duffypratt's review against another edition
4.0
Each book is getting better than the last. I like how Delaney can tell a focused, self-contained story with each book, and at the same time advance his over-arching plot.
There are two main threads in this book, both dealing with the Spook's past. First, there is the central plot involving one of the Spook's failed apprentices, and his forays into the dark. This is the main driver of the book, but probably the less interesting of the two main threads. The second involves the thing in the basement. In this case, its three things -- or witches. One is your garden variety nasty witch. The other two are sister lamia witches from Greece, including Meg, the witch that the Spook loves.
Here are the odd things: lamia witches are not human. They can become more human through extensive interaction with humans. But left alone, the return to their feral form. This changes not just their attitude, but their shape as well. There are basically two ways to deal with witches: either you can destroy them by eating their hearts or burning them, or you can seal them into a pit forever. With human witches, this may seem just, because they have turned to evil and had a choice. But what about the lamia witches? They are just what they are. Delaney doesn't directly address this problem, but the situation itself raises the problem. It might be OK simply to say that they are monsters. But from their standpoint, humans are either just prey or enemies, and can be equally dangerous. Anyway, the Spook has contrived a third way of dealing with Meg -- by keeping her doped up. And in some ways, while this is easier on the spook, it may be more cruel than either of the first two methods.
These issues are not central to the books yet, but I find them fascinating, and I think that's largely because Tom still has not figured out that his mother is also a lamia witch. (I'm not putting this as a spoiler because its really just my educated guess from what I've already read, but my confidence level is very, very high on this point. Mam doesn't like the sun. She's from Greece too. She was found bound on a rock, and turned toward good because of the generosity of Tom's dad. She has strange powers that go beyond the Spook's working knowledge, such as her ability to quiet ghasts. Thus she is a witch, from Greece, and like Meg, most likely lamia.) This means that Tom is only half human. And it also means that perhaps his mother will also have to be "dealt with" some day. I'm really looking forward to how Delaney finally reveals this to Tom. It will also be interesting to see whether the Spook or Alice already know this.
There are two main threads in this book, both dealing with the Spook's past. First, there is the central plot involving one of the Spook's failed apprentices, and his forays into the dark. This is the main driver of the book, but probably the less interesting of the two main threads. The second involves the thing in the basement. In this case, its three things -- or witches. One is your garden variety nasty witch. The other two are sister lamia witches from Greece, including Meg, the witch that the Spook loves.
Here are the odd things: lamia witches are not human. They can become more human through extensive interaction with humans. But left alone, the return to their feral form. This changes not just their attitude, but their shape as well. There are basically two ways to deal with witches: either you can destroy them by eating their hearts or burning them, or you can seal them into a pit forever. With human witches, this may seem just, because they have turned to evil and had a choice. But what about the lamia witches? They are just what they are. Delaney doesn't directly address this problem, but the situation itself raises the problem. It might be OK simply to say that they are monsters. But from their standpoint, humans are either just prey or enemies, and can be equally dangerous. Anyway, the Spook has contrived a third way of dealing with Meg -- by keeping her doped up. And in some ways, while this is easier on the spook, it may be more cruel than either of the first two methods.
These issues are not central to the books yet, but I find them fascinating, and I think that's largely because Tom still has not figured out that his mother is also a lamia witch. (I'm not putting this as a spoiler because its really just my educated guess from what I've already read, but my confidence level is very, very high on this point. Mam doesn't like the sun. She's from Greece too. She was found bound on a rock, and turned toward good because of the generosity of Tom's dad. She has strange powers that go beyond the Spook's working knowledge, such as her ability to quiet ghasts. Thus she is a witch, from Greece, and like Meg, most likely lamia.) This means that Tom is only half human. And it also means that perhaps his mother will also have to be "dealt with" some day. I'm really looking forward to how Delaney finally reveals this to Tom. It will also be interesting to see whether the Spook or Alice already know this.
miss_neutrotika's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
3.0
At the spooks winter house, we find witches in the cellar and a dangerous witch that Spook is madly in love with, but by keeping her drugged, she serves as housekeeper. There is also the problem of one of Spooks former apprentices who is trying to raise an evil demon. Good story.
amberacks12's review against another edition
3.0
Dark, creepy, but still interesting. I don’t like how biased against women he is, I keep hoping that as the books pass, that will be explained, but I’m more and more worried that it’s just an annoying and sexist opinion of the author.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
4.0
This third book in the series really stayed true to the title name: The Spook's Secret.
There were so much history and secrets glazing over the County and not only just the Spook's background, but some major side characters too. I loved finding out more about the Spook's past, in particular, especially when it was directly linked to Morgan or Meg because it gave them much more substance as believable characters and drove on the plot; of which some very surprising twists were thrown into the story, to keep readers guessing!
Although I did love that this was all about secrets, I did kind of feel like more mysteries had been made just for this story, in order to unravel them later and I would have much preferred if the majority of some of those were hinted at (more) in previous books, for the story to flow more smoothly.
I enjoyed that we got to explore more in the world of witches and necromancy, for it gave a much darker tone, that the setting of the Spook's winter house, definitely emphasized.
I love how inquisitive and intelligent Tom is, especially when it comes to reading people, like the Spook. Other characters were fleshed out more as well, but I'm still undecided as to whether I'm keen on Alice or not.
These books are always so beautiful to look at (e.g feeling like a worn guide, having Tom's notes, the covers (which don't really reflect Tom's age well, but still looks cool), etc) and really helps me to imagine the world Tom is living in.
Another great novel to an awesome middle grade series.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
There were so much history and secrets glazing over the County and not only just the Spook's background, but some major side characters too. I loved finding out more about the Spook's past, in particular, especially when it was directly linked to Morgan or Meg because it gave them much more substance as believable characters and drove on the plot; of which some very surprising twists were thrown into the story, to keep readers guessing!
Although I did love that this was all about secrets, I did kind of feel like more mysteries had been made just for this story, in order to unravel them later and I would have much preferred if the majority of some of those were hinted at (more) in previous books, for the story to flow more smoothly.
I enjoyed that we got to explore more in the world of witches and necromancy, for it gave a much darker tone, that the setting of the Spook's winter house, definitely emphasized.
I love how inquisitive and intelligent Tom is, especially when it comes to reading people, like the Spook. Other characters were fleshed out more as well, but I'm still undecided as to whether I'm keen on Alice or not.
These books are always so beautiful to look at (e.g feeling like a worn guide, having Tom's notes, the covers (which don't really reflect Tom's age well, but still looks cool), etc) and really helps me to imagine the world Tom is living in.
Another great novel to an awesome middle grade series.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
tweedledelirium's review against another edition
4.0
Night of the Soul Stealer was really exciting to read, I could hardly put it down. The tone was a bit dark - appropriate considering what Tom has to face - and there were several surprises throughout that I didn't see coming. Tom is a very realistic protagonist, because he's not perfect - there are times when he's afraid and makes mistakes, but he still manages to pull through and be strong. It was great to learn more about Mr. Gregory's past, as well as his connection with the book's antagonist, Morgan. Overall, it was perhaps my favorite book in The Last Apprentice series.
syncup's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lynn_k's review against another edition
4.0
This book doesn't have much in the way of spooking, but it does have a ton of backstory about the Spook & Meg. Lots of character development. And we get to see a different part of the County. I really enjoyed learning more about the Spook and seeing the characters build trust with one another. While nothing major happened plot-wise (there was a big bad, but I feel that was just there to have some action/tension and seeing how it was talked about for ages and didn't actually become a threat until the last few chapters and then was just *poof* gone, I think that I'm right in thinking that) this book was needed to have the story progress in a way that makes sense and is natural. The characters couldn't have kept going on with how things were and have grown as they needed to.
jennyfael's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai beaucoup aimé le début, mais encore une fois j'ai trouvé que le dénouement de l'histoire était trop facile et rapide.
freddie_and_the_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5