We Call them Witches by India-Rose Bower

Britian, two years after they came . . .

Most people have been devoured by the eldritch creatures.

Sara and her family have been fighting for survival.

And the only thing that works against these monsters - these Witches - is their knowledge of folklore and pagan rituals.

When a girl named Parsley suddenly appears in the garden of their current camp, she cannot remember where she came from or why she's there.

As Sara and Parsley begin to develop feelings for each other, disaster strikes, and Sara's younger brother Noah is snatched by the Witches.

They must find him and set out across desolate moors full of merciless terror, to hunt the very creatures they've been hiding from.

Can they succeed in saving Noah? Will Parsley and Sara's burgeoning love survive these bloodthirsty Witches? and, who can Sara trust in a world void of humanity?

---

“Survive. Decide. Trust no one. And maybe fall in love along the way.”

✶ PRE-READING ✶

Survival horror without zombies or plague? Yes please. Creepy, eldritch creatures and a desperate post-apocalyptic Britain? I’m in.

✶ POST-READING ✶

As I thought...
Heavy, unflinching, and morally complex. The book captures the weight of growing up in extremis - children ageing fast, teens confronting life-and-death choices, and adults stretched beyond human limits.

It surprised me by...
How intense the moral decisions felt. It’s one thing to survive monsters; it’s another to survive with your conscience intact. This is darker than most survival-horror YA, with real, lingering consequences for every choice.

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦

📚 Book: His Dark Materials (TV adaptation) — perilous journeys, complex moral choices, and young protagonists forced to grow up fast
📺 TV: His Dark Materials — morally challenging and tense, with survival at the heart

✦ MUSIC PAIRING ✦

🎵 Featured Song: Anti-Hero — Taylor Swift
🎶 Vibe Album: Dark, moody, atmospheric indie or cinematic scores
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Aurora — ethereal yet tense, with a thread of hope

✧ VIBE CHECK ✧

• Colour Palette: Muddy brown and bright heather

• Soundtrack: Despair with a tiny thread of hope

• Season: Early spring - all rain, no growth

• Mood: Heavy, tense, morally charged

• Scent: Crushed herbs and too many people in one space

★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★

Two of Swords — Dark Wood Tarot Mini
A young woman sits blindfolded at the edge of water, holding two swords, while shadowy figures loom behind her - perfectly capturing Sara’s predicament. Isolated and forced to make impossible choices, she balances survival, morality, and trust. The running water offers a sliver of protection, echoing the story’s folklore rules, while the looming shadows reflect the constant danger she faces. This Two of Swords embodies the tension of being cornered, uncertain which path leads to hope or heartbreak, yet knowing action is unavoidable.