Revenge of the Witch (The Last
Apprentice)
By Joseph Delaney
Old Gregory has been a spook for years,
ridding the county villages of evil. He needs an apprentice, he's
already had twenty-nine. Thomas Ward will be his next apprentice, the
seventh son of the seventh son. This is the first in a long series
(13 books, plus additional short stories and novellas).
Honestly, I half expected this book to unimpress me. Boy was I wrong.
Gripping action, creepy lore, and wonderful, yet mysterious
characters. Sold.
Thomas Ward is an enjoyable character.
He is terrified when he needs to be and resourceful. His actions are
completely believable. The girl with pointy shoes, Alice, is an
enigma. I expect her to come back, no doubt. And Spook, Old Gregory,
the master knows more than he is telling. He is the right amount of
mysterious.
Let's talk about the creep factor. Wow.
This book has some serious elements of horror. I had to remind myself I was
reading a middle grade book because the way Delaney wrote the Mother
Malkin scenes and the last apprentice's appearance (no spoilers) had
me biting my fingernails. I was on the edge of my seat. Surely, I
would have nightmares.
Hands down, this is a great book. I
might even continue with the series... if the length didn't daunt me.
4/5 STARS
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