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The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #6.5
The Spook's Stories: Witches
For years, the local Spook has been keeping the County safe from ghosts and boggarts, but more especially from witches.
And here are five dark and terifying witch stories from the Spook's own collection. There are child-eating witches, witch assassins, Celtic witches, dead witches, and witches so beautiful they can break a man's heart.
And here are five dark and terifying witch stories from the Spook's own collection. There are child-eating witches, witch assassins, Celtic witches, dead witches, and witches so beautiful they can break a man's heart.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2009
62 people are currently reading
3410 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Delaney
59 books3,985 followersJoseph Delaney was a full time writer living in Lancashire, in the heart of Boggart territory.
He was the author of Wardstone Chronicles, Starblade Chronicles, Arena 13, Aberrations and a new book came out in April 2020, Brother Wulf. This is a new spooks story featuring Tom and Alice, but introducing a new character, a young monk called Brother Wulf.
He first got the idea for the Spooks series when he moved to the village where he lives now and discovered there was a local boggart - ‘a man like me needs boggarts around’. He made a note in his notebook ‘a story about a man who hunts boggarts’ and years later when he had to come up with an idea at short notice developed this into ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, the first book in the series.
He continued to draw upon the folklore of Lancashire and has acquired much local knowledge over the years which he tweaks and modifies to create his fictional world. Another source of inspiration has been Lancashire's varied and atmospheric landscape. Many of the locations in the County are based on actual places in Lancashire.
In the early days of his writing career Joseph worked as a teacher at a Sixth Form College: his subjects were English, Film and Media Studies. He used to get up early and write every morning before work. That way he could write a book a year – which promptly got rejected! When the Americans bought the series he decided to give up teaching and write full time.
Prior to teaching he worked as an engineer in his twenties, completing an apprenticeship just like Tom Ward in the spook’s books.
Joseph described his method of writing as a process of discovery. He didn’t plot too far ahead and often didn’t know what is going to happen until he writes it down. In other words he made it up as he went along. He prefed writing dialogue to description, in which he said he is a minimalist and leaves much to the reader’s imagination.
Joseph had three children and nine grandchildren and was a wonderful public speaker available for conference, library and bookshop events.
The Spook's Apprentice, The Spook's Curse and The Spook's Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children's Book for the Year Award. The Spook's Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
www.josephdelaneyauthor.com
from publisher's website
He was the author of Wardstone Chronicles, Starblade Chronicles, Arena 13, Aberrations and a new book came out in April 2020, Brother Wulf. This is a new spooks story featuring Tom and Alice, but introducing a new character, a young monk called Brother Wulf.
He first got the idea for the Spooks series when he moved to the village where he lives now and discovered there was a local boggart - ‘a man like me needs boggarts around’. He made a note in his notebook ‘a story about a man who hunts boggarts’ and years later when he had to come up with an idea at short notice developed this into ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, the first book in the series.
He continued to draw upon the folklore of Lancashire and has acquired much local knowledge over the years which he tweaks and modifies to create his fictional world. Another source of inspiration has been Lancashire's varied and atmospheric landscape. Many of the locations in the County are based on actual places in Lancashire.
In the early days of his writing career Joseph worked as a teacher at a Sixth Form College: his subjects were English, Film and Media Studies. He used to get up early and write every morning before work. That way he could write a book a year – which promptly got rejected! When the Americans bought the series he decided to give up teaching and write full time.
Prior to teaching he worked as an engineer in his twenties, completing an apprenticeship just like Tom Ward in the spook’s books.
Joseph described his method of writing as a process of discovery. He didn’t plot too far ahead and often didn’t know what is going to happen until he writes it down. In other words he made it up as he went along. He prefed writing dialogue to description, in which he said he is a minimalist and leaves much to the reader’s imagination.
Joseph had three children and nine grandchildren and was a wonderful public speaker available for conference, library and bookshop events.
The Spook's Apprentice, The Spook's Curse and The Spook's Secret have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children's Book for the Year Award. The Spook's Apprentice is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.
www.josephdelaneyauthor.com
from publisher's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
December 7, 2025
A coven of witches is a collection of short stories published after the characters defeated the Ordeen - a greek creature of the dark who was incredibly difficult to defeat.
Meg Skelton - The first short story delves into John Gregory (the Spook)'s past. We all know that he loved the lamia Meg Skelton, but how does someone who swore off all manner of dark creatures end up falling in love?
Dirty Dora - We know a lot about dead witches and how they tend to roam the land eating what they can, whether it be slugs, maggots or small creatures. She seeks revenge, but can she do so before her memory completely fades?
Alice and the Brain Guzzler - This story allows us to pop into Alice's past - her parents are killed and Alice is stolen away to be raised by her "aunt" (Bony Lizzie). But Bony Lizzie has a devious familiar - a brain guzzler - who has set his sights on Alice.
The Banshee Witch - We follow a banshee witch - a special kind of witch whose voice can kill. She's out for revenge (aren't all witches...?).
Excerpt from Rise of the Huntress - this is the first two chapters from book 7 of the Last Apprentice series. Not really necessary to read but it gives a taste of what Grimalkin's book is like.
Overall Thoughts - This is a pretty decent collection of short stories. I like getting a glimpse of Alice's life the most but reading Meg's story helped fill in some of the gaps that I was wondering about for the Spook. Dirty Dora's was creepy and made me pity the dead witches. What a horrible life they can live and the Banshee Witch was a fun one to read as well.
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Meg Skelton - The first short story delves into John Gregory (the Spook)'s past. We all know that he loved the lamia Meg Skelton, but how does someone who swore off all manner of dark creatures end up falling in love?
Dirty Dora - We know a lot about dead witches and how they tend to roam the land eating what they can, whether it be slugs, maggots or small creatures. She seeks revenge, but can she do so before her memory completely fades?
Alice and the Brain Guzzler - This story allows us to pop into Alice's past - her parents are killed and Alice is stolen away to be raised by her "aunt" (Bony Lizzie). But Bony Lizzie has a devious familiar - a brain guzzler - who has set his sights on Alice.
The Banshee Witch - We follow a banshee witch - a special kind of witch whose voice can kill. She's out for revenge (aren't all witches...?).
Excerpt from Rise of the Huntress - this is the first two chapters from book 7 of the Last Apprentice series. Not really necessary to read but it gives a taste of what Grimalkin's book is like.
Overall Thoughts - This is a pretty decent collection of short stories. I like getting a glimpse of Alice's life the most but reading Meg's story helped fill in some of the gaps that I was wondering about for the Spook. Dirty Dora's was creepy and made me pity the dead witches. What a horrible life they can live and the Banshee Witch was a fun one to read as well.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
October 9, 2012
I really loved how Joseph Delaney told each short story using each time a different voice. And I want to learn more about Grimalkin!!!
I started reading this series because my youngest son asked me to read it with him and I'm absolutely fan. :)
I started reading this series because my youngest son asked me to read it with him and I'm absolutely fan. :)
August 14, 2021
I got this on sale and started reading it despite the fact that I hadn't read the other books in the series, oops. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the short story collections and had a good glimpse of what the world in the Last Apprentice series looks like and may or may not have spoiled myself in the process. Reading these short stories makes me wanna read the whole series. I love the world that the author built as well as the eeri atmosphere.
December 3, 2016
A series of short stories in the Last Apprentice line. Entertaining but not outstanding
Focus was on witches
Read if you enjoy this series
Focus was on witches
Read if you enjoy this series
March 15, 2010
performing sacrifices and causing deaths. They are greatly feared and rightly so, for Witches in the world of The Spook's are some of the most dangerous and complicated creatures you will ever find.
Meg Skelton.
John Gregory is a Spook and deals with all manner of creatures of the dark including ghosts, boggarts and witches. Meg Skelton is a damsel in distress rescued by the Spook, John. It was love at first sight. However when John discovers that Meg wears pointy shoes things became complicated. Can two sworn enemies really live together in peace?
Dirty Dora.
Dora Deane might have earned her nick name 'Dirty Dora' from the great globs of spittle she leaves all about her territory, but it may also be a reference to her current condition. For living under rotting leaves with bugs in your hair is not the cleanest of places to live. Dora however has little choice, for she is a dead witch. But just how exactly does one become a dead witch?
Grimalkin's Tale.
Grimalkin is a fearless and determined young witch who is also well skilled as a blacksmith and assassin; in fact she is the witch assassin of the Malkin clan. Only one has ever survived Grimalkin once she has decided to end their life. But as Grimalkin's only true enemy, why is she so determined to kill the one being all other witches worship?
Alice and the Brain Guzzler.
Alice Deane had been an orphan for only three days before Bony Lizzie showed up. Alice didn't want to become a witch; however Lizzie would have her way. Besides for Alice becoming a witch was inevitable, it was in the blood. Alice was now to learn the ways of a witch, but would she live long enough to survive the teachings?
The Banshee Witch.
Tomas Ward is a Spook's apprentice who spent time training under the Spook Bill Arkwright. Tom was taught many new skills, acquired many new bruises and also made powerful new enemies. It was also during this time that a call for help arrived from a manor being haunted by a banshee but there was little a Spook could do, or so they thought. Was there something more then just a benign spirit at play?
These five stories of Witches are a creative blend of mythology and imagination. Delightfully wicked and great to enjoy as a one off, these stories are the perfect way to become acquainted to the series if you haven't already done so. Witches also offers invaluable insights as these are the background stories that enrich the series, a must read for fans.
Meg Skelton.
John Gregory is a Spook and deals with all manner of creatures of the dark including ghosts, boggarts and witches. Meg Skelton is a damsel in distress rescued by the Spook, John. It was love at first sight. However when John discovers that Meg wears pointy shoes things became complicated. Can two sworn enemies really live together in peace?
Dirty Dora.
Dora Deane might have earned her nick name 'Dirty Dora' from the great globs of spittle she leaves all about her territory, but it may also be a reference to her current condition. For living under rotting leaves with bugs in your hair is not the cleanest of places to live. Dora however has little choice, for she is a dead witch. But just how exactly does one become a dead witch?
Grimalkin's Tale.
Grimalkin is a fearless and determined young witch who is also well skilled as a blacksmith and assassin; in fact she is the witch assassin of the Malkin clan. Only one has ever survived Grimalkin once she has decided to end their life. But as Grimalkin's only true enemy, why is she so determined to kill the one being all other witches worship?
Alice and the Brain Guzzler.
Alice Deane had been an orphan for only three days before Bony Lizzie showed up. Alice didn't want to become a witch; however Lizzie would have her way. Besides for Alice becoming a witch was inevitable, it was in the blood. Alice was now to learn the ways of a witch, but would she live long enough to survive the teachings?
The Banshee Witch.
Tomas Ward is a Spook's apprentice who spent time training under the Spook Bill Arkwright. Tom was taught many new skills, acquired many new bruises and also made powerful new enemies. It was also during this time that a call for help arrived from a manor being haunted by a banshee but there was little a Spook could do, or so they thought. Was there something more then just a benign spirit at play?
These five stories of Witches are a creative blend of mythology and imagination. Delightfully wicked and great to enjoy as a one off, these stories are the perfect way to become acquainted to the series if you haven't already done so. Witches also offers invaluable insights as these are the background stories that enrich the series, a must read for fans.
April 2, 2022
Such a fun, quick, spooky read!
The Last Apprentice series is my favorite middle grade series so I had to read this shorter novella. It isn't a pertinent part of the actual series but definitely gives insight into some of the characters and a few of the witches as well! And while i read it after finishing all of the main books and enjoyed it in this way, I also feel it could offer some value if you read it a little earlier.
I really loved reading these 4 little witchy stories and revisiting several familiar characters along the way! It was truly bittersweet as some of these characters don't last through the entirety of the series so it is nice to get a glimpse of them once again.
There's always an adventure when you return to the world of John Gregory and Tom Ward! While this tale is short, it certainly doesn't lack in magic, action or dark creatures to defeat!
If you are a fan of this series and enjoy a good witchy read, this collection of short stories is certainly one to include.
The Last Apprentice series is my favorite middle grade series so I had to read this shorter novella. It isn't a pertinent part of the actual series but definitely gives insight into some of the characters and a few of the witches as well! And while i read it after finishing all of the main books and enjoyed it in this way, I also feel it could offer some value if you read it a little earlier.
I really loved reading these 4 little witchy stories and revisiting several familiar characters along the way! It was truly bittersweet as some of these characters don't last through the entirety of the series so it is nice to get a glimpse of them once again.
There's always an adventure when you return to the world of John Gregory and Tom Ward! While this tale is short, it certainly doesn't lack in magic, action or dark creatures to defeat!
If you are a fan of this series and enjoy a good witchy read, this collection of short stories is certainly one to include.
June 26, 2021
This was the final book I had to read from the "original" series. (Still mad that the end wasn't really the end, just a jumping off point for the new series. Grrr.)
I actually enjoyed these short stories. They were fun and out of the normal. The last story with the banshee and the worme was actually quite chilling. Maybe one of the creepiest parts of the series besides that nasty little Tibbs.
I'm working up to reading the next series. I swore I wouldn't but since I didn't get any closure in the final book, I need to go on. Curse you Delaney!
I actually enjoyed these short stories. They were fun and out of the normal. The last story with the banshee and the worme was actually quite chilling. Maybe one of the creepiest parts of the series besides that nasty little Tibbs.
I'm working up to reading the next series. I swore I wouldn't but since I didn't get any closure in the final book, I need to go on. Curse you Delaney!
November 26, 2023
This was the first book I read from this author back when I was in my late teens and boy, did I enjoy this book! I have always had a vivid imagination and the way this book is written made me transport myself into the story, almost like watching the whole narrative develop as a bystander. With an intricate lore, somewhat familiar yet with a few fresh concepts of its own, this book is one I thoroughly enjoyed and would honestly not mind reading it again some time if I had time to do so.
June 1, 2025
2.75⭐️
Adds very little but I did like Alice’s and Tom’s stories.
Meg Skeleton: 1.5⭐️ I hate this man 😀 What do you mean that he kept her drugged for nearly 50 YEARS??? After spending less than 6 months with her before? “Dream about our garden” that was ONE MONTH of “happiness”!!! Unforgivable. Truly vile.
Dirty Dora: 2.5⭐️ it was fine.
Grimalkin’s Tale: 2⭐️ super repetitive, I’ve read this before. Also a bit too edgy.
Alice and the Brain Guzzler: 4⭐️ Alice went through THE HORRORS
The Banshee Witch: 3⭐️ Tom is cute as usual. Also I do love prophecies
Adds very little but I did like Alice’s and Tom’s stories.
Meg Skeleton: 1.5⭐️ I hate this man 😀 What do you mean that he kept her drugged for nearly 50 YEARS??? After spending less than 6 months with her before? “Dream about our garden” that was ONE MONTH of “happiness”!!! Unforgivable. Truly vile.
Dirty Dora: 2.5⭐️ it was fine.
Grimalkin’s Tale: 2⭐️ super repetitive, I’ve read this before. Also a bit too edgy.
Alice and the Brain Guzzler: 4⭐️ Alice went through THE HORRORS
The Banshee Witch: 3⭐️ Tom is cute as usual. Also I do love prophecies
November 25, 2017
Ce livre est un trésor. J'avais oublié qu'il y avait Bill Arkwright dedans. Je ne sais donc pas si j'ai le cœur brisé ou si j'ai envie de faire un câlin à tout le monde. Je dis ça comme ça, mais quel beau couple feraient Meg et Grimalkin.
July 28, 2018
3.5 stars. Not bad. Not great. I really enjoyed the back story about Meg & the one about Alice too.
November 11, 2025
Good companion book to the series.
March 19, 2023
Delaney excels in his imagination to create vivid, exciting and sometimes downright gruesome creatures. Starting off a bit meh, but really getting into the swing of it as the stories go on, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
Featuring all of our favourite heroes and villains, with deadly new creatures making their debuts. Some nice interweaving of stories across the board, including crucial links to the main storyline, and some glimpses into the future of it too!
Favourite: Alice and the Brain Guzzler
Least Favourite: Dirty Dora
Honourable Mention: The Banshee Witch
Featuring all of our favourite heroes and villains, with deadly new creatures making their debuts. Some nice interweaving of stories across the board, including crucial links to the main storyline, and some glimpses into the future of it too!
Favourite: Alice and the Brain Guzzler
Least Favourite: Dirty Dora
Honourable Mention: The Banshee Witch
August 5, 2011
Like many other Last Apprentice fans, I was disappointed when I found out that A Coven of Witches wasn't the next book in the series, but just another supplement of short stories similar to The Spook's Tale. While I was grateful to at least get a taste of the dark, I was hoping for a little more.
A Coven of Witches includes four short stories plus a twenty-page preview of Rise of the Huntress, the next book in the series. The first short story follows Gregory in his younger years and the tale of how he met Meg, the lamia witch, his relationship with her and their adventures with Meg's sister Marcia. A very interesting piece of back story, but still left a little underdeveloped at times and left me wanting more.
In the second short story, readers learn about a previously unknown witches named Dirty Dora. Through Dora's eyes, we learn more about the lives and culture of witches, but didn't really add much overall. Some of the characters were included, but the core of the story followed a nameless and generally uninteresting character.
The third story talks about one of Alice's adventures training to be a witch prior to the events of Revenge of the Witch. While this is a fertile area for stories, I know that there was a similar story told in The Spook's Tale.
In the final story, our hero Tom Ward speaks, and gives us another adventure in the fight against the dark.
Delaney delivers the usual dose of darkness, fear and bone-chilling action that his Last Apprentice series is known for. Readers have an opportunity to learn more about certain aspects of Delaney's world that can help the experience. Overall though, I was left wanting for more. The stories were just too short and just not riveting enough but most importantly -not the next installment in the series.
A Coven of Witches is a much better supplement than The Spook's Tale, and definitely will help satisfy fans until Rise of the Huntress hits shelves this fall, but I'd only recommend it for hard-core fans.
A Coven of Witches includes four short stories plus a twenty-page preview of Rise of the Huntress, the next book in the series. The first short story follows Gregory in his younger years and the tale of how he met Meg, the lamia witch, his relationship with her and their adventures with Meg's sister Marcia. A very interesting piece of back story, but still left a little underdeveloped at times and left me wanting more.
In the second short story, readers learn about a previously unknown witches named Dirty Dora. Through Dora's eyes, we learn more about the lives and culture of witches, but didn't really add much overall. Some of the characters were included, but the core of the story followed a nameless and generally uninteresting character.
The third story talks about one of Alice's adventures training to be a witch prior to the events of Revenge of the Witch. While this is a fertile area for stories, I know that there was a similar story told in The Spook's Tale.
In the final story, our hero Tom Ward speaks, and gives us another adventure in the fight against the dark.
Delaney delivers the usual dose of darkness, fear and bone-chilling action that his Last Apprentice series is known for. Readers have an opportunity to learn more about certain aspects of Delaney's world that can help the experience. Overall though, I was left wanting for more. The stories were just too short and just not riveting enough but most importantly -not the next installment in the series.
A Coven of Witches is a much better supplement than The Spook's Tale, and definitely will help satisfy fans until Rise of the Huntress hits shelves this fall, but I'd only recommend it for hard-core fans.
December 30, 2010
This is another set of four short stories set in the The Last Apprentice world all featuring witches.
- Meg Skeleton: Fills in the story of how the Spook met Meg and details the events that happened with Meg and her sister that lead to their imprisonment. Most of this you already know if you are reading the series, but it was nice to have this subplot filled out.
- Dirty Dora: gives some insight into how dead witches become dead witches. This was an okay story but nothing too exciting.
- Alice and the Brain Guzzler: This story tells how Alice ended up learning some of the witch art. Basically it is what happened to her after her parents died and she ended up living with Bony Lizzie. This was probably the best story of the bunch, it gives a lot of insight into Alice's character.
- The Banshee Witch: Tells of the banshee witch that Tom Ward fought with when he was apprenticed with Bill Arkwright. This was my second favorite story of the bunch. It was nice to hear more about Tom's apprenticeship with Arkwright.
Overall a pretty decent set of stories. Alice and the Brain Guzzler and The Banshee Witch make the book worth buying, if you are really set on having the whole series. I personally just got this one from the library to read. The writing is the same style as all the previous books; I enjoyed it. The stories Dirty Dora and Meg Skeleton didn't add a lot to the series for me, but they were okay reads.
Basically this book is just filler as we want for the next book "The Huntress Rises" which is supposed to come out in August 2010. It's a good read and adds some depth to a couple of the characters, so I would recommend reading this book if you are a fan of the series.
- Meg Skeleton: Fills in the story of how the Spook met Meg and details the events that happened with Meg and her sister that lead to their imprisonment. Most of this you already know if you are reading the series, but it was nice to have this subplot filled out.
- Dirty Dora: gives some insight into how dead witches become dead witches. This was an okay story but nothing too exciting.
- Alice and the Brain Guzzler: This story tells how Alice ended up learning some of the witch art. Basically it is what happened to her after her parents died and she ended up living with Bony Lizzie. This was probably the best story of the bunch, it gives a lot of insight into Alice's character.
- The Banshee Witch: Tells of the banshee witch that Tom Ward fought with when he was apprenticed with Bill Arkwright. This was my second favorite story of the bunch. It was nice to hear more about Tom's apprenticeship with Arkwright.
Overall a pretty decent set of stories. Alice and the Brain Guzzler and The Banshee Witch make the book worth buying, if you are really set on having the whole series. I personally just got this one from the library to read. The writing is the same style as all the previous books; I enjoyed it. The stories Dirty Dora and Meg Skeleton didn't add a lot to the series for me, but they were okay reads.
Basically this book is just filler as we want for the next book "The Huntress Rises" which is supposed to come out in August 2010. It's a good read and adds some depth to a couple of the characters, so I would recommend reading this book if you are a fan of the series.
November 2, 2011
A collection of short stories, we see a glimpse into the different lives and backstories of some of the characters including Alice and the Spook - specifically Alice's earliest days with Lizzy and a story from the story of how the Spook met Meg. We also get a story from a witch's perspective, and one from Tom during his time with Bill Arkwright - though where that fits into the novel version of his time with Bill, chronologically speaking, isn't entirely clear.
Anyway - the stories were interesting, especially Alice's and the Spook's - but they didn't have the slow build up of creepiness and dread the full-length novels have, probably just because the length didn't lend itself to it.
But I did like seeing things told from perspective's aside from Tom's - and I did feel that Delaney managed to capture fairly well the different voices of the characters within their particular stories.
(Considering that one of my main complaints of the series has been that while Tom has gone from 11 to 15, the writing and maturity level have stagnated. I was getting concerned that the author couldn't bring more to the table, but now I have hope that maybe he can.)
But, anyway, don't look for anything here which progresses the story going on in the series in any way. This is all back-story and history - interesting for what it is, but a side-dish to the over-arching plot.
p.s. There are some spoilery things in this collection for previous stories, so I would definitely recommend reading it after Book 6.
Anyway - the stories were interesting, especially Alice's and the Spook's - but they didn't have the slow build up of creepiness and dread the full-length novels have, probably just because the length didn't lend itself to it.
But I did like seeing things told from perspective's aside from Tom's - and I did feel that Delaney managed to capture fairly well the different voices of the characters within their particular stories.
(Considering that one of my main complaints of the series has been that while Tom has gone from 11 to 15, the writing and maturity level have stagnated. I was getting concerned that the author couldn't bring more to the table, but now I have hope that maybe he can.)
But, anyway, don't look for anything here which progresses the story going on in the series in any way. This is all back-story and history - interesting for what it is, but a side-dish to the over-arching plot.
p.s. There are some spoilery things in this collection for previous stories, so I would definitely recommend reading it after Book 6.
May 24, 2015
I only read the first story in this book before returning it to my bookstore, completely disgusted.
John Gregory saves a woman from an abhuman, she thanks him, kisses him, and he stays the night with her. In the morning finds out she's a witch and despite her protests that she's never hurt anyone who hasn't hurt her, he tells her that no her kind are nothing but deceitful and he binds her, throws her over his shoulder, and takes her back to his place where he ties her up outside and leaves her in the rain while he goes to dig a pit to throw her in. When he tries to throw her in the pit he's made, she struggles so he drags her there by her hair -- there is an ILLUSTRATION of her being dragged by the hair -- but when they get there, she pleads with him and he's overcome with her beauty and relents.
And then you get this wonderful line: "Beauty is a terrible thing: it binds a man tighter than a silver chain about a witch." And then this one farther down the page: "However, things soon started to go wrong. Unfortunately, Meg was very strong-willed, and against my wishes she insisted on visiting the village shops."
I mean, are you KIDDING me.
John Gregory saves a woman from an abhuman, she thanks him, kisses him, and he stays the night with her. In the morning finds out she's a witch and despite her protests that she's never hurt anyone who hasn't hurt her, he tells her that no her kind are nothing but deceitful and he binds her, throws her over his shoulder, and takes her back to his place where he ties her up outside and leaves her in the rain while he goes to dig a pit to throw her in. When he tries to throw her in the pit he's made, she struggles so he drags her there by her hair -- there is an ILLUSTRATION of her being dragged by the hair -- but when they get there, she pleads with him and he's overcome with her beauty and relents.
And then you get this wonderful line: "Beauty is a terrible thing: it binds a man tighter than a silver chain about a witch." And then this one farther down the page: "However, things soon started to go wrong. Unfortunately, Meg was very strong-willed, and against my wishes she insisted on visiting the village shops."
I mean, are you KIDDING me.
April 20, 2013
There are four short stories in this book. The first story is told by John Gregory. It is about Meg, the witch he fell in love and what happened after finding her.
The second story is told by Dirty Dora Deane. She is a dead witch that lives in the Witch Dell. The story is about how she died and soon after, took her revenge on those who killed her.
The third story is told by Alice. It is about her first week with Bony Lizzie and how she survived.
The fourth and final story is told by Tom. It is about his time with Bill Arkwright, when they went after the Celtic witch.
Although not a main entry in the series, it was still pretty good. The stories were enjoyable and gave some more insight about some of the characters of the series.
The second story is told by Dirty Dora Deane. She is a dead witch that lives in the Witch Dell. The story is about how she died and soon after, took her revenge on those who killed her.
The third story is told by Alice. It is about her first week with Bony Lizzie and how she survived.
The fourth and final story is told by Tom. It is about his time with Bill Arkwright, when they went after the Celtic witch.
Although not a main entry in the series, it was still pretty good. The stories were enjoyable and gave some more insight about some of the characters of the series.
October 8, 2012
Grimalkin's Story is pretty good! I liked her story a lot. She's a kick-ass character, that's for sure! She wants to kill the Fiend, or at least take revenge for what he did to their son. Poor, Grimalkin.
In any case...
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In any case...
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August 29, 2017
This book, though quite entertaining and well-written as always, leaves me a little unsatisfied. The book is really a volume of stories that give a bit of backstory for many of the main characters and some secondary ones. This is all very nice, but I really want the next book in the series now!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
June 6, 2016
A quick read that would be okay if you read it when it first came out. It was also good for some background information, but otherwise it is a book that you can read in a couple of hours. You need to have been reading the series to fully understand it though...
June 3, 2011
So enjoyed all the stories, especially Alice and the Brain Guzzler. Couldn't put it down.....read most of it in one sitting!
April 12, 2017
A nice compliment to the main series. I really liked Alice's story and how she delt with Bony Lizzie's little creep of a familiar!
February 14, 2021
awesome.
March 3, 2020
A Coven of Witches
Meg Skelton
By Joseph Delany
Review by Jack Swenson
Introduced to the local spook, a warrior against the dark, who’s name is John Gregory (Mr. Gregory) is going to tell us his tale of him and the lamia witch, Meg Skelton
His master Harry Horrocks is sick in his bed and on the verge of death
Harry tells John that there is a dangerous abhuman on the lose and that he needs to kill it. He tells John to try and stay in the woods until Harry is better and ready to face the dark.
John goes into the woods and tries to get information about this abhuman. This does little to boost his confidence for the fight.
At night, John decides to face it himself, for Harry was only getting sicker and the abhuman would kill again
With his rowan wood staff with a retractable blade, he marched up to the tower entrance and called a challenge to the abhuman.
The abhuman came out brandishing a club and then they fought each other.
John kept jabbing his blade at him, dodging the abhuman’s club attacks by inches
John embedded his blade into the abhuman’s shoulder enough to draw blood, and when the abhuman attacked again, he stabbed its forehead, resulting in death
The woman trapped in the tower calls for John to rescue her and he goes up to save her
He notes that she is the prettiest girl he has laid his eyes on and unbinds her from the chains. In no time, her lips are pressed against his and they spend the night together
In the morning, John noticed Meg’s pointy shoes; a sign of a witch. When she was dressing, there were scales down her back. She was a witch!
He realizes this and calls her out for it. In seconds he grabs the silver chain that bound her and cast it at her: a direct hit.
Coming back home with the witch, he finds Harry Horrocks dead and cold in his bed. It was awful to see but now John owned the house.
He decides to put the witch in a pit for it has to be done, she pleaded with all of her wills and finally, John decided to not put her in a pit. His love for her was too strong.
They lived happily for a few months with their happiest memories is looking at the sunset together
Then came some problems: although Meg was beautiful, she had some quarrels with a few women at the markets marking them as prettier. These turned into bitter feuds and Meg resorted to witchcraft. None killed the women; just boils on their bodies and cockroaches in their kitchens
One day while Meg was shopping, a woman spat at her and received a hard slap for her disrespect. Unfortunately, the woman was a parish constable.
A man of the church came to John’s house to demand that Meg is handed over for witchcraft, so John lied and said Meg has gone back to Greece, her homeland
John, knowing they were in trouble, decided to move to Anglezarke; Harry also gave him a house there
After a quarrel between them, Meg once again went shopping, except when the women resorted to violence and decided to drown her
John’s friend pulled her out and she was alive! After this Meg decided her sister Marcia should come to stay with them
Meg hid the fact Marcia was feral and when John found out, he was very angry. Marcia then lived in the attic.
Marcia had gotten hungry so went and killed a sheep. Luckily snow hid the bloody trail left from the sheep carcass. Meg scolded Marcia to never do that again
A few nights later, Marcia escaped again but was after a child. Meg and Marcia fought bitterly while John saved the baby and gave it back to its parents.
Meg and Marcia lost John’s trust and were forced out of the house. They shipped back to Greece and are both in feral form.
This book takes place in a mystical world of the County where the light and dark are always in strife. I think this would be a good series for anyone who is into Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. I personally think this book is awesome!
Meg Skelton
By Joseph Delany
Review by Jack Swenson
Introduced to the local spook, a warrior against the dark, who’s name is John Gregory (Mr. Gregory) is going to tell us his tale of him and the lamia witch, Meg Skelton
His master Harry Horrocks is sick in his bed and on the verge of death
Harry tells John that there is a dangerous abhuman on the lose and that he needs to kill it. He tells John to try and stay in the woods until Harry is better and ready to face the dark.
John goes into the woods and tries to get information about this abhuman. This does little to boost his confidence for the fight.
At night, John decides to face it himself, for Harry was only getting sicker and the abhuman would kill again
With his rowan wood staff with a retractable blade, he marched up to the tower entrance and called a challenge to the abhuman.
The abhuman came out brandishing a club and then they fought each other.
John kept jabbing his blade at him, dodging the abhuman’s club attacks by inches
John embedded his blade into the abhuman’s shoulder enough to draw blood, and when the abhuman attacked again, he stabbed its forehead, resulting in death
The woman trapped in the tower calls for John to rescue her and he goes up to save her
He notes that she is the prettiest girl he has laid his eyes on and unbinds her from the chains. In no time, her lips are pressed against his and they spend the night together
In the morning, John noticed Meg’s pointy shoes; a sign of a witch. When she was dressing, there were scales down her back. She was a witch!
He realizes this and calls her out for it. In seconds he grabs the silver chain that bound her and cast it at her: a direct hit.
Coming back home with the witch, he finds Harry Horrocks dead and cold in his bed. It was awful to see but now John owned the house.
He decides to put the witch in a pit for it has to be done, she pleaded with all of her wills and finally, John decided to not put her in a pit. His love for her was too strong.
They lived happily for a few months with their happiest memories is looking at the sunset together
Then came some problems: although Meg was beautiful, she had some quarrels with a few women at the markets marking them as prettier. These turned into bitter feuds and Meg resorted to witchcraft. None killed the women; just boils on their bodies and cockroaches in their kitchens
One day while Meg was shopping, a woman spat at her and received a hard slap for her disrespect. Unfortunately, the woman was a parish constable.
A man of the church came to John’s house to demand that Meg is handed over for witchcraft, so John lied and said Meg has gone back to Greece, her homeland
John, knowing they were in trouble, decided to move to Anglezarke; Harry also gave him a house there
After a quarrel between them, Meg once again went shopping, except when the women resorted to violence and decided to drown her
John’s friend pulled her out and she was alive! After this Meg decided her sister Marcia should come to stay with them
Meg hid the fact Marcia was feral and when John found out, he was very angry. Marcia then lived in the attic.
Marcia had gotten hungry so went and killed a sheep. Luckily snow hid the bloody trail left from the sheep carcass. Meg scolded Marcia to never do that again
A few nights later, Marcia escaped again but was after a child. Meg and Marcia fought bitterly while John saved the baby and gave it back to its parents.
Meg and Marcia lost John’s trust and were forced out of the house. They shipped back to Greece and are both in feral form.
This book takes place in a mystical world of the County where the light and dark are always in strife. I think this would be a good series for anyone who is into Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. I personally think this book is awesome!
August 31, 2023
A good short story collection with several tie back throughout the series. Each of the shorts focus on a different witch but they do miss out some. One focus on a Lamia, two from Pendle and a Celtic witch from Ireland. I would have liked to see a Water Witch focused story, or a story focused on
Grimalkin.
Short 1 = This one interested me the most with the story giving a longer view into the relationship between the Spook and Meg. You do get most of the same information if you read the main series, in fact this short is what Tom reads when he learns of Meg. Not required for reading the series, but still intresting either way.
Short 2 = I did not think about it much until I read the short and it easily was my favorite. It from an intresting point of view and tells a somewhat fragmented story that still made sense. It also has the best art of the four stories in my opinion. This is also where the art from the cover comes from. I'm keeping this part vague because it a really good story.
Short 3 = Throughout the series we do see a lot of Alive beginning as a witch. This part is the very beginning and is a good read.
Short 4 = The most intresting of the four stories and is the only one I would say is required in reading the series. It best to be read some point after box six and before book eight. I say after box six mainly for two paragraphs towards the end which spoils the end of the six book. Despite being the most tied in story I would say there are more intresting shorts within the collection.
Grimalkin.
Short 1 = This one interested me the most with the story giving a longer view into the relationship between the Spook and Meg. You do get most of the same information if you read the main series, in fact this short is what Tom reads when he learns of Meg. Not required for reading the series, but still intresting either way.
Short 2 = I did not think about it much until I read the short and it easily was my favorite. It from an intresting point of view and tells a somewhat fragmented story that still made sense. It also has the best art of the four stories in my opinion. This is also where the art from the cover comes from. I'm keeping this part vague because it a really good story.
Short 3 = Throughout the series we do see a lot of Alive beginning as a witch. This part is the very beginning and is a good read.
Short 4 = The most intresting of the four stories and is the only one I would say is required in reading the series. It best to be read some point after box six and before book eight. I say after box six mainly for two paragraphs towards the end which spoils the end of the six book. Despite being the most tied in story I would say there are more intresting shorts within the collection.
August 16, 2021
Selam millet 🙋♀️
Wardstone günlükleri serisi bitmiş olsa da yan kitaplardan birini şuan okumak aşırı keyif verdi.
İçinde beş ayrı hikaye bulunuyor
🌸 1. Hayaletin tek aşkı olan Meg Skelton'ın hikayesi.
Hayalet ile tanışmalarını, yaşadıklarını ve nasıl aşık olduklarını anlatıyor. Seri boyunca bahsetse de ve karşımıza çıksa da nasıl ilk birbirlerini gördüklerini hep merak etmiştim.
🌸 2.Pis Dora adında ölü bir cadıyı anlatıyor.
🌸 3. Grimalkin'in hikayesi ki bunu bir kısımda okumuştuk ama nasıl Katil cadı olmak istedi o an ki duyguları nelerdi okumamıştk ve bu her şeyi bilmek isteyen ben için küçük hikaye her şeyi tamamladı.
🌸4. Alice'in, Kemikli Lizzie tarafından alıntıktan sonra cadılık için eğitime gittiği ilk iki haftasını anlatıyor ki bu en sevdiğim hikaye oldu.
🌸 5. Tom'um hikayesi. Bill Arkwright'in yanına gittiğinde ilk Morrigan ile karşılanmasını üstünden anlatmıştı ama şimdi olayı daha detaylı anlattı ki bu küçük hikayeler 13 kitap sonunda bile beni tatmin etmedi.
Umarım @tudemyayingrubu çağırma bir kulak verir de yazarın diğer serini de basar ve benim aşkım da yarım kalmaz.
Harry Potter'dan hemen sonra en sevdiğim seri oldu kendisi.
#birfincankitaplikileokuyoruz #tudemyayınları #tutemyayıngrubu #hayaletinkabusu #hayaletinçırağı #wardstonegünlükleri #wardstonegunlukleri #yedincioglunyedincioglu #seriönerisi #kitapönerisi #kitaptavsiyesi #kitap #book #okudumbitti #hayaletincadıları
Wardstone günlükleri serisi bitmiş olsa da yan kitaplardan birini şuan okumak aşırı keyif verdi.
İçinde beş ayrı hikaye bulunuyor
🌸 1. Hayaletin tek aşkı olan Meg Skelton'ın hikayesi.
Hayalet ile tanışmalarını, yaşadıklarını ve nasıl aşık olduklarını anlatıyor. Seri boyunca bahsetse de ve karşımıza çıksa da nasıl ilk birbirlerini gördüklerini hep merak etmiştim.
🌸 2.Pis Dora adında ölü bir cadıyı anlatıyor.
🌸 3. Grimalkin'in hikayesi ki bunu bir kısımda okumuştuk ama nasıl Katil cadı olmak istedi o an ki duyguları nelerdi okumamıştk ve bu her şeyi bilmek isteyen ben için küçük hikaye her şeyi tamamladı.
🌸4. Alice'in, Kemikli Lizzie tarafından alıntıktan sonra cadılık için eğitime gittiği ilk iki haftasını anlatıyor ki bu en sevdiğim hikaye oldu.
🌸 5. Tom'um hikayesi. Bill Arkwright'in yanına gittiğinde ilk Morrigan ile karşılanmasını üstünden anlatmıştı ama şimdi olayı daha detaylı anlattı ki bu küçük hikayeler 13 kitap sonunda bile beni tatmin etmedi.
Umarım @tudemyayingrubu çağırma bir kulak verir de yazarın diğer serini de basar ve benim aşkım da yarım kalmaz.
Harry Potter'dan hemen sonra en sevdiğim seri oldu kendisi.
#birfincankitaplikileokuyoruz #tudemyayınları #tutemyayıngrubu #hayaletinkabusu #hayaletinçırağı #wardstonegünlükleri #wardstonegunlukleri #yedincioglunyedincioglu #seriönerisi #kitapönerisi #kitaptavsiyesi #kitap #book #okudumbitti #hayaletincadıları
February 18, 2020
Oups, j'aurais peut-être dû lire ce livre au bon moment...
C'est quand j'étais sur le point d'entamer le tome 9 de l'Epouvanteur que j'ai réalisé que je ferais peut-être bien de lire ce petit hors-série, car il a été mentionné juste avant que ne débute ce 9ème tome. Dans cet hors-série, on y raconte l'histoire de quatre sorcières célèbres, dont Alice et Grimalkin, et une aventure inédite de Tom et Bill Arkwright qui se déroule entre les tomes 5 et 6, qu'on mentionne dans le tome 6 ou bien à la fin du tome 5... ? Je ne me souviens plus, mais je me rappelle qu'on avait parlé de cette aventure à un moment donné dans la série. Je ne voyais pas de quoi on parlait, donc je me suis demandé si je n'avais pas complètement loupé un passage du livre 5... eh bien non. J'avais juste skippé ce hors-série (car je ne savais pas qu'il existait et qu'il était important). Je sais qu'il y a plein de hors-série dans cette série (et d'autres) et souvent je ne me penche pas sur ces tomes x,5 car le concept ne me plaît pas des masses. Cependant, je pense que ce court roman vaut le détour ! Je vous conseille de ne pas le passer, si ça vous intéresse un minimum, mais bon, si vous êtes têtu, vous n'en mourrez pas non plus ;) A lire après le tome 6 pour éviter tous spoils.
Maintenant, je suis prête à me lancer dans le tome 9 avec toutes les clés en main !
C'est quand j'étais sur le point d'entamer le tome 9 de l'Epouvanteur que j'ai réalisé que je ferais peut-être bien de lire ce petit hors-série, car il a été mentionné juste avant que ne débute ce 9ème tome. Dans cet hors-série, on y raconte l'histoire de quatre sorcières célèbres, dont Alice et Grimalkin, et une aventure inédite de Tom et Bill Arkwright qui se déroule entre les tomes 5 et 6, qu'on mentionne dans le tome 6 ou bien à la fin du tome 5... ? Je ne me souviens plus, mais je me rappelle qu'on avait parlé de cette aventure à un moment donné dans la série. Je ne voyais pas de quoi on parlait, donc je me suis demandé si je n'avais pas complètement loupé un passage du livre 5... eh bien non. J'avais juste skippé ce hors-série (car je ne savais pas qu'il existait et qu'il était important). Je sais qu'il y a plein de hors-série dans cette série (et d'autres) et souvent je ne me penche pas sur ces tomes x,5 car le concept ne me plaît pas des masses. Cependant, je pense que ce court roman vaut le détour ! Je vous conseille de ne pas le passer, si ça vous intéresse un minimum, mais bon, si vous êtes têtu, vous n'en mourrez pas non plus ;) A lire après le tome 6 pour éviter tous spoils.
Maintenant, je suis prête à me lancer dans le tome 9 avec toutes les clés en main !
February 8, 2025
Spooks: A Coven of Witches is a fantastic addition to the Wardstone Chronicles universe, offering a fresh perspective by diving into the stories of the witches themselves. Each tale is engaging, dark, and full of the eerie atmosphere that makes this series so compelling. The writing is immersive, and the different characters add depth to the lore of the Spooks world.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that some stories felt a little short, leaving me wanting more. However, it’s still a must-read for fans of the series. A chilling and captivating collection. It was interesting as well to see the witches from the other books in the series in more detail and to have that depth of lore about their lives which really helped bring the Wardstone Chronicles universe to life. I feel like with lots of book worlds there's always so much more we could learn about the world but things usually just get remixed. It was brilliant to learn more about the characters in this little bundle of short stories.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that some stories felt a little short, leaving me wanting more. However, it’s still a must-read for fans of the series. A chilling and captivating collection. It was interesting as well to see the witches from the other books in the series in more detail and to have that depth of lore about their lives which really helped bring the Wardstone Chronicles universe to life. I feel like with lots of book worlds there's always so much more we could learn about the world but things usually just get remixed. It was brilliant to learn more about the characters in this little bundle of short stories.
March 5, 2021
5 prequel tales set largely before the Wardstone chronicles, each focusing on a different witch.
The stories are related by different narrators with each tale; John Gregory, Dirty Dora (a dead witch), Grimalkin, Alice Deane and Tom Ward. The stories get progressively better, with predictably Alice and Tom's being the best. While certainly not his best Delaney's engaging style shines through, even if his ability to retcon his existing narrative is again somewhat shaky. By trying to weave these prequel short stories into the larger Spooks ones it sometimes feels a bit forced rather than neatly explaining things, plus he falls foul by the nature of them being prequels tgat we know the existing characters will survive unharmed. Still worth a read for fans of the Spooks books, but perhaps not for a newcomer to the series.
The stories are related by different narrators with each tale; John Gregory, Dirty Dora (a dead witch), Grimalkin, Alice Deane and Tom Ward. The stories get progressively better, with predictably Alice and Tom's being the best. While certainly not his best Delaney's engaging style shines through, even if his ability to retcon his existing narrative is again somewhat shaky. By trying to weave these prequel short stories into the larger Spooks ones it sometimes feels a bit forced rather than neatly explaining things, plus he falls foul by the nature of them being prequels tgat we know the existing characters will survive unharmed. Still worth a read for fans of the Spooks books, but perhaps not for a newcomer to the series.
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