She is feared in some tales as a child-devouring crone and revered in others as a wise old woman who aids heroes. She lives deep in the forest in a hut that walks on chicken legs and she is closely tied to woodland spirits and creatures.

In Butterflies and Bones, Baba Yaga has grown ancient and is drifting toward Everwhen, the witches’ afterworld. Her successor must carry Djani blood—the blood of the goddess herself. Katia Willoughby, with only one-sixteenth Djani heritage, is the only candidate to be found. The trouble is, Katia can’t even keep a houseplant alive.

Nonetheless, it is Katia who must step into Baba Yaga’s role as guardian of the Codicils, a sacred woodland in Maine, and protector of all who dwell there.