Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Set against the religious struggles and civil wars of seventeenth century Scotland, John Buchan's Witch Wood is a gripping atmospheric tale in the spirit of Stevenson and Neil Munro. As a moderate presbyterian minister, young David Sempill disputes with the extremists of his faith, as all around, the defeated remnants of Montrose's men are being harried and slaughtered. There are still older conflicts to be faced however, symbolised by the presence of the Melanudrigall Wood, a last remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest. Here there is black magic to be uncovered, but also the more positive pre-Christian intimations of nature worship. In such setting, and faced with the onset of the plague, David Sempill's struggle and eventual disappearance take on a strange and timeless aspect in what was John Buchan's own favourite among his many novels.
Is Witch Wood appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Set during Scotland's violent religious civil wars, this atmospheric Gothic tale features persecution of war survivors, black magic rituals in ancient woods, plague outbreak, and a minister's mysterious disappearance. Historical violence and dark supernatural elements.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include murder, death, and mass death (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens interested in atmospheric historical horror with religious conflict and ancient magic in 17th century Scotland will find this haunting.