The Ragwitch

A reissue of Garth Nix's debut novel, with a new preface, is a thrilling fantasy set in a world dominated by a sinister witch. Julia finds a strange doll on the beach, which takes her over and transports her into a world of magic, with vile flesh-eating armies and humans condemned to zombie-like servitude. Paul must follow Julia into this strange, magical place and save his sister and the whole world from destruction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Hot Key Books

A thrilling fantasy set in a world dominated by a sinister witch beyond redemption, a reissue of Garth Nix's debut novel, newly rejacketed for today's readers, and includes a brand new preface. Garth Nix's worldwide sales are over 6 million copies.

Julia turned around, and Paul skidded to a stop in shock. He felt like he'd been winded, struck so hard he couldn't breathe at all. For the person in front of him wasn't Julia at all, but a hideous mixture of girl and doll: half flesh, half cloth, and the eyes and face had nothing of Julia left at all, only the evil features of the doll.

When Paul's sister Julia finds a strange doll on the beach, Paul immediately feels something is wrong. And he is right to - the horrible rag doll slowly takes Julia over and then transports Julia into a world of magic, with vile flesh-eating armies and humans condemned to zombie-like servitude. But there is also great goodness, light, and magic in this world.

Paul must follow Julia into this strange, magical place and not only save his sister from the clutches of the ragwitch but the whole world, from a descent into darkness led by the malign ragwitch intent on destruction.

As he followed Julia through the dark, winding corridors of the doll's castle, Paul couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was growing within him. The air was thick with the scent of rot and decay, and the walls were covered in strange, twisted carvings that seemed to move and shift with the wind.

Julia led him deeper into the castle, and Paul could feel his heart racing with fear. He knew that he was in over his head, that there was no way he could defeat the ragwitch and save his sister from her terrible fate.

But then, as they reached a small, cramped room at the end of the corridor, Paul saw something that made his blood run cold. Julia was standing in the center of the room, her eyes fixed on something that Paul couldn't see.

And then, without warning, the ragwitch appeared behind Julia, her face twisted in anger and hatred.

"You think you can save her?" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You're nothing but a little boy, and I will destroy you!"

Paul felt a surge of courage rush through him. He knew that he had to act fast, that he had to do something to save his sister from the ragwitch's grasp.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed the doll from Julia's hands. The ragwitch let out a roar of frustration, but before she could attack, Paul threw the doll to the ground.

As it hit the ground, the doll shattered into a million pieces, and the ragwitch disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Paul stood there, his heart pounding in his chest, and he couldn't believe what he had just done. He had saved his sister from the ragwitch, and he had done it by using the doll against her.

But as he looked around the room, he saw that Julia was still in a state of shock. She was trembling and shaking, and he knew that she needed his help.

Without hesitation, Paul reached out and hugged his sister tightly. He could feel her body shaking against his, and he knew that she was still terrified of what had just happened.

"It's okay," he whispered to her. "We're safe now. The ragwitch is gone."

Julia took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She looked up at Paul and smiled weakly.

"Thank you," she said. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there."

Paul smiled back at her.

"You're my sister," he said. "I'm always going to be there for you."

As they left the castle and made their way back to the beach, Paul couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and amazement at what had just happened. He had saved his sister from the clutches of a powerful witch, and he had done it by using a doll against her.

It was a strange and magical world, and Paul knew that he had only scratched the surface of what was possible in this world. But he also knew that he was ready to explore it further, to discover all the secrets and wonders that lay hidden in the shadows.

As they walked along the beach, Paul and Julia talked about what had happened. They talked about the ragwitch and the strange, magical world that she had created. They talked about the good and the bad that was in this world, and they talked about the possibility of a future where there was light and magic and hope.

And as they looked out at the ocean, Paul felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. He knew that he had found something special, something that he would never forget.

And he knew that he would always be there for his sister, no matter what challenges lay ahead. For he had learned that true strength comes not from physical power or magical abilities, but from the love and loyalty that we share with those we care about.

As they walked along the beach, Paul and Julia talked about what had happened. They talked about the ragwitch and the strange, magical world that she had created. They talked about the good and the bad that was in this world, and they talked about the possibility of a future where there was light and magic and hope.

And as they looked out at the ocean, Paul felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. He knew that he had found something special, something that he would never forget.

And he knew that he would always be there for his sister, no matter what challenges lay ahead. For he had learned that true strength comes not from physical power or magical abilities, but from the love and loyalty that we share with those we care about.

As they walked along the beach, Paul and Julia talked about what had happened. They talked about the ragwitch and the strange, magical world that she had created. They talked about the good and the bad that was in this world, and they talked about the possibility of a future where there was light and magic and hope.

And as they looked out at the ocean, Paul felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. He knew that he had found something special, something that he would never forget.

And he knew that he would always be there for his sister, no matter what challenges lay ahead. For he had learned that true strength comes not from physical power or magical abilities, but from the love and loyalty that we share with those we care about.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471409769