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A review by syllareads
The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This relatively short book contains two stories by V.E. Schwab, both of which I found beautiful and heartwrenching at once.
The Near Witch
Main story in this short collection, The Near Witch is about 300 pages long - 300 pages of wild beauty, loss, hatred and, in the end, a young girl who listens to her heart and her father's stories and the moor around her instead of frightened voices from her own village.
I found the story both fantastical, with witches made from wind and earth, witches singing children out of bed, and realistic in the way that I recognized the way Lexi is held back by her own family even though she is just as capable, if not more so, than the men around her. I recognized things from the real world, from my own world, in the way the people of Near lashed out against an innocent rather than believe a single young girl, the quiet but resolute way in which the women of Near resist the fear in the end, helping Lexi in every way they can, quietly, secretly, but helpful nonetheless.
V.E. Schwab's writing captures all of this, and the supernatural elements of the plot, as well as I expected it to, and I'm thoroughly grateful to have read this beautiful piece.
The Ash-Born Boy
This far shorter piece is heart-wrenching within just a few pages and tells Cole's story with few words but even more emotions. I wasn't expecting for it to make me cry! But it did, and tore my heart out in the process. Schwab's words capture the boy and his tragic fate, his guilt and his pain so well I couldn't turn my eyes away from it even for a second.
In short: I loved it. I loved it and loved it, and would read it again in a heartbeat.
The Near Witch
Main story in this short collection, The Near Witch is about 300 pages long - 300 pages of wild beauty, loss, hatred and, in the end, a young girl who listens to her heart and her father's stories and the moor around her instead of frightened voices from her own village.
I found the story both fantastical, with witches made from wind and earth, witches singing children out of bed, and realistic in the way that I recognized the way Lexi is held back by her own family even though she is just as capable, if not more so, than the men around her. I recognized things from the real world, from my own world, in the way the people of Near lashed out against an innocent rather than believe a single young girl, the quiet but resolute way in which the women of Near resist the fear in the end, helping Lexi in every way they can, quietly, secretly, but helpful nonetheless.
V.E. Schwab's writing captures all of this, and the supernatural elements of the plot, as well as I expected it to, and I'm thoroughly grateful to have read this beautiful piece.
The Ash-Born Boy
This far shorter piece is heart-wrenching within just a few pages and tells Cole's story with few words but even more emotions. I wasn't expecting for it to make me cry! But it did, and tore my heart out in the process. Schwab's words capture the boy and his tragic fate, his guilt and his pain so well I couldn't turn my eyes away from it even for a second.
In short: I loved it. I loved it and loved it, and would read it again in a heartbeat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Confinement