Scan barcode
beckyyreadss's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I had the chance to meet the author, Joseph Delaney, when I was in high school and I said I would read the book, I brought the first one and it has been sat on my TBR for about 2 years. So I thought I would give it a chance, and I loved it. I decided to carry on with the series as I was intrigued by the first book.
The main character is a young boy named Thomas Ward. He is the seventh son of a seventh son. He is the next apprentice for the Spook. The Spook is someone who has been keeping the County safe from evil. His time is coming to an end, and someone needs to take his place. Many have tried, some floundered, some fled, and some are dead. There is just one boy left and that is Thomas. As the nights draw in the Spook decides to travel to his winter house. Tom hates the cold, lonely house. There are feral witches in the cellar, menacing creatures stirring on the nearby moors and a sinister stranger threatening Tom’s master. What does the mysterious stranger want? Is the Spook’s past catching up with him? This is a young adult fantasy paranormal novel. The reading age is from 9 or older.
My favourite bits of this book is my favourites in the last book which is Thomas’s inner monologue where he is trying to figure things out. I absolutely LOVED Mam, I think she is great, and everyone can relate to someone like Mam whether she’s like your mother or another family figure. The storyline was interesting, and I read the book quite quickly. Even though the reading age is designed for 9 or older, I didn’t feel like it was a children’s book. This book was also still mysterious and getting more and more spooky as Tom grows
I wouldn’t say this book has any weaknesses but the reason I’m not giving it a five-star rating is because I wasn’t hooked right away. This book is mainly like character building and learning the jargon for this world again. But I am intrigued to see what happens in the next book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
More...