Review Detail

Reader reviewed by TheBookworm

Spooky and Not All That Absorbing

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney
3 out of 5 stars

Revenge of the Witch Book One in The Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney was good in its own way.

Tom Wards time has finally come. Its his turn to find a trade. Except his father has run out of favors, but that is to be expected. It was a miracle that he even found jobs for his six eldest sons. What trade could a seventh son of a seventh son do? Toms Mam, of course, has the answer. The next day the Spook Old Gregory stops by and what do you know? Tom Ward is the new Spook apprentice. But Tom isnt excited.

A Spook daily deals with boggarts, ghosts, ghasts, and witches. While in the dark remind you. Must travel on foot. Also they eat very little while they are doing this traveling. A Spook is faced with do or die situations at every turn. AND not to mention the life of a Spook is a lonely one. Everyone is scared and frightened by what they do, even though it is to protect them from the Dark. But Tom Ward doesnt have time to think about loneliness, right now he is just trying to stay alive.

The layout and choice of words was almost flawless. The chapters were manageable sizes and also understandable. I was able to follow along with the storyline without getting confused.

It was well written. But it just didnt grab me. I wanted and did finish the book, but I didnt feel any connection with the characters. No special interest in them besides wondering if they would live or not. It was a book that I will remember for maybe a month, but it was nothing that I will remember or cherish for months to come.

The Last Apprentice was really just a darker version of Septimus Heap.

Date Reviewed: August 8th, 2008