

‘Warm, witty, witchy wartime fun. With Mark Stay as writer you’re always guaranteed a magical read’—Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries

‘You’ll love it: Doctor Who meets Worzel Gummidge’—Lorna Cook, author of The Forgotten Village

‘A jolly romp with witches, demons, and bellringing. Pratchett fans will enjoy this, and Faye is a feisty and fun hero. Dad’s Army meets Witches of Eastwick’—Ian W Sainsbury