<p><b>A second novel from the bestselling author of Branford Boase-shortlisted and Carnegie-nominated <i>Witch</i>. An engrossing story of fathers and sons, death and grief, and unexpected bonds, new and old, forged by dark and benign magic.</b></p><p>When Sam, grieving the death of his father, finds a silver-flecked stone, ice-cold to the touch, strange and eerie things begin to happen. Myth, legend, magic and witchcraft mingle on the ancient hillside where the chalk white horse has galloped for centuries. Ravens wheel. Wolves prowl. As Halloween draws close, witches dance. Odin gathers brave, fallen warriors to his side.</p><p>Only the mysterious new girl, Oona, can heal Sam's heart, revealing tarot secrets with her bewitching ways.</p><p><b>Reviews for <i>Witch</i>:</b></p><p>'A book filled with enchantment, in every sense. Dark, exciting and pacy, <i>Witch</i> brilliantly balances magic and realism' <b>Anthony McGowan</b>, author of Carnegie-winning <b><i>Lark</i></b></p><p>'There is real magic here... Perfect reading for a dark, stormy night' <b><i>Irish Times Weekend</i></b></p>
<p>A story of fathers and sons, and a boy gripped by the spell of myth and old magic to soothe his grief, from Branford Boase-shortlisted and Carnegie-nominated Finbar Hawkins.</p>
<b>PRAISE FOR <i>WITCH</i></b>: <br />
'Hawkins' descriptive power is considerable' <i>Financial Times</i>. <br />
'I felt its dark jewelled cloak fall about my shoulders and magic me to the time of witch-craft. A story that captures sibling rivalry so perfectly and tells its tale so beautifully I didn't want it to finish' Jasbinder Bilan, author of <i>Aarti and the Blue Gods</i>. <br />
'There is real magic here, though what leaps off the page is the creepy atmosphere and the raw emotion of a grieving, raging girl... Perfect reading for a dark, stormy night' <i>Irish Times</i>. <br />
'I couldn't stop reading this 5-star story for teens, full of witchcraft,revenge and the power of women' Mel Darbon, author of <i>Rosie Loves Jack</i>. <br />
'Evey is a marvellous, complex, flawed heroine... Hawkins is a master of raising and re-raising the stakes... The tale builds to a climax of incredible, cinematic imagery... A fantastic first outing'
Cory Doctorow, author of Attack Surface
<p>Finbar's debut <i>Witch</i> was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and nominated for the 2022 Carnegie medal.</p>
<p>A standalone story of fathers and sons but with the return of the much loved Evey and Dill from <i>Witch</i>.</p>
<p><i>Witch</i> has over 1,000 Amazon reviews.</p>
<p>Finbar is a creative director at Aardman Animations. His sister is the acclaimed British actress, Sally Hawkins.</p>
<p>For 12+ readers.</p>
<p>MARKET: <i>A Skinful of Shadows</i> by Frances Hardinge; <i>Witch Child</i> by Celia Rees; <i>Midwinterblood</i> by Marcus Sedgwick; Kiran Millward Hargrave; Laini Taylor; Brigid Kemmerer.</p>