The Witch of the Dark Wood

by Sarah Van Goethem

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2026

About the author

Sarah Van Goethem is a Canadian author, who grew up in southwestern Ontario's rich farmland, lounging on the old tire swing beneath the maple tree, book in hand.
Sarah is a nature lover, a wanderer of dark forests, and a gatherer of vintage. You can find her at auctions, thrift stores, and most definitely trespassing at anything abandoned.
Sarah still believes in fairy tales, but think Grimm's, not Disney.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This afternoon, I was faced with a choice of four different books to read and I KNEW I had to pick up my very own copy of The Witch of the Dark Wood! What I didn’t know was I would be unable to put it down. What a funny, heartfelt and beautiful debut novel by Sarah Van Goethem.

The Witch of the Dark Wood is a story of love, loss, grief, and the trees. Tilly has been through a lot in her 11 years of life. Her mom has been gone for half her life, and her Nana Mae, who she is extremely close with, loses all of her memories and can’t remember Tilly after a walk in the Dark Woods. This of course, leaves Tilly heartbroken and confused.

Tilly would do anything to get her Nana’s memories back. Finn, her cousin, would do anything to protect the trees. Finn would also do anything for his cousin. So, when one night Tilly is presented an opportunity to find her Nana’s memories, and also given the warning that the Dark Wood may be clear cut, she jumps at the chance. This story is WILD. Tilly, Finn, and the neighbour boy, Hayden, must work together to find Nana Mae’s lost memories and save the Dark Wood — somewhere they’ve been told never to go. All the while, Tilly must face her fears and her grief, and learn it’s okay to let people in.

Everyone has lost someone in some way, and anyone who reads this can resonate what Tilly was going through. We would all do anything to help the ones we love — no matter how selfish it may be. Tilly is a strong, brave girl who loves fiercely and she is someone that I connected with, even for how young she is.

This book is full of twists and turns, and will leave you laughing, crying, and REELING at Van Goethem’s way of creating the Dark Wood in your own imagination. There is a lot of environmental knowledge in this book, including conversation about clear cutting, deforestation, and the importance of species-at-risk in forested areas that is fascinating to learn about and discover with them on Tilly’s, Finn’s and Hayden’s journey to save Nana Mae’s memories. Also just have to throw it out there, the scarecrow and any mention of the scarecrow is the BEST part of this book 🤣🥰

While this book is tailored for the younger crowd, at 25 years old I found this to be extremely delightful, and would recommend it to anyone! Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this wonderful read!

[Cassey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I never write reviews - but for Sarah Van Goethem’s debut novel The Witch of the Dark Wood, I felt compelled to share how much I enjoyed this book! Sarah’s writing is amazing. She brings you right into the story full of imagination, twists and turns, and all the feels. I would highly recommend this read to anyone who loves a walk in the woods, their grandparents, and those who had to grow up too soon. Such a great story, and congratulations Sarah on this amazing debut novel!!!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe then The Witch of the Dark Wood by Sarah Van Goethem is a book you’ll want to add to your reading list. This whimsical nerve-racking fantasy draws you into a world where magic and imagination blend beautifully with real-life situations. It doesn’t take long to get into the story, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself completely caught up in the adventure. It’s the kind of book that quickly becomes a page turner, the kind you tell yourself you’ll read “just one more chapter”, only to realize you can’t put it down! The characters and places feel so real and vivid that it’s easy to become immersed in their world. Van Goethem creates a magical atmosphere that may even leave you wanting to step away from the book and explore a forest yourself, just to see what might be waiting just beyond the trees. Whimsical, imaginative, and filled with adventure, The Witch of the Dark Wood is a story that stays with you. You won’t be disappointed.

[Dawn Beecroft Teetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Van Goethem's debut MG novel 'The Witch of the Dark Wood' is simply delightful. Beautifully written and thought provoking and although witten for a younger crowd, I totally enjoyed it. The MC, Tilly and her father are moving to her Nana Mae's farm, Tilly's favourite place in the world. However, Nana Mae is no longer there as she now resides in a nursing home. This story gives the young readers more than just a fun and thrilling read--there's a witch, a nasty scarecrow, a dark woodland where doors and staircases stand alone and go nowhere, fairy rings, and bottomless pits--but there are undercurrents of serious matters: dementia, deforestation, species at risk--issues that are very relevant and important in today's world and such that young people should be aware of.

As a child I would have devoured this book. Highly recommend.

[Nicole Beuckelare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah weaves a beautiful story full of chilling adventures and intricate relationships. By creatively intertwining a nature-focused mystery with deep family connections, she allows the reader to experience a brilliant spectrum of emotions. It’s truly a rare find where readers of all ages will walk away with a completely different perspective. While marketed as a spine-tingling mystery for young readers, the profound exploration of familial bonds and the sheer depth of the underlying storyline makes this an adult read that I just can’t stop thinking about!

[Sarah Goethem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello! I cannot wait to share this book with you all. It was inspired by my own Nana's last walk in the woodland, in which she got lost because she had dementia. I always hoped her last walk was a magical one. And I hope you, dear readers, aren't too scared to venture into the Dark Wood this fall. If you like misty forests and strange happenings and 'other world' vibes in the vein of Stranger Things, this one is for you!

[Mary Averling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both timeless and timely, Sarah Van Goethem crafts a darkly bewitching tale of loss, love, and the power of memory. Best read under the canopy of a twilit forest!