Into the Witchwood

by Méabh McDonnell, Erin Brown (cover_art)

Never, ever, set foot inside the Witchwood

Surrounding Rowan's home is the dark, dangerous Witchwood. At the heart of it, sitting at the bottom of an ancient well, is a powerful Witch.

Six months ago, Rowan's mother went into the woods – and never came back out. Nothing has been the same ever since. She fights with her dad and her little sister, and her Nana won't even speak to her. There's only one thing that can fix it; Rowan needs to bring her mum home.

There's dark magic lurking in the shadows. Can Rowan enter the Witchwood and survive?

 After all, she's a witch too.

Genres: Middle Grade

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2024

Reviews

[Méabh McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems strange giving a book that I have written five stars - I’m not even sure if it’s allowed! But this is the story that I couldn’t keep inside - the one I had to share and, if I’m being honest one of the books I have most enjoyed reading ever (only partially because it has my name written at the top of every page!). This book gets five stars from me because writing it and Rowan’s story changed me. She and her sister Lila and the Witch barrelled into my life at a time when everything was upside down and I needed to reach into my own past to make sense of the present. Writing Rowan helped me find my way through the dark woods in my life. I truly hope that she can help do that for others too.

[Emma Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful coming-of-age story filled with magic, danger, and the importance of friendship and sisterhood.

[Gabbie Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

*with the disclaimer that I work for the publisher* What an absolute stunner and one of my favourite older 8-12 titles. Would particularly make a great bridge between middlegrade and teen for readers in that tricky age range.
A (more) twisted WIZARD OF OZ meets Irish folklore, with just the right amount of horror and adventure to give you goosebumps and leave you unsettled for every time you walk by a forest for a long while. This was pace-y and cinematic and would make for a perfect TV show or movie. There was so much iconic and memorable imagery that came alive off the page in the way only the best, most immersive fantasy can achieve. My heart was in my throat countless times throughout the story as I waited for our protagonists' to get themselves out of some very .... tricky (to say the least) and tense situations.
The book was so fantastic that I, an Eldest Daughter™, will even forgive it for being an ode to the greatness of younger sisters.

[Megan Fahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastical tale of witchery and friendship that leaves you questioning the woods around you.

I loved it as an adult and know I would have loved it even move if I had read it as a child.

[Leona (ateachersguidetoreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to The O'Brien Press for including me in the tour for Méabh McDonnell's magical, Into the Witchwood. 

The woods around Rowan's home hold a dark and dangerous secret, at its heart lies a powerful Witch. After her mother went into the woods and never came back out, Rowan feels that everything in her life has fallen apart. She decides it's up to her to bring her Mum home. The woods are not the place for humans...so it's lucky that Rowan is a witch too. 

The Rules of the Wood reminded me so much of the folklore stories I heard growing up about the fae folk and the strange goings on in rural areas at night time. We see Rowan, her sister Lila and neighbour Farid take on The Witch, her woods and her haunted well. I really enjoyed their adventure through the wood, including coming across mythical creatures like the bogman, a fairy ball and meeting unexpected allies like Tali. It dealt with the issue of loss and grief in such a meaningful way as well as highlighting the importance of family and friends to help you through it. 

The book sort of reminded me of a mix between The Chronicles of Narnia and The Enchanted Wood with Irish mythology. The perfect read for any young person or teen and I can confirm it's a very enjoyable read for adults too!

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the greatest of respect for the author's personal journey that inspired this story and the readers who enjoy it, this book was just not for me. The premise was so great, and I was excited to dive in, but as the story continued I found myself feeling lost in the forest myself, and not in a good way. It felt like just one bad thing happening after the other with no real beauty or comedic relief or goodness to break things up even a tiny bit, although the last several chapters wrap things up in a lovely and touching way. I also had a difficult time with the choppy, shorter-sentences writing style, although I know that's the norm in most middle grade books these days. The randomness/disjointed-ness reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, but I was missing the whimsy.

[Nat - Amnell_79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toda una aventura de bosques encantados, brujas malas, caballeros, leones y espíritus maravillosos. Rowan perdió a su madre en el bosque de la bruja hace ya seis meses y entiende que la única manera de recuperarla es ir a buscarla ella misma. Ni por asomo se imagina lo que significa adentrarse allí. No estará sola, pero eso no hará la aventura menos turbulenta. El mal les acecha y, según se acercan al pozo de la bruja, las duras pruebas a las que se ven sometidos se vuelven más peligrosas. ¿Lograrán salir con vida? ¿Se apoderará la bruja de sus corazones incrementando así su poder? Sólo el Bosque lo sabe...

[Aislinn O'Loughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10yo just devoured this book - stayed up waaay past bedtime finishing it and spent the morning drawing fanart before school. In her words it’s “perfectly dark. I loved these characters - even the mean ones - and the twists and magic adventure and adventure made me want to climb inside the book and live there”. It’s a truly stunning debut from an amazing Irish author and 10yo (and I!) are already chomping at the bit to get our hands on whatever magic Méabh McDonnell spins in her next book. We’re enchanted!

[yujin ꩜ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i loved the premise of rowan venturing into the witchwood to save her mother, and the magic was intriguing. the story had some strong moments, but overall, it felt rushed and lacked the emotional depth i was hoping for. while i enjoyed parts of it, i think the pacing could have been better to fully explore the characters and their relationships.

[Eibhlín · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew from the first pages of the novel that it had the potential to be a 5⭐️ read and my goodness it didn’t disappoint! I’ve loved every page. Rowan, Lila, Farid and Tali have my heart. I’m so excited to see what Méabh does next.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my daughter, wanting to support local authors while I was in Galway. I ended up reading it on my flight home and loved it. It’s a delightful, well written story and I’m ready for a sequel. No pressure Méabh, but we’d like to go back into the witchwood!

[Niall Donnellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read this myself before passing a copy of to my niece and we both absolutely loved it. Top notch book. I’d recommend it to anyone.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the concept of this book.
It was a very good book to read

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to say to you to never do something how would you react? If you are a child I imagine you might ask ‘why not’ and then ignore anything you are told and do that thing you should never do, regardless. An adult may show more caution but this is a middle grade readers book which of course means it’s for children, who, as I may have mentioned don’t always listen to instruction when it is given. They certainly don’t listen when it has been given by someone they have been arguing with, even more so when that someone is their dad or little sister. It can’t be Nana as she won’t even speak to the person in question. But it is important not to listen on this occasion at least, and that is what we must remember as we read Méabh McDonnell’s Into the Witchwood. When you begin reading think about all those fairy and folktales you have heard, you know the ones ~ with their dark forests and wicked witches.

Put them on hold in the back of your mind and prepare for a spooky, enthralling tale that may encourage you to listen the next time someone tells you to never do something or it may make you feel bold and brave, just like Rowan. It has been six months since Rowan’s mum went missing, she went into those woods and she has never come back out. Since that day nothing has been the same for Rowan. She fights with her dad and little sister and Nana won’t speak to her. As far as she is concerned there is only one course of action and that is to go into the woods herself. If Rowan can find and bring her mum home then that will fix everything, won’t it? The Witchwood surrounds Rowan’s home, a dark and dangerous place where, at its very heart, at the very bottom of an ancient well, sits an ancient witch. There is magic in all of its shadows too and it is watching Rowan. But she is a witch too so why shouldn’t she be able to enter these woods…? Rowan and the witch in the well are not the only ones with magic but is it a blessing or a curse and are you brave enough to discover more?

I write reviews for Armadillo Children's Books and this one appeared in my weekly newsletter, Postbag Picks, in March 2024.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its’ heart and soul, it is a story about family; a family torn and troubled at the disappearance of their mother, and the desperate attempt of a daughter to bring her mum home; to bring back the love and together. It is a story about sisterhood, with all its’ travails. And friendship, sacrifice and understanding yourself…believing in yourself. It is a story of magic; magic of the most powerful and dangerous kind. It is magic of the heart and it permeates every single page. And it takes us on the most incredible of journeys. The setting is described with ease, but still giving us the details that allow us to truly feel the place. The characterisation of every single player is rich, textured…perfect. We know them, inside and out. In many ways, we are them. We play all their parts at one time or another. Personally, I fell in love with every one of them, even (or maybe especially) the wicked or annoying ones. Rowan strides boldly, yet tentatively through the wood, certain of the outcome, yet not certain of herself. This is something she will have to learn. I especially loved Lila, the little sister. Maybe she’s just too young to overthink things; or maybe she just knows to begin with. And when her moment comes…well, that would be telling.
With all the nuance of the best of fairy tales, the story builds bringing the exact amount of tension, drama, humour and sincerity and we come more and more under its’ spell. It is impossible to put down. Layer upon layer is built and peeled back with care and compassion, compelling us onward…through the wood, clutching the Rules that will guide us closely in our hearts and minds, hoping we get it right. In short, this book is amazing. Moving, deliciously dark, incredibly engaging, feisty and fierce and filled with friendship, family, loyalty and love….and utterly, utterly magical.

[bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Witchwood by Méabh McDonnell!


In this book we meet Rowan a 13 year old girl whose world is falling apart. Rowan lives with her dad and her little sister with their Grandmother living very close by.
When Rowans Nana was a child she went into the witchwood but, as a young witch herself, battled the powerful witch of the woods and trapped her in a well. But the witch swore on revenge. Which is why, 6 months ago, Rowan’s mum disappeared.
Rowan’s relationship with her dad and sister become tense and strained and her Nana refuses to teach her anymore magic. With tension being high and the threat of moving away, Rowan decides to go to the witchwood to find her mum.
Along with her little sister, Lila, her new friend Fradid and talking Cat, Tali, using Rowan’s limited magical skills, they must work together to avoid the forest’s traps,find Rowan’s mum, and finally defeat the Witch of the Woods.

This book was a very interesting read and i found it really intriguing and suspenseful. ❤️
5⭐️!