Hyperion, August 2011
288 pages
Book Source: This copy was an e-book ARC from NetGalley.com. The release date is set for August 3, 2011.
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
-- Summary from GoodReads.com
Judging by the cover...: The ethereal cover calls to mind a fairy tale, and that's exactly what we have here, folks, but I'm not quite sure it fits the story. Lexi is a tomboy, not the heroine typical of young adult literature these days, though the cover wants you to think that. But if we're describing Lexi's best friend, then we might have a match.
Favorite Elements:
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
-- Summary from GoodReads.com
Judging by the cover...: The ethereal cover calls to mind a fairy tale, and that's exactly what we have here, folks, but I'm not quite sure it fits the story. Lexi is a tomboy, not the heroine typical of young adult literature these days, though the cover wants you to think that. But if we're describing Lexi's best friend, then we might have a match.
Favorite Elements:
- Creep Factor - It seems like every area has at least one story that plays off of the characteristics of the land and convinces people to think twice about wandering alone. When I reached the end of this story, there was a terrific thunderstorm outside with tremendous winds, and even though the Near Witch is a story for the moors, I was convinced she was outside.
- Fearless Female - Lexi has my vote for awesome chick. She is strong-willed and won't take no from the piggish males in her village. Her father taught her his trade, despite disapproval from his brother, and she isn't going to let anyone tell her that she can't practice it.
- Witches - Magda and Dreska have been a part of the village since before the village elders were born. To put it lightly, they're old. And even though they've seen some tough times and become outcasts, they're always willing to help.
Overall: B/C+
Schwab's writing and her ability to weave a spooky story is amazing. All through the book I could not stop feeling like there was something lurking outside my window, waiting to steal me from my bed with its beautiful song. The haunted atmosphere of the moors mixed with the fairy tale feel of the village brings the story to life, willing it into existence. If I was lured to a witch's lair, I'd want Lexi as my sister, giving her all to find me, and willing to risk everything to do it. Her dangerous attachment to the new arrival in town heats things up; Cole is the epitome of the mysterious loner boy stereotype.
I really did want to grade this book higher, considering all of the things I know about it after reading it, but personally I just can't get over a few issues. I'm all for keeping things mysterious, but there are a few ends that should have been wrapped up and weren't, questions that the author is content to leave unanswered. Now that I know this is the first book in a series, I'm willing to let a few of those bits unresolved, and I thank Victoria Schwab for personally offering her rationale behind the ending to me. For those of you who are comfortable with not knowing, I doubt you'll even notice that something is amiss, as there are no serious plot holes.
Recommendation: Your typical witch story this is not, and I suggest that if you like your books to have a certain amount of supernatural atmosphere plus mysterious (and mysteriously romantic) boys, then you must pick this up. You won't regret it.
I really did want to grade this book higher, considering all of the things I know about it after reading it, but personally I just can't get over a few issues. I'm all for keeping things mysterious, but there are a few ends that should have been wrapped up and weren't, questions that the author is content to leave unanswered. Now that I know this is the first book in a series, I'm willing to let a few of those bits unresolved, and I thank Victoria Schwab for personally offering her rationale behind the ending to me. For those of you who are comfortable with not knowing, I doubt you'll even notice that something is amiss, as there are no serious plot holes.
Recommendation: Your typical witch story this is not, and I suggest that if you like your books to have a certain amount of supernatural atmosphere plus mysterious (and mysteriously romantic) boys, then you must pick this up. You won't regret it.
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