The Holly King
The Witches of Woodville 4
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The Holly King
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Narrated by:
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Candida Gubbins
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By:
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Mark Stay
About this listen
'Fast-paced, entertainingly creepy, laugh-out-loud funny, and genuinely moving' Michelle Paver
'Full of magic and delight' Rowan Coleman
‘A rural Ben Aaronovitch!’ C. K. McDonnell
The Holly King is coming, and you’re on his list . . .
It's December 1940, and Christmas has come to Woodville. Faye Bright is looking forward to a good old knees-up after a year of supernatural mayhem and Luftwaffe air raids, but it seems glad tidings are in short supply.
Already contending with food rationing and sky-high beer prices, the village is upended by the arrival of the Holly King, an ancient power bent on reclaiming his woodland domain. No mortal magic can stand in his way.
As the winter solstice draws in and the villagers fall under the Holly King’s spell, Faye, Bertie and the witches race to prevent his sinister Feast of Fools from reaching its deadly conclusion. But when terrible truths threaten to tear them apart, can they confront the mistakes of the past to save the village from destruction?
Or has Woodville seen its last Christmas?
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For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes the fourth novel in this delightful series of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .
Don't miss the other magical books in the WITCHES OF WOODVILLE series!
#1 The Crow Folk
#2 Babes in the Wood
#3 The Ghost of Ivy Barn©2023 Mark Stay (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, UK
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Critic reviews
'Beautiful and engaging and clever and what more could you ask for in a book?' Manda Scott, bestselling author of A Treachery of Spies
'Warm, witty, witchy wartime fun. With Mark Stay as writer you're always guaranteed a magical read' Julie Wassmer, author of the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries
'Enid Blyton filmed by Hammer' Talking Scared Podcast
'You'll love it: Doctor Who meets Worzel Gummidge' Lorna Cook, author of The Forgotten Village
'Stay has brewed a cracking blend of charm and creepiness in The Crow Folk. A rip-roaring tale of bravery and witchcraft on the wartime home front, expertly told with lashings of wit and warmth' Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World
'A jolly romp with witches, demons, and bellringing. Pratchett fans will enjoy this, and Faye is a feisty and fun hero. Dad's Army meets Witches of Eastwick' Ian W Sainsbury
'A young witch to rival Tiffany Aching. Magic!' FMA Dixon
'Mark’s ingenious decision to set his magical saga not in some ancient realm of wizards and dragons but in a vividly recreated WWII-era rural England gives us the most lived-in and believable fantasy world. I wish I’d thought of it' Mitch Benn
'Mark Stay’s brilliantly written Witches of Woodville books are somehow funny, cosy, clever and disturbingly dark all at the same time. Terry Pratchett fans will LOVE em' Lucy Strange
'Extremely funny, full of imagination, verve and typical English "home counties" wit' Irish Independent
What listeners say about The Holly King
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kez Cunningham
- 18-09-23
Brilliant series, incredibly performed
The series gets better with every book, a great mix of humour and spookiness. This one is straight on my list of re-listens!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennie
- 16-10-24
A festive treat
Another fantastic story from Woodville. Mark has created a wonderful village of colourful characters. I really enjoy the Pagan references and the magical elements he puts into his work and I’m looking forward to the next instalment
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gillian Heath
- 23-09-23
Loved it!
I really enjoy this whole series with it’s nostalgia and stiff upper lip that combines some very dark themes with Blitz spirit.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bonnie
- 13-05-24
I love this series
Have loved each book so far and this one is no exception. Can't wait for the next book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Carole Stone
- 02-10-23
Brilliant
Another cracking story in this wonderful series it's more blood thirsty than the last two but so inventive with the characters beautifully drawn
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julie underhill
- 28-11-23
Magical 💛🧚♀️
Absolutely lovely, can't wait for the next one.🧚♀️💯💛 Nature is Magical and so is life ✨️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Richard Bat Brewster
- 26-10-23
Crammed with charm, comedy, cuteness
A series that is crammed with charm, comedy, cuteness, and characters with charisma. This latest in this wonderful series not only delivers, even surpassing the other great books. Whilst this book could be read on its own, it is all the better for those that have read the previous adventures. The Witches of Woodville has kept building, expanding on both the past of the characters and their current events, plus a great ending that promises much more. Faye’s flying powers increase, so does Mark Stay’s!
Another wonderfully evocative performance by Candida Gubbins.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jdee
- 10-10-23
Another fabulous return to Woodville
Another wonderful Woodville story beautifully read by Candida who truly brings all the characters to life. Can't wait for the next one!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- SG
- 23-09-23
Best book so far...
Witches with katanas, evil fairies and the dark realities of war. Mark Stay continues to impress with his Witch of Woodville books, and this is his best yet. Heartfelt, funny and ripe for more adventures. Bravo and more please....
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