The Devil's Apprentice

by Jan Siegel

The Devil is retiring… but who’s taking over? In the house with no front door, a group of teenagers are trapped in assorted dimensions of myth and history, undergoing the trials that will shape them to step into his cloven footwear – or destroy them...The Devil is retiring… but who’s taking over?



When teenage Pen inherits the job of caretaker for a London building with no doors and only a secret entrance from the caretaker’s lodge – which she must never use – little does she know it will lead her into unbelievable danger.


For Azmordis, also known as Satan, a spirit as old as Time and as powerful as the Dark, Immortality is running out. In the house with no front door, a group of teenagers are trapped in assorted dimensions of myth and history, undergoing the trials that will shape them to step into his cloven footwear – or destroy them.


Assisted by only by an aspiring teenage chef called Gavin and Jinx, a young witch with more face-piercing than fae-power, Pen must try to stop the Devil’s deadly game plan – before it’s too late.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2013

About the author

Jan Siegel is a pseudonym of Amanda Hemingway. She is a British author of fantasy novels, best known for her Fern Capel and Sangreal trilogies.

Reviews

[Jab843 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start....

The title? The Devil's Apprentice more like Precocious Pre-Adult Lawyer: The Adventures of House-Sitting. Like really? The title is far from the mark.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I found it quite refreshing. The writing style is quite developed and somewhat complex. However, this author wrote the story from different narratives throughout the book, and while this is essential for the story, I do not like this style. Therefore, it took a concerted effort at times to continue with the book as the narratives changed, but if you like this, then go for it!

I don't typically read books that include time-travel, but this book takes a new approach to time travel, in the way the characters interact with the past. Like I said, this could be standard for the genera, but I enjoyed it.

Onto character development! The author does not provide us with a lot of insight. While there are monologues that are from the character's perspective, they seemed fairly basic and their thoughts predictable.

Now the title is a little misleading, yes, it is sort of about the devil's search for an apprentice, but that doesn't factor in until the latter 1/3rd of the novel. Also, it doesn't mention it here, but is this part of a series? It doesn't need to be, but if not, there was a whole lot of plot development for something that played a minor role. I hope for a sequel and would read it, but the ending didn't seem to indicate that.

Also, if you are into action, action, action (as I am), this book will be a little slow, given its length, this is understandable, yet I desired either more action and/or character development.

Now I am going to split it up into what I liked and didn't like (pro/con)
Pro:
-Introduces the idea of Time-Travel
-Includes magic and demon characters
-has a dog
-Main Character is intelligent and not all emotional (a little too precocious..)
-Includes fighting
-Well developed plot line


Con:
-slow plot
-subplots
-possible future (if sequel is in the works) love triangle
-has a cat
-not a whole lot of development, feels like it could have been shorter


Overall, I recommend this book to those that enjoy subplots and good writing.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What to say ... this one is difficult for me to review. On one hand, the story line was one that I hadn't heard of before (that doesn't happen very often!), the characters were pretty well written and the world that the author created were interesting. On the other hand ... it was just ... too much. This is considered a children's fiction book and it is very, VERY involved. There were tons of characters to keep track of and while I remembered all of them, sometimes it took me a moment to get back into the story.

That was another issue for me, the flow of the story seemed to start and stop every few pages because you were flip flopping between centuries and characters. Now, it's very likely that I had issues with that because I'm a stay at home mom and with two boys running around, I have to squeeze in reading time between taking care of those two monsters. But it really felt like I was in the car with a 15 year old who just got their permit and are learning how to use the break pedal ...

As a side note ... I really expected a tie in to the title by the time I was halfway through the book. But it really kept me guessing how it was going to happen and when. By about halfway through the book, I thought that maybe it should have been re-titled to The Doors or something. Anything having to do with the doors actually because that is what the story centered around for so long.

All of that being said, I did really like the conversations that the characters had ... I know that sounds weird but hear me out ... they went back and forth like a ping pong match and it was amusing to read. You can definitely envision actual conversations with this one, nothing seemed awkward or forced in that aspect.

I also liked the concept of doors leading to a new land or time. That was pretty interesting and I found myself wondering what they would encounter next. Each time I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued.

This isn't a BAD book but it's just not one of my favorites. I would probably try and read it again sometime. I mean, it really touched on all of the magical/fantasy/mythical creatures/beings and the like. I don't know if one more could have been

Oh, and Felinacious is an awesome name for a cat. Sounds pretentious, regal and lazy all at the same time.

http://littlemissbookmark.blogspot.com/

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this book is the very definition of a page-turner, the kind of book that will keep you hooked until the very last page and leaves you desperately wanting more. Writing detailed, realistic and gripping books is difficult in any genre. But when it’s seventeenth century London you need the reader to embrace – and when you need to write decent time travel transition scenes to boot – the fact that this book is so gripping, so detailed and just so brilliant is even more impressive.

Sometimes when a story flits between two settings and two sets of characters, there is usually one that comes out on top as being just that bit more interesting. I think one of the things that makes this such a good read is that (possibly for the first time ever) I genuinely couldn’t pick between the two. Yes, I wanted to know what Ghost was going to do next but no way was I skipping ahead when the next bit resolves Pen’s last cliff-hanger!

The characters are well-developed individuals who get you firmly in their corner (or, in some cases, firmly in their opponent’s), and while you can figure out what links the past and the present before the solution appears to the characters there’s enough action in the ‘present’ and hints at future twists and turns to keep even the most demanding of readers entertained. The only reason I haven’t given The Devil’s Apprentice 5/5 is because the stories to come promise to be even better, and I have no doubt they will exceed even my (now very high!) expectations.

[Natalie Monroe · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley

I had such high expectations for this book. From the summary, I thought it'd be like a bunch of kids competing to be the Devil's apprentice. I mean, even the cover hints at it! So I expected a mix between Harry Potter, and The Gallagher Girls with a The Apprentice(the reality series) twist. Maybe with a dash of darkness from How to Lead a Life of Crime because it is about the Devil.

But I started reading it, it became hopelessly clear that the author had a wonderful idea but had no idea what to do with it. A lot of things are really inconsistent. Take the genre for example. One minute it's reading like Lemony Snicket with fart jokes and the next, it's all serious. It's like the book can't decide which damn genre it wants to be in. A lot of authors, like Rick Riordan, do a wonderful job of straddling the line between Children's Fiction and YA—the plot and writing is relatively simple but I never feel talked down to. This book, however, jumps from kiddy writing to adult writing constantly which is really irritating because I don't judge the two the same way. Take the living corpse of the caretaker (I forgot his name) for example. Everyone in this book takes this way too lightly. There's a moment when half of his finger falls and then he just sticks it back on! In a children's book, I would brush it off as whimsical humor. But in YA, I would be challenging everyone's reactions because it's completely unrealistic. Why the hell aren't they freaking out? If I saw that happen, I would be freaking out like this:


The plot isn't what I expected either. So I couldn't get a smack down between a bunch of evil kids competing to be the Devil, but where is the part that they bitch-slap the Devil? Where is the part where they foil his plans?

Instead the books focuses on Pen and her sidekicks sneaking into the house which they expressly told not to go into, may I add. Pen pisses me by the way. She comes off as this rule-abiding, grown up kid but she does all kinds of stupid stuff like sneaking into the super dangerous house she was told not to go into, even after some dangerous stuff happens.

She wants to be a lawyer so I'm going to give her this gif:


Also, this sentence:

"—!" Pen said

I'm not even going to comment on it.

The one thing I did like about this book was Ghost. His story intrigued me to the point that I actually skimmed through the Pen parts to get to the new segment of Ghost's story. I'm interested in seeing how the story goes with him since he's back in the modern world now

Plus, Stephen King reference with the Dark Tower.


All in all, although The Devil's Apprentice isn't what I expected, it's worth giving a try. Honestly, I've read worse.

[Emma Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but The Devil’s Apprentice is unlike anything I’ve ever read, in the best way possible!

Pen, a precocious thirteen-year-old lawyer inherits the job of looking after a rather peculiar house, which seems connected to multiple dimensions and times simultaneously. As a firm believer in science who refuses to believe in magic, she attempts to rationalise such things as a pair of talking false teeth and a raptor in the cupboard. But she has to team up with Gavin, a wannabe-chef who’s also looking for her missing uncle, and Jinx, a witch, in order to uncover the house’s secrets.

This is an imaginative and highly entertaining adventure overlapping different times and dimensions. The overlapping narratives were a bit confusing at first, but I was completely hooked. The plot is great, and brings a totally new take on time travel! Really original and packed with great characters, I’ll be recommending this for sure.

[Julie Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, I enjoyed this MG fantasy book very much! The characters were all very well written, and even when I disliked how a character acted, I was still intrigued to see how they would end up fitting into the big picture. The kids were relatable, and I liked how they worked together to figure out the mystery of what exactly was going on in the house next door. I think middle grade kids, as well as high school age kids, would enjoy this book very much.

5/5 stars.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is an example of another book I was not in the mood to read when I originally got it. This wonderful novel is so full of ideas and possibilities the mind reels to think of it. Filled with wonderfully drawn characters and fantastical situations and only the first part of a proposed trilogy. I can’t recommend this novel to every reader enough.

[Loveena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book because of the title at first. As I read it, it took me into its own world. I loved it. To me, it was the kind of book which, when I turned the last page, I missed it.

The book does contain description of violence. It's not a book for the faint of heart.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating world

The authors work never disappoints but this one ended much too quickly for me. Much more story to tell here. Wishing for more. That being said, very well crafted and imaginative. Good characters. Well paced. A good read.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog at: Thoughts and Pens

Now, this was a very curious read not to add that it was surprisingly fun for a book that is sinisterly titled. And to think that I didn’t have high expectations for it the first time I saw the cover. What made me chose The Devil’s Apprentice is that the title exudes an aura of darkness and the summary really disturbed me. Imagine, the Devil himself had gone tired of wreaking havoc to the humanity and was planning on retiring! And what’s more, he’s currently searching for a human apprentice to become his successor! Who would be able to resist that kind of story? Certainly not this gal.

The Devil’s Apprentice brings us to the lives of four children who were absorbed in their individual struggles to establish their own identities. There was Pen, a 13-year old rule loving girl who is aspiring to be a crime lawyer. There was Gavin, 15-year old boy who is aspiring to be the best chef in the world. Then there’s Hazel a.k.a Jinx, a sixteen year old witch whose physical appearance is scarier than her magical prowess. And lastly, there’s Ghost/Random, a 14-year old orphan who got lost inside the Door and lived a life as a thief in the 17th Century. Four different lives but united due to two circumstances… prevent the Devil from appointing his apprentice and find Bartlemy Goodman.

The very first thing that I liked about this book was the beginning as it charted the life of Ghost in the 17th century where he became a member of the Lost Boys, a gang of thieves which members are comprised of young-adult boys. For some reason, that really brought me into the world of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens minus Nancy and Mr. Brownlow of course but the air of thrill and drama that weaves through a life living on the streets was definitely present.

After that wonderful journey through the slum streets of London, The Devil’s apprentice carries us to the 21st century where things got crazier as I find myself reading about an alive corpse, Mr. Andrew Pyewackett, having a heated discussion with a lawyer about his will. This scene really did it and I can’t stop flipping the pages. It was funny and at the same time gross. It was fresh and certainly deviated from the usual zombie stereotype that I can’t help falling in love with his character no matter how gross or how short his appearance in the book.

Then entered Pen Tudor who was appointed as the executor of Mr. Pyewackett’s will and temporary guardian of his rather strange house. A series of mind-blowing events began to spread like fire on a house as the young lady was plunged into the deepest and darkest secrets of Mr. Pyewackett’s house. Initially, Pen was an annoying know-it-all, boring little girl but as the story progresses, I’ve found that she was likeable afterall. She was naturally funny with her annoying profound knowledge of laws, her views that magic/fantasy does not exist and that reality is always better than imagination. As she unraveled some of the mystery of the Mr. Pyewackett’s house, Gavin and Jinx was slowly introduced into the picture. And the trio made this book more than fun. Gavin and Jinx were well played characters that every moment with them is a mixture of thrill and entertainment.

The Devil’s Apprentice plot was delivered in a way that was compelling and full of imagination. There are times that the portrayed scenes were so humorous, the next scene gory, the next enigmatic, the next sinister and then the next, action packed. With this variety of scenes, it was difficult to find yourself bored especially that you’re hanging on for dear life for the revelation of who will take the position as the Devil’s apprentice.

Though this book was told from switching point of views which would have been dangerous as it tends to confuse the readers, I find myself being comfortable with it as I am really fond of looking into the lives of our heroes and heroines (there are some exceptions though). It gave me significant glimpses to their lives that made me feel connected instead of being annoyed like what I’ve felt for some other books that use this technique.

On top of all that, The Devil’s apprentice ending was simply terrific as it nicely wrapped up the whole story in a realistic fashion. I only feel sorry that it ended without those bloody battles with the minions of the dark or with the Devil himself or introducing us properly to Mr. Bartlemy Goodman.

In an overall assessment, The Devil’s Apprentice is a novel story of science and magic that will render you contemplating for ages whether the Devil has managed to find someone to take his place.

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for the free copy.

[Adrianna Hebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book, I give a lower rating due to the fact that it’s good- if it set up for a series. As a stand-alone it leaves so much to be desired and the climax- or rather lack of- just leaves you feeling meh. It ended in a very unsatisfactory way leaving one thinking is that really all? Overall, while I liked the premise and found the first 3/4 of the book very interesting I would not recommend this book to anyone.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He who once said: ‘Evil be thou my Good’ realizes at last the endless banality to which he has doomed himself. He who once said: ‘Après moi, le déluge’ vows only that when sleep takes him forever, another will sit in the empty seat, and look out over the numberless city lights, and remake Evil in his own image. Or hers.”


Brilliant, imaginative, and story like, the devil’s apprentice will definitely pull you in, waking up the now dormant childlike wonders within ourselves. Filled with mythology, fantasy, wise characters, and a new take on historical fiction, one really shouldn’t pass up a chance to read this book. Seriously. I loved it. It was like a mix of a children’s storybook, only with a little bit darker tone. But really, above all else, what stood up in this book, other than the original, and well crafted plotline, are the characters. They’re different, smarter, and I guess I could admit that they’re a lot more fun to read about than the other YA novel groups that I’ve read about.


Seriously, let me tell you all about them. There’s Ghost. “Some people attract good luck, or bad. But Ghost attracted death. It accompanied him like a touch of darkness that followed where no shadows could be seen, seeping into hisaura, slowly becoming a part of him. Every time he drew his knife, death entered a little deeper into his spirit.”


He’s actually a modern runaway teenager who got stuck in the seventeenth century—right in time with the plague—when he snuck onto the bygone house, and is now taking care of what he calls the lost boys, a set of boys stealing to live, and a mercurial throat slitter when needed. He’s also one of the candidates for the devil’s apprentice. (His name is a pseudonym too, if you haven’t noticed. His real name was really, really random though. Like, really random. The irony, ha. Ha.)


I loved ghost. If anything else, he has the plot and point of view that I looked most forward to. He’s smart, dangerous, cruel, yet caring—just the type of hero/ines that I love to read about in a book. Then there’s Pen. She’s smart and witty, more so than anyone her age, which is the thing that I loved the most about her. She’s not afraid to stand up for herself or her friends when needed. She is just the ideal child heroine. Who can not love her?


There’s also Gavin. Our very own aspiring teenager chef. But don’t tell him that he’ll end up like Jamie Oliver, okay. Seriously, don’t. Anyways, he’s funny, caring, and just just. Lastly, there’s Jinx, our little witch. She’s the least that I liked in all four of them, but I liked her, nonetheless. There are actually a lot more characters, and it even doesn’t matter if they’re enemy or not, you’ll eventually like them. That’s just how good this book is.


Anyways, this book is somehow now a favorite of mine, and I’d love it if there’d ever be a next book. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good dose of history, fantasy, and funny, brilliant characters. We may all have different taste, but I’d guarantee you’d like it, even if the constant change of point of view might annoy you. It didn’t bother me though. P.S: Thanks to netgalley & rebellion publishing for giving me a copy of this book. (4.5 Stars)

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: Apparently this is the first of a planned quartet!!! source: http://www.mybookishways.com/2013/09/...

Ignore the rather underwhelming cover and blurb, this is Jan Siegel at her best. Anyone who has ever heard me wax lyrical about Prospero's Children and The Way of the Witch trilogy will know that I'd read a telephone book if it was written by this author, who I'm quite convinced is the best thing that's happened to British Fantasy in the past twenty years.

A bit of background - The Devil's Apprentice is set in Jan Siegel's contemporary Britain, where reality and myth, magic and history are all just a bit more interchangeable than we'd like to think. This is urban fantasy in the tradition of Charles de Lint. It is mythic fantasy in the tradition of Alan Garner. It hints at Arthur Machen's own brand of subtle, ancient horror. Siegel's world often feels more real than our own.

Siegel has written two trilogies in this world, the first starting with Prospero's Children, is in my mind, still the best. The second, starting with The Greenstone Grail (and originally printed under her other pseudonym, Amanda Hemingway) was a little disappointing for me, but still rather good. This returns to the form of Prospero's Children, and the main character, Penelope Tudor, reminds me a good deal of Fern Capel. Once again we get the time travel element, which I love. However, it also ties into Greenstone with a couple of characters from that series.

I adore Siegel's writing style, descriptive without being cliche, witty and humorous, vivid and surreal. As a lifetime reader of fantasy, there are very few authors who can make a dragon or wizard seem fresh and real to me, Jan Siegel breathes life into the old tropes and makes you feel awe, the true goal of the best fantasy.

If I had a wishing stone, I'd wish for this to be the first in another trilogy.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, Menacing, Action-Packed, Inventive

I was familiar with Jan Siegel, (writing at the time as Amanda Hemingway), as the author of the Sangreal Trilogy, which is simultaneously an English village murder mystery, a grail quest and a transdimensional world building adventure. It is also elegantly written, devilishly well plotted, and filled with a blend of traditional, modern, and imaginary elements. As a bonus, and this may be what prompted me to make the connection, a major figure throughout the series is a mysterious gentleman named Bartlemy Goodman. Guess who the mystery gentleman in "The Devil's Apprentice" is.

Be that as it may, in "The Devil's Apprentice" we have that same signature combination of ingredients, perhaps tilted a bit more toward the humorous and to the creepy devilish side and away from the Arthurian/quest type of adventure. We also have a more YA friendly cast of characters, with all of the heroes and heroines being relatable and engaging young adults.

NO SPOILERS HERE, but rest assured the plot is twisty, the action is non-stop, and the resolution is wholly satisfying.

It is worth emphasizing that there are some very funny bits in this book. They range from full blown set pieces, (for example, the dead Mr. Pyewacket taking an office meeting with his living but appalled solicitor), to shorter scenes to odd throwaway lines, observations, and asides. These bits do not detract at all from the creepy and scary bits, and it is rather remarkable how everything seems sharper, crisper and more gripping as we switch back and forth between moods.

The upshot is that you get a lot more in this book than just a devilish creepfest or a humorous shocker. This is a well constructed story that will grab you and reward you, and isn't that a nice find.

Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this book to read courtesy of Netgalley and am delighted to say I found it a real pleasure to read. Although it has some rather gory parts and the occasional mild swearing I feel it is an exciting and captivating read for young teens. Pen Tudor is certain she is going to be a lawyer when she leaves school but suddenly finds herself required to take on the role of executor of the will of Andrew Pyewackett(long ago deceased but not gone from this world) by moving into his house(7a) with his butler and his false teeth! Pen discovers 7a contains the only doorway into the house next to it (No.7) which in turn has doorways leading into the past, both real and imaginary but going through those doors can lead to you being assimilated into that world and forgetting where you came from. Pen needs to find Bartlemy Goodman as the rightful heir to the house but he has disappeared and is being sought after by Gavin, an aspiring chef, and Jinx, a young witch and they begin to realise the situation they are in is a lot more dangerous than they thought because the Devil is also looking for an apprentice to succeed him as Dark Lord and the potential candidates for the job are behind the doors in No.7. Well worth reading to discover who succeeds in their quest!

[Gavin Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the blurb on the cover the devil’s apprentice looked like it could be quite a stand out, I’ve not picked up anything so far that looked at the particular concept from this sort of angle before, so it instantly had my attention, and it held my attention right through from start to end, it is quite a complex read, lots of characters in lots of different stages of the tale being told and a LOT of jumping inbetween, sometimes as short a time as three pages dealing with one scenario, time and setting before going over to another.
The characters are all very well done, all undoubtedly with their own personality shining through but the real show stealer was the interaction from character to character, they are all very well written and for the best part amusing to read. Although it can be a little hard to follow from time to time I can’t recommend the devil’s apprentice enough.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naming and back cover are not of the same book, it would seem.

If this is ignored, at times the writing is inspired. Style teeters on the edge of YA/adult with some themes, and I found some lines were crossed that might not go down well with any parent checking to see what their kid is reading. The kids would love it, tho. A tad complex language put into the mouths of young protagonists that breaks the illusion for me on occation and the three main characters weren't too relatable to me.They seemed quite one-dimensional, but there were concepts present I felt could have been explored more. All in all, a rather enjoyable light read.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 star rating.
It was a good book, but it can feel tedious to read. You get annoyed with seemingly flippant POV, then when you're just getting into one of the POV's it changes and you want to throttle a paperback.

But the story is well written, it is a great concept. I will definitely pick up a sequel if there will be one.
It just wasn't a book that really stuck out as a fantastic read. It was good.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jan Siegel's books and was overjoyed to realize that this book is the beginning of a YA level sequel to her Prospero's Children series from a few years ago. She is one of the most inventive and entertaining fantasy writers out there. I highly recommend this The Devil's Apprentice and hope for a follow-up story soon.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read fantasy, it's not my favourite genre, but I did enjoy this one. Humorous moments interspersed wiht the horror and characters that seemed real kept me reading and the idea of a house with doors that lead to other worlds was wonderful. Perhaps a challenging read in that you have to keep up with the character & scene changes but worth the concentration.

[Helen Swinyard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ran out of steam.Not finished!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little difficult to get into at first as it jumps around between time periods and characters with no clear reasoning at first. Once fairly into the story though, it becomes more obvious why certain sub-plots are included and why seemingly irrelevant characters are introduced.

The story itself felt quite fresh, subtly blending theology and science without it being too heavy going.

I imagine this would be considered 'young adult', especially since the main characters are in their teens, but doesn't come across as immature. Some adult themes such as sex acts and rape being referred to but in the context of history/what crimes people have committed.

There is also violence though not overly detailed (death, war, murder).

Spoiler: There is one section where a child is murdered and cut into pieces. Again, not a massive amount of detail but may upset someone reading.