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The Spook's Apprentice: Brother Wulf #1
Frère Wulf, Tome 01: L'enlèvement de l'Épouvanteur
When young novice monk Brother Beowulf is sent to spy on Spook Johnson, he has no idea of the trouble he's about to find himself in. Johnson boasts to Wulf of his battles against demonic creatures, and even seems to imprisons local witches, though Wulf is sceptical - not least because the church has taught him that Spooks are a force for evil, and not to be trusted. But then the monsters Johnson claims to fight turn out to be very real indeed, and soon Wulf is forced to seek help from another young Spook, Tom Ward, who terrifies and charms him in equal measure.
But the forces of the dark are many, and it's not long until Wulf and Tom realise they've bitten off far more than they can chew. A horrifying new enemy is rising - and only Wulf can stop it.
But the forces of the dark are many, and it's not long until Wulf and Tom realise they've bitten off far more than they can chew. A horrifying new enemy is rising - and only Wulf can stop it.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2020
46 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Delaney
59 books3,981 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 57 reviews
September 2, 2020
This is the second book that made me read without stopping. I want the next one... 😂😂😂
September 1, 2023
OMG THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!! I have to admit, at first I feared that I wouldn’t like this book as much as I liked the other series. But , gods , was I absolutely wrong! I LOVED IT! 😍😍😍 Not a single boring moment in this action-packed new story. Joseph Delaney is as good a writer as ever! Brother Wulf was a most interesting character, one that I would love to see more of. Alice and Tom were sweethearts as ever and I really loved that the author brought back a lot of the Wardstone and Starblade Chronicles characters, ideas and things in general. This book really felt like home and it reminded me of so many beautiful times that I’ve been through while reading the first books from this universe 🥰 I had sky-high expectations and they all have been fulfilled, so take my word for it: READ THESE WONDERFUL BOOKS 🧡
March 20, 2025
Історії про учня Відьмака Тома та відьму Алісу супроводжували все моє підліткове життя. Я був здивований, коли знайшов цей цикл, що автор встиг написати перед смертю.
Мені, звісно, дуже прикро, що тепер новий головний герой, а Том і Аліса існують як другорядні персонажі, але потрібно давати шлях молодим.
Тепер головний герой - брат Беовульв, який з дитинства бачить привидів і тільки закінчив перший рік навчання на священика.
Йому доручили працювати та шпигувати за відьмаком.
Зізнаюся чесно, коли я побачив ці обкладинки до книжок про Вульфа, я був засмучений. Вони якісь занадто яскраві та дитячі. Вже подумав, що і сама історія буде більш світлою та дитячою, ніж книжки про Тома. Я дуже сильно помилявся. За ці 269 сторінок відбулися: катування, спалювання живцем, поїдання мізків живої людини, канібалізм, християнство, дощ із маленьких шматочків людини та багато чого більш моторошного.
Рекомендую всім фанатам Страуда
Мені, звісно, дуже прикро, що тепер новий головний герой, а Том і Аліса існують як другорядні персонажі, але потрібно давати шлях молодим.
Тепер головний герой - брат Беовульв, який з дитинства бачить привидів і тільки закінчив перший рік навчання на священика.
Йому доручили працювати та шпигувати за відьмаком.
Зізнаюся чесно, коли я побачив ці обкладинки до книжок про Вульфа, я був засмучений. Вони якісь занадто яскраві та дитячі. Вже подумав, що і сама історія буде більш світлою та дитячою, ніж книжки про Тома. Я дуже сильно помилявся. За ці 269 сторінок відбулися: катування, спалювання живцем, поїдання мізків живої людини, канібалізм, християнство, дощ із маленьких шматочків людини та багато чого більш моторошного.
Рекомендую всім фанатам Страуда
June 19, 2023
Twas fun being in the County again. I always enjoy a trip to this fictional Lancashire, being from there myself! But at this point, this new tale feels like it’s lost some of the magic, and a lot of the urgency, of the original Wardstone Chronicles.
The villains are all fairly generic. Their reasonings and their monologuing leave much to be desired. The protagonist himself lacks much personality, other than a copied and pasted version of young Tom Ward from the first books. Good manners, good heart, all that. A lot of stuff happens TO him, but I’m far more interested in the other, more familiar, characters around him. The saving grace is Spook Johnson, but even then I feel like Delaney is trying to fill an Arkwright sized hole. And he is actually more than a bit of a dick lol.
And to end the Starblade Chronicles on such a note, to then transfer attention to this completely new character feels a bit odd. Surely there’s juicier stuff to play with? Or at least another split POV book like with Tom and Jenny. But alas, these are books for teens.
Overall it was fine. I hope where this tale has left people makes for a more interesting second book. I might be being a bit too optimistic though…
The villains are all fairly generic. Their reasonings and their monologuing leave much to be desired. The protagonist himself lacks much personality, other than a copied and pasted version of young Tom Ward from the first books. Good manners, good heart, all that. A lot of stuff happens TO him, but I’m far more interested in the other, more familiar, characters around him. The saving grace is Spook Johnson, but even then I feel like Delaney is trying to fill an Arkwright sized hole. And he is actually more than a bit of a dick lol.
And to end the Starblade Chronicles on such a note, to then transfer attention to this completely new character feels a bit odd. Surely there’s juicier stuff to play with? Or at least another split POV book like with Tom and Jenny. But alas, these are books for teens.
Overall it was fine. I hope where this tale has left people makes for a more interesting second book. I might be being a bit too optimistic though…
April 21, 2020
Never a dull moment in the company of mr Joseph Delaney. Brother Wulf is a brilliant new character and I can't what to see what happens during his time as apprentice at Spook Johnson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
Reading this book has taken me back to when I read the Wardstone Chronicles for the first time 20 years ago. I’ve had this book on my shelf - unread - for around 3 years, always unsure on whether to read as I had fallen in love with the original series, and then the Starblade chronicles as i’ve loved Tom & Alice right from the first book and knowing this wasn’t from Tom’s POV always kept me from picking it up. But this year I wanted to start reading all my unread books and picking this book up was like talking to an old friend and has bought that feeling of being a 7 year old reading the series for the first time. I’ve managed to read this book in a day as I just couldn’t put the book down and I intend to finish the series this year.
April 26, 2020
My favourite author of all time. I will write every story this man writes. Just fantastic!
November 16, 2025
Okay I can get used to a different perspective telling the story! I’m intrigued here - and of course Alice is great!
June 26, 2021
https://lapommequirougit.com/2021/06/...
Le roman par excellence de mon adolescence, c’est l’épouvanteur ! Je n’ai pas encore terminé cette saga, dont le reste est dans ma PAL, mais cela n’est pas gênant pour lire ce titre, quand bien même, nous sommes dans le même univers.
Frère Wulf, c’est un jeune moine en apprentissage, qui doit espionner l’épouvanteur Johnson. En effet, l’église n’aime vraiment pas les épouvanteurs. Pourtant, ce dernier va disparaître. Wulf, ne sait pas vraiment quoi faire, il se dit qu’il doit l’aider !
C’est ainsi qu’il se retrouve à aller demander au milieu de la nuit, conseil à un autre épouvanteur du nom de Tom Ward. Ce dernier sera-t-il apte à l’aider ? Retrouvera-t-il Johnson ?
C’est un tel plaisir que de retrouver l’univers de l’épouvanteur et surtout les personnages de Tom et d’Alice. J’ai lu ce roman si rapidement. Comme toujours, le style d’écriture de Joseph Delaney me plaît énormément. Le livre se laisse lire sans difficulté et les pages défilent à toute vitesse !
Comme toujours avec l’univers de l’épouvanteur, ce dernier est bien façonné, travaillé et on est rapidement plongé dedans ! L’action reste très prenante.
Ce que j’aime ici, c’est voir le point de vue de Wulf, un moine, qui, on le sait pour les lecteurs de l’épouvanteur, n’est pas le mieux placé pour approuver ce que font les épouvanteurs. En effet, l’église désapprouve leur méthode. Voir la vision de Wulf et des épouvanteurs se confronter était très intéressant.
En bref, je suis heureuse de retomber dans l’univers de l’épouvanteur, avec un nouveau personnage et de nouvelle aventure en perspective ! 😉
Le roman par excellence de mon adolescence, c’est l’épouvanteur ! Je n’ai pas encore terminé cette saga, dont le reste est dans ma PAL, mais cela n’est pas gênant pour lire ce titre, quand bien même, nous sommes dans le même univers.
Frère Wulf, c’est un jeune moine en apprentissage, qui doit espionner l’épouvanteur Johnson. En effet, l’église n’aime vraiment pas les épouvanteurs. Pourtant, ce dernier va disparaître. Wulf, ne sait pas vraiment quoi faire, il se dit qu’il doit l’aider !
C’est ainsi qu’il se retrouve à aller demander au milieu de la nuit, conseil à un autre épouvanteur du nom de Tom Ward. Ce dernier sera-t-il apte à l’aider ? Retrouvera-t-il Johnson ?
C’est un tel plaisir que de retrouver l’univers de l’épouvanteur et surtout les personnages de Tom et d’Alice. J’ai lu ce roman si rapidement. Comme toujours, le style d’écriture de Joseph Delaney me plaît énormément. Le livre se laisse lire sans difficulté et les pages défilent à toute vitesse !
Comme toujours avec l’univers de l’épouvanteur, ce dernier est bien façonné, travaillé et on est rapidement plongé dedans ! L’action reste très prenante.
Ce que j’aime ici, c’est voir le point de vue de Wulf, un moine, qui, on le sait pour les lecteurs de l’épouvanteur, n’est pas le mieux placé pour approuver ce que font les épouvanteurs. En effet, l’église désapprouve leur méthode. Voir la vision de Wulf et des épouvanteurs se confronter était très intéressant.
En bref, je suis heureuse de retomber dans l’univers de l’épouvanteur, avec un nouveau personnage et de nouvelle aventure en perspective ! 😉
May 21, 2020
Great story, great characters as always. Everyone is there, Tom, Alice and even Grimalkin, although she has just a very short appearance. The only thing I disliked was Wulf choosing Spook Johnson and not Tom. But Alice, stated, that he can still change his mind. So let's see, what's going to happen, to Wulf's career ;-).
Einfach wieder ein super Buch, dass der Grossmeister da abgeliefert hat. Das Setting ist immer noch dasselbe und das ist gut so. Erstaunlich, wie der Autor es immer schafft, alte "Götter" einzubauen, ohne, dass man es als komisch empfindet! Das einzige was ich nicht mochte war, dass Wulf am Ende mit Spook Johnson mitgeht. Aber laut Alice kann er es sich auch noch anders überlegen. Darum habe ich noch Hoffnung ;-).
Einfach wieder ein super Buch, dass der Grossmeister da abgeliefert hat. Das Setting ist immer noch dasselbe und das ist gut so. Erstaunlich, wie der Autor es immer schafft, alte "Götter" einzubauen, ohne, dass man es als komisch empfindet! Das einzige was ich nicht mochte war, dass Wulf am Ende mit Spook Johnson mitgeht. Aber laut Alice kann er es sich auch noch anders überlegen. Darum habe ich noch Hoffnung ;-).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2021
Toujours aussi bien
November 25, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 25, 2020
Joseph Delaney is a genius!!
IMO, Brother Wulf is Delaney's best book till date. The author looks more comfortable in the Spooks World stories, and writes them with extreme finesse. Brother Wulf is a perfect example of how a great fantasy book should be.
Apart from the few Gemmell's I have read or is currently reading this year, Brother Wulf is amongst my best book of 2020
IMO, Brother Wulf is Delaney's best book till date. The author looks more comfortable in the Spooks World stories, and writes them with extreme finesse. Brother Wulf is a perfect example of how a great fantasy book should be.
Apart from the few Gemmell's I have read or is currently reading this year, Brother Wulf is amongst my best book of 2020
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June 10, 2020Other than being a little rushed in certain sections, this is probably Delaney's best work since 'Blood'. Wulf is a great main character and the ability for the author to play off of Tom and Alice instead of them being the focal point makes for really compelling reading. The previous elements from the Spooks world doesn't feel shoe-horned in and Wulf seems like a nessecery addition to the saga.
Cerce is a interesting villain and sets up a great baddie for coming installments. Sometimes the book moves a little bit too fast though - only being 180 pages long - and I wish that he would have fleshed certain sections out a bit. Other than that - great book and I want to read the coming chapter.
Also, the cover art - while very pretty - really misleads the tone of this book. It's seriously violent and heads are rolling left and right. Maybe look into creating some more accurate art for the next book.
4/5
Cerce is a interesting villain and sets up a great baddie for coming installments. Sometimes the book moves a little bit too fast though - only being 180 pages long - and I wish that he would have fleshed certain sections out a bit. Other than that - great book and I want to read the coming chapter.
Also, the cover art - while very pretty - really misleads the tone of this book. It's seriously violent and heads are rolling left and right. Maybe look into creating some more accurate art for the next book.
4/5
October 14, 2021
Pour commencer, ce tome-ci n'est pas le tome 17 de la saga de l'Epouvanteur, même si cela est bien une suite mais d'une autre saga, dans la continuité de la saga précédente. D'habitude, j'ai un peu dur à suivre une suite via un autre point de vue mais étant donné que j'adore cette série, je m'y suis mis.
On retrouve donc Frère Wulf, qui est un jeune moine dans un monastère et qui est assez jeune, plus jeune que Tom Ward en tout cas. Pour les personnages, on apprend aussi que Johnson est un ancien apprenti de John Gregory mais qui est assez ... arrogant, vantard. Pour faire plus simple, il a engagé le scribe pour ��crire ses chroniques, ses « exploits » et dont le titre contiendrait Johnson le Grand, quelque chose dans le genre. Pour les autres personnages, on y mentionne aussi Jenny, Grimalkin, même Alice, qui possède un rôle assez intéressant dans ce tome.
Le roman m'a un peu surpris sur certains aspects, surtout dont la façon dont Tom se transforme et ce qu'il a conçu avec Alice. J'avoue que je me demande comment cela va évoluer de leur côté mais ce qui m'a étonné, c'est que Frère Wulf est le quatrième et dernier enfant d'une fratrie mais qu'il possède des dons spéciaux et qu'il représente quelque chose de nouveaux selon Alice.
L'ambiance générale reste dans le même ton que les derniers romans de la saga de l'Epouvanteur mais je trouve dommage qu'il soit assez court mais vu que c'est le premier tome, je me dis que le volume des futurs romans augmentera peut-être comme dans la saga de l'Epouvanteur où le volume des livres passe par exemple de 270 pages à plus de 350 voire 400 pages. Bref, une saga que je vais continuer de suivre encore pendant quelques années.
On retrouve donc Frère Wulf, qui est un jeune moine dans un monastère et qui est assez jeune, plus jeune que Tom Ward en tout cas. Pour les personnages, on apprend aussi que Johnson est un ancien apprenti de John Gregory mais qui est assez ... arrogant, vantard. Pour faire plus simple, il a engagé le scribe pour ��crire ses chroniques, ses « exploits » et dont le titre contiendrait Johnson le Grand, quelque chose dans le genre. Pour les autres personnages, on y mentionne aussi Jenny, Grimalkin, même Alice, qui possède un rôle assez intéressant dans ce tome.
Le roman m'a un peu surpris sur certains aspects, surtout dont la façon dont Tom se transforme et ce qu'il a conçu avec Alice. J'avoue que je me demande comment cela va évoluer de leur côté mais ce qui m'a étonné, c'est que Frère Wulf est le quatrième et dernier enfant d'une fratrie mais qu'il possède des dons spéciaux et qu'il représente quelque chose de nouveaux selon Alice.
L'ambiance générale reste dans le même ton que les derniers romans de la saga de l'Epouvanteur mais je trouve dommage qu'il soit assez court mais vu que c'est le premier tome, je me dis que le volume des futurs romans augmentera peut-être comme dans la saga de l'Epouvanteur où le volume des livres passe par exemple de 270 pages à plus de 350 voire 400 pages. Bref, une saga que je vais continuer de suivre encore pendant quelques années.
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August 16, 2021Dans cette histoire nous suivons Frère Beowulf, alors que son abbaye vient de lui confier une importante mission : il doit travailler pour Maître Will Johnson, et surveiller ses agissements. Mais au cours d’une mission, ce dernier se fera enlever par une redoutable sorcière. Impuissant face à cette dramatique situation, le jeune moine va essayer de trouver de l’aide auprès de Tom Ward, épouvanteur de renom. Ensemble, ils vont donc se lancer dans une quête périlleuse..
Je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion de découvrir l’épouvanteur alors, si vous êtes comme moi, sachez que cette saga peut se lire indépendamment de la principale. Néanmoins, vous vous en doutez, il y a quelques spoilers — puisque celle-ci se déroule après. En ce qui me concerne, cela ne m’a pas dérangée outre mesure et j’ai pris plaisir à suivre Frère Wulf ainsi que Tom (le protagoniste principal de l’autre série, si j’ai bien compris). Aussi, j’ai eu l’impression d’avoir face à moi les prémices d’un univers riche et dense : maintenant, j’ai envie d’en savoir plus !
Concrètement, Frère Wulf est un bon premier tome. Dès le début le lecteur plonge dans une intrigue folle et plus les chapitres passent, plus le rythme est entrainant. J’ai dévoré ce roman — quoique court. Mon seul regret vient justement de ce point là : dommage qu’il n’y ait pas plus de détails et que le développement (de l’histoire, des personnages..) ne soit pas plus poussé. Bref, ça reste une bonne entrée en matière. Merci aux éditions Page Turners pour l’envoi de ce livre et pour la confiance qui m’a été accordée. ♥
Je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion de découvrir l’épouvanteur alors, si vous êtes comme moi, sachez que cette saga peut se lire indépendamment de la principale. Néanmoins, vous vous en doutez, il y a quelques spoilers — puisque celle-ci se déroule après. En ce qui me concerne, cela ne m’a pas dérangée outre mesure et j’ai pris plaisir à suivre Frère Wulf ainsi que Tom (le protagoniste principal de l’autre série, si j’ai bien compris). Aussi, j’ai eu l’impression d’avoir face à moi les prémices d’un univers riche et dense : maintenant, j’ai envie d’en savoir plus !
Concrètement, Frère Wulf est un bon premier tome. Dès le début le lecteur plonge dans une intrigue folle et plus les chapitres passent, plus le rythme est entrainant. J’ai dévoré ce roman — quoique court. Mon seul regret vient justement de ce point là : dommage qu’il n’y ait pas plus de détails et que le développement (de l’histoire, des personnages..) ne soit pas plus poussé. Bref, ça reste une bonne entrée en matière. Merci aux éditions Page Turners pour l’envoi de ce livre et pour la confiance qui m’a été accordée. ♥
May 12, 2023
Finally got to finish this book after almost 3 weeks of somewhat of a reading hiatus.
I really liked how they introduced Spook Will Johnson and somewhat of a bigot. It made his mini redemption arc pretty satisfying. The new dark creatures as well as Circe was a little meh but Tom turning into a Lamia hybrid again was pretty cool.
I sorta can’t relate to Wulf as much as I think Joseph Delaney might have wanted. I think its because he is kinda too brave. Like in the beginning of the series, Tom would cower and run from things and I feel like it helped him feel like an actualy human. Whereas Wulf states he is scared shitless but literally shows none of it, jumping straight into action. We don’t even get that classic “so scared I’m paralyzed” thing that we’re so used to with young Tom. Other than that, I think Wulf is a pretty interesting character. Especially with him starting out as a monk (sort of a throw back to John Gregory, who was a priest before a spook). I also liked how he has abilities that differ from seventh sons of seventh sons, sorta like Jenny. I hope to god he doesn’t fall into the same category as her though. I don’t think Jenny provided any purpose other than maybe storytelling from a different perspective?
Anyways, the book was better than I expected and I quite enjoyed it
I really liked how they introduced Spook Will Johnson and somewhat of a bigot. It made his mini redemption arc pretty satisfying. The new dark creatures as well as Circe was a little meh but Tom turning into a Lamia hybrid again was pretty cool.
I sorta can’t relate to Wulf as much as I think Joseph Delaney might have wanted. I think its because he is kinda too brave. Like in the beginning of the series, Tom would cower and run from things and I feel like it helped him feel like an actualy human. Whereas Wulf states he is scared shitless but literally shows none of it, jumping straight into action. We don’t even get that classic “so scared I’m paralyzed” thing that we’re so used to with young Tom. Other than that, I think Wulf is a pretty interesting character. Especially with him starting out as a monk (sort of a throw back to John Gregory, who was a priest before a spook). I also liked how he has abilities that differ from seventh sons of seventh sons, sorta like Jenny. I hope to god he doesn’t fall into the same category as her though. I don’t think Jenny provided any purpose other than maybe storytelling from a different perspective?
Anyways, the book was better than I expected and I quite enjoyed it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
A novice monk (Brother Beowulf) is sent by the Church to help Spook Johnson write his memoirs, but he is really supposed to be spying on him gathering evidence for an Inquisitor. When Johnson is captured, Wulf seeks aid from Spook Tom Ward, who agrees to help, leaving Alice alone at home despite the imminent arrival of their child. Alice is a witch, evildoers from all Wulf has been taught, and yet she follows them south with her newborn because she knows they will need her guile and help to overcome the evil lurking in the south. Everything Wulf is taught is called into question as he has to decide for himself what is good and what is evil. Lines are blurry, but Wulf is made of solid moral fiber, and possesses great inner strength in overcoming obstacles and determining the course of his life (and his new friends and mentors.) I liked Alice's fierce mothering, but thought that Delaney could have done better with developing the Spooks' characters further, especially Tom. Johnson was kind of dislikable actually.
July 12, 2020
So great to get back to the universe of the spooks. So interesting to read about a novice monk meeting spooks like Tom and witches like Alice. We get a totally different view and we see how it changes over time which I'm excited to continue reading about in the rest of the series. I really liked this beginning of Brother Beowulf's story, and I cannot wait to the second book to get published...I honestly wished I could get my hands on it now, even though it was a really good ending, not too much of a cliffhanger (I've seen worst, hahaha.). Btw. that big new plot with the witch Circe and the Quisitor was wild and I cannot wait to see where this is going:-0
January 26, 2024
A great start to another series in the world. I have loved both of the prior series and was a bit hesitant to start this one. I wish I hadn't waited so long because it is just as good. Wulf is very similar to Tom as a young kid, but slightly annoying in some ways. However, I have always appreciated that the author doesn't shy away from flawed characters. There is always complexity to his caracters. I just wish Wulf had made a different decision in terms of his future. Although, I am looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing how things follow in the wake of the decisions that were made by those involved.
April 27, 2020
I just finished the book and I must say that I really enjoyed it. One thing that really stuck out to me was how Delaney expanded the Spook's lore to incorporate the things and new possibilities that come with the evolution of the dark and everything that's tied to it. I enjoyed reading about Tom and Alice again. The whole book had a nostalgic feeling to it and I felt giddy reading it. It's been so long since we had another Spook's book. It feels really good knowing there will be more to come, because I'm really looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2021
"En résumé, un premier tome que j'ai adoré et qui m'a fait replonger dans une série que j'aime profondément... Et qu'il est grand temps que je reprenne et termine ! Frère Wulf est un jeune garçon très attachant, l'intrigue est menée d'une main de maître et ne laisse pas le lecteur souffler un seul instant. Pour ma part, je suis très curieuse de découvrir le tome 2. Je ne sais pas combien de tomes sont prévus, mais je serais au rendez-vous !"
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April 1, 2023
Très agréable, dans un sens où c'est super réconfortant de retrouver des personnages de la saga, des lieux connus, que Wulf découvre mais que nous connaissons déjà, on a un peu l'impression de retrouver Tom enfant, c'est très mignon. Parfois peut-être un peu trop, j'ai l'impression de retrouver des phrases mots pour mots, surtout dans les descriptions, c'est un peu dommage. Mais l'intrigue et le personnage principal sont intéressants, toujours un plaisir de retrouver cet univers que j'apprécie.
Et puis c'est aussi trop chouette de voir Tom et Alice ensemble !!! 😊
Et puis c'est aussi trop chouette de voir Tom et Alice ensemble !!! 😊
April 14, 2023
Ughh so good! I stood up until Midnight reading this because I just couldn’t keep on holding it back for work! I had to finish it and soo worth it. I got so excited to read about Tom and Alice and be thrown back to New Darkness trio. Definitely I was a happy camper.
I also love how this middle grade book just doesn’t feel so…middely? May I say? I can’t wait to continue.
Rest in Peace Joseph. Thank you for this legacy.
I also love how this middle grade book just doesn’t feel so…middely? May I say? I can’t wait to continue.
Rest in Peace Joseph. Thank you for this legacy.
September 6, 2024
After feeling a little disappointed upon finishing the Wardstone chronicles, and Starblade chronicles, I was pleasantly suprised with this instalment.
It feels like a return to form, if a little predictable. I like Wulf's character and I am looking forward to seeing where he goes, and what secrets are revealed.
Hopefully, when all is said and done, we will get a complete story, and a definite ending for Alice and Tom.
It feels like a return to form, if a little predictable. I like Wulf's character and I am looking forward to seeing where he goes, and what secrets are revealed.
Hopefully, when all is said and done, we will get a complete story, and a definite ending for Alice and Tom.
September 10, 2020
Very good book, not anything I haven't seen before
I enjoyed the book thoroughly and intend to continue the series, my only complaint is that it seems to be in many ways, refusing to add anything to the existing world. I'm excited to see if I'm proven wrong going forward.
I enjoyed the book thoroughly and intend to continue the series, my only complaint is that it seems to be in many ways, refusing to add anything to the existing world. I'm excited to see if I'm proven wrong going forward.
May 22, 2021
As always a wonderful tale of continuing adventures in the world of The Spooks Apprentice. New happenings for Tom and Alice, and an introduction an interesting character in Brother Wulf. Love this world!
December 19, 2022
Un plaisir de retrouver l'ambiance de L'epouvanteur. Une nouvelle saga où l'on retrouve Tom mais avec sa casquette d'épouvanteur. Un nouveau personnage, Wulf, que je prends.du plaisir à suivre. Les codes de L'epouvanteur sont là mais pour moi c'est un régal.
August 16, 2023
If you love the Last Apprentice Seies and the adventures of Tom Ward and Alice, this is for you. Seems to be written with younger readers in mind, but I am flying through it and loving it. A good read for all ages if a Fan of Delancy!!!!
December 27, 2023
I was first scared that it would be a more child focust book because the cover was way brighter then the spook serie. But just like the spook serie it's fun for young and old. It continues where the spook tale left of but some years later
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