What a year for sequels is where I’ll start! Witch Light is yet another sequel in 2026 that builds immaculately on the foundations of the first book. This go round in Cassia Thorne’s world feels like a true amplification of all the things we loved in Deep Dark. Rather than simply revisiting the familiar, Witch Light pushes the story into darker, heightened territory, making the mystery of Ravening Hall and the Lancashire moors feel like a natural yet thrilling evolution for the setting of the series and the perfect scenario for Cassia to develop her investigative skills. It’s the kind of follow‑up that returning readers will LOVE to see.
 
Cassia herself will forever be one of my favourite protagonists. There’s something about her that’s magnetic and I root for her even in the moments I know she may be going wrong. Her struggle to adapt to schooling while staying true to who she is makes her instantly relatable, especially as she navigates the tensions of friendships and morality. Her determination and vulnerability give the story its emotional weight, resulting in the supernatural elements being grounded so that everything paranormal ends up reading authentic and possible, which is what I adore. Magic should feel within reach!

I will say this mystery caught me completely off guard. I found myself making guesses only for them to be proven wrong pages later. As a result, when the ‘reveal’ comes, I was made up because I love a read that keeps me on my toes.  Trying the story into the local history of Pendle Hill creates a story that’s both suspenseful and immersive for readers of any age. The pacing will have readers hooked without overwhelming younger audiences, striking that sweet spot between adventure and whodunnit!
 
As always with Zohra Nabi’s writing, all I can do is heap praise! The writing is vivid and cinematic, with descriptions that will pull you straight into the windswept moors and creepy corridors of Ravening Hall. The writing is the perfect balance of description and dialogue meaning that I was hopping through chapters elatedly without even realising how far in I was progressing. And, after all, we all relish a book we can get lost in.
 
A story that’s ideal for any readers aged 8+ who love spooky mysteries, determined protagonists, and sequels that raise the stakes while keeping the magic of the original very much alive, this will be a dream read for this Easter break! So get a copy pre-ordered, and while you do that, I’m off to make sure there’s no hounds lurking…

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This was a wonderfully atmospheric and spine-tingling read that completely drew me in from the start. The setting of the bleak boarding school on the Lancashire moors added such a strong sense of unease, and the eerie, supernatural elements kept me hooked throughout.

Cassia is a compelling and relatable protagonist, especially as she struggles to find her place in a new and unfamiliar environment. The tension between fitting in and staying true to herself adds depth to the story, while the mystery surrounding the school and the legends of Pendle Hill create a gripping and suspenseful plot.

The writing is vivid and immersive, bringing both the haunting setting and the characters to life. There’s a perfect balance of mystery, adventure, and just the right amount of creepiness for younger readers, though it’s equally enjoyable for adults who appreciate a well-crafted middle grade story.

A captivating sequel that builds beautifully on the first book, with plenty of intrigue and atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of spooky mysteries and strong, determined heroines.

Having survived the drama in London in Deep Dark, Cassia has been taken to live at Blackhurst by her uncle. Her arrival isn't quite what she expected as her aunt and cousin Emma are rather distant. When things don't settle, her uncle decides the best thing to do is to send Cassia away to boarding school in a remote and bleak area on the moors of Lancashire; annoyed that she feels she is being left out, Emma insists on going too. The idea is a wonderful one to Cassia as she feels it's her chance to get a proper education. But things aren't what they seem and from the very start it is clear to Cassia that something issue wrong at the school, including Emma's stark change in behaviour; she just can't quite put her finger on what it is.

Cassia has already been through a lot (if you haven't read Deep Dark you really should - you can read my review here) and this is supposed to be a new start for her, but it is clear that the school is not going to be the experience she expected. Things are incredibly strict and the older girls behave in the mist unusual way. Cassia had to draw upon every ounce of her resilience to get to the bottom of things.

Life is very isolating for Cassia now she is away from her London friends and everyone seems intent on assuming she is something she really isn't. She is torn between fitting in with the other girls whilst bowing to the rules of the school and befriending Martha who seems to constantly get into trouble and has been deemed a 'bad influence' by the staff. Under the surface, the book cleverly covers the idea of stereotyping, being yourself and prejudices - it would definitely create some very interesting discussions as a class read. Cassia's strength of character and determination once again come to the fore in this book and her loyalty to those she is closest to shines through. She is clearly missing Felix and Tao and, as with her move from India to London, this move to Lancashire is incredibly tough for her - she just wants to find somewhere to call home.

As with Deep Dark, it is clear that something evil is lurking and the wild and remote setting makes the perfect backdrop for dark and mysterious events to unfold. With talk of witches, magpies that can't be trusted and unexplained creatures roaming the moorland, Witch Light is a book readers won't be able to put down; with a setting to rival Wuther Heights and The Hound of the Baskervilles, the second book in the Cassia Thorne Mystery series is a gothic novel that readers are guaranteed to love.

Witch Light publishes on the 9th April.

Thank you Netgalley for the eCopy!
I thought I recognised the author and while reading I realised that the main character was familiar and the talk of The Beast. It turns out this is a follow on. I would say you can read it without after the reading the first - however to fully understand the whole back story and character development I would suggest reading book 1 first.

The main character Cassia is trying to fit in. Her background is a constant reminder that she is different and it is clever how Zobra linked in colonialism and how history is taught - here Cassia is sent to a boarding school but something wicked is in the air. This time she seems to have met witches. Who are the witches and what power do they have, can Cassia work it out and save herself ... Can she do it without her friends?

this book, witch light by Zohra Nabi is a good book for children! it had brilliant themes of spooky, atmospheric gothic mystery. I was a little confused as I didn't realise it was a sequel to another book but that is entirely my fault!

I enjoyed this book and everything about it!

It is an atmospheric read that is beautifully written. It is a brilliant sequel that enables us to venture further into the deep dark. There are places that might be a bit scary to some readers.