02/02/2026 Candace Reviews: WITCH CRAFT: A Beyond & Within Anthology from Flame Tree Press
- Candace Nola
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Beyond & Within WITCH CRAFT
Folk & Horror Short Stories
Edited by Marie O’ Regan & Paul Kane
Having been a child that grew up loving stories about witches of all kinds, this anthology really hit home for me. The authors deliver a wondrous display of stories, ranging from the village witch to the Baba Yaga, Djinn’s, and everything in-between.
The stories vary wildly in setting, theme, and tone and span the globe with stories from a wide variety of countries, ranging from the UK, Scotland, the Middle East and beyond; stories that center on the lore of that country or region as well as the specific power of the entity in question.
Regardless of setting or tone, the theme of each story is masterfully delivered by each author, invoking those feelings of intrigue and fascination that such stories held for me as a child. There is feminine rage and empowerment in these tales as one would expect, but there is also revenge and justice, love and loss, betrayal and family obligations.
A favorite for me was from Mark Chadbourn with his tale, The Smokeless Fire, about a young woman in need, an old woman from the local village, and a Djinn.
Another standout was The Withered Hill by David Barnett. A tale of a village, a deal made with an ancient spirit and the witch in the midst of it all.
Ally Wilkes’ opening story, Apotropaic, tells the tale of the old witch on the edge of town, and the young girls that visits her in times of need, a story that tells tales of both past and present, with one common and relevant theme.
I honestly could list every story in this volume as a standout because that would be the truth. They are unique, beautifully written, and deliver a wonderful reading experience for any reader that enjoys tales of witches, and their craft. Highly recommended reading to all.
*From the book description:
The full list of featured authors in this book is: Eugen Bacon, David Barnett, Melissa Bobe, Gabriella Buba, Mark Chadbourn, Eliza Chan, Aveline Fletcher, Helen Grant, Muriel Gray, Kay Hanifen, Lisa L. Hannett, Damien Kelly, Amanda Mason, Alison Moore, Buhlebethu Sukoluhle Mpofu, Angela Slatter and Ally Wilkes.
Thank you to Flame Tree Press for the stunning copy to review and thank you to every author for their incredible contributions!
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