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Witches of Woodville #3
The Ghost of Ivy Barn
August 1940
As the Battle of Britain rages overhead, a warlock leader from the Council of High Witches comes to Woodville with a ritual to repel the imminent Nazi invasion. The only catch is it involves full-frontal nudity on the White Cliffs of Dover. The Witches of Woodville are having none of it, but when more witches arrive they realise they might have a spy in their midst, and it’s up to Faye Bright to uncover the traitor. But she’s got enough on her plate already with the ghost of a Polish Hurricane pilot who may hold the key to the truth.
For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes the third novel in this delightful series of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .
As the Battle of Britain rages overhead, a warlock leader from the Council of High Witches comes to Woodville with a ritual to repel the imminent Nazi invasion. The only catch is it involves full-frontal nudity on the White Cliffs of Dover. The Witches of Woodville are having none of it, but when more witches arrive they realise they might have a spy in their midst, and it’s up to Faye Bright to uncover the traitor. But she’s got enough on her plate already with the ghost of a Polish Hurricane pilot who may hold the key to the truth.
For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes the third novel in this delightful series of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .
422 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2022
53 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Mark Stay
9 books145 followersMark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone’s in the nineties (back when it still had an apostrophe) and somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He would write in his spare time and (he can admit this now) on company time, and sometimes those writings would get turned into books and films.
Mark is also co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.
Come and say hello at https://markstaywrites.com or visit the Woodville Village Library for free short stories and more at https://witchesofwoodville.com
Mark is also co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.
Come and say hello at https://markstaywrites.com or visit the Woodville Village Library for free short stories and more at https://witchesofwoodville.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 24, 2024
As the Battle of Britain rages over the village of Woodville. Several planes have crashed and one of the villagers has been keeping parts of them in one of his barns. He is terrified when he realises that there is a poltergeist who is flinging the debris about in it. The three witches use a spell to realise the spirit. It is as they are leaving, Faye turns to see another ghost in the barn still, an airman who is scared on his face.
The three witches are visited by the leader of the Council of High Witches. It is a warlock, called Bellamy, The previous incumbent has been removed following the events covered in the previous book. He is there to ask the three witches to join him in casting a spell to stop the probable Nazi invasion.
They are going to be joined by witches from all over the country to create this cone of power and to gain maximum power for the spell tells them they will need to be skyclad. The witches are more than happy to help, but if he thinks they are getting their kit off, he has another thing coming…
These are a nice easy read and this is another enjoyable book in the series. The plot is not overly complex, and there are little subplots going on that have carried on from the previous books. I think that I worked out some of the essential plot pointss earlier in the book. It didn’t spoil it for me though. Being a series, I kind of know that everything is going to be okay, but there is a certain amount of jeopardy in the journey to the conclusion which I think makes for entertaining reading. Looking forward to the next one.
The three witches are visited by the leader of the Council of High Witches. It is a warlock, called Bellamy, The previous incumbent has been removed following the events covered in the previous book. He is there to ask the three witches to join him in casting a spell to stop the probable Nazi invasion.
They are going to be joined by witches from all over the country to create this cone of power and to gain maximum power for the spell tells them they will need to be skyclad. The witches are more than happy to help, but if he thinks they are getting their kit off, he has another thing coming…
These are a nice easy read and this is another enjoyable book in the series. The plot is not overly complex, and there are little subplots going on that have carried on from the previous books. I think that I worked out some of the essential plot pointss earlier in the book. It didn’t spoil it for me though. Being a series, I kind of know that everything is going to be okay, but there is a certain amount of jeopardy in the journey to the conclusion which I think makes for entertaining reading. Looking forward to the next one.
December 13, 2023
They Used Dark Forces!
Here we are again! Back in the sleepy village of Woodville with Fay Bright et al for the third book in the Witches of Woodville series.
It's now 1940, and the Battle of Britain rages overhead with dog fights between the German Luftwaffe and Britain and its allies.
Following the events of Babes in the Wood, things have irrevocably changed in both the Witches council as Vera Twelve trees has been removed as Head of the council due to her being investigated after the incident with Otto Kopf in the last book. Meanwhile, in the village of Woodville, Faye Bright is getting used to the magical power that will change her life forever, and she wants to get some serious canoodling in with Bertie!
In The Ghost of Ivy Barn, there a few things going on. One of the residents of the village has asked Faye, Mrs Teach and Charlotte Southill to send a ghost who has been hanging around the barn on its merry way to the afterlife
As usual, the talents of the three witches work a treat. What they don't bargain on is that there is another ghost knocking about who has other plans.
In addition to that, the new head of the witch's council, Bellamy Dumonde has a plan to repel the oncoming Nazi invasion, which involves getting as many witches together from around the British Isles and doing a powerful ritual. However, one problem is that the ritual has to be done in the 'nuddy'!
You can imagine how that goes, can't you?
I do love this series, Mark Stay writes the most brilliant characters and you cannot help but love them all, yes at times it can be a bit ‘jolly hockeysticks’, but I think that that is part of the appeal. I grew up on Ealing comedies, and have an inimitable fondness for them, and The Witches of Woodville evoke that sense of cosiness that I associate with watching things like that. Furthemore, Mark Stay gently subverts the genre in the best possible way and instead of it being the hoity toity middle class heroes, our Faye is firmly rooted in the everyday folk making her a much more believable and rounded character. Mark Stay graces us with the usual smatterings of comedy, a healthy dash of fantasy, a little horror. There is a scene that reminded me very much of The Devil Rides Out where Charles Grey uses the mirror to talk to Tanith in the film, and again that is always going to resonate with me as whilst I am not sure if these things have anything to do with the book but it gives me the feeling of my favourite things which hooks me in that little bit further.
Another thing that I like about The Ghost of Ivy Barn is that there is a very definite sense of progression in the story and you can see some of the gradual evolvement coming with the series. When we originally met Faye Bright in The Crow Folk, she was simply an innocent mouthy teenager. However, as both the war becomes inherently more difficult and Faye has increasing powers, events are changing her.
And when we talk about the war, we see that now, instead of the predicted 'this war will be over in a few months' that was originally forecasted, we see the strains of the protracted conflict is having on the community around and how it is changing the landscape forever. Not just in the physical sense, but in the effects it is having on communities and individuals as it becomes more demanding, and even Faye herself has to do things she would not envision herself doing.
However, Mark Stay pulls all these aspects of the story off with the deftness of craftsman, painting a veneer of lightness over some of the darker knots.
If you fancy reading this series, then I suggest you start reading from the first book, The Crow Folk. The stories themselves are self contained stories, but you need to know the events of the other books to get that full picture.
Here we are again! Back in the sleepy village of Woodville with Fay Bright et al for the third book in the Witches of Woodville series.
It's now 1940, and the Battle of Britain rages overhead with dog fights between the German Luftwaffe and Britain and its allies.
Following the events of Babes in the Wood, things have irrevocably changed in both the Witches council as Vera Twelve trees has been removed as Head of the council due to her being investigated after the incident with Otto Kopf in the last book. Meanwhile, in the village of Woodville, Faye Bright is getting used to the magical power that will change her life forever, and she wants to get some serious canoodling in with Bertie!
In The Ghost of Ivy Barn, there a few things going on. One of the residents of the village has asked Faye, Mrs Teach and Charlotte Southill to send a ghost who has been hanging around the barn on its merry way to the afterlife
As usual, the talents of the three witches work a treat. What they don't bargain on is that there is another ghost knocking about who has other plans.
In addition to that, the new head of the witch's council, Bellamy Dumonde has a plan to repel the oncoming Nazi invasion, which involves getting as many witches together from around the British Isles and doing a powerful ritual. However, one problem is that the ritual has to be done in the 'nuddy'!
You can imagine how that goes, can't you?
I do love this series, Mark Stay writes the most brilliant characters and you cannot help but love them all, yes at times it can be a bit ‘jolly hockeysticks’, but I think that that is part of the appeal. I grew up on Ealing comedies, and have an inimitable fondness for them, and The Witches of Woodville evoke that sense of cosiness that I associate with watching things like that. Furthemore, Mark Stay gently subverts the genre in the best possible way and instead of it being the hoity toity middle class heroes, our Faye is firmly rooted in the everyday folk making her a much more believable and rounded character. Mark Stay graces us with the usual smatterings of comedy, a healthy dash of fantasy, a little horror. There is a scene that reminded me very much of The Devil Rides Out where Charles Grey uses the mirror to talk to Tanith in the film, and again that is always going to resonate with me as whilst I am not sure if these things have anything to do with the book but it gives me the feeling of my favourite things which hooks me in that little bit further.
Another thing that I like about The Ghost of Ivy Barn is that there is a very definite sense of progression in the story and you can see some of the gradual evolvement coming with the series. When we originally met Faye Bright in The Crow Folk, she was simply an innocent mouthy teenager. However, as both the war becomes inherently more difficult and Faye has increasing powers, events are changing her.
And when we talk about the war, we see that now, instead of the predicted 'this war will be over in a few months' that was originally forecasted, we see the strains of the protracted conflict is having on the community around and how it is changing the landscape forever. Not just in the physical sense, but in the effects it is having on communities and individuals as it becomes more demanding, and even Faye herself has to do things she would not envision herself doing.
However, Mark Stay pulls all these aspects of the story off with the deftness of craftsman, painting a veneer of lightness over some of the darker knots.
If you fancy reading this series, then I suggest you start reading from the first book, The Crow Folk. The stories themselves are self contained stories, but you need to know the events of the other books to get that full picture.
June 9, 2023
Endlich ist er da, der dritte Teil! Nach dem tollen 2. Band habe ich mich sehr auf den Abschluss der Reihe gefreut. Ganz überzeugt bin ich nicht, aber lest selbst.
.
Durch ein magisches Ritual soll die Invasion der Deutschen verhindert werden. Mitten drinnen: die Hexen aus Woodville. Aber nicht nur das Ritual beschäftigt die drei, sondern auch der Geist eines Kampfpiloten in einer Scheune. Und die Suche nach einer Spionin.
.
Prinzipiell finde ich die Idee, den 2. Weltkrieg als Kulisse einer Hexengeschichte zu verwenden, sehr gut. Das bietet einiges an Material, wie z.B. Leo, den Pilotengeist in der Scheune. Ich finde es jedoch schade, dass der 2. WK im Buch nicht mit dem nötigen Ernst behandelt wird. Denn wenn man schon den 2. WK als Hintergrund nimmt, muss das mit Respekt geschehen. Der hat mir hier gefehlt.
Beispiele: Für Faye ist ein einzelner bereits toter Mann wichtiger, als ein Ritual das tausende Menschenleben retten könnte. Und bevor die Hexen dieses Ritual nackt durchführen, führen sie es lieber gar nicht durch. Allein diese „Nackt oder nicht nackt“-Diskussion hat so viel Raum eingenommen… warum? Vielleicht sollte es lustig sein, mein Humor war es in Anbetracht der Auswirkungen des Rituals nicht. Oder Faye, die auf einem Fahrrad fliegend einem Kampfpiloten während einer Luftschlacht fröhlich zuwinkt.
.
Vielleicht bin ich zu streng mit dem Buch, aber das hat mir sauer aufgestoßen.
.
Ansonsten mochte ich die Geschichte! Spannend, magisch und mit liebenswerten Figuren. Faye wie immer zerstreut und ein bisschen egozentrisch, aber eine Frohnatur. Miss Charlotte und Mrs. Teach ein Duo infernale, Bertie mit seinem Kopf in den Wolken.. ein netter Abschluss der Trilogie.
.
Fazit: Schoss leider am Ziel vorbei bzw. darüber hinaus. Was in den Vorgängern gut funktioniert hat, wurde hier zum Verhängnis.
.
Durch ein magisches Ritual soll die Invasion der Deutschen verhindert werden. Mitten drinnen: die Hexen aus Woodville. Aber nicht nur das Ritual beschäftigt die drei, sondern auch der Geist eines Kampfpiloten in einer Scheune. Und die Suche nach einer Spionin.
.
Prinzipiell finde ich die Idee, den 2. Weltkrieg als Kulisse einer Hexengeschichte zu verwenden, sehr gut. Das bietet einiges an Material, wie z.B. Leo, den Pilotengeist in der Scheune. Ich finde es jedoch schade, dass der 2. WK im Buch nicht mit dem nötigen Ernst behandelt wird. Denn wenn man schon den 2. WK als Hintergrund nimmt, muss das mit Respekt geschehen. Der hat mir hier gefehlt.
Beispiele: Für Faye ist ein einzelner bereits toter Mann wichtiger, als ein Ritual das tausende Menschenleben retten könnte. Und bevor die Hexen dieses Ritual nackt durchführen, führen sie es lieber gar nicht durch. Allein diese „Nackt oder nicht nackt“-Diskussion hat so viel Raum eingenommen… warum? Vielleicht sollte es lustig sein, mein Humor war es in Anbetracht der Auswirkungen des Rituals nicht. Oder Faye, die auf einem Fahrrad fliegend einem Kampfpiloten während einer Luftschlacht fröhlich zuwinkt.
.
Vielleicht bin ich zu streng mit dem Buch, aber das hat mir sauer aufgestoßen.
.
Ansonsten mochte ich die Geschichte! Spannend, magisch und mit liebenswerten Figuren. Faye wie immer zerstreut und ein bisschen egozentrisch, aber eine Frohnatur. Miss Charlotte und Mrs. Teach ein Duo infernale, Bertie mit seinem Kopf in den Wolken.. ein netter Abschluss der Trilogie.
.
Fazit: Schoss leider am Ziel vorbei bzw. darüber hinaus. Was in den Vorgängern gut funktioniert hat, wurde hier zum Verhängnis.
August 27, 2022
Definitely the best book by this author yet, this series is proving to be one of my favourite wholesome fantasy reads.
Set during WWII, the story starts just weeks after we last met Faye and she’s becoming increasingly powerful. There’s subterfuge and spies, magical ceremonies and the ghost of a fallen pilot, all captured with a wicked sense of humour. There’s also the blossoming romance between Faye and Bertie, I really hope that they get a happy ending.
I’m extremely grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I loved it.
Set during WWII, the story starts just weeks after we last met Faye and she’s becoming increasingly powerful. There’s subterfuge and spies, magical ceremonies and the ghost of a fallen pilot, all captured with a wicked sense of humour. There’s also the blossoming romance between Faye and Bertie, I really hope that they get a happy ending.
I’m extremely grateful to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I loved it.
August 1, 2022
The Ghost of Ivy Barn is the third book in Mark Stay's The Witches of Woodville historical fantasy series and while each novel is a standalone adventure, I really would recommend reading them in order to truly feel a part of the charmingly curious world he has created.
Events in the last book, Babes in the Wood have changed young witch, Faye Bright and here she must learn to understand and control her new-found abilities. Faye is the 'Chosen One' character in this series but Mark Stay has taken care to ensure she is neither too accomplished nor too troubled. There's a wonderful scene where she is patronisingly described as lonely but she angrily – and quite rightly – refutes this. She is very clearly a respected member of the community, even if some of that respect comes through fear of her witchiness and some because of her quick tongue. She has a lovely relationship with Ted, her dad who checks that all is 'tickety boo' with her and accepts her witchy business despite his obvious fears. Likewise, Bertie Butterworth provides constant, unconditional support, even though their young love and plans to canoodle are repeatedly thwarted.
It is now August 1940 and as the Battle of Britain rages overhead, the war impacts even the Kent village of Woodville. Faye and her two mentors, Mrs Teach and Miss Charlotte are called to a barn where the salvaged parts of downed planes aren't the only thing left behind. These are humorous books but Mark Stay never exploits the human tragedy of World War II and Faye's determination to help the scared and angry ghost of a Polish Hurricane pilot is portrayed with great compassion.
Meanwhile, the witches are also called upon to take part in a mysterious ritual that may alter the course of the war. The introduction of new witches and the resulting clash of egos is a rich source of drama and humour. One witch isn't all she seems but as some of the chapters are told from her perspective, readers have advance knowledge of her deeds and plans. She's an intriguing character and I loved how she was developed during the course of the novel; her storyline is more complex that her merely being this instalment's villain.
Faye's burgeoning magical prowess is vividly depicted, evoking the wonder and angst that she experiences as she tries to come to terms with her abilities. With ghosts, spies, romance and ancient rituals which may or may not have to be performed in the nude, the captivating plot of The Ghost of Ivy Barn moves at a cracking pace. I love this series, it's become a comfort blanket reads as it reminds me of the wonderfully immersive pleasure of childhood reading, even though it is written for adults. Just as I longed to open a wardrobe door into Narnia, climb the branches of the Faraway Tree or fly to Neverland, so I feel a connection to Woodville and its inhabitants. The Ghost of Ivy Barn is exciting, funny, poignant and suspenseful; in short, it's storytelling at its absolute finest. An absolutely joyous read!
Events in the last book, Babes in the Wood have changed young witch, Faye Bright and here she must learn to understand and control her new-found abilities. Faye is the 'Chosen One' character in this series but Mark Stay has taken care to ensure she is neither too accomplished nor too troubled. There's a wonderful scene where she is patronisingly described as lonely but she angrily – and quite rightly – refutes this. She is very clearly a respected member of the community, even if some of that respect comes through fear of her witchiness and some because of her quick tongue. She has a lovely relationship with Ted, her dad who checks that all is 'tickety boo' with her and accepts her witchy business despite his obvious fears. Likewise, Bertie Butterworth provides constant, unconditional support, even though their young love and plans to canoodle are repeatedly thwarted.
It is now August 1940 and as the Battle of Britain rages overhead, the war impacts even the Kent village of Woodville. Faye and her two mentors, Mrs Teach and Miss Charlotte are called to a barn where the salvaged parts of downed planes aren't the only thing left behind. These are humorous books but Mark Stay never exploits the human tragedy of World War II and Faye's determination to help the scared and angry ghost of a Polish Hurricane pilot is portrayed with great compassion.
Meanwhile, the witches are also called upon to take part in a mysterious ritual that may alter the course of the war. The introduction of new witches and the resulting clash of egos is a rich source of drama and humour. One witch isn't all she seems but as some of the chapters are told from her perspective, readers have advance knowledge of her deeds and plans. She's an intriguing character and I loved how she was developed during the course of the novel; her storyline is more complex that her merely being this instalment's villain.
Faye's burgeoning magical prowess is vividly depicted, evoking the wonder and angst that she experiences as she tries to come to terms with her abilities. With ghosts, spies, romance and ancient rituals which may or may not have to be performed in the nude, the captivating plot of The Ghost of Ivy Barn moves at a cracking pace. I love this series, it's become a comfort blanket reads as it reminds me of the wonderfully immersive pleasure of childhood reading, even though it is written for adults. Just as I longed to open a wardrobe door into Narnia, climb the branches of the Faraway Tree or fly to Neverland, so I feel a connection to Woodville and its inhabitants. The Ghost of Ivy Barn is exciting, funny, poignant and suspenseful; in short, it's storytelling at its absolute finest. An absolutely joyous read!
April 18, 2023
Abschluss mit Höhenflügen
Um Großbritannien zu schützen bittet der Hohe Rat, die Hexen von Woodville um deren Hilfe. Zusammen mit anderen sollen sie an den Klippen von Dover ein möglicherweise Kriegsentscheidendes Ritual durchführen. Doch viele Köche verderben den Brei und nicht jedem schmeckt die Vorgehensweise. Ein Haufen exzentrischer Hexen und mitten drin sitzt Faye Bright, die mit mehreren Problemen kämpft. Ein Poltergeist in der Scheune, ein Spion in den eigenen Reihen und dann gilt es noch die Heimat zu retten. Faye hat dieses Mal alle Hände voll zu tun.
Geisterzauber ist die letzte Geschichte der Woodville Hexen Trilogie. Leider konnte mich dieser Teil nicht so sehr wie seine Vorgänger mitreißen. Die Geschichte zog sich in die Länge und büßte viel von ihrer bezaubernden Art ein. Wir befinden uns im Sommer 1940, somit mitten im 2. Weltkrieg, wie in den ersten Bänden spielt dieser auch eine Rolle, dennoch viel einnehmender als bisher. Zudem war Faye auch ein eher zwiespältiger Charakter. Zum einen wird sie mit zunehmender Macht/ Verantwortung dargestellt auf der anderen Seite wird sie wie eine 6-Jährige behandelt. Ihr fehlte es deutlich an Tiefe, ob das eine Weiterentwicklung der Figur darstellen sollte oder dem Autor die Protagonistin beim Schreiben etwas entglitten ist, kann ich nicht beurteilen. Das gesamte Buch steuert, mit einigen Exkursen auf das wichtigste Ritual überhaupt hin, welches dann in 3 Seiten sein Ende findet. Leider sorgte das drum herum nicht für eine Runde Geschichte, sondern für stetige Unterbrechungen und Unruhe. Einige Details waren zu früh bekannt um dauerhaft interessant zu sein, das abrupte Ende fand auch keinen richtigen Abschluss für die Trilogie. Es wirkte etwas, wie die Option auf ein weiteres Buch, fraglich ob man das möchte und Faye als Charakter stark genug dafür wäre. Als dritter Teil war klar, dass die Reihe auch zu Ende gelesen wird. Im Nachhinein vielleicht nicht die beste Entscheidung, da es doch einen bitteren Nachgeschmack hinterlassen hat, dass ich weder mit der Story, noch den bereits bekannten Charakteren warm wurde und wirklich viel von dem anfänglich bezaubernden Flair fehlte.
Fazit: ein Abschluss dem es, in Hinblick auf seine Vorgänger, an vielem mangelte und dieses Mal leider nicht bezaubern konnte.
Um Großbritannien zu schützen bittet der Hohe Rat, die Hexen von Woodville um deren Hilfe. Zusammen mit anderen sollen sie an den Klippen von Dover ein möglicherweise Kriegsentscheidendes Ritual durchführen. Doch viele Köche verderben den Brei und nicht jedem schmeckt die Vorgehensweise. Ein Haufen exzentrischer Hexen und mitten drin sitzt Faye Bright, die mit mehreren Problemen kämpft. Ein Poltergeist in der Scheune, ein Spion in den eigenen Reihen und dann gilt es noch die Heimat zu retten. Faye hat dieses Mal alle Hände voll zu tun.
Geisterzauber ist die letzte Geschichte der Woodville Hexen Trilogie. Leider konnte mich dieser Teil nicht so sehr wie seine Vorgänger mitreißen. Die Geschichte zog sich in die Länge und büßte viel von ihrer bezaubernden Art ein. Wir befinden uns im Sommer 1940, somit mitten im 2. Weltkrieg, wie in den ersten Bänden spielt dieser auch eine Rolle, dennoch viel einnehmender als bisher. Zudem war Faye auch ein eher zwiespältiger Charakter. Zum einen wird sie mit zunehmender Macht/ Verantwortung dargestellt auf der anderen Seite wird sie wie eine 6-Jährige behandelt. Ihr fehlte es deutlich an Tiefe, ob das eine Weiterentwicklung der Figur darstellen sollte oder dem Autor die Protagonistin beim Schreiben etwas entglitten ist, kann ich nicht beurteilen. Das gesamte Buch steuert, mit einigen Exkursen auf das wichtigste Ritual überhaupt hin, welches dann in 3 Seiten sein Ende findet. Leider sorgte das drum herum nicht für eine Runde Geschichte, sondern für stetige Unterbrechungen und Unruhe. Einige Details waren zu früh bekannt um dauerhaft interessant zu sein, das abrupte Ende fand auch keinen richtigen Abschluss für die Trilogie. Es wirkte etwas, wie die Option auf ein weiteres Buch, fraglich ob man das möchte und Faye als Charakter stark genug dafür wäre. Als dritter Teil war klar, dass die Reihe auch zu Ende gelesen wird. Im Nachhinein vielleicht nicht die beste Entscheidung, da es doch einen bitteren Nachgeschmack hinterlassen hat, dass ich weder mit der Story, noch den bereits bekannten Charakteren warm wurde und wirklich viel von dem anfänglich bezaubernden Flair fehlte.
Fazit: ein Abschluss dem es, in Hinblick auf seine Vorgänger, an vielem mangelte und dieses Mal leider nicht bezaubern konnte.
December 21, 2022
Quite possibly my favourite of an already amazing series. There's tension, laughter and so much heart packed into every page of this book, all sprinkled with a lovely dose of nostalgia too. The audiobook production is also an outstanding performance. In today's grim world, it's always a wonderful escape to hang out with the Witches of Woodville.
May 31, 2023
I love this series so much, my goodness was this book amazing.
thank you Mark stay for a wonderful book series, I hope there's more to come!
thank you Mark stay for a wonderful book series, I hope there's more to come!
April 3, 2023
Loved this best book in the series!
September 2, 2022
Introduction
Described as 'Terry Pratchet meets Dads Army' and 'the last ten minutes of 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks', The Ghost of Ivy Barn is the third installment of the wonderful Witches of Woodville series. Set in a small Kentish village during WW2, this monster-of-the-week book is a great read for anyone who likes their fantasy soft and a little bit weird. The book follows on from the events of The Crown Folk and Babes in the Wood, with the same cast of colourful characters and a handful of new ones. While these books can be read in any order, I'd recommend following the release order to fully appreciate young Faye Bright's path into witchdom. Witchery? Witchness? Witch-ever one it is (see what I did there?), you'll find it thoroughly enchanting. For those of you in a rush, my short summary is this. The Ghost of Ivy Barn is the perfect book to get lost in for 90-odd thousand words with a bit of magic, a bit of romance and the question of whether we work better alone or as part of a team.
The Story
(Warning: contains minor spoilers for The Ghost of Ivy Barn and Babes in the Wood)
With the village of Woodville saved from a German hunting demon and the children packed safely off to a foster family, you'd think the Witches of Woodville (don't call them a coven) were due a break, but the Nazis don't hold back for anyone. While the Battle Of Britain rages in the skies over southern England a dogfight ends with two planes crash landing in Larry Dell's field and it falls to the trio to dispel the ghost of a luftwaffe pilot. A successful incantation later and the ghost is banished, but is there another lurking in the dust of Ivy Barn? Meanwhile, the High Witch of the British Empire has been stood down and her replacement comes to Woodville with a plan. A Cone of Power, a ritual to turn back the Axis powers and protect Britain's shores. The only catch is, it needs to be performed in the nude. Not something Faye or Mrs Teach are keen on. Miss Charlotte on the other hand, well she's less squeamish about getting her kit off. To top it all off, Faye's own powers are growing to a point she can no longer keep them under control and the other witches can't hide their feelings on the matter. Maybe Otto Kopp was right, maybe they're scared of her. The only people that really understand her are Bertie, who Faye can't wait to get alone for a bit of canoodling, and one of the new witches shipped in for the ritual, Jennifer. With preparations for the ritual underway, it becomes clear there is a traitor in the group, a nazi spy passing information to the enemy. The Woodville witches need to find out which of their new colleagues it is, or consider the possibility that it could be one of the three. Faye also has a restless ghost to contend with and a cryptic message from her deceased mother. Can Faye help the ghost move on, learn to fly, find the traitor, manage a spot of canoodling and complete the Cone of Power ritual all on her own? Or will she need to work together to keep Woodville and Britain safe?
My Thoughts
In short, this is a quirky book in a great series which is only going from strength to strength. Stay has crafted a village I feel I could stroll right in to and grab a swift pint at The Green Man, and he’s populated it with a cast of characters who are unique and brilliant. It is equal parts funny, engaging and emotional (I may or may not have welled up a little at one point). If you like independent female leads, plenty of magic and lashings of whatever you could get with ration coupons, then I highly recommend reading The Ghost of Ivy Barn.
In slightly more words, The Ghost of Ivy Barn essentially contains two stories which don’t converge until the very end of the book. The back and forth between these two plot lines keeps us entertained and wanting to know what happens next without dwelling too long on either. At points I felt there was a disconnect between plot A and B, occasionally thinking that the story would do just as well without one of them, but I reconsidered this thought come the end of the book where all threads are tried up in a pretty bow. It’s not a rip-roaring ride but it carries you gently down the stream of the story until you reach the end.
This book has the highest stakes of the series so far, and with that comes a responsibility of the author to convey that additional jeopardy without changing the tone of the writing, something which Stay has done well here. Despite the whole of the United Kingdom being at risk should they fail, this remains a tight story, even if the witches do travel as far as Dover (gasp). The central question of the book is quite simple. Solo or team? Which one do we work better as? The answer to that is not up to me to decide.
Mark Stay’s characters are probably his biggest strength. Every one is realised and personalised, even those background characters we see for only a page or two. I found I connected more to the characters in this book than the other two, which may be because I listened to the first two on audio but physically read that third. It might also be that Stay has simply got better and better as the series progresses. There are shades of Terry Pratched woven into the characters themselves and I’m sure the great man would have been honoured that his work is included in such a wonderful homage.
Not having been alive in the 1940s, I’m taking something of a liberty when I say that the dialogue is authentic to the period. Sometimes this can come across as dry or forced, but not in this book. It slots together as a piece of the jigsaw which makes The Ghost of Ivy Barn work on every level. I would say that Stay has hit the point of dialogue where every name or tag could be stripped out and you’d still know exactly who was talking.
Overall, this book continues the great work, world and wit present in the first two Witches of Woodville installments. There’s plenty to keep you guessing and turning the page, but it also has a familiarity to it which makes you trust the prose completely. Being a witch, like being a writer and life in general, is a compromise between striding out alone and getting the job done, and relying on the experience of friends. Whichever path Mark Stay chooses to take, I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Inkborn Rating - 8/10
Described as 'Terry Pratchet meets Dads Army' and 'the last ten minutes of 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks', The Ghost of Ivy Barn is the third installment of the wonderful Witches of Woodville series. Set in a small Kentish village during WW2, this monster-of-the-week book is a great read for anyone who likes their fantasy soft and a little bit weird. The book follows on from the events of The Crown Folk and Babes in the Wood, with the same cast of colourful characters and a handful of new ones. While these books can be read in any order, I'd recommend following the release order to fully appreciate young Faye Bright's path into witchdom. Witchery? Witchness? Witch-ever one it is (see what I did there?), you'll find it thoroughly enchanting. For those of you in a rush, my short summary is this. The Ghost of Ivy Barn is the perfect book to get lost in for 90-odd thousand words with a bit of magic, a bit of romance and the question of whether we work better alone or as part of a team.
The Story
(Warning: contains minor spoilers for The Ghost of Ivy Barn and Babes in the Wood)
With the village of Woodville saved from a German hunting demon and the children packed safely off to a foster family, you'd think the Witches of Woodville (don't call them a coven) were due a break, but the Nazis don't hold back for anyone. While the Battle Of Britain rages in the skies over southern England a dogfight ends with two planes crash landing in Larry Dell's field and it falls to the trio to dispel the ghost of a luftwaffe pilot. A successful incantation later and the ghost is banished, but is there another lurking in the dust of Ivy Barn? Meanwhile, the High Witch of the British Empire has been stood down and her replacement comes to Woodville with a plan. A Cone of Power, a ritual to turn back the Axis powers and protect Britain's shores. The only catch is, it needs to be performed in the nude. Not something Faye or Mrs Teach are keen on. Miss Charlotte on the other hand, well she's less squeamish about getting her kit off. To top it all off, Faye's own powers are growing to a point she can no longer keep them under control and the other witches can't hide their feelings on the matter. Maybe Otto Kopp was right, maybe they're scared of her. The only people that really understand her are Bertie, who Faye can't wait to get alone for a bit of canoodling, and one of the new witches shipped in for the ritual, Jennifer. With preparations for the ritual underway, it becomes clear there is a traitor in the group, a nazi spy passing information to the enemy. The Woodville witches need to find out which of their new colleagues it is, or consider the possibility that it could be one of the three. Faye also has a restless ghost to contend with and a cryptic message from her deceased mother. Can Faye help the ghost move on, learn to fly, find the traitor, manage a spot of canoodling and complete the Cone of Power ritual all on her own? Or will she need to work together to keep Woodville and Britain safe?
My Thoughts
In short, this is a quirky book in a great series which is only going from strength to strength. Stay has crafted a village I feel I could stroll right in to and grab a swift pint at The Green Man, and he’s populated it with a cast of characters who are unique and brilliant. It is equal parts funny, engaging and emotional (I may or may not have welled up a little at one point). If you like independent female leads, plenty of magic and lashings of whatever you could get with ration coupons, then I highly recommend reading The Ghost of Ivy Barn.
In slightly more words, The Ghost of Ivy Barn essentially contains two stories which don’t converge until the very end of the book. The back and forth between these two plot lines keeps us entertained and wanting to know what happens next without dwelling too long on either. At points I felt there was a disconnect between plot A and B, occasionally thinking that the story would do just as well without one of them, but I reconsidered this thought come the end of the book where all threads are tried up in a pretty bow. It’s not a rip-roaring ride but it carries you gently down the stream of the story until you reach the end.
This book has the highest stakes of the series so far, and with that comes a responsibility of the author to convey that additional jeopardy without changing the tone of the writing, something which Stay has done well here. Despite the whole of the United Kingdom being at risk should they fail, this remains a tight story, even if the witches do travel as far as Dover (gasp). The central question of the book is quite simple. Solo or team? Which one do we work better as? The answer to that is not up to me to decide.
Mark Stay’s characters are probably his biggest strength. Every one is realised and personalised, even those background characters we see for only a page or two. I found I connected more to the characters in this book than the other two, which may be because I listened to the first two on audio but physically read that third. It might also be that Stay has simply got better and better as the series progresses. There are shades of Terry Pratched woven into the characters themselves and I’m sure the great man would have been honoured that his work is included in such a wonderful homage.
Not having been alive in the 1940s, I’m taking something of a liberty when I say that the dialogue is authentic to the period. Sometimes this can come across as dry or forced, but not in this book. It slots together as a piece of the jigsaw which makes The Ghost of Ivy Barn work on every level. I would say that Stay has hit the point of dialogue where every name or tag could be stripped out and you’d still know exactly who was talking.
Overall, this book continues the great work, world and wit present in the first two Witches of Woodville installments. There’s plenty to keep you guessing and turning the page, but it also has a familiarity to it which makes you trust the prose completely. Being a witch, like being a writer and life in general, is a compromise between striding out alone and getting the job done, and relying on the experience of friends. Whichever path Mark Stay chooses to take, I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Inkborn Rating - 8/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 28, 2023I love the Witches of Woodville books. I can’t recall how I came across The Crow Folk, but I read that and immediately read Babes in the Wood. I’ve been super keen for The Ghost of Ivy Barn. I pre-ordered it as soon as it was available.
I’ve listened to all three on Audible and I cannot emphasise enough how much of an absolute epic voice actress Candida Gubbins is. I’ve listened to many audio books, many great ones, and there have been some great performances, but Candida is on a whole other level. The characters Mark Stay has created are rich and full and nuanced and Candida brings them so very vividly and audibly to life with her incredible performances.
These books, all three, are such great books. I can’t understand why more people aren’t raving. They’re beautifully written and the stories themselves have it all. I laugh out loud, tear up, there’s tension, suspense, excitement. Plus woven beautifully within these narratives are really important issues such as women’s rights and power, diversity, inclusion, love, friendship, grief and forgiveness. For me, these stories are a similar vein to Harry Potter but less angsty.
Thoroughly recommend them and even more recommend listening to the audiobooks if you can.
I’ve listened to all three on Audible and I cannot emphasise enough how much of an absolute epic voice actress Candida Gubbins is. I’ve listened to many audio books, many great ones, and there have been some great performances, but Candida is on a whole other level. The characters Mark Stay has created are rich and full and nuanced and Candida brings them so very vividly and audibly to life with her incredible performances.
These books, all three, are such great books. I can’t understand why more people aren’t raving. They’re beautifully written and the stories themselves have it all. I laugh out loud, tear up, there’s tension, suspense, excitement. Plus woven beautifully within these narratives are really important issues such as women’s rights and power, diversity, inclusion, love, friendship, grief and forgiveness. For me, these stories are a similar vein to Harry Potter but less angsty.
Thoroughly recommend them and even more recommend listening to the audiobooks if you can.
July 14, 2022
When we catch up with Faye she is still trying to process and deal with the aftermath of the dramatic battle at the end of the second book, Babes in the Woods. That’s when Larry approaches Miss Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye because there’s something in one of his barns which isn’t quite normal. It turns out that a poltergeist has inhabited Ivy Barn. But after ridding the barn of the poltergeist Faye comes across a ghost called Leo who appears to be tethered to the barn. At the same time Faye, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach are approached by The Council of Witches to see if they can stop the war and defeat the enemy by taking part in The Cone of Power ritual. As if Faye wasn’t busy enough an old enemy resurfaces with an ally who is closer to Faye than she thinks who’s goal is to destroy The Council of Witches. Will The Cone of Power ritual be successful? Will Faye help Leo find out what is keeping him tied to Ivy Barn? Will Faye discover the spy who is trying to destroy them?
The author has created such a brilliant and original series in the Witches of Woodville combining magic, witches and the Second World War which are some of my favourite subjects. As soon as the author reveals the next book in the series I can’t wait to catch up with Miss Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye and find out what’s going on in this little Kentish Town and be transported back to the 1940’s. This is the third book in the series and I absolutely loved the storyline. When I think the series can’t get any better the next book always proves me wrong. The story was new and fresh but included the characters I have grown to love and become attached to. The underlying themes of these books are that it is World War Two, the enemy and the war is getting closer each day. Faye, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach are not only helping stave off the war but also magical threats so for them there’s double trouble in Kent. But even though the underlying theme is that of the wartime era every story so far has included a new element which is a little bit different. This has made reading this series interesting and captivated my imagination from the beginning.
From the first book to this latest instalment we see Faye grow from strength to strength from discovering that her mother was a witch to truly embracing her own heritage and power. As the books progress Faye proves that she’s one of the most powerful witches that this little village or even The Council of Witches has ever seen. She proves countless times that she may be even more powerful than her mentors and her mother even if Faye herself is unsure of her on capabilities. I did love how Faye and Bertie are now courting because it shows how much they’ve both grown up from the first book where Faye simply saw Bertie as a friend but there was an indication that Bertie was a bit sweet on Faye. I really enjoyed the little journal entries from Bertie because they made me laugh. They were very matter of fact like Bertie, including what was happening around him to what he was having for his dinner. Bertie knows that Faye is a witch and embraces this even trying to help her by buying her a book about spells which was so sweet.
I’ve said it many times but The Witches of Woodville is one of my favourite series. I wish this series had been around when I was younger because I know I would have loved it. The books include witches and magic in a small town in Kent during the Second World War. What’s not to love. I can’t wait to see what awaits Faye in the next book.
To quote the last sentence of the book ‘THE WITCHES OF WOODVILLE WILL RETURN …’ so go and read the books because you won’t regret it.
The author has created such a brilliant and original series in the Witches of Woodville combining magic, witches and the Second World War which are some of my favourite subjects. As soon as the author reveals the next book in the series I can’t wait to catch up with Miss Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye and find out what’s going on in this little Kentish Town and be transported back to the 1940’s. This is the third book in the series and I absolutely loved the storyline. When I think the series can’t get any better the next book always proves me wrong. The story was new and fresh but included the characters I have grown to love and become attached to. The underlying themes of these books are that it is World War Two, the enemy and the war is getting closer each day. Faye, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach are not only helping stave off the war but also magical threats so for them there’s double trouble in Kent. But even though the underlying theme is that of the wartime era every story so far has included a new element which is a little bit different. This has made reading this series interesting and captivated my imagination from the beginning.
From the first book to this latest instalment we see Faye grow from strength to strength from discovering that her mother was a witch to truly embracing her own heritage and power. As the books progress Faye proves that she’s one of the most powerful witches that this little village or even The Council of Witches has ever seen. She proves countless times that she may be even more powerful than her mentors and her mother even if Faye herself is unsure of her on capabilities. I did love how Faye and Bertie are now courting because it shows how much they’ve both grown up from the first book where Faye simply saw Bertie as a friend but there was an indication that Bertie was a bit sweet on Faye. I really enjoyed the little journal entries from Bertie because they made me laugh. They were very matter of fact like Bertie, including what was happening around him to what he was having for his dinner. Bertie knows that Faye is a witch and embraces this even trying to help her by buying her a book about spells which was so sweet.
I’ve said it many times but The Witches of Woodville is one of my favourite series. I wish this series had been around when I was younger because I know I would have loved it. The books include witches and magic in a small town in Kent during the Second World War. What’s not to love. I can’t wait to see what awaits Faye in the next book.
To quote the last sentence of the book ‘THE WITCHES OF WOODVILLE WILL RETURN …’ so go and read the books because you won’t regret it.
July 8, 2022
This is the best book yet – full of humour, magic, betrayal and murder, with a slight inkling of romance between Faye and Bertie.
Like the others in the series, there is a strong sense of place – not only in location but in time. The reader is immersed in the village life which continues despite the increased threat from the Nazis invasion and they feels the collective responsibility people had. Everyone was expected to do their bit for the war effort, witches included.
It was a pleasure to read about Faye Bright’s evolving powers and the surprising effects it had on the others. Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye are witches and women to aspire to with their individual quirks, self-awareness and strong views. There is a witch for everyone.
The dialogue and bickering between the characters allowed their personalities to shine and the more you get to know the witches and the side characters, the more they are loved. The introduction of new witches, including the nudity loving Mrs Housego and formidable Vera Fivetrees added to this book’s charm.
The ghost in the barn and the surrounding mystery added to the tension. With highly visual and creepy scenes, I had to kept reading to see how this thread fitted in with the rest of the story.
Though this novel could be read as a standalone, these events lead on from those in book 2, Babes in the Wood and readers would gain more enjoyment if they read the series from the beginning and watch the relationships and story develop.
This gripping book showcases superb word building and imaginative plot twists perfectly blended with humour and community of times past. Despite the dangers the characters face, this series provide an ideal escape from reality.
Like the others in the series, there is a strong sense of place – not only in location but in time. The reader is immersed in the village life which continues despite the increased threat from the Nazis invasion and they feels the collective responsibility people had. Everyone was expected to do their bit for the war effort, witches included.
It was a pleasure to read about Faye Bright’s evolving powers and the surprising effects it had on the others. Charlotte, Mrs Teach and Faye are witches and women to aspire to with their individual quirks, self-awareness and strong views. There is a witch for everyone.
The dialogue and bickering between the characters allowed their personalities to shine and the more you get to know the witches and the side characters, the more they are loved. The introduction of new witches, including the nudity loving Mrs Housego and formidable Vera Fivetrees added to this book’s charm.
The ghost in the barn and the surrounding mystery added to the tension. With highly visual and creepy scenes, I had to kept reading to see how this thread fitted in with the rest of the story.
Though this novel could be read as a standalone, these events lead on from those in book 2, Babes in the Wood and readers would gain more enjoyment if they read the series from the beginning and watch the relationships and story develop.
This gripping book showcases superb word building and imaginative plot twists perfectly blended with humour and community of times past. Despite the dangers the characters face, this series provide an ideal escape from reality.
July 15, 2022
Another thoroughly enjoyable addition to the Witches of Woodville series. Mark Stay demonstrates again that they are a very talented author - seamlessly blending mystery, murder and magic with wartime optimism, young love and gentle humour.
These books are beautifully written, and they emanate positivity from the loveable, loyal and spirited Faye. She is backed up by a host of strong females and supported by empowering male characters. They are all easy to imagine and every easier to love.
There is a nice smattering of inclusivity with some more diverse characters too - refreshingly not overly sexualised either. Absolutely suitable for teenage readers and those who are looking for PG rated reads. Again, the descriptors “gentle, charming and good” come to mind.
I’ve been struggling to place these books in an age genre, and I suppose it’s coming-of-age(?) but honestly do not let that put you off. As an adult reader, I am highly critical of anything aimed at “young adults” but these books are perfect for anyone who is young or has ever been young.
I found myself recalling the way I was captured when I read the Harry Potter series as a teenager. Similar to that series, the excellent characters, lush world-building and effort that the author has imbued into the story shows great love for their work.
Well done. I cannot wait for the next instalment.
These books are beautifully written, and they emanate positivity from the loveable, loyal and spirited Faye. She is backed up by a host of strong females and supported by empowering male characters. They are all easy to imagine and every easier to love.
There is a nice smattering of inclusivity with some more diverse characters too - refreshingly not overly sexualised either. Absolutely suitable for teenage readers and those who are looking for PG rated reads. Again, the descriptors “gentle, charming and good” come to mind.
I’ve been struggling to place these books in an age genre, and I suppose it’s coming-of-age(?) but honestly do not let that put you off. As an adult reader, I am highly critical of anything aimed at “young adults” but these books are perfect for anyone who is young or has ever been young.
I found myself recalling the way I was captured when I read the Harry Potter series as a teenager. Similar to that series, the excellent characters, lush world-building and effort that the author has imbued into the story shows great love for their work.
Well done. I cannot wait for the next instalment.
June 29, 2022
The 3rd installment in the Witches of Woodville series takes place during August 1940 - the Battle of Britain rages over the skies of Woodville, the pub is full of RAF pilots, the fields are strewn with debris and Larry Dell’s barn has a ghost problem.
I whizzed through this like Faye on her Pashley Model A.
Faye is determined to help Larry deal with the ghost in his barn. Unfortunately, the other witches aren’t being very helpful. Temporary Head Witch (or, rather, Warlock) Bellamy Dumonde has a cunning plan to repel the impending Nazi invasion of Britain – a plan that seems to involve terrible concertina playing and dancing around in the nuddy.
To bolster his chances of success, Bellamy has brought along three other witches to help: a the mysterious French-resistance fighter, a nudist and a posh FANY. But is one of them a spy?
A joyously barmy & rollicking historical fantasy that still manages to leave room for character growth and some genuinely touching moments.
Read if you like:
Terry Pratchett
Diana Wynne Jones
Dad's Army
With thanks to Hannah Paget at Simon and Schuster UK for providing a Netgalley review copy.
I whizzed through this like Faye on her Pashley Model A.
Faye is determined to help Larry deal with the ghost in his barn. Unfortunately, the other witches aren’t being very helpful. Temporary Head Witch (or, rather, Warlock) Bellamy Dumonde has a cunning plan to repel the impending Nazi invasion of Britain – a plan that seems to involve terrible concertina playing and dancing around in the nuddy.
To bolster his chances of success, Bellamy has brought along three other witches to help: a the mysterious French-resistance fighter, a nudist and a posh FANY. But is one of them a spy?
A joyously barmy & rollicking historical fantasy that still manages to leave room for character growth and some genuinely touching moments.
Read if you like:
Terry Pratchett
Diana Wynne Jones
Dad's Army
With thanks to Hannah Paget at Simon and Schuster UK for providing a Netgalley review copy.
February 13, 2023
Weer een heerlijk boek van Mark Stay. We volgen Faye Bright, haar vader Terrence en Bertie weer in hun strijd tegen de Duitsers in WO II. Het is wel een alternatieve wereld want magie is redelijk geaccepteerd, zeker in het stadje Woodville waar Faye woont en haar vader de plaatselijke pub runt. De inwoners van Woodville staan magie min of meer oogluikend toe. Als er tijdens een luchtgevecht twee vliegtuigen, een Duitse en een van de geallieerden, neerstorten op de schuur van Larry Dell krijgt Faye te maken met de 2 verongelukte piloten. Met hulp van Mrs. Teach en Miss Charlotte weet zij een piloot door te sturen naar het hiernamaals, maar de Poolse Leo laat zich niet zo makkelijk doorsturen.
Als er elders in Groot Brittannië ook een magisch ritueel moet plaats vinden, worden alle drie de dames weggeroepen naar de White Cliffs of Dover.
Natuurlijk gaat niets zonder slag of stoot en Faye heeft haar handen vol aan alle taken die ze moet uitvoeren.
Gezellig en vriendelijk verhaal, waarvan je weet dat het nooit slecht zal aflopen. Dus niet nagelbijtend spannend, maar lekker lezen. En Meneer Stay belooft min of meer een volgende deel.
Als er elders in Groot Brittannië ook een magisch ritueel moet plaats vinden, worden alle drie de dames weggeroepen naar de White Cliffs of Dover.
Natuurlijk gaat niets zonder slag of stoot en Faye heeft haar handen vol aan alle taken die ze moet uitvoeren.
Gezellig en vriendelijk verhaal, waarvan je weet dat het nooit slecht zal aflopen. Dus niet nagelbijtend spannend, maar lekker lezen. En Meneer Stay belooft min of meer een volgende deel.
April 12, 2023
Ich möchte zurück nach Woodville!
Dieser letzte Teil der Trilogie hat mir bisher am besten gefallen. Hier hat alles gestimmt: Storyline, Spannungsbogen, Humor und Mystik. Zudem kam auch noch eine kleine Crime-Story hinzu, die mehr Spannung hineingebracht hat.
Faye findet in diesem Teil endlich einen weiteren Teil von sich und kann mit ihrer Macht als Hexe umgehen. Ihre gesamte Entwicklung über die Bücher ist sehr stark und greifbar. Zudem konnte ich mich trotz der Er/Sie-Perspektive viel besser in Faye hineinfühlen. Auch die langsame Liebesgeschichte zwischen ihr und Bertie war schön zu lesen, sehr langsam, aber sehr passend für die Charaktere. Auch die Nebenhandlung, in der es um einen Poltergeist, geht hat mich voll abholen können und letztendlich tatsächlich auch ein bisschen zum Weinen gebracht, da sie sehr nachdenklich endet.
Das Setting im Kriegsgeschehen hat wieder eine besondere Atmosphäre geschaffen.
Das Buch hat mir großartige Lesestunden beschert und ich kann es allen Urban-Fantasy Fans wirklich nur ans Herz legen!
Dieser letzte Teil der Trilogie hat mir bisher am besten gefallen. Hier hat alles gestimmt: Storyline, Spannungsbogen, Humor und Mystik. Zudem kam auch noch eine kleine Crime-Story hinzu, die mehr Spannung hineingebracht hat.
Faye findet in diesem Teil endlich einen weiteren Teil von sich und kann mit ihrer Macht als Hexe umgehen. Ihre gesamte Entwicklung über die Bücher ist sehr stark und greifbar. Zudem konnte ich mich trotz der Er/Sie-Perspektive viel besser in Faye hineinfühlen. Auch die langsame Liebesgeschichte zwischen ihr und Bertie war schön zu lesen, sehr langsam, aber sehr passend für die Charaktere. Auch die Nebenhandlung, in der es um einen Poltergeist, geht hat mich voll abholen können und letztendlich tatsächlich auch ein bisschen zum Weinen gebracht, da sie sehr nachdenklich endet.
Das Setting im Kriegsgeschehen hat wieder eine besondere Atmosphäre geschaffen.
Das Buch hat mir großartige Lesestunden beschert und ich kann es allen Urban-Fantasy Fans wirklich nur ans Herz legen!
August 17, 2022
The Witches of Woodville series is a great read for fun, magic, compelling characters and interesting events with World War II in the background. This is the third in the series (I would recommend reading them in series), and so far the best. Which doesn’t take away from the first two - they were fabulous fun in their own right. This one just raises the story telling standard a little more.
This story was particularly hard to put down - I was always left hanging at the end of the chapter. The magic adds unexpected events and solutions to problems, as magic does. Faye is an unlikely, and then you realize, very likely heroine. She is brave, and resilient, and best of all, creative. I have had a great time reading here books, and always am happy when I know there is a new one on its way in the mail. Finding new authors that are great story tellers is a hunt. I’m glad I have found Mark Stay and the Witches of Woodville stories.
This story was particularly hard to put down - I was always left hanging at the end of the chapter. The magic adds unexpected events and solutions to problems, as magic does. Faye is an unlikely, and then you realize, very likely heroine. She is brave, and resilient, and best of all, creative. I have had a great time reading here books, and always am happy when I know there is a new one on its way in the mail. Finding new authors that are great story tellers is a hunt. I’m glad I have found Mark Stay and the Witches of Woodville stories.
December 10, 2023
4/5
Book 3 in the Witches of Woodville series. The Nazis are threatening to invade via the channel. Faye is drafted in to assist with a ritual to help prevent this but there's a spy in their midst. Also there's a ghost in Larry's barn that she has to deal with.
- I like how Faye has grown up quite a bit. Since The Crow Folk, she has matured but also retains some of her core personality traits and it's really fun watching her come to terms with her magic and other developments in her life.
- We get to learn a bit more about the wider witch society in this book which is great fun and meet some new witches. I really enjoyed some of the interactions between new and old witches and I hope that some of them make a reappearance in future books.
- I find Faye and Bertie's relationship super cute and I love how supportive he is of her and her independence.
An excellent addition to the series which expands the lore and has really cool character development.
Book 3 in the Witches of Woodville series. The Nazis are threatening to invade via the channel. Faye is drafted in to assist with a ritual to help prevent this but there's a spy in their midst. Also there's a ghost in Larry's barn that she has to deal with.
- I like how Faye has grown up quite a bit. Since The Crow Folk, she has matured but also retains some of her core personality traits and it's really fun watching her come to terms with her magic and other developments in her life.
- We get to learn a bit more about the wider witch society in this book which is great fun and meet some new witches. I really enjoyed some of the interactions between new and old witches and I hope that some of them make a reappearance in future books.
- I find Faye and Bertie's relationship super cute and I love how supportive he is of her and her independence.
An excellent addition to the series which expands the lore and has really cool character development.
September 2, 2022
4.9/5
I thoroughly 100% enjoyed this book. The third in this installment and Marks descriptive work just gets better and better. The story still makes me chuckle and read sections out loud to my poor father who hasn't a clue what I'm blathering on about.
I adored this one especially as it delved more into Faye developing her powers and growing in confidence and also with Pilots, planes and flying. Things I love.
And honestly. Leo, and the entire last chapter for his final flight has left me in tears. Beautiful.
Faye is so blinking powerful and I love it. Hope to goodness she doesn't lose those powers on a future book.
Bertie remains a sweetheart. Fayes dad still makes me chuckle.
If it wasn't for the editing error on pg 41 where it said 1941 instead of 1940 would be 5 stars. That threw me for a loop
I thoroughly 100% enjoyed this book. The third in this installment and Marks descriptive work just gets better and better. The story still makes me chuckle and read sections out loud to my poor father who hasn't a clue what I'm blathering on about.
I adored this one especially as it delved more into Faye developing her powers and growing in confidence and also with Pilots, planes and flying. Things I love.
And honestly. Leo, and the entire last chapter for his final flight has left me in tears. Beautiful.
Faye is so blinking powerful and I love it. Hope to goodness she doesn't lose those powers on a future book.
Bertie remains a sweetheart. Fayes dad still makes me chuckle.
If it wasn't for the editing error on pg 41 where it said 1941 instead of 1940 would be 5 stars. That threw me for a loop
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2022
The third installment in the Witches of Woodville series which sees Faye and her fellow witches do battle with the Nazis in Dover.
The reader really does feel as though they are back in the midst of WWII. The author has done their research and it adds greatly to the enjoyment of these books.
Without giving too much away this book involves aerial dogfights, plenty of puns, romance (but nothing to steamy as we are British!), a Polish fighter pilot ghost and plenty of edge of your seat moments.
Another highly enjoyable addition to the Witches of Woodville series. Pure escapist fun and a delight to again immerse yourself into this fantastical world created by the author.
Ps my 500th read book on Goodreads and a jolly good one to mark that milestone.
The reader really does feel as though they are back in the midst of WWII. The author has done their research and it adds greatly to the enjoyment of these books.
Without giving too much away this book involves aerial dogfights, plenty of puns, romance (but nothing to steamy as we are British!), a Polish fighter pilot ghost and plenty of edge of your seat moments.
Another highly enjoyable addition to the Witches of Woodville series. Pure escapist fun and a delight to again immerse yourself into this fantastical world created by the author.
Ps my 500th read book on Goodreads and a jolly good one to mark that milestone.
July 7, 2022
Mark Stay’s Woodville books deal with the magical awakening of a young Kent girl in the early 1940s, as World War II is underway and England is threatened by German invasion. Faye Bright and the rest of the cast are well drawn and engaging. The village feels like a real place, and the period is evoked without drowning the reader in research. This is the third in the series, and like the others it’s a great comfort read that stays just the right side of twee. They’re not going to change your world, but they will make it a nicer place for a couple of hours. If you’ve ever had too much cheese before bedtime and dreamt of Terry Pratchett writing a Dad’s Army novelisation then these are the books for you.
October 19, 2022
Mark Stay is a master at combining a rollicking good story with well-researched history, and the third in the Witches of Woodville series, The Ghost of Ivy Barn, is no exception. It continues the story of trainee witch Faye Bright and her fellow villagers as they face both the German invasion of Britain and the evil magic supporting it.
This time Faye must not only keep up with her lessons with her witchy mentors, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach, but also deal with a ghostly pilot with a bad attitude, the new Chief Witch, and try to enjoy her own burgeoning romance with the ever-faithful Bertie.
Full of twists and turns, magic and mayhem, and a good dollop of humour, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment in the series, and look forward to #4.
This time Faye must not only keep up with her lessons with her witchy mentors, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach, but also deal with a ghostly pilot with a bad attitude, the new Chief Witch, and try to enjoy her own burgeoning romance with the ever-faithful Bertie.
Full of twists and turns, magic and mayhem, and a good dollop of humour, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment in the series, and look forward to #4.
May 6, 2023
The best instalment in the series so far. It just gets better and better!
Faye is such a great main character. Her mind is witty and sharp, and her backbone is ramrod straight. I feel like I would have really liked her as a friend.
The war is creeping closer by every book, and Faye's magic keeps evolving.
Who knows how all of this is going to end! It's only 1940 in the book. 5 years of war is ahead, and I can't keep wondering how many books the author will write, since they so far has been spaced out over only a few weeks or months.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series now, and I'm really happy I returned to it.
Faye is such a great main character. Her mind is witty and sharp, and her backbone is ramrod straight. I feel like I would have really liked her as a friend.
The war is creeping closer by every book, and Faye's magic keeps evolving.
Who knows how all of this is going to end! It's only 1940 in the book. 5 years of war is ahead, and I can't keep wondering how many books the author will write, since they so far has been spaced out over only a few weeks or months.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rest of the series now, and I'm really happy I returned to it.
July 16, 2023
Auch der dritte Band konnte mich nicht so ganz überzeugen.
Wir begleiten wieder Faye, Mrs. Teach und Charlotte auf einem neuen Abenteuer, das Setting ist weiterhin der zweite Weltkrieg und damit konnte ich leider so gar nichts anfangen. Das hat mich schon bei den ersten beiden Bänden gestört, ich finde die Mischung einfach nicht passend. Dennoch kommt man hier wieder gut und schnell durch die Seiten, der Autor hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil, mit viel Witz und Humor zwischen den Zeilen.
Zuviel möchte ich zum Inhalt gar nicht sagen, da ich sonst Spoilern würde. Eine nette Reihe für zwischendurch, aber kein Highlight.
Wir begleiten wieder Faye, Mrs. Teach und Charlotte auf einem neuen Abenteuer, das Setting ist weiterhin der zweite Weltkrieg und damit konnte ich leider so gar nichts anfangen. Das hat mich schon bei den ersten beiden Bänden gestört, ich finde die Mischung einfach nicht passend. Dennoch kommt man hier wieder gut und schnell durch die Seiten, der Autor hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil, mit viel Witz und Humor zwischen den Zeilen.
Zuviel möchte ich zum Inhalt gar nicht sagen, da ich sonst Spoilern würde. Eine nette Reihe für zwischendurch, aber kein Highlight.
June 25, 2022
Another great book by Mark Stay I was lucky to receive this as an ARC review.
This follows on from book 2 and Faye moving on and her growing power.
They are called to action to stop more attacks to Britain by the German planes. It’s multiple storylines with Faye, Bertie and a new character Charlotte and her part in the story.
I loved Faye and Bertie and trying to get some alone time together while dealing with witch business and constant raids.
A must read for all previous books and can’t wait for book 4
This follows on from book 2 and Faye moving on and her growing power.
They are called to action to stop more attacks to Britain by the German planes. It’s multiple storylines with Faye, Bertie and a new character Charlotte and her part in the story.
I loved Faye and Bertie and trying to get some alone time together while dealing with witch business and constant raids.
A must read for all previous books and can’t wait for book 4
June 30, 2022
Yet another entertaining outing for Faye Bright and her fellow witches. This book closely follows on from book 2 so I would definitely recommend reading the previous books before this one.
Once again, it is the delightfully-drawn characters that make this series such a big hit. The backdrop of the Battle of Britain creates a dynamic and action packed setting.
Such a fun and gripping story to read, highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from thee publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
Once again, it is the delightfully-drawn characters that make this series such a big hit. The backdrop of the Battle of Britain creates a dynamic and action packed setting.
Such a fun and gripping story to read, highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from thee publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
January 1, 2025
I did a mixture of read and listen to this book. I have to say from the outset Candida Gubbins did a remarkable job of the voice coming through the head set.
In this book 3 of the series, Faye is trying to help the ghost, enact a ritual, and learn to fly! Of course, she is aided in all this by her 2 witch helpers, Mrs Teach and Miss Charlotte, as well as long suffering Bertie.
Another good outing into the Kent countryside during WW2, I look forward to reading more of Faye Bright and her fellow conspirators.
In this book 3 of the series, Faye is trying to help the ghost, enact a ritual, and learn to fly! Of course, she is aided in all this by her 2 witch helpers, Mrs Teach and Miss Charlotte, as well as long suffering Bertie.
Another good outing into the Kent countryside during WW2, I look forward to reading more of Faye Bright and her fellow conspirators.
July 11, 2022
Another cracker from Mark Stay, The Ghost of Ivy Barn is an utter treat! There’s poltergeists, bombing raids, midnight magic, treachery and the threat of nudity – what more do you need? Stay writes with his signature charm and wit, in this third heart-warming story in the Witches of Woodville series and I’m delighted to hear that there are more coming. I am absolutely here for more of Faye Bright’s madcap, magical adventures.
September 21, 2022
This is an excellent series as it mixes history and fantasy using plenty of humour and always keeping you hooked and turning pages.
Each book is better than the previous and I loved how Faye grew as witch&person and grew on me.
I love her, the characters, and love the other witches.
The author is an excellent storyteller and delivers a gripping and highly entertaining story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Each book is better than the previous and I loved how Faye grew as witch&person and grew on me.
I love her, the characters, and love the other witches.
The author is an excellent storyteller and delivers a gripping and highly entertaining story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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