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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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 first one and I really enjoyed - I was determined to finish this series. This book was a letdown.
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. Tom’s first duty is to protect the County from the dark. But now Mam has returned and needs his help in her homeland of Greece. One of the most dangerous of the old gods, the Ordeen, is about to return there, bringing slaughter and devastation. Meanwhile, the Devil himself is still loose and if he and Ordeen join forces, a new age of darkness will descend. Mam has summoned a powerful group of witches but among them are Tom’s old enemy, the Pendle witches, including the assassin Grimalkin, and the clan leader Mab Moldheel. Can Tom go against all the Spook has taught him and ally himself to the witches? What is the secret that Mam is keeping from him?
The past couple of books, I’ve been complaining and saying I miss Mam. Well, this was not what I expecting when Mam came back and I wished she stayed away. She just didn’t care about anyone or anything. She was more of a villain in this book than Ordeen. Alice drove me nuts like the whole blood jar thing didn’t help a thing and just caused more drama and trouble. Tom really needs to learn to stand up for himself and to stop buckling around girls. I just wanted to smack him, thank God for the Spook who is just trying to protect him.
The Spook and the Grimalkin saved this book, The Spook actually having his head on his shoulder and being like we shouldn’t do this, but I’m going to protect you. Like he is more family than Tom’s actual family. The Grimalkin defending Tom as well shows that she cares more than Mam.
This book disappointed the hell out of me and hopefully the next book is better, but Alice around constantly, trouble is going to follow her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, and War
bugfriend's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, and Cannibalism
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Abandonment, and War