After reading and enjoying the first book in this series, “The Crow Folk”, in order to get up to speed, I got stuck into “Babes in the Wood” as soon as possible.
Definitely a slow-burn, but none the worse for it, with intense world-building and scene-setting. Almost without realising it the book ratchets up the tension and becomes unputdownable.
Main character, Faye, is becoming a notable heroine in fiction, and this time around she has to look after three refugees whilst protecting them from evil forces, and not just the Nazis. The story is deep and fulfilling.
I can heartily recommend “Babes in the Wood” to fantasy fans, especially to readers of Alan Garner’s work and those who enjoy the “Miss Peregrine” books. Mark Stay has skilfully created a heady mix of magic and World War II and I look forward to the next instalment.

A little slow to get into at the beginning, but I persevered, knowing that I was impatient, and was rewarded with a page turner before too long,that had me gripped until I finished the book. Faye is a brilliant character, and so are all of the characters, in this story set in the second world war, of magical things interwoven with some of the events of that war. I will not say too much, in case I spoil the novel for the reader, but the characters are very realistic, and the plot excellent. I would recommend this book.