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The Near Witch #0.5
The Ash-Born Boy
All-new deluxe edition of an out-of-print gem, The Near Witch containing in-universe short story “The Ash-Born Boy”.
Before he came to Near...
Before he met Lexi...
Before they faced the witch...
Who was the boy named Cole?
Follow us to Dale, a city on a hill, where in a matter of days fire will devour everything. Meet the Lord and Lady, and their son, the boy destined to inherit all...until everything turns to ash.
It's time to learn the truth behind the stranger's story.
Before he came to Near...
Before he met Lexi...
Before they faced the witch...
Who was the boy named Cole?
Follow us to Dale, a city on a hill, where in a matter of days fire will devour everything. Meet the Lord and Lady, and their son, the boy destined to inherit all...until everything turns to ash.
It's time to learn the truth behind the stranger's story.
59 pages
First published May 15, 2012
52 people are currently reading
4644 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Schwab
79 books129k followersThis author also writes under the name of V.E. Schwab.
VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she can be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she can be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
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May 10, 2012"The Ash-Born Boy" is just my way of saying thank you to readers! I sincerely hope you all enjoy :)
June 5, 2021
I’m on BookTube now! =)
He tightened his grip, despite his thinning form. “Which rumors?” he asked coldly. “That I sold my heart for this? That I made a deal with a monster? That I am a monster? A demon?”
“Or a god,” whispered Sarah, and Will laughed bitterly.
This story was so good and it probably had me even more intrigued than “The Near Witch” itself? I just loved to read about Cole and his former life and I was so glad to finally get his background story. Still, “The Ash-Born Boy” was a very sad and dark story. When I first started to read it I thought okay, he’s way more outgoing than he was in “The Near Witch” and I kinda loved to see that side of him. The more the story progressed the more we can see how that seemingly great life turns bitter for him though.
”He clenched his teeth as pain burned up his arm, but he relished it, because in that moment, he felt everything. Anger and sadness and fear and frustration and want, all of it simple and mortal and human. There had been a time when he loved his power, a time when he had clung to it instead of trying to slice it out. That time was gone.”
My heart was bleeding for Will and I kinda hated Robert and his cousin Phillip. Truth be told, I had a hard time understanding his mother because I really wanted her to stop Robert. She kind of reminded me of Elaine in ACOTAR, all sweetness but she never tried to fight her husband. Seriously, if Will would have been my son I would have left Robert a long time ago. Someone who only loves me but not my child isn’t worth the dirt beneath my shoes. *lol* Also what Phillip tried to do was unforgivable! How could they blame Will for it?
”But the wind did not run in William Hart’s veins. It ran deeper, through his bones and between his muscles, rooting somewhere beneath his heart, or between his lungs, a place he could feel but never find.”
Well, and because no one accepts Will the way he is or tries to help him (not even his own mother) the inevitable happens and he turns into the shadow we knew from “The Near Witch”. T_T I really wanted to give him a hug and I’m so glad his path led him to Near in the end. <333
”He walked until he was simply a shadow, a stranger, a ghost. Until his edges blurred and his body thinned, and he was nothing but a gray streak against the wind.”
____________________
My heart just broke for Cole all over again. 💔
That poor boy! T_T
Full RTC soon!
___________________
I wanted to read this right after "The Near Witch" but I never got to it!
Well, now that we have a bank holiday weekend I'll use my time wisely by reading this short story. *lol*
It's Cole's story so I'm very curious to find out more about the mysterious boy! ;-)
We got next to nothing about him in the main book so I'll take whatever I can get. XD
He tightened his grip, despite his thinning form. “Which rumors?” he asked coldly. “That I sold my heart for this? That I made a deal with a monster? That I am a monster? A demon?”
“Or a god,” whispered Sarah, and Will laughed bitterly.
This story was so good and it probably had me even more intrigued than “The Near Witch” itself? I just loved to read about Cole and his former life and I was so glad to finally get his background story. Still, “The Ash-Born Boy” was a very sad and dark story. When I first started to read it I thought okay, he’s way more outgoing than he was in “The Near Witch” and I kinda loved to see that side of him. The more the story progressed the more we can see how that seemingly great life turns bitter for him though.
”He clenched his teeth as pain burned up his arm, but he relished it, because in that moment, he felt everything. Anger and sadness and fear and frustration and want, all of it simple and mortal and human. There had been a time when he loved his power, a time when he had clung to it instead of trying to slice it out. That time was gone.”
My heart was bleeding for Will and I kinda hated Robert and his cousin Phillip. Truth be told, I had a hard time understanding his mother because I really wanted her to stop Robert. She kind of reminded me of Elaine in ACOTAR, all sweetness but she never tried to fight her husband. Seriously, if Will would have been my son I would have left Robert a long time ago. Someone who only loves me but not my child isn’t worth the dirt beneath my shoes. *lol* Also what Phillip tried to do was unforgivable! How could they blame Will for it?
”But the wind did not run in William Hart’s veins. It ran deeper, through his bones and between his muscles, rooting somewhere beneath his heart, or between his lungs, a place he could feel but never find.”
Well, and because no one accepts Will the way he is or tries to help him (not even his own mother) the inevitable happens and he turns into the shadow we knew from “The Near Witch”. T_T I really wanted to give him a hug and I’m so glad his path led him to Near in the end. <333
”He walked until he was simply a shadow, a stranger, a ghost. Until his edges blurred and his body thinned, and he was nothing but a gray streak against the wind.”
____________________
My heart just broke for Cole all over again. 💔
That poor boy! T_T
Full RTC soon!
___________________
I wanted to read this right after "The Near Witch" but I never got to it!
Well, now that we have a bank holiday weekend I'll use my time wisely by reading this short story. *lol*
It's Cole's story so I'm very curious to find out more about the mysterious boy! ;-)
We got next to nothing about him in the main book so I'll take whatever I can get. XD
November 17, 2017
“Once, long ago, there was a man and a woman, and a boy,
and a village full of people. And then the village burned
down. And then there was nothing.”
The Ash-Born Boy is the amazing prequel to Schwab's first YA novel The Near Witch.
If you're thinking about reading this free short story but haven't read the book, I suggest you read the book first.
I don't want to say too much, just let me tell you that it was dark and heart-breaking and fantastic. The magic that bewitched me in The Near Witch had me in its grip again. I just love Schwab's writing so much.
Find more of my books on Instagram
and a village full of people. And then the village burned
down. And then there was nothing.”
The Ash-Born Boy is the amazing prequel to Schwab's first YA novel The Near Witch.
If you're thinking about reading this free short story but haven't read the book, I suggest you read the book first.
I don't want to say too much, just let me tell you that it was dark and heart-breaking and fantastic. The magic that bewitched me in The Near Witch had me in its grip again. I just love Schwab's writing so much.
Find more of my books on Instagram
June 23, 2019
“Once, long ago, there was a man and a woman, and a boy, and a village full of people. And then the village burned down. And then there was nothing”.
Si ya leyeron mi reseña de The Near Witch se habrán dado cuenta de que amé el libro, amé el tono oscuro, misterioso y a la vez hermoso con el que V. E. Schwab nos cuenta la historia de las desapariciones de niños en un pueblo, la valentía de una chica y un extraño que llega por ahí. Y, de nuevo, si la leyeron, saben que mi personaje favorito fue ese chico que iba y venía con el viento: Cole.
Pues bien, The Ash-Born Boy es una historia corta sobre el origen de este personaje. ¡Y es magnífica! Conservando el mismo tono que nos transporta a lugares llenos de neblina, corrientes de viento y secretos susurrados, V. E. Schwab nos lleva a un tiempo en el que Cole no se llamaba Cole, sino Will, y vivía en la villa de Dale. Hasta que todo quedó reducido a cenizas.
No saben lo interesante que fue leer sobre Will. Lo amé incluso más de lo que lo amé en The Near Witch. Es uno de esos personajes que sufren muchísimo en su infancia y, poco a poco, van acumulando todas experiencias hasta que llega el día en el que explotan.
Ahora, si bien este relato es técnicamente una precuela y sucede antes de The Near Witch, yo recomiendo que lo lean después de la historia principal. Vale muchísimo más la pena de esa manera.
Si ya leyeron mi reseña de The Near Witch se habrán dado cuenta de que amé el libro, amé el tono oscuro, misterioso y a la vez hermoso con el que V. E. Schwab nos cuenta la historia de las desapariciones de niños en un pueblo, la valentía de una chica y un extraño que llega por ahí. Y, de nuevo, si la leyeron, saben que mi personaje favorito fue ese chico que iba y venía con el viento: Cole.
Pues bien, The Ash-Born Boy es una historia corta sobre el origen de este personaje. ¡Y es magnífica! Conservando el mismo tono que nos transporta a lugares llenos de neblina, corrientes de viento y secretos susurrados, V. E. Schwab nos lleva a un tiempo en el que Cole no se llamaba Cole, sino Will, y vivía en la villa de Dale. Hasta que todo quedó reducido a cenizas.
No saben lo interesante que fue leer sobre Will. Lo amé incluso más de lo que lo amé en The Near Witch. Es uno de esos personajes que sufren muchísimo en su infancia y, poco a poco, van acumulando todas experiencias hasta que llega el día en el que explotan.
Ahora, si bien este relato es técnicamente una precuela y sucede antes de The Near Witch, yo recomiendo que lo lean después de la historia principal. Vale muchísimo más la pena de esa manera.
August 4, 2022
"I'm not anything but me."
°•*⁀➷
Will (Cole), is told he's many things. Things like demon, monster... and even a God. But all he really is... is himself. I'm so sad that nobody ever gave him a chance to show them that.
He's the heir to a kingdom that doesn't want him. He loves his mother, and she loves his abuser. He's told to act like a royal when he wants nothing to do with it. He's told that if he bleeds enough, he can bleed the power inside of him out until there is nothing left. But he only continues to get stronger with each passing day. This is the dark shadow to The Near Witch, and it lives up to that thoroughly.
It was so nice to get to know Will a bit better. To understand why he believes himself to be nothing. He thinks he can have power, or he can have people, and was never taught that he could have both. I'm absolutely heartbroken for him, and so glad to know he has something to look forward to in his future.
- Paige
°•*⁀➷
Will (Cole), is told he's many things. Things like demon, monster... and even a God. But all he really is... is himself. I'm so sad that nobody ever gave him a chance to show them that.
He's the heir to a kingdom that doesn't want him. He loves his mother, and she loves his abuser. He's told to act like a royal when he wants nothing to do with it. He's told that if he bleeds enough, he can bleed the power inside of him out until there is nothing left. But he only continues to get stronger with each passing day. This is the dark shadow to The Near Witch, and it lives up to that thoroughly.
It was so nice to get to know Will a bit better. To understand why he believes himself to be nothing. He thinks he can have power, or he can have people, and was never taught that he could have both. I'm absolutely heartbroken for him, and so glad to know he has something to look forward to in his future.
- Paige
November 1, 2022
This is the little prequel novel about the guy in the smoke and it was okay.
As much as I liked the story of the guy in the smoke I kind of think that this was unnecessary. The fact that his past was so mysterious and that we did not know a lot about him in the book made him a more interesting character and I feel like this book kind of ruined that aspect of the original story.
especially because of the name.
I don't know it was still a nice little novella that still made me feel emotions especially because of the father relationship but I still wish I had not read it and kept the mystery.
As much as I liked the story of the guy in the smoke I kind of think that this was unnecessary. The fact that his past was so mysterious and that we did not know a lot about him in the book made him a more interesting character and I feel like this book kind of ruined that aspect of the original story.
especially because of the name.
I don't know it was still a nice little novella that still made me feel emotions especially because of the father relationship but I still wish I had not read it and kept the mystery.
October 4, 2012
Reaction(s) to learning Victoria had written a novella in Cole's POV.
Oh yes, I'm THAT excited; the Japanese Mcdonald kids excitement worthy.
UPDATE: I FOUND IT! THANK YOU Richard Denney FOR THE LINK! Anyone else who wants to read it, check out his review of the book to get the link and read it. :)
Actual Review:
Even though this book is a novella, it is beautiful. It's sad, heartbreaking, amazing, incredible, and everything that I love about Victoria Schwab's writing.
Will is such a brilliant character. This short story really brings out his sadness and his life. It makes you connect with him and, honestly, makes you want to give the poor boy a hug.
I would probably read The Near Witch first, just to better understand where this is coming from, and then read this. But it really doesn't matter since this is more of a prequel than an actual book.
COLE/WILL, I LOVE YOU!
Oh yes, I'm THAT excited; the Japanese Mcdonald kids excitement worthy.
UPDATE: I FOUND IT! THANK YOU Richard Denney FOR THE LINK! Anyone else who wants to read it, check out his review of the book to get the link and read it. :)
Actual Review:
Even though this book is a novella, it is beautiful. It's sad, heartbreaking, amazing, incredible, and everything that I love about Victoria Schwab's writing.
Will is such a brilliant character. This short story really brings out his sadness and his life. It makes you connect with him and, honestly, makes you want to give the poor boy a hug.
I would probably read The Near Witch first, just to better understand where this is coming from, and then read this. But it really doesn't matter since this is more of a prequel than an actual book.
COLE/WILL, I LOVE YOU!
August 11, 2019
I read this short story in the hardback edition of The Near Witch but I believe it was previously available to read online for free.
The Ash-Born Boy gives us some insight into Cole's mysterious background. I hated seeing everything that he had to go through but I kind of lost all sympathy for him at the end when he destroyed an entire city full of innocent people. I get wanting revenge on the people who hurt you but that doesn't justify hurting innocents. To be honest I probably could have done without reading this story as it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
The Ash-Born Boy gives us some insight into Cole's mysterious background. I hated seeing everything that he had to go through but I kind of lost all sympathy for him at the end when he destroyed an entire city full of innocent people. I get wanting revenge on the people who hurt you but that doesn't justify hurting innocents. To be honest I probably could have done without reading this story as it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
June 30, 2019
This story made me angry but it didn't really give me any insight into the character.
I'm glad it ended the way it did though.
I'm glad it ended the way it did though.
March 9, 2019
Historia corta sobre Cole que se incluye en la versión en español de La bruja de Near.
¡Me encantó!
¡Me encantó!
March 17, 2019
A heartbreaking prequel to The Near Witch, fifty pages or so that are filled to the brim with emotions. You'll understand this story better if read after The Near Witch, it's a wonderful short story.
December 27, 2019
I enjoyed this story about Cole’s background and am very glad she wrote it. Otherwise I would have forever been wondering his real name. Thanks Victoria!
May 18, 2021
☆☆☆ i have mixed feelings about this as a whole, but i was more invested in cole’s story here than i was throughout the entirety of The Near Witch.
January 3, 2023
his story is so sad and he’s definitely one of my favorite characters i’ve ever read about
June 17, 2023
wtf ale żeby aż ze schodów zrzucać 😮😮
March 23, 2020
Oh dear, that was a painful read. My heart ached for Cole, I love him even more. They deserved what they got, I hated everyone 😬
January 30, 2014
5 Stars, without a doubt! o:
It would seem that the Schwab Effect has infected me. The prose is so beautifully lyrical. Just makes you want to savour it (hence the reason why it took me so long to actually FINISH this). It's poignant, short and tragically bittersweet. I have not yet read The Near Witch which is the novel of this prequel novella, but this really cements my yearning to read it nowyes even with the x amount of books i have to read and whatnot. Regardless this short on its own really sets the mood to read its successor.
I hope to pick up my copy sometime soon!
It would seem that the Schwab Effect has infected me. The prose is so beautifully lyrical. Just makes you want to savour it (hence the reason why it took me so long to actually FINISH this). It's poignant, short and tragically bittersweet. I have not yet read The Near Witch which is the novel of this prequel novella, but this really cements my yearning to read it now
I hope to pick up my copy sometime soon!
April 1, 2019
Esta novela corta está incluida dentro de La bruja de Near y debe leerse después del libro. Se podría decir que es una precuela, pero quitaría todo el encanto de conocer al personaje cuya historia se conoce en esta novela corta antes de terminar el libro.
September 18, 2022
this was just a really short story about cole’s past and honestly still better than the entirety of the near witch. cole was maybe the only thing that kept me reading that story, so it was interesting to get to know more about him here!
-> 2.5 stars
-> 2.5 stars
July 14, 2022
I only read this because it was included in my Near Witch audiobook and...it wasn't worth it.
September 22, 2018
«He walked until he was no longer the heir of Dale, or the callous prince, or William Hart. He walked until he was simply a shadow, a stranger, a ghost. Until his edges blurred and his body thinned, and he was nothing but a gray streak against the wind»
Review in English
The Ash-Born Boy is a novella (or short story) about Cole, one of the characters I’ve most liked of The Near Witch. Back in the book, we knew little about his life and past: he’s a witch with the power of speaking and using the wind, but for his power, he’s lost everything – his family and his village, which he accidentally set up on fire.
This book is set before the events of TNR and we’ll get to know him better (I think that he’s better well-rounded as a character than in The Near Witch), and it really brings out his sadness and his life. The narrative, as usual with Victoria Schwab’s books, is whimsical and atmospheric and I truly enjoyed knowing more about this character.
Even though this is supposedly a prequel, if you're thinking about reading this but haven't read The Near Witch, I strongly suggest you read the book first.
P. S. I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please
November 21, 2022
4.5⭐️
This short novella is a prequel to The Near Witch. The story follows "the stranger", William/Cole, and showcases what happened in his previous town and why he left.
William's father attempts to stifle his magic by abusing him whenever he lets his power slip, hoping that the punishments will make him too afraid to use that power. But sadly, William cannot always control his magic, especially when he becomes angry or upset. The way he is treated is just horrible and what ends up happening in the end is awful, but it was the fault of his father and many of the town's citizens who constantly harassed William because they were either afraid of him or thought he was dangerous.
Once again, I enjoyed Schwab's writing style and the story was interesting. I love how William accesses his powers when he is backed into a corner towards the end. He is much better off in the town of Near and I'm glad he got a happy ending after being persecuted and abused simply because he had powers he did not ask for.
This short novella is a prequel to The Near Witch. The story follows "the stranger", William/Cole, and showcases what happened in his previous town and why he left.
William's father attempts to stifle his magic by abusing him whenever he lets his power slip, hoping that the punishments will make him too afraid to use that power. But sadly, William cannot always control his magic, especially when he becomes angry or upset. The way he is treated is just horrible and what ends up happening in the end is awful, but it was the fault of his father and many of the town's citizens who constantly harassed William because they were either afraid of him or thought he was dangerous.
Once again, I enjoyed Schwab's writing style and the story was interesting. I love how William accesses his powers when he is backed into a corner towards the end. He is much better off in the town of Near and I'm glad he got a happy ending after being persecuted and abused simply because he had powers he did not ask for.
April 26, 2019
The newly released audible version of The Near Witch included this short story at the end, and it’s my favorite part of the whole Near Witch tale! Cole’s backstory was so different than I would’ve ever guessed, and I love knowing it. (Bonus points for Cole's real name; I'm going to pretend he's named after my favorite YA character. He's brooding and has dark hair, after all.) ;) Definitely read TNW before you read this because the mystery of Cole’s backstory is half the fun. But I recommend picking this up as soon as you finish the novel!
March 10, 2019
> 4.5
I loved this! It was the perfect length, and works well as a companion novel or an independent story. I especially loved the worldbuilding around the town of Dale, (which was a bit more interesting than the village of Near) with its location on the lakes and it’s Lord ruler; it reminded me very loosely of some of the towns in Middle Earth, such as Lake-town.
I loved this! It was the perfect length, and works well as a companion novel or an independent story. I especially loved the worldbuilding around the town of Dale, (which was a bit more interesting than the village of Near) with its location on the lakes and it’s Lord ruler; it reminded me very loosely of some of the towns in Middle Earth, such as Lake-town.
August 30, 2022
Το prequel του βιβλίου "The Near Witch" θα έλεγα πως ήταν πολύ ανώτερο από το ίδιο το βιβλίο. 💀
Αρκετά καλύτερη, ωριμότερη γραφή και βαθύτερη προσέγγιση στην προσωπικότητα του αγοριού που στο επόμενο βιβλίο ονομάζεται Cole.
Επειδή βρισκόμαστε σε πόλη τώρα, η ατμόσφαιρα ήταν διαφορετική και ίσως μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το χωριό Near.
Ήξερα τι θα ακολουθούσε λόγω του επόμενου βιβλίου αλλά και πάλι η ιστορία του με συγκίνησε.
Δεν έχω να σχολιάσω κάτι παραπάνω. Ότι πρέπει για ένα απόγευμα της προτελευταίας μέρας του Αυγούστου.
Αρκετά καλύτερη, ωριμότερη γραφή και βαθύτερη προσέγγιση στην προσωπικότητα του αγοριού που στο επόμενο βιβλίο ονομάζεται Cole.
Επειδή βρισκόμαστε σε πόλη τώρα, η ατμόσφαιρα ήταν διαφορετική και ίσως μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το χωριό Near.
Ήξερα τι θα ακολουθούσε λόγω του επόμενου βιβλίου αλλά και πάλι η ιστορία του με συγκίνησε.
Δεν έχω να σχολιάσω κάτι παραπάνω. Ότι πρέπει για ένα απόγευμα της προτελευταίας μέρας του Αυγούστου.
February 29, 2020
My beautiful Cole, oh my poor boy! How I wanted to sweep him up in a hug that had human hands attached. Once again this is a compulsively readable story and I’m so glad I started at the start of the journey. I can see her natural talent and I cannot wait to see where this goes!
October 14, 2025
Liked the story a lot more than The Near Witch
September 20, 2020
3...Cute little prequel! Liked the main story better, can't say it was worth it, but it was still good!
November 4, 2019
Loved this! Wish it could be a whole novel and not just a short!
February 2, 2013
This was another great story from Victoria Schwab. It really dives into the backstory of Cole. It is a side you don't get enough of from The Near Witch. You get to learn really why Cole is the way he is and how he comes into his powers and what exactly it is that makes him that powerful. I loved getting inside his head and learning about his personality some more. This story makes me want a sequel to The Near Witch so badly. If you have read The Near Witch, I definitely suggest you read this free short story. It is totally worth the dive back into the world of The Near Witch. Loved reading Schwab's prose again, I can't wait to read her other book The Archived. =]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 761 reviews