thefletchhh's review against another edition
4.0
Although another really good book of the series it didn't have the same OMG WHAT factor as the previous two. Saying that, it seems to be further building on the plot laid out in the last 2 books.
irodori_megu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to read this series 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 rest of the books, and I am determined to finish this series. This book was great, but it also felt like a filler book getting ready for the big showdown.
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. The Spook has always been a tower of strength, fighting the dark to protect the County and beyond. But things are changing. His life work that’s his library of books and knowledge has been burned to ashes. To make matters worse, Bony Lizzie has escaped her bonds and for the first time, Tom sees his master fail not once, but twice.
This book had a strong storyline. You can see the shift between Tom getting stronger and The Spook starting to struggle with the day-to-day work. With the reappearance of Bony Lizzie, you can tell that The Spook was just getting sick of the monsters. I liked that Tom is knowing he shouldn’t be going over to the darkness, but he knew that it was the only way to save The Spook and Alice. This book was mainly character development and as previously stated a bit of a filler book. A new monster, the same villain, the same events – blood jar, Alice touching darkness, The Spook’s in danger.
It was weird that this book didn’t have any friendlies such as Tom’s family. I missed the connection to his own life.
Hopefully this filler book is worth it, for the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Animal death
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, War, and Kidnapping
Minor: Body horror, Torture, and Child death
dommecalle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zenithharpink's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is my favorite installment so far, though I must say the title didn't quite seem to fit-which irritated me far more than it should have. I really loved the adventures in this book-the story followed a general plot which I really enjoyed, and Tom started to take charge. In general, our hero seemed to have a bit more of a plan than usual installments.
I recommend this book to those who have read the previous books in the series, as well as to any looking for a YA "horror"/fantasy read-but it's worth your time to start at book 1!
I recommend this book to those who have read the previous books in the series, as well as to any looking for a YA "horror"/fantasy read-but it's worth your time to start at book 1!
nik_hybrid's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t help but give it three stars only (maybe 2.75).
I liked the story in general, the fact that the book is set in a new location, discovering Horn and the buggane.
But one thing is particular is really starting to annoy me.
Tom has been the Spook’s apprentice for nearly 3 years now, yet in each book he either gets tricked or captured (or both) and ends up getting saved by either Alice or the Spook (or both).
Furthermore, in nearly every battle, he’s either made to stand aside and watch, or is about to lose before Alice and/or the Spook intervene.
I’d really like to see Tom being badass and fight/defend himself for more than 3 seconds without being knocked out, hoping to see that before the end of the saga.
I liked the story in general, the fact that the book is set in a new location, discovering Horn and the buggane.
But one thing is particular is really starting to annoy me.
Tom has been the Spook’s apprentice for nearly 3 years now, yet in each book he either gets tricked or captured (or both) and ends up getting saved by either Alice or the Spook (or both).
Furthermore, in nearly every battle, he’s either made to stand aside and watch, or is about to lose before Alice and/or the Spook intervene.
I’d really like to see Tom being badass and fight/defend himself for more than 3 seconds without being knocked out, hoping to see that before the end of the saga.
reading_snek_boi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5