'It was her own power, she reflected. A power she knew nothing about, it was true. A power which made everything unstable.'

A gripping teen fantasy about the defeat of the dark powers of deceit and corruption.

From the critically acclaimed author of Wildlord.

Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week, 21st of May 2023

Books for Keeps Book of the Year 2023

Featured in The Times Literary Supplement's Best Children's Books of 2023

A child's desperate voice is calling to Meg Lewis from the garden of her new house. 

As her investigation leads to a knot of deceit, betrayal and cruelty, Meg discovers magical powers of her own.

Mysteries abound: why is a shape-shifting vixen following her? And what secrets lie hidden in the Golden Tower?

Meg finds herself embroiled in a centuries-old battle that threatens the very balance of the world itself. 

Praise for Ghostlord

'Evocative, eerie and engrossing. Bravo!' – Eve McDonnell, author of The Chestnut Roaster

'A beautifully-written white-knuckle ride.' – The Telegraph

'Like the great classic fantasy novels by Alan Garner and Susan Cooper. This hopeful story weaves together realism and the supernatural in a way that makes the ordinary arresting and touching.' – The Sunday Times

'Gripping and richly imagined, this is a wonderful book.'   – Literary Review

'Womack taps into the best fantasy traditions of Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and CS Lewis.'  – The Financial Times

'Ghostlord hits the sweet spot between imaginative abandon and control.' – The Times Literary Supplement

'A slow-building, darkly eerie tale.' – Kirkus Reviews

'Ghostlord is a compelling fantasy novel in which a girl is pulled into a war between good and evil. This series title includes ample context to situate newcomers in its ongoing tale.' – Foreword Reviews

'An interesting, immersive fantasy.'  – Books for Keeps

'Never lets up from first page to last.'  – Books for Keeps, Books of the Year list 2023

'Ghostlord is a gripping, fast-action tale of mystery and supernatural twists ...  this is a book that won’t be forgotten quickly ... This is the ticket for anyone who longs for a strong storyline and fantasy in the real world.' – Paper Lanterns

'Impressively original, deftly scripted, and a throughly fun read from first page to last.' – Midwest Book Review

'A captivating young adult novel that seamlessly weaves a wonderful concept with an enchanting writing style. Womack's storytelling prowess is evident as he introduces readers to a mesmerizing world filled with fantasy elements that add depth and intrigue to the narrative.'   – NetGalley Librarian

Praise for Wildlord

'Ancient sorcery and wild magic clash in this thrilling tale which explores love, loss, and the power of friendship.' – Katherine Langrish, author of From Spare Oom to War Drobe

'A gripping, morally complex fantasy by one of my favourite YA writers. Philip Womack deserves to be much more widely read.' – Meg Rosoff, author of The Great Godden

'Made me feel I was reading a classic from the shelves of my childhood.' – Jonathan Stroud, author of The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne

'Womack’s stylish prose makes this fantasy novel very much worth reading.' – The Irish Times

'Wildlord crackles with an otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of the great Alan Garner.' –  The Financial Times

'A richly atmospheric and beautifully written addition to literature about the fiercer kind of fairy.' –   New Statesman

'Womack infuses the novel with a creeping sense of disconnection from the contemporary world, emphasizing this ethereal tale’s claustrophobic atmosphere.' – Publishers Weekly

'A magical tale of malevolence, which spirits readers away on a journey through history and mystery.' The Echo

'Fans of Sarah Maria Griffin’s Other Words for Smoke will enjoy this darkly glittering and malevolently magical tale of found family, betrayal and power.' – Paper Lanterns

'If you’re looking for a gripping adventure with a supernatural edge, this is just the ticket.' – CityKids

'A beautifully written, highly imaginative fantasy adventure.' – The Meath Chronicle

'A wonderfully heady and atmospheric adventure … Womack is a fine writer.' –   LoveReading4Kids

'Wildlord weaves magic and folklore into a thought-provoking teen adventure.' – CultureFly

'Philip Womack is skilful at creating suspense.' –  Armadillo Magazine

Philip Womack is a British author and journalist. His writing has appeared in The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Literary Review and The TLS. His books for children and teens include fantasy trilogy The Darkening Path, The Arrow of Apollo, and Wildlord. The nonfiction How to Teach Classics to Your Dog was published in 2020.