Wardstone Chronicles Book 6
*The Spook's Sacrifice*
SO here we are, now that I've finished the sixth book in the series it surely feels a lot more different. Again, for the fifth time in the row, the story takes place at a different place than the Chipenden. This time the destination is Greece, the home of Tom's Mam and the antagonist is the Ordeen, yet another powerful malevolent Old Goddess. This is a very different book from the series, and its pace is not steady. Sometimes its too fast and sometimes too slow. I just have to say that it is full of emotion though. The plot is straightforward with one thing happening at one time, but takes a lot twists and turns. I won't bother to get into the story as you will find it anywhere. It mainly focuses on revealing the secrets of Tom's Mam (Mother). A lot of dark secrets and backstories follow as our young (and old) heroes get towards Greece. The book starts with an attack from the maenad assassin and then slowly the story starts developing faster and faster and then there's a lot of action and fight scenes, a lot of then. I'd like to inform you that there a only just a few lessons in the book given to Tom by the Spook. I personally think that there's a lot of new characters introduced in the book but most of them die, so that's not much of a big deal. I think that the plot of was slow in the beginning but i read it very quickly and later after the interlouge, the plot went very faster and it seemed that I read slow. It may seem controversial but it's true. I read this book for the fourth time, so there was not much of a surprise for me but still it was enchanting, especially in the end. There's a lot of change in the charachters, especially that of Tom and Alice. they seem distant and grown up and full of sadness. I don't know why but they do not seem to have their original qualities. Things have really grown darker after the summoning of the Fiend. (Damn those Pendle Witches!) I hate to break it to you but the most major character in the book after Tom is not the Spook or Alice but Tom's Mum. She may even be the central character. It's odd to see Mam summoning all those Pendle witches for help, the Spook and Tom think that its too dark and unnecessary for the witches to be an ally. The Spook just overdoes it, thankfully at the last moment he joins he team for their journey to Greece along with Mam. Sometimes, the Spook annoys me too much as he keeps talking how the dark influences Tom to get towards the dark side. To my Amazement, the book brings back amazing characters like Bill Arkwright, Grimalkin, Mab Mouldheel, the Fiend. The journey on the ship is also remarkable, with the attack of the Sirens and all. But most of the story takes place at Greece and what a great description! I must surely thank Delaney for such a great detail about the climate, landscape, bio-diversity in Greece. It seems as if you yourself are roaming the great arid deserts. As I said, Mam reveals a lot of history about how she was the first lamia witch and her conversion to the light and how she wants to bind and destroy the Ordeen once and for all. I love the storyline of the attack of lamias in the night, Alice's death in the cave(don't worry, Tom saves her using the Dark wish given to him by Grimalkin), approach to Kalambaka which is a town in Greece consisting of monks who pray for the light. Now, the most interesting that that I would like to inform you about this book is the architecture and the detailing of the Ord which is a large building in which the Ordeen will awaken. It has got hidden chambers, defence barriers made up of fire, traps, demons and elementals hidden in it. The creatures in the Ord are nothing compared to the ones in the county. Once, the delegation of thirteen consisting of Tom, Spook, Alice, Grimalkin, Mab are inside the Ord the story flows much faster and impressive. It just hooks you to read and complete the book. First, the impressive fight between Grimalkin and the servant of Ordeen is just gripping. Later, the result of the Or seen being released is shown to Tom by the devil and even reading it makes you shiver. All those flying vengars and the demons flying with Fiends unlimited backup of power is terrifying. There is not even a bit sign of joy and happiness in the book, which makes it monotonous and very serious. Arkwright gets killed while fighting an elemental. That was very sad. The next most interesting thing is the bargain with the Fiend. Tom risking his soul for the greater good is just heroic, not really. Then, the moment comes when atom faxes the Ordeen herself, at this moment you really realize that Delaney has planned this book very carefully, taking in consideration the minute details that will influence and change the plotline. Toms blood makes the Ordeen appear confused and gives him a few abilities. Anther skill of Tom is brought into spotlight, namely the ability to mock the tide of time as the Ordeen calls it. I forgot to tell you that the Ordeen look really gross, not scary but weird. And the moment Mam reveals her lamia form, its the moment that you will remember till the end of the Wardstone Chronicles, its unforgettable. Mam tries to ell Tom about his destiny and her sacrifice for him. This is surely a very emotional situation. The it's breaks as Mam and Ordeen fight and both die. Later, Alice saves Tom yet again from the Fiend, whoc arrives to takeTom's soul. I personally think that Tom does not turst anybody, not evn his Mam for some time. I think the Fiend has clouded his judegement, and rather than it being the Spook's sacrifice, I think that Mam was the real one to sacricie herself, so there. There's alot of inspirationin the book, especiailly in Mam's letters. It really motivates Tom to forget abou the past adn get ahead in the future. A great book, with a lot of sadness, action, journey, growth, inspirationand advenunture. A real treat for the Wardstone Chronicle fans. Just let me warn you not to read this book more than once or it really spoils the magic, you won't be amazedif you readt it more than once or max twice. Nice Reading!!!