Reviews

The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

okjaaaaa's review against another edition

2.0

I’ll start by saying this: Victoria Schwab is one of my favourite authors. All of her work is placed on the highest shelves in my heart, they mean the world to me. Being able to sit with her first work is an immense honour, and a privilege on my part. Having the opportunity to see how Schwab has grown as an author since the Near Witch is not something I’ll ever take for granted.

The Near Witch is, in Schwab’s own words, a story about fear. What fear and strangeness can do to a society. This, like with any of her other works, she manages to convey splendidly. It reads like a fairytale; a wonderful, grim, and meaningful one.

It’s so cool to see the roots of Schwab’s other work in this book; to see the threads that bind the Near Witch to A Darker Shade of Magic or Vicious.

But, this one was over too quick for me. In usual fashion to a great fairytale. I, frankly, wish there was More.

(Might bump this one up, once it’s settled a bit more; 3.5)

higglebee's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

2 thoughts: 1, This is all the mildness of cozy fantasy, but like the opposite of cozy, think cold and bleak. 2, This reminds me of the village, but with no twist... I enjoyed it though! Very well written, romance was a little clumsy, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. Overall a spooky good time!

unbeeleafable's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It was just fine- I loved the premise and thought it had excellent opportunity but the story just fell flat. Lots of repetitive phrasing and the main character felt laughably similar to the ‘not like other girls’ trope that so much YA writing falls victim to. Most points given come from the baseline plot and the setting. 

cailalynn's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

spoon55's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Definitely felt like a first book; maybe it was because it was a YA? I didn’t care for the characters and it felt so. Slow! Progression was a snail.

The bonus story, will’s mom is a jerk; pretending to be supportive and loving but allowing the abuse from his foster dad? 

joanna1905's review against another edition

4.0

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect with this one - this isn't the type of book I would usually pick up but I love Victoria so I had to give her debut a chance.

And I loved it. It was quiet and beautiful and a perfect insight into how this incredible author first began her journey.

The writing is beautiful and the story is wonderful - I would love another book in this universe so we could learn more about the witches and magic.

sorcery_and_stories's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

janagaton's review

2.0

I thought switching from the audiobook to physically reading it would help my enjoyment for the story, but alas. It makes sense though because I kept getting Gallant vibes, which I wasn't a fan of, so I had a feeling I wouldn't like this one either. However, I still felt at home reading V.E. Schwab's writing, and there's something to be said about that level of impact from an author.

haltarratay's review

emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

darkblueem's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5