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The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles
The Ghost Prison
‘This is the entrance to the Witch Well and behind that door you’d face your worst nightmare. Don’t ever go through there.'
Night falls, the portcullis rises in the moonlight, and young Billy starts his first night as a prison guard. But this is no ordinary prison. There are haunted cells that can’t be used, whispers and cries in the night . . . and the dreaded Witch Well. Billy is warned to stay away from the prisoner down in the Witch Well. But who could it be? What prisoner could be so frightening? Billy is about to find out . . .
An unforgettable ghost story from the creator of the Wardstone Chronicles (Spook's Apprentice) series.
Night falls, the portcullis rises in the moonlight, and young Billy starts his first night as a prison guard. But this is no ordinary prison. There are haunted cells that can’t be used, whispers and cries in the night . . . and the dreaded Witch Well. Billy is warned to stay away from the prisoner down in the Witch Well. But who could it be? What prisoner could be so frightening? Billy is about to find out . . .
An unforgettable ghost story from the creator of the Wardstone Chronicles (Spook's Apprentice) series.
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
36 people are currently reading
2351 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Delaney
59 books3,984 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 193 reviews
December 3, 2025
"For pity's sake, get up, lad. Do you want to lose the job before you've even started?"\Billy has had a rough few years.
Losing his ma was the last straw and now he's in the Home for Unfortunate Boys. He needs money to start a life for himself but unfortunately:
So, Billy is stuck being a prison guard, patrolling the portcullis in the moonlight. It's not great but it pays and that's really all Billy needs.
"There aren't many jobs that the lads from the orphanage can get."
Scratch that.
What Billy really needs is a prison that isn't haunted to guard. Haunted cells, strange happenings at midnight, a witch in the well and (of course) long-neck Netty.
How long can Billy survive when surrounded by such horrors?
Overall - this one wasn't too bad. It was a short story (under 100 pages) but it managed to be more scary than I expected.
Long-neck Netty gave me the shivers and the witch in the well was also wonderfully spooky. Billy's character was a bit too...childish...for me but at the end of it, I did enjoy this story!
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January 1, 2015
Meh. A very short ghost story told half in pictures, which I wouldn't have minded at all: if the story had more substance. Borrow this from your library, don't bother buying it.
April 16, 2019
Une jolie entrée en matière pour les plus jeunes dans l'univers de Joseph Delaney.
October 10, 2013
I own the first several books in The Last Apprentice/Spooks series by Joseph Delaney, but I've never found time to read them. When I heard about THE GHOST PRISON, it seemed like a good place to start. Same world, but no overlapping characters. Plus, it was just a novella!
THE GHOST PRISON is 112 pages, but the type is large and there are a large number of pictures. Now, I really enjoyed the illustrations. Scott M. Fischer's art is bold, clear, and sets the tone of this short piece perfectly. The final illustration in THE GHOST PRISON is half of what makes the ending so effective. But I wouldn't pay full price for THE GHOST PRISON ($12.99 for the hardcover). Most retailers have it discounted to a more reasonable price.
Billy Calder is a new guard at the local prison, and is soon transferred to the night shift. There he learns about the various ghouls that haunt the prison, including Long-Neck Nettie, who seems to have taken a shine to Billy. It's a rough job, but perfectly safe as long as he follows all of the rules.
I think that THE GHOST PRISON is a great Halloween read. The horror builds slowly, as Billy's new job puts him in the path of a terrible monster. It's a delightfully creepy read, and I liked that it doesn't pull its punches. This might not be the best choice for younger readers, although I know I would have enjoyed a story as morbid as THE GHOST PRISON back in the third grade.
One thing I particularly liked as an adult is how THE GHOST PRISON deals with historical attitudes. What I dismissed as unpleasant but probably just a sign of the setting turned out to be a clue as to character. THE GHOST PRISON might be short, but it's well constructed.
In conclusion: love the story and the illustrations, but still think it's overpriced. I can see this being worth the price if it was a collection of horror stories instead of just one. But it was a great introduction to Delaney, and perhaps I'll get around to reading those books now.
THE GHOST PRISON is 112 pages, but the type is large and there are a large number of pictures. Now, I really enjoyed the illustrations. Scott M. Fischer's art is bold, clear, and sets the tone of this short piece perfectly. The final illustration in THE GHOST PRISON is half of what makes the ending so effective. But I wouldn't pay full price for THE GHOST PRISON ($12.99 for the hardcover). Most retailers have it discounted to a more reasonable price.
Billy Calder is a new guard at the local prison, and is soon transferred to the night shift. There he learns about the various ghouls that haunt the prison, including Long-Neck Nettie, who seems to have taken a shine to Billy. It's a rough job, but perfectly safe as long as he follows all of the rules.
I think that THE GHOST PRISON is a great Halloween read. The horror builds slowly, as Billy's new job puts him in the path of a terrible monster. It's a delightfully creepy read, and I liked that it doesn't pull its punches. This might not be the best choice for younger readers, although I know I would have enjoyed a story as morbid as THE GHOST PRISON back in the third grade.
One thing I particularly liked as an adult is how THE GHOST PRISON deals with historical attitudes. What I dismissed as unpleasant but probably just a sign of the setting turned out to be a clue as to character. THE GHOST PRISON might be short, but it's well constructed.
In conclusion: love the story and the illustrations, but still think it's overpriced. I can see this being worth the price if it was a collection of horror stories instead of just one. But it was a great introduction to Delaney, and perhaps I'll get around to reading those books now.
October 21, 2013
A short story from Joseph Delaney, author of the Spook's Apprentice/ Wardstone Chronicles. Since I'd read some good stuff from Delaney before (even if SA has lost it's sheen through the course of the series), and since it's the right time of year for ghost stories, I decided to give it a go.
First, to the good. It's a short, quick story, and you could easily read it in one night. I mean, it's only 92 pages, with large font and plenty of illustrations. Speaking of, I really liked the illustrations. They reminded me, a bit, of Chris Riddell, whose work I tend to enjoy.
I liked how the story seemed to reside in the same world as the SA books, what with the witches and hybrid, demonic creatures being children of the Fiend and the general rules of the world being the same, but it was also different and not connected.
Also, the ending of the story was kind of cool - if rather on the abrupt side.
As to the story itself - it was kind of meh. I didn't feel a lot of atmosphere being built up. I know a few other reviewers have said it was very atmospheric, so it's probably just me, but I felt like far too much of the story was "He did this. He went there. He was told some scary stories. He was frightened. He did this."
I just never felt any real connection to the story and it didn't feel particularly tense or suspenseful or anything. I know Delaney can - or could - do such things, but I've found such lacking from the more recent Spook books, too.
Maybe it was just hard for me to be unbiased, and if I went in without any preconceptions I'd've felt different. I dunno.
As it stands, though, can't say it grabbed me or anything.
2.5 - the extra half star being more for the illustrations than the story.
First, to the good. It's a short, quick story, and you could easily read it in one night. I mean, it's only 92 pages, with large font and plenty of illustrations. Speaking of, I really liked the illustrations. They reminded me, a bit, of Chris Riddell, whose work I tend to enjoy.
I liked how the story seemed to reside in the same world as the SA books, what with the witches and hybrid, demonic creatures being children of the Fiend and the general rules of the world being the same, but it was also different and not connected.
Also, the ending of the story was kind of cool - if rather on the abrupt side.
As to the story itself - it was kind of meh. I didn't feel a lot of atmosphere being built up. I know a few other reviewers have said it was very atmospheric, so it's probably just me, but I felt like far too much of the story was "He did this. He went there. He was told some scary stories. He was frightened. He did this."
I just never felt any real connection to the story and it didn't feel particularly tense or suspenseful or anything. I know Delaney can - or could - do such things, but I've found such lacking from the more recent Spook books, too.
Maybe it was just hard for me to be unbiased, and if I went in without any preconceptions I'd've felt different. I dunno.
As it stands, though, can't say it grabbed me or anything.
2.5 - the extra half star being more for the illustrations than the story.
September 8, 2013
This is a rather spooky, very fun and suspenseful novella for children. I would say the best age group for this book would be between 8-12, but that may also depend on the maturity and reading ability of your child. If I am very honest about it--I had a lot of fun with this book, too.
The illustrations are great and the longer you look at them, the more things you notice about how detailed the pictures actually are. I enjoyed the fact that the pictures really do help tell the story. When something is described in the book, you can see it reflected in the illustrations. Obviously the illustrator paid careful attention to the content of the book, which was a nice change.
The story itself revolves around one night and a young man who has become a prison guard for a castle-like prison, complete with ghosts. His adventures will make you want to keep turning pages. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that it was over so soon. It was just too much fun.
There is a surprise ending that is different from other children's books and made me smile. I would definitely recommend this book to all the junior horror fans out there.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided by Netgalley.
The illustrations are great and the longer you look at them, the more things you notice about how detailed the pictures actually are. I enjoyed the fact that the pictures really do help tell the story. When something is described in the book, you can see it reflected in the illustrations. Obviously the illustrator paid careful attention to the content of the book, which was a nice change.
The story itself revolves around one night and a young man who has become a prison guard for a castle-like prison, complete with ghosts. His adventures will make you want to keep turning pages. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that it was over so soon. It was just too much fun.
There is a surprise ending that is different from other children's books and made me smile. I would definitely recommend this book to all the junior horror fans out there.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided by Netgalley.
May 22, 2019
I'm a little surpized this is 7.5 in the series, it feels very much like a separate story with different characters and the only connection is it feels like same world/themes of the series. Maybe it will play into book 8, we shall see!
January 24, 2019
I didn’t realize I had already read this as part of one of the larger series book. As I was reading I was hoping for a second story, as I was under the impression (for whatever reason) that this was a collection of short stories.
The story is better when it has more context to the larger series, and I prefer novel/first exposure. I rarely reread things due to this, and caught my self skimming. I was disappointed as the ‘surprises’ rang less true and my predictions were based more on memory rather than my knowledge of the world and putting together the foreshadowing.
Such as it is when one tries to complete a sereies from their childhood.
The story is better when it has more context to the larger series, and I prefer novel/first exposure. I rarely reread things due to this, and caught my self skimming. I was disappointed as the ‘surprises’ rang less true and my predictions were based more on memory rather than my knowledge of the world and putting together the foreshadowing.
Such as it is when one tries to complete a sereies from their childhood.
September 5, 2020
I haven't read the series this is a part of, but my boyfriend bought this for me a while back and I am looking for quick spooky reads for a long Halloween season this year. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and loved the illustrations. It was a simple good time and I am a person with simple ghost story needs.
July 8, 2019
This short story would be a good choice for teen boys. Gore, suspense, and a creepy setting.
The illustrations are very well done.
I’m intrigued to read more by this author.
The illustrations are very well done.
I’m intrigued to read more by this author.
September 22, 2017
3 stars
A nice short read that lets the reader take a break from the Last Apprentice series of books. Its a very short novella about a young boy who is chosen to work at the Ghost Prison, were witches and other of the most dangerous demons, bogarts and the like are housed. But in one very guarded and well constructed cell resides a witch so powerful and crafty that only the Head of the Prison is allowed to feed it.
But one day, the Head of the Prison calls in sick, and no other guards on the night shift want to feed the witch and make the young boy do the deed. When he opens the door to the cell, he forgets to remove the keys from the outside lock and is trapped inside with the hungry witch.
Fast forward a few years and the boy is now in charge of feeding the witch exclusively. Why? Is he now fearless of the witch? Or the witch scared of him? Read and find out!!
A nice short read that lets the reader take a break from the Last Apprentice series of books. Its a very short novella about a young boy who is chosen to work at the Ghost Prison, were witches and other of the most dangerous demons, bogarts and the like are housed. But in one very guarded and well constructed cell resides a witch so powerful and crafty that only the Head of the Prison is allowed to feed it.
But one day, the Head of the Prison calls in sick, and no other guards on the night shift want to feed the witch and make the young boy do the deed. When he opens the door to the cell, he forgets to remove the keys from the outside lock and is trapped inside with the hungry witch.
Fast forward a few years and the boy is now in charge of feeding the witch exclusively. Why? Is he now fearless of the witch? Or the witch scared of him? Read and find out!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2013
I don’t normally review children’s books, preferring YA, NA and adult – but I must admit this one really pulled me in. I wanted something to read to my three young nephews and this traditional style ghost story was just the ticket. I’m not sure how Joseph Delaney did it, but there is just enough scare in this book. Without giving the story away, the ending was a shudder in itself and the imagery of the illustrations, along with the expert turn of phrase, was eerily magical. There aren’t many children’s books on the market that can scare the adult along with the child – but this does just that.
As a writer I think it is commendable to be able to dance that fine line between children and adult horror. More often than not I’m reading books to kids that are quite frankly boring and fail to hold their attention for longer than it takes to plug in the Xbox. But Ghost Prison is a little spine tingling gem that is enough of a scare to keep them concentrating, but not enough to give them nightmares!
I downloaded a kindle galley of this book and, to be honest, the settings and screen wasn’t right for the illustrations – so definitely hard copy would be best to make the most out of the book.
If you have a child around 12 and want to get them into horror books buy Ghost Prison today. 5 out of 5 scary stars.
As a writer I think it is commendable to be able to dance that fine line between children and adult horror. More often than not I’m reading books to kids that are quite frankly boring and fail to hold their attention for longer than it takes to plug in the Xbox. But Ghost Prison is a little spine tingling gem that is enough of a scare to keep them concentrating, but not enough to give them nightmares!
I downloaded a kindle galley of this book and, to be honest, the settings and screen wasn’t right for the illustrations – so definitely hard copy would be best to make the most out of the book.
If you have a child around 12 and want to get them into horror books buy Ghost Prison today. 5 out of 5 scary stars.
September 25, 2013
This book is an eerie short story for children. I don't normally read these types of books but it was very compelling and intriguing. Right at the start the book started to get interesting when Billy starts his new job as a prison night watchman at a haunted castle. Some of the things that had happened in the castle are scary and in the book they are written as somebody telling a story which is a great way because you can hear lots of stories in a short amount of time.
The drawings in this book are great and they really make the story better. They are very detailed and the longer you look at each one the more stuff you start to notice and you can pick out the things that are mentioned in the text.
I am a little disappointed because I expected there to be more ghosts in first person, interacting with the main character so you could feel the emotion. The story telling at the beginning did add to the story but I was hoping for a bit more of a personal experience.
All in all this book was a good short story. I like what the author did at the end and I wasn't expecting it. I would recommend this book to people who like picture books and books that are scary but not so scary you can't sleep at night.
The drawings in this book are great and they really make the story better. They are very detailed and the longer you look at each one the more stuff you start to notice and you can pick out the things that are mentioned in the text.
I am a little disappointed because I expected there to be more ghosts in first person, interacting with the main character so you could feel the emotion. The story telling at the beginning did add to the story but I was hoping for a bit more of a personal experience.
All in all this book was a good short story. I like what the author did at the end and I wasn't expecting it. I would recommend this book to people who like picture books and books that are scary but not so scary you can't sleep at night.
December 6, 2015
Billy was nervous about his new job at the prison. He'd had two weeks training but it wasn't just any prison. Everyone knew it was full of the ghosts of murderers, witches and worse. Night shift as a prison guard wasn't going to be easy, but he was keen to get out of the Home for Unfortunate Boys.
He arrives late on his first shift but is let off by the head guard with a warning not to let it happen again. Billy is quickly told he wouldn't even be there if it wasn't for one of the ghosts of the prison, who'd asked specifically for him. She must've seen him while he was doing his training, and no one wanted to upset this particular ghost. His first night is scary but he soon grows used to it. Another warning he receives that first night is to stay away from the Witch Well. ' ... behind that door you'd face your worst nightmare. Don't ever go through there!'
But one night he has to do just that, and the warning doesn't come close to preparing him for the other side of the locked door.
Goosebumps fans or anyone who loves a scary story would love this tale and the creepy black and white illustrations throughout the book. It's a short story at only 103 pages but neatly tied up at the end, making the young reader think about what might've happened to young Billy Calder.
September 11, 2013
Received the e-galley from NetGalley. Delaney does a great job weaving a creepy, spooky story. The short length and engaging plot make it a good choice for reluctant readers. The illustrations match the tone of the book perfectly and complement the storyline. The narrative has the feel of an old-fashioned ghost story told around the campfire or in a dark room by flashlight. Older elementary and possibly young teens will enjoy this tale just in time for Halloween.
April 12, 2020
I liked this, I did. I just wish it was more fleshed out, even for a short story: a lot of illustrations, though good, make this much shorter than the 78 pages (of my ebook edition) implies.
I kinda have a question, though: When the MC became a ghost bound to the prison, didn't he ever encounter Nettie? What's that like, being stuck with your murderer? Is it scary, or awkward? Do they bump into each other in the hall?
I kinda have a question, though: When the MC became a ghost bound to the prison, didn't he ever encounter Nettie? What's that like, being stuck with your murderer? Is it scary, or awkward? Do they bump into each other in the hall?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
This is an eerie tale that had me looking over my shoulder as I read. It’s a little intense for just any random kid to read, but I would have eaten it up. It’s got good pacing and the ending ties the story up in a nice bow. The illustrations were just as scary as what I imagined and sometimes even more so.
July 16, 2013
I can't wait to read Last Apprentice now, Especially since it will be a movie soon. I met with children's book buyers today that said, Whoa you have Joseph Delaney? Impressive! Now I know why, I read on my way home. I had to after that, right?
October 11, 2022
A short story that pulls you into the vast, orange and black world that is Halloween 🎃🎃🎃.
It's a brilliant piece of work!
Now I'm going to continue my bloody trail of spooktober reads...
It's a brilliant piece of work!
Now I'm going to continue my bloody trail of spooktober reads...
December 13, 2020
Book title: The Ghost Prison
Author: Joseph Delaney
Illustrator: Scott M. Fischer
Book Level: MG
Reading Level: 5.1
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Billy is working on the first night of his new job as a prison guard. The prison is haunted. Billy must deal with the ghosts that live in the prison.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait:
Organization - From the first few words, the author grabs our attention by introducing us to Billy who is about to the start the first night of his new job as a prison guard. We feel a sense of dread as Billy makes his way to the prison; we know he his nervous. The author leads us through the night as Billy begins to uncover secrets of the prison. Illustrations that accompany the text are quite dark and scary, and help to set the mood of the story. The sequences walk the reader through a terrifying night where Billy comes face to face with ghosts and spirits. The author spotlights a few major events, all of which keep the reader in suspense. The text ends with a resolution that may surprise readers.
Additional suggestion(s):
This is a great book to have in a reading area where students may stumble across it. It is very much a work of fiction, and the illustrations will appear to young readers who are interested in ghosts, spirits, or other spooky works of fiction. The text is a little advanced; it is recommend that students aged 12 or older would enjoy the book, however I do believe that you can place this book in a 5th or 6th grade classroom and some of your more advanced readers may choose to indulge themselves in a text that is creative, dark, and imaginative.
Author: Joseph Delaney
Illustrator: Scott M. Fischer
Book Level: MG
Reading Level: 5.1
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Billy is working on the first night of his new job as a prison guard. The prison is haunted. Billy must deal with the ghosts that live in the prison.
Bookshelf mentor writing trait:
Organization - From the first few words, the author grabs our attention by introducing us to Billy who is about to the start the first night of his new job as a prison guard. We feel a sense of dread as Billy makes his way to the prison; we know he his nervous. The author leads us through the night as Billy begins to uncover secrets of the prison. Illustrations that accompany the text are quite dark and scary, and help to set the mood of the story. The sequences walk the reader through a terrifying night where Billy comes face to face with ghosts and spirits. The author spotlights a few major events, all of which keep the reader in suspense. The text ends with a resolution that may surprise readers.
Additional suggestion(s):
This is a great book to have in a reading area where students may stumble across it. It is very much a work of fiction, and the illustrations will appear to young readers who are interested in ghosts, spirits, or other spooky works of fiction. The text is a little advanced; it is recommend that students aged 12 or older would enjoy the book, however I do believe that you can place this book in a 5th or 6th grade classroom and some of your more advanced readers may choose to indulge themselves in a text that is creative, dark, and imaginative.
October 13, 2024
This novella is a Halloween story about a young boy of 15 who is an orphan that ends up being hired for the only job available. His name is Billy Calder. We get to see his first day reporting to an actual workday, after being in training for a while, at the Castle. It is and prison that is known to be part prison, part place for witches that are being hung or drowned and maybe just a bit a mental instition. Anyway, it is also know to be haunted by wierd ghosts.
It turns out there is some unfathomable being that is hidden away that has to be fed at midnight. Billy has to feed it one night, which the chief guard is sill and he ends up meeting not only tht creature but the witch that he was told about when he was being given his original tour on the first day of work.
Then we get a retrospective from a much older Billy along with a addendum about both the writer and the illustrators beliefs about ghosts.
I recommend the novella to anyone interested in scary stories for Halloween, but will warn you that it is meant for middle school. It is not a complex work and is meant for the young.
It turns out there is some unfathomable being that is hidden away that has to be fed at midnight. Billy has to feed it one night, which the chief guard is sill and he ends up meeting not only tht creature but the witch that he was told about when he was being given his original tour on the first day of work.
Then we get a retrospective from a much older Billy along with a addendum about both the writer and the illustrators beliefs about ghosts.
I recommend the novella to anyone interested in scary stories for Halloween, but will warn you that it is meant for middle school. It is not a complex work and is meant for the young.
February 6, 2020
I thought this book was a good ghost story. It was short and sweet and a very intense/scary book. I would recommend it for anybody who likes horror books, but is looking for a short read. Also, I liked the pictures in this book. I think it gave me a good idea of what this story would be like in real life. A reason straight from the text that I think shows how intense and scary this book is would be the quote, "We never put prisoners in those two cells, boy. Not now anyway. Know why?" "Are they haunted sir?" "They're haunted alright, but by exactly what we're not sure." That is just a part of the story that has you on your toes, wanting to know what is going to happen. Overall, you should check out this book. I wouldn't recommend buying this book, but checking it out from your local library would not be a waste of time.
February 10, 2020
I found this small book in the YA section and thought it was in the wrong place. But it is recommended for 12 years old and up. It is only 99 pages and there are a lot of pictures. I decided to read it and find out why it is considered YA.
Here are a few notes why it is probably in the YA section:
page 4 - "...bloody scared."
page 18 - a character talks about how they drowned a witch. She wasn't a witch and they found that out after she was drowned.
page 29 - a character talks about how the ghosts in the prison have violently killed prisoners.
page 35 - "I swear to God."
page 36 - "Something straight from hell."
I suggest that parents read the book first and decide if their kid is mature enough to read this book. It's a fun little book about an orphan boy who gets a job at a haunted prison and works the night shift.
Here are a few notes why it is probably in the YA section:
page 4 - "...bloody scared."
page 18 - a character talks about how they drowned a witch. She wasn't a witch and they found that out after she was drowned.
page 29 - a character talks about how the ghosts in the prison have violently killed prisoners.
page 35 - "I swear to God."
page 36 - "Something straight from hell."
I suggest that parents read the book first and decide if their kid is mature enough to read this book. It's a fun little book about an orphan boy who gets a job at a haunted prison and works the night shift.
September 28, 2017
this book is about a 15 year old kid named Billy who is an orphan and lives in a small village. He gets his first job as a guard at a old prison at the top of the mountain above his village. The story starts right after he has finished his training he was supposed to be a day guard but was switched over to the night shift but he doesn't know why the main guard says it is because he was called on by a witch spirit. Who he runs into some troubles with. I liked this book a lot because of all the really good and scary characters. Like the beast in the witches well. He is really scary and interesting. The setting of this book is also has a very scary vibe all of the castle is dark and scary
March 11, 2019
I love sitting back with a Delaney story. This is super short and you think, hhmm...not much is going on, I've read this all before...and maybe you have with how there are so many horror stories with such twist-endings. But the fun part about a Delaney book is, of course, the artwork and the fact that younger readers can also read his works and enjoy them and parents who might worry about gore-factors scaring their children -- can't say I'm one of them as I encourage such free creativity with my own children's writing -- don't have to worry. There's just enough darkness to make it an entertaining chill but not a young-nightmare-worthy-read.
Very much enjoyed.
Very much enjoyed.
October 1, 2019
"So it was definitely something evil. Something it's better not think about something straight from hell." - Colone to the young lad
To be honest, the ending really did surprise me. Wasn't expecting that at all! Loved every bit of it! The characters, the ghosts, & the castle itself were illustrated to have your imagination going. And wanting to know what happened next!
Adam Colone mustache was so darn long & curly. He must take good care of it since he has no hair on his head.
(Date(s) & Time(s) Read: 13th August 2019; 12:17pm to 13th August 2019; 1:04pm)
To be honest, the ending really did surprise me. Wasn't expecting that at all! Loved every bit of it! The characters, the ghosts, & the castle itself were illustrated to have your imagination going. And wanting to know what happened next!
Adam Colone mustache was so darn long & curly. He must take good care of it since he has no hair on his head.
(Date(s) & Time(s) Read: 13th August 2019; 12:17pm to 13th August 2019; 1:04pm)
July 23, 2020
I read this as a standalone with no other connection to the series, so take this review with a grain of salt.
This is a very short story (with illustrations) about a teenaged boy who has grown up in an orphanage and is about to age out of the orphanage. In order to prepare for that, he gets a job as a nighttime prison guard so that he's ready to live on his own. Only the prison is haunted and some really weird stuff happens.
As a standalone, this story works and is entertaining and totally spooky. And the way it ended shocked me, so that's a success in my book. But nothing wowed me either, so I give this a solid, middle-of-the-road 3 stars.
This is a very short story (with illustrations) about a teenaged boy who has grown up in an orphanage and is about to age out of the orphanage. In order to prepare for that, he gets a job as a nighttime prison guard so that he's ready to live on his own. Only the prison is haunted and some really weird stuff happens.
As a standalone, this story works and is entertaining and totally spooky. And the way it ended shocked me, so that's a success in my book. But nothing wowed me either, so I give this a solid, middle-of-the-road 3 stars.
October 16, 2020
This was a short story of an orphanage boy who worked the night shift at a prison that was also haunted by ghosts of the sort. The illustrations were creepy. I loved the author and illustrator's short spooky ghost stories in the about them section. Reading their experiences that got them to believe in ghosts reminds me of all the spooky encounters that I've had during my childhood and even some into my adult life. I believe in ghosts so it doesn't take much for me to get creeped out by anything paranormal.
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