Waking the Witch: a darkly spellbinding tale of female empowerment

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Ivy is about to find out who she really is. Brought up in care homes, she is aware of her need to self-protect and is fiercely independent. She has insular interests, no real friends but a job in a butterfly house/museum, which she loves. Despite her mum warning Ivy not to come and find her and to stay away from the lighthouse Ivy disobeys her and now she’s at risk from the witches. Her mother welcomes her in but warns her that she shouldn’t have come and uses salt as protection but will it be enough to keep the evil at bay and what do the witches want with Ivy?

The folklore and legends that were covered in the book were very well researched and handled. I felt you could tell it’s something the author has a genuine interest in, making the twists she put on them seem even better made made me want to keep reading more. Get a copy of this captivating young adult fantasy novel here. Daughter of Darkness (House of Shadows #1) by Katharine Cross and Elizabeth Corr All of these descriptions combined create a sumptuously enchanting, atmospheric setting and an ideal read leading up to Halloween. An ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy, and her only chance of survival is to look deep within herself. For not every story in legend is true, and some evils are not what they seem. A wonderfully evocative and positive opening with Ivy, our protagonist, thinking of something that she loves - a butterfly emerging after it's metamorphosis, of being freed. Slowly you are being drawn into the story, and what a story it is.

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This delightful YA fantasy book is perfect for your next read. Buy a copy here. Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves #1) by Mary E. Pearson

When a promo arrived in my inbox for Waking the Witch I was drawn in by the mention of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology. I love a book that centres around any mythology, they are often some of my favourites. This is no exception. As hilarious as it is gritty, City of Nightmares is a YA fantasy book you don’t want to miss. Get a copy here. Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong delivers a monster-filled revamp on a Shakespearean classic: Romeo and Juliet. Only this time, it’s in fair Shanghai where we lay our scene. Steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend, this brilliant coming-of-age tale follows Ivy, a seventeen-year-old searching for her mother after spending her whole childhood in foster homes. But once she finds her, dark, mysterious things start to happen. With only herself to rely on, Ivy is about to discover that legends aren’t always what they seem. Great concept, poor execution. Marketed as YA, yet the writing style and characters were so juvenile I wouldn't put this in the hands of any reader over the age of 12, despite the gore and mild violence.

Ivy works at a butterfly zoo and was abandoned as a baby. The only thing she has is a note from her mother saying that she tried to keep her safe. After searching for years Ivy finally locates her mother on Bardsey Island where according to folklore, the cormorants that fly over the remote Welsh isle are the terrifying witches of Arthurian legend.