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Ghost
What calls across the centuries to three girls drawn together to lay to rest an ancient evil in the woods?
60AD
A blackbird calls a warning. Anna, a slave girl running away from her Roman masters, pauses to listen as she lifts a totemic, druid carving she's found in the tunnel where she's hiding. The last thing she sees is a tangle of matted fur, a sheaf of claws, a flash of fangs, as she unleashes a hungry animal presence.
1783 AD
Centuries later, white witch Sarah Gibson wanders the wood in search of refuge. She's at ease here with the changing seasons, the plants and animals, until one moonlit night, she senses Anna's terror. The blackbird calls a warning, but Sarah wants to help Anna's restless spirit.
Present day
Marie is furious when her twin, Billy, secures a place at art school and she doesn't. She is sent to 'cool off' at her aunt's. But the woods nearby are hiding something. Marie can feel it. She hears the local gossip about tragic happenings there. Hopelessly caught by the ghostly voices of the past that echo uneasily in her present, Marie must pit her wits against powerful old magic.
60AD
A blackbird calls a warning. Anna, a slave girl running away from her Roman masters, pauses to listen as she lifts a totemic, druid carving she's found in the tunnel where she's hiding. The last thing she sees is a tangle of matted fur, a sheaf of claws, a flash of fangs, as she unleashes a hungry animal presence.
1783 AD
Centuries later, white witch Sarah Gibson wanders the wood in search of refuge. She's at ease here with the changing seasons, the plants and animals, until one moonlit night, she senses Anna's terror. The blackbird calls a warning, but Sarah wants to help Anna's restless spirit.
Present day
Marie is furious when her twin, Billy, secures a place at art school and she doesn't. She is sent to 'cool off' at her aunt's. But the woods nearby are hiding something. Marie can feel it. She hears the local gossip about tragic happenings there. Hopelessly caught by the ghostly voices of the past that echo uneasily in her present, Marie must pit her wits against powerful old magic.
- GenresFantasy
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
2 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 4, 2025
Ghost follows three women across three timelines, Anna in 60 AD, Sarah in 1783, and Marie in the present day, all bound by an ancient evil that haunts the woods. It’s a story of witchcraft, herbs, and women caught between power, loss, and the need to belong.
I think Ghost was an enjoyable read in many ways, but not everything quite landed for me. The setting is eerie (and can make you uncomfortable at times), and I liked how each of the three women was introduced with all of them searching for their place in the world in very different eras. I loved the sense of connection between them, and how the writing occasionally captures this almost dreamlike tension between past and present.
But I have to admit, I was confused for a good portion of the book. The story jumps across time, and sometimes those shifts felt abrupt and disorienting. Scenes would blur into each other, and I’d find myself rereading just to figure out what was going on. There were moments when I wanted more explanation and a clearer sense of how the stories overlapped or why certain events were happening. I really enjoyed reading Anna's story but overall, I couldn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I wanted to.
Overall, Ghost is a quick and unsettling read, beautifully written in parts but not always easy to follow. If you don’t mind a little ambiguity and you enjoy stories about witchcraft, women, and the weight of old magic, you might really like it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sending me an advanced reader's copy!
I think Ghost was an enjoyable read in many ways, but not everything quite landed for me. The setting is eerie (and can make you uncomfortable at times), and I liked how each of the three women was introduced with all of them searching for their place in the world in very different eras. I loved the sense of connection between them, and how the writing occasionally captures this almost dreamlike tension between past and present.
But I have to admit, I was confused for a good portion of the book. The story jumps across time, and sometimes those shifts felt abrupt and disorienting. Scenes would blur into each other, and I’d find myself rereading just to figure out what was going on. There were moments when I wanted more explanation and a clearer sense of how the stories overlapped or why certain events were happening. I really enjoyed reading Anna's story but overall, I couldn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I wanted to.
Overall, Ghost is a quick and unsettling read, beautifully written in parts but not always easy to follow. If you don’t mind a little ambiguity and you enjoy stories about witchcraft, women, and the weight of old magic, you might really like it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sending me an advanced reader's copy!
September 8, 2025
The many fans of Finbar Hawkins’ WITCH and STONE will not be disappointed! GHOST is wonderfully atmospheric - spookily and seamlessly blending the modern day with ancient myth and magic. Follow the blackbird to fight the forces of evil!
November 8, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinion.
The book does well at using the unknown to make a villain - the threat is in the dark most of the time, a presence but not well defined. It added a slight horror aspect to the book, this centuries spanning evil in the woods. However, I'm not that clear how they dealt with it at the end. It just sort of happened.
The book felt very fragmentary. There are three timelines, which in itself wasn't the issue, but the chapters are so short that it meant I never felt like I spent enough time with a single character to really understand what was going on with their story line. There are also several time jumps (not all of which were clear - for example, was a time jump marked out in one timeline mirrored in others? Sometimes but not always.) It meant that I found it quite hard to follow what was going on at points and therefore hard to really care about what was happening.
The book does well at using the unknown to make a villain - the threat is in the dark most of the time, a presence but not well defined. It added a slight horror aspect to the book, this centuries spanning evil in the woods. However, I'm not that clear how they dealt with it at the end. It just sort of happened.
The book felt very fragmentary. There are three timelines, which in itself wasn't the issue, but the chapters are so short that it meant I never felt like I spent enough time with a single character to really understand what was going on with their story line. There are also several time jumps (not all of which were clear - for example, was a time jump marked out in one timeline mirrored in others? Sometimes but not always.) It meant that I found it quite hard to follow what was going on at points and therefore hard to really care about what was happening.
October 8, 2025
An ideal YA read for those who enjoy atmospheric, unsettling stories and don't mind if that can be at the expense of solid explanation.
This supernatural horror story weaves together the stories of three young women. We meet Aine in 90AD when she is around 15. Inspired by her father's tales of Boudicca, she longs to be a warrior but her brother and the other young men in her tribe don't take her seriously. Her actions result in a bad omen for the tribe which is poor timing as it coincides with the arrival of invading Romans.
Sarah lives in the 1780's, learning herb lore and witchcraft from her mother. Forced to make her own way in the world, she seeks refuge in an old hut by a spring. People come to her for remedies and advice but not all think kindly of the witch in the woods.
Marie is the story's main character. We first meet her at thirteen, staying with her twin Ben at her Aunt and Uncle's for the festive season. Out exploring they come across a pool of water and Marie sees Aine and Sarah alongside her own reflection. The bulk of the story takes place a few years later when Marie, now 18, has dropped out of Art college and her widowed Aunt Jen has asked her to come and stay and help with something.
Marie has always been in her brother's shadow and is struggling to find her own place in the world.
At Aunt Jen's she can still sense the presence of Uncle Matty. He died in a car crash on a road through the woods the locals all avoid at night. Marie learns there is something truly evil lurking in the woods and will need the aid of the two young women from the past to stand up to such powerful old magic.
I think this is an atmospheric and lyrical story. The descriptions of the malevolent being are evocative, especially the use of smell. There are gaps in the narrative which add to the sense that something very strange is going on and that powerful forces are at work. You're never quite sure if what the characters are seeing is actually there or not.
I struggle a bit with stories where things aren't clearly stated or explained and that was the case here. The unacknowledged time jumps and meshing of memories and visions left me confused rather than being able to enjoy it as part of the story. There were a few other things I found odd but it's one of those stories where they could well have been intentional and there just wasn't quite enough acknowledgment or explanation of them to make it clear to me.
Sarah's story had some niggles for me. The reason for her needing to seek refuge in the woods felt weak considering she is 17 when it happens and would already have been working for several years. The plants mentioned would also have benefitted from some accuracy checking. One easy to grow plant is said to be rare, while a tropical plant that would have needed importing garners no special mention. I appreciate that many readers may not pick up on such things but it took me out of the story when I read it.
Content wise, the book has moments of violence but it's mostly about a building feeling of unsettling horror rather than anything overt. I would say it is more YA/older teens than anyone younger purely because I don't think the story of Marie's burnout and identity crisis will have as much appeal to most younger readers.
It's a shame the book doesn't mention that it's based on actual folklore and superstition. I think it would have added to the story to have a note at the end mentioning 'Sally in the woods' and the other real-life connections. Perhaps it will be included in the published version.
Overall, I liked this atmospheric story of young women finding their place in the world. If you like stories that feel dreamlike, and don't mind if that means things being left unsaid, I think you will really enjoy this book.
Thanks to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the eARC.
This supernatural horror story weaves together the stories of three young women. We meet Aine in 90AD when she is around 15. Inspired by her father's tales of Boudicca, she longs to be a warrior but her brother and the other young men in her tribe don't take her seriously. Her actions result in a bad omen for the tribe which is poor timing as it coincides with the arrival of invading Romans.
Sarah lives in the 1780's, learning herb lore and witchcraft from her mother. Forced to make her own way in the world, she seeks refuge in an old hut by a spring. People come to her for remedies and advice but not all think kindly of the witch in the woods.
Marie is the story's main character. We first meet her at thirteen, staying with her twin Ben at her Aunt and Uncle's for the festive season. Out exploring they come across a pool of water and Marie sees Aine and Sarah alongside her own reflection. The bulk of the story takes place a few years later when Marie, now 18, has dropped out of Art college and her widowed Aunt Jen has asked her to come and stay and help with something.
Marie has always been in her brother's shadow and is struggling to find her own place in the world.
At Aunt Jen's she can still sense the presence of Uncle Matty. He died in a car crash on a road through the woods the locals all avoid at night. Marie learns there is something truly evil lurking in the woods and will need the aid of the two young women from the past to stand up to such powerful old magic.
I think this is an atmospheric and lyrical story. The descriptions of the malevolent being are evocative, especially the use of smell. There are gaps in the narrative which add to the sense that something very strange is going on and that powerful forces are at work. You're never quite sure if what the characters are seeing is actually there or not.
I struggle a bit with stories where things aren't clearly stated or explained and that was the case here. The unacknowledged time jumps and meshing of memories and visions left me confused rather than being able to enjoy it as part of the story. There were a few other things I found odd but it's one of those stories where they could well have been intentional and there just wasn't quite enough acknowledgment or explanation of them to make it clear to me.
Sarah's story had some niggles for me. The reason for her needing to seek refuge in the woods felt weak considering she is 17 when it happens and would already have been working for several years. The plants mentioned would also have benefitted from some accuracy checking. One easy to grow plant is said to be rare, while a tropical plant that would have needed importing garners no special mention. I appreciate that many readers may not pick up on such things but it took me out of the story when I read it.
Content wise, the book has moments of violence but it's mostly about a building feeling of unsettling horror rather than anything overt. I would say it is more YA/older teens than anyone younger purely because I don't think the story of Marie's burnout and identity crisis will have as much appeal to most younger readers.
It's a shame the book doesn't mention that it's based on actual folklore and superstition. I think it would have added to the story to have a note at the end mentioning 'Sally in the woods' and the other real-life connections. Perhaps it will be included in the published version.
Overall, I liked this atmospheric story of young women finding their place in the world. If you like stories that feel dreamlike, and don't mind if that means things being left unsaid, I think you will really enjoy this book.
Thanks to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the eARC.
October 7, 2025
Marie knows there's something different about the woods near her uncle and aunt's home. Something... not right. She's very close to her twin, Ben, but the strangeness she feels isn't something she can easily share. How would she explain the strange visions, or how she goes somewhere else in them?
Sarah has been raised by her mother to become a healer like herself. Using plants and the nature that surrounds them, Sarah learns as she grows. But when she is thrown out from the house they live and work in, she must mourn the loss of her mother and home, and find another. With the help of a strange blackbird, she discovers an abandoned hut in a wood. It's not her only discovery. It's not the only thing hiding in these woods, and Sarah can feel it's evil presence.
Aine is devastated by the loss of her entire village and family to the swords of Roman soldiers. Now a slave and mute, she knows she must flee. But what is waiting for her in the woods? Is it worse than the Roman army's treatment? It's only when she sees two other girls - strangers from somewhere else in time, that she realises she is not alone in her fear of the devil spirit.
Can they work together to vanquish the terrifying spirit that haunts the woods and their dreams? Is it possible to reach across thousands of years to link together in their quest. With some help from a special blackbird, loved ones who believe in what they are seeing and an unearthly bond through time, Marie, Sarah, and Aine finally discover the solution to what haunts them.
Told in three first person viewpoints from now, 1783 and 60AD, GHOST is an intriguing story of myth, beliefs, time and an evil spirit.
The three protagonists, Marie, Sarah and Aine are all interesting in their own times, giving readers not only three strong woman characters to root for, but a snapshot of the time where they live, and the contrasts between them.
The setting is a wood, not far from a beloved aunt and uncle. The same wood hundreds, and then thousands of years before that holds something evil in a hidden warren of caves and tunnels.
I enjoyed the introduction of each girl, highlighting personal losses and how they all end up in the same wood, years apart. Their stories gradually knit together revealing their connections through the novel, bringing a nail-biting and fast-paced ending.
Just as thrilling and eerie as Finbar Hawkin's previous novels, STONE and WITCH. He nails historical middle grade with a tingle-up-the-spine vibe every time.
Author - Finbar Hawkins
Age - 9+
Sarah has been raised by her mother to become a healer like herself. Using plants and the nature that surrounds them, Sarah learns as she grows. But when she is thrown out from the house they live and work in, she must mourn the loss of her mother and home, and find another. With the help of a strange blackbird, she discovers an abandoned hut in a wood. It's not her only discovery. It's not the only thing hiding in these woods, and Sarah can feel it's evil presence.
Aine is devastated by the loss of her entire village and family to the swords of Roman soldiers. Now a slave and mute, she knows she must flee. But what is waiting for her in the woods? Is it worse than the Roman army's treatment? It's only when she sees two other girls - strangers from somewhere else in time, that she realises she is not alone in her fear of the devil spirit.
Can they work together to vanquish the terrifying spirit that haunts the woods and their dreams? Is it possible to reach across thousands of years to link together in their quest. With some help from a special blackbird, loved ones who believe in what they are seeing and an unearthly bond through time, Marie, Sarah, and Aine finally discover the solution to what haunts them.
Told in three first person viewpoints from now, 1783 and 60AD, GHOST is an intriguing story of myth, beliefs, time and an evil spirit.
The three protagonists, Marie, Sarah and Aine are all interesting in their own times, giving readers not only three strong woman characters to root for, but a snapshot of the time where they live, and the contrasts between them.
The setting is a wood, not far from a beloved aunt and uncle. The same wood hundreds, and then thousands of years before that holds something evil in a hidden warren of caves and tunnels.
I enjoyed the introduction of each girl, highlighting personal losses and how they all end up in the same wood, years apart. Their stories gradually knit together revealing their connections through the novel, bringing a nail-biting and fast-paced ending.
Just as thrilling and eerie as Finbar Hawkin's previous novels, STONE and WITCH. He nails historical middle grade with a tingle-up-the-spine vibe every time.
Author - Finbar Hawkins
Age - 9+
February 6, 2026
Thank you to Head of Zeus, Zephyr, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review. I also tried listening to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Gemma Whelan.
This is such a good premise, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book. But for some reason I just haven't been able to connect with this story. Maybe I'm not in the right frame of mind, I just don't know. I normally love a time-slip novel, but in this instance it just made the plot really difficult to follow and I was lost most of the time. I found the story disjointed and confusing. I only managed to get through about 25% of this book, before I had to call it a day. I really don't like to DNF, but I couldn't in good faith carry on with this book. I may come back to it at a later stage, but for now, I have to put it to the side.
According to the author, this story was inspired by events that took place in the 18th Century in the supposedly haunted forest near his home in Wiltshire, nicknamed ‘Sally in the Wood’. Obviously on hearing this, I did some research, but I have to say the information gained from this research was far more intriguing than the actual book itself! Hawkins tells the story of the real life events in the acknowledgements at the end of the audiobook, but for some strange reason it is not included in the DRC I received!
I must also mention the beautiful wraparound cover art on Ghost. I have tried to find out the name of the artist, but to no avail. On seeing that Finbar Hawkins himself has an online shop selling his own illustrations, I am going to take an educated guess that he was also responsible for the cover art.
I've awarded 2 stars in recognition of the premise and the artwork. Although it was quite disappointing that there were no illustrations included in the DRC.
#GHOST #NetGalley
'What if spirits are actually people, but in different aspects of time and space and what if the doors opened between these people across the centuries in one magically charged place - the woods…?' - Finbar Hawkins
This is such a good premise, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book. But for some reason I just haven't been able to connect with this story. Maybe I'm not in the right frame of mind, I just don't know. I normally love a time-slip novel, but in this instance it just made the plot really difficult to follow and I was lost most of the time. I found the story disjointed and confusing. I only managed to get through about 25% of this book, before I had to call it a day. I really don't like to DNF, but I couldn't in good faith carry on with this book. I may come back to it at a later stage, but for now, I have to put it to the side.
According to the author, this story was inspired by events that took place in the 18th Century in the supposedly haunted forest near his home in Wiltshire, nicknamed ‘Sally in the Wood’. Obviously on hearing this, I did some research, but I have to say the information gained from this research was far more intriguing than the actual book itself! Hawkins tells the story of the real life events in the acknowledgements at the end of the audiobook, but for some strange reason it is not included in the DRC I received!
I must also mention the beautiful wraparound cover art on Ghost. I have tried to find out the name of the artist, but to no avail. On seeing that Finbar Hawkins himself has an online shop selling his own illustrations, I am going to take an educated guess that he was also responsible for the cover art.
I've awarded 2 stars in recognition of the premise and the artwork. Although it was quite disappointing that there were no illustrations included in the DRC.
#GHOST #NetGalley
August 24, 2025
Ghost is a raw and emotionally charged YA novel that explores the haunting aftermath of violence and grief through the eyes of a teenage girl. Finbar Hawkins, known for his evocative prose and atmospheric storytelling, delivers another powerful narrative that lingers long after the final page.
The story follows Nat, a 15-year-old girl who is grappling with the traumatic loss of her mother, killed in a knife attack. Struggling with her emotions, Nat distances herself from her family and society, seeking control in a world that feels increasingly unsafe. She joins a group of girls who call themselves the Ghosts—an underground collective committed to acts of retribution and justice.
Hawkins does an excellent job of capturing the intensity of teenage emotion, especially grief, rage, and the desire for agency. Nat’s internal voice is both vulnerable and fierce, and her descent into the world of the Ghosts is portrayed with unsettling realism. The novel doesn't shy away from hard topics—violence, trauma, vengeance, and justice—but it approaches them with sensitivity and nuance.
One of the most striking aspects of Ghost is its exploration of girlhood and empowerment. The Ghosts are compelling in their mission, but Hawkins also questions the cost of vengeance and what true healing looks like. There are no easy answers, and that moral ambiguity gives the story real depth.
Stylistically, the writing is taut and atmospheric, with a rhythmic quality that reflects both Nat's disorientation and her growing clarity. The tension builds steadily, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing emotional depth.
The story follows Nat, a 15-year-old girl who is grappling with the traumatic loss of her mother, killed in a knife attack. Struggling with her emotions, Nat distances herself from her family and society, seeking control in a world that feels increasingly unsafe. She joins a group of girls who call themselves the Ghosts—an underground collective committed to acts of retribution and justice.
Hawkins does an excellent job of capturing the intensity of teenage emotion, especially grief, rage, and the desire for agency. Nat’s internal voice is both vulnerable and fierce, and her descent into the world of the Ghosts is portrayed with unsettling realism. The novel doesn't shy away from hard topics—violence, trauma, vengeance, and justice—but it approaches them with sensitivity and nuance.
One of the most striking aspects of Ghost is its exploration of girlhood and empowerment. The Ghosts are compelling in their mission, but Hawkins also questions the cost of vengeance and what true healing looks like. There are no easy answers, and that moral ambiguity gives the story real depth.
Stylistically, the writing is taut and atmospheric, with a rhythmic quality that reflects both Nat's disorientation and her growing clarity. The tension builds steadily, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing emotional depth.
September 15, 2025
Ghost by Finbar Hawkins – out 6th November • Age 12+
From the very first page this story is steeped in atmosphere and intrigue.
It follows three girls, bound across time by something mysterious: a spark, a gift, a curse—a strength. Call it what you will, it shines brightly and is hunted by an ancient evil.
Aine and Sarah live in different eras of the past, while the main protagonist, Marie, is a modern-day twin. Though separated by centuries, their lives are inextricably linked, their stories woven together as intricately as the herbs in one of Sarah’s remedies.
Ghost is as beautiful as it is eerie, a magical, hard-to-put-down read. A must for anyone who loves mystical tales, witchcraft, or ghostly encounters.
From the very first page this story is steeped in atmosphere and intrigue.
It follows three girls, bound across time by something mysterious: a spark, a gift, a curse—a strength. Call it what you will, it shines brightly and is hunted by an ancient evil.
Aine and Sarah live in different eras of the past, while the main protagonist, Marie, is a modern-day twin. Though separated by centuries, their lives are inextricably linked, their stories woven together as intricately as the herbs in one of Sarah’s remedies.
Ghost is as beautiful as it is eerie, a magical, hard-to-put-down read. A must for anyone who loves mystical tales, witchcraft, or ghostly encounters.
August 19, 2025
This was an interesting story, a bit spooky and reasonably cleverly thought out. The various timelines were captivating.
The characters were good, the writing was good, but I felt the ending a little rushed as I was expecting more from it.
I'm not sure about the suggested age range of 12+, as some parts of it seem quite possible to induce nightmares at the younger age range. However, I do know that teenagers do like horror/supernatural!
I don't think my read was improved by having read another novel about Sally in the wood, fairly recently.
The characters were good, the writing was good, but I felt the ending a little rushed as I was expecting more from it.
I'm not sure about the suggested age range of 12+, as some parts of it seem quite possible to induce nightmares at the younger age range. However, I do know that teenagers do like horror/supernatural!
I don't think my read was improved by having read another novel about Sally in the wood, fairly recently.
November 17, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an E - ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
what an atmospheric read this one. Witchkraft, ancient myths blending together with a modern day perspective. Three girls, three time periods connected through place and their powers.
I must admit at the beginning I was thinking about DNFing, but I have pushed through the first 30 pages and I have started to enjoy the book and also the confusion about what is hapenning in the story. Really eerie and a bit creepy, but interesting read, that I would recommend.
3,5 stars from me
what an atmospheric read this one. Witchkraft, ancient myths blending together with a modern day perspective. Three girls, three time periods connected through place and their powers.
I must admit at the beginning I was thinking about DNFing, but I have pushed through the first 30 pages and I have started to enjoy the book and also the confusion about what is hapenning in the story. Really eerie and a bit creepy, but interesting read, that I would recommend.
3,5 stars from me
September 9, 2025
Read for school reading list.co.uk
September 25, 2025
3.5 stars
full review to come
full review to come
January 8, 2026
I really enjoyed the parallel narratives across three timelines, and historical and mythological references, and of course the little blackbird like a golden thread guiding the journey throughout.
December 7, 2025
Interesting spooky story with a time slip element
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews