Skye McKenna may have written this series for middle-grade readers but I'm happy to say I love to curl up with a cup of tea and enjoy the innocent joy these books filled with magic and mystery bring me. It takes me back to the happiness I found with the Worst Witch books and similar gave me. 

If your reader enjoys Nevermoor, then they're going to love these because McKenna brings so much life to the fictional world of Hedgely and the witches and magical beings that live there. I love how book two draws you back into the world smoothly from how we left Cassie and her friends behind. For anyone who may struggle with recollecting what came in book one, the characters jog the readers memory by bringing up key events which I thought was genius.

Woodwitch gives the reader everything and once again Skye McKenna will have you unwilling to put the book down. There's the wonder of magic, the joy and strength found in friendship and the mystery of what lingers still beyond the Hedge and in the wood where all sorts of magical beings linger both good and bad. There's also a more hard and mature element of the vulnerability found in fearing you're alone or the possibility of being left behind. 

The story itself is engaging as I said, the twists and turns of the adventure Cassie is once again thrust into and often ones you don't catch onto and I loved it. These to me are new classics in the making and many young readers will love them, and what adds to that feeling, is the stunning pen and ink style artwork that appears throughout the book alongside the map of Hedgely. Every book that needs it, should have a map because they're often so beautifully done and this one is no exception.

I have a feeling Cassie and her friends will face more chaos in the upcoming Seawitch because I didn't see the outcome of this one for a fair bit and how Skye McKenna weaves these little details together is mesmerising to read and realise.

I really like this series so far! I love the concept of witchcraft being like a Brownie patrol and earning badges and things as well as the intrigue of the Hedge and the land beyond this one. 

I didn’t like it as much as Hedgewitch but it is clearly a necessary step in the longer story. I wonder if Skye McKenna knows yet how many books she’ll write in this series?

The characters are all loveable and I really want to visit the village shops! A great series for witches young and old!