Green Witch is a fairy tale set in a world where a band of marauders known as The Horde have reduced civilization to ashes.  Green’s family was killed in the first Horde attack, and she has spent the time since in near seclusion in her home in the forest.  Her garden is her refuge, and while the world around slowly rebuilds itself she tends her garden and collects stories one by one from the people of the village.  She longs for only one thing- a boy she loves who has gone away to find his missing family.  Green begins to hear rumors of five witches, one of whom is supposed to be able to grant a heart’s desire.  She heads out to collect the witches’ stories and to see if they can help her find the boy she loves, a journey that takes her on an adventure that is a pleasure to read. 

Green Witch is a sequel to Green Angel, but you don’t have to have read the first one to enjoy the second.  It is a lyrically written story, poetic in tone, and full of beautiful turns of phrase.  Green is a striking character, as are her companions.  Alice Hoffman does a great job of bringing to life a world in ruins and the people struggling to rebuild their lives.