In 1918, wounded WWI American soldier Alex White has a frightening encounter in the forest near the pastoral English village of Gatford. His encounter leads him into the arms of Magda Variel, an alluring red-haired widow rumored to be a witch. She warns him to steer clear of the wood and the perilous faerie kingdom it borders, but Alex cannot help himself. Drawn to its verdant mysteries, he finds love, danger, and wonders that will forever change his view of the world.