Review: The Near Witch
Aug •
4 •
2011
Title: The Near Witch
Series: The Near Witch # 1
Genre: Young Adult- Fantasy/Supernatural
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Book: Netgalley
“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.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.”
What I liked most about this book is the mystery of it. Here you have a small town with lots of stories of The Near Witch. Children sing songs of it, people whisper about it. But what really happened? I like that the author wrote such a detailed and well presented story to the reader. The reader is presented with this great illusion, that you have no idea what is going to happen. With so many great plot twist and turns, the reader is gasping for their dear life!
The story line of this book kept me on my toes. I always like it when an author keeps me crawling after the bread crumbs she drops. As I continue to follow the bread crumbs, Ms. Schwab filled my appetite with lots of new characters, elements of magic, and lost children that are no where to be found. The reader is able to feel the mysterious of the near witch and the small town that hold the secrets.
The characters in this book were well developed. I love that the main character, Lexi, is strong and determined. Just like her father, she sets out to find out what is happening to the missing children. She uncover webs of lies, deceitful townsmen, and one heck of an angry witch. I like that she had help in the most unlikely place. She didn’t follow rules or take orders from anyone. She stood strong and fought, even is she was alone.
The Near Witch is an upstanding, worthy witch book. Told like no other, The Near Witch will ground you with fear and hold you tight. Want a good witch story? Then read this one. With Ms. Schwab’s masterful writing, this book will captivate you to follow the bread crumbs to a great story.
I give it 4 BITES!
Happy Reading!
I love a good witchy story! I really need to read this. Great review Savy 🙂
Great review, Savy! I’ve been hearing amazing things about this book, even though I’m not sure its one that would grab me.
@Nic, Read it! You’ll love it!
@Leanna, This book is amazing!! Try it, you never know!
I’m really excited to read this one, I love the sound of the town of Near, and I think Lexi seems like a very enjoyable protagonist. I’m with Nic, I love a good witch story too, and I have really read any lately so I’m ready for this book!
I LOVED this book so much! I’ve already re-read it but I need to get a finished copy!
Oh I agree! I really enjoyed Lexi too! This was just a fun ghosty witchy book!