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The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #7
Le Cauchemar de l'Epouvanteur
" Je rêvais de Lime l'Osseuse... Elle trônait dans une grande salle. Le Malin se tenait à côté d'elle, une main posée sur son épaule. Des prisonniers hurlant de terreur attendaient d'être décapités, et le sol était rouge de sang. " La guerre. qui faisait rage au sud du Comté, a maintenant gagné l'ensemble du pays. A leur retour de Grèce. Tom Ward et John Gregory découvrent que les soldats ont mis le feu à la maison de Chipenden, réduisant en cendres la précieuse bibliothèque. De plus, pendant leur absence, les sorcières de Pendle ont libéré Lime l'Osseuse, que l'Epouvanteur avait enfermée dans une fosse. Rester dans le Comté s'avère trop dangereux. En compagnie de la jeune Alice, et des trois chiens, Griffe, Sang et Os, Tom et son maître s'embarquent pour l'île de Mona, gouvernée par le cruel lord Barrule. Seulement, ils n'y sont pas les bienvenus...
351 pages, Broché
First published May 27, 2010
266 people are currently reading
6942 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Delaney
59 books3,982 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 470 reviews
December 8, 2025
"The breeze died away very suddenly, and the chill was like a blade of ice cutting into my face."After successfully dealing with the Ordeen from the last book, the Spook, Tom and Alice return to the County...only to find that the Spook's house was burned to the ground.
The comfy rooms, the security of the boggart and decades of knowledge in the library - all lost in an instant.
The Spook is rattled - far more rattled than he initially lets on - and with the encroachment of enemy soldiers, the three of them immediately leave again.
They cross the ocean and settle on an island called Mona but there is a Shaman living there who has the island under his control...and a few old enemies have followed them as well...
"The soldier reached him and slashed downward with his sword. My heart was in my mouth..."
The series is still quite good but the momentum is a little slower for me. I feel like this is at least somewhat understandable...we've gone through six books - six rounds of monsters, fiends and lore development.
It's only natural that the book series starts to slow a little bit. I did still rather enjoy this one. I really appreciate the commitment to the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.
Additionally, Alice is still one of my favorite characters ever. I just really hope her character is treated well.
Audiobook Comments
Read by the always-amazing Christopher Evan Welch. He really makes this audio series shine.
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May 12, 2016
8/10
This is probably the best instalment in the series for a while and possibly the best so far, I really enjoyed it and was able to get through this in quick time. There has been an over arcing theme with Tom and the fiend in the previous novels but this takes a bit of a back seat in this outing and it is more a standalone (don’t read it out of order though as so many characters/themes are mentioned throughout) and works well for it.
Tom and the Spook flea the County to the Isle of Man (or Mona in this book) and are instantly treated with suspicion by the locals. Eventually they come to blows with some of the locals and some of the themes dealt with make me wonder about the Young Adult side of these. There is a whole section about dog fighting and then pitting humans against each other in a fight to the death. I get that there are some themes here more for the older young adults but at the start of the series I thought these were just quirky kids tales, obviously things have escalated.
It felt like this novel was geared up to make it more apparent that the apprentice was becoming stronger than the master. This made it quite different from previous outings as Tom views his master in a different light after a few botched attempts.
This story was interesting and made for a good read. It didn’t progress the main themes much further along but it didn’t suffer for that at all. I really enjoy this series, it makes for a nice quick read and quite different to any other series I have on the go.
This is probably the best instalment in the series for a while and possibly the best so far, I really enjoyed it and was able to get through this in quick time. There has been an over arcing theme with Tom and the fiend in the previous novels but this takes a bit of a back seat in this outing and it is more a standalone (don’t read it out of order though as so many characters/themes are mentioned throughout) and works well for it.
Tom and the Spook flea the County to the Isle of Man (or Mona in this book) and are instantly treated with suspicion by the locals. Eventually they come to blows with some of the locals and some of the themes dealt with make me wonder about the Young Adult side of these. There is a whole section about dog fighting and then pitting humans against each other in a fight to the death. I get that there are some themes here more for the older young adults but at the start of the series I thought these were just quirky kids tales, obviously things have escalated.
It felt like this novel was geared up to make it more apparent that the apprentice was becoming stronger than the master. This made it quite different from previous outings as Tom views his master in a different light after a few botched attempts.
This story was interesting and made for a good read. It didn’t progress the main themes much further along but it didn’t suffer for that at all. I really enjoy this series, it makes for a nice quick read and quite different to any other series I have on the go.
January 3, 2018
As much as I love this series, this book wasn't my favourite. There was a lot of... must defeat most evil person in the world - get captured - escape - must go back and defeat most evil person in the world - get captured - escape - must go back and defeat most evil person in the world..... you get the drift
As a side note, Tom is now 16 the books are getting more dark and creepy and some of the descriptions would be too much for a middle grade audience.
Audio narration is once again very well done.
As a side note, Tom is now 16 the books are getting more dark and creepy and some of the descriptions would be too much for a middle grade audience.
Audio narration is once again very well done.
September 13, 2016
The Last Apprentice/ Wardstone Chronicles Series-Book #7...
I'm on the 7th of 13 books in this series and so far it hasn't gotten old yet. In this installment, the war is in progress and enemy soldiers have been ransacking the counties. When Tom, Alice & the Spook return home from Greece they find the Spook's home, including his massive library of priceless books, burnt down, the bogart has fled & the witches have escaped. They end up fleeing to an island that they think we'll be a safe haven but from the moment they disembark they encounter even more problems including the bone witch, Bony Lizzie.
This series never lacks adventure and I really like the characters and enjoy seeing how they develop. The audio narrator is also fantastic so until the stories get old or I run out of books I'm going to keep on listening...
*I read this for my 2016 Halloween Book Bingo: ~Witches~ square
I'm on the 7th of 13 books in this series and so far it hasn't gotten old yet. In this installment, the war is in progress and enemy soldiers have been ransacking the counties. When Tom, Alice & the Spook return home from Greece they find the Spook's home, including his massive library of priceless books, burnt down, the bogart has fled & the witches have escaped. They end up fleeing to an island that they think we'll be a safe haven but from the moment they disembark they encounter even more problems including the bone witch, Bony Lizzie.
This series never lacks adventure and I really like the characters and enjoy seeing how they develop. The audio narrator is also fantastic so until the stories get old or I run out of books I'm going to keep on listening...
*I read this for my 2016 Halloween Book Bingo: ~Witches~ square
December 30, 2019
Seri giderek sertleşiyor. Bu kitap itibariyle bu seriye genç yetişkin demek çok mümkün değil.
Kötü şamanlar, yerinden yurdundan olan Hayalet ve Tom, yakılan kütüphaneler ve mülteciler. Her şey biraz olsun toparlanıyor derken öyle bir alt üst oldu ki kitabın daha en başından gerim gerim gerilerek giriş yaptım.
7. Kitap gergin bir kitaptı. Artık tempo düşmeyecek, belli. Ayrıca şu an için umut beslemek için de erkenmiş :)
Çeviri ve editörlük her zamanki gibi güzel, ancak buggane adlı canavarın adının bir şekilde Türkçeye uydurmasını beklerdim. Hayal kırıklığına uğradığım yegane şey oldu.
Kötü şamanlar, yerinden yurdundan olan Hayalet ve Tom, yakılan kütüphaneler ve mülteciler. Her şey biraz olsun toparlanıyor derken öyle bir alt üst oldu ki kitabın daha en başından gerim gerim gerilerek giriş yaptım.
7. Kitap gergin bir kitaptı. Artık tempo düşmeyecek, belli. Ayrıca şu an için umut beslemek için de erkenmiş :)
Çeviri ve editörlük her zamanki gibi güzel, ancak buggane adlı canavarın adının bir şekilde Türkçeye uydurmasını beklerdim. Hayal kırıklığına uğradığım yegane şey oldu.
December 18, 2020
I really missed this characters especially Tom and Alice !
February 23, 2025
I don't know why Goodreads showed me giving this four stars, I did not. This was three stars, at best. Taking up soon after the events in Greece and Tom and Alice doing something really dumb (again) we have the two of them and the Spook returning home and realizing it's been destroyed and the County has been overrun. They decide to flee to the island of Mona and once again, they have some evil doers out there, some in league with the Fiend (again) and some just doing their own mess, and we get an older villain who is now out for revenge against the Spook and Tom.
Honestly this was so long and I wish that the last book had been longer. There is just way too many things going on in this one that even make sense and I just rolled with it. I think there should just be one big bad per book because otherwise it's just a collection of characters that are hard to track and even make sense of things.
I think that the book flow was really repetitive though, they kept trying to escape and got captured by so many different big bads in this one I got tired of it.
And of course you have Tom still keeping secrets from the Spook and I am sick of the and then I told him everything that always seems to happen. I think that what the biggest part of the series fall for me was that Delaney changed who the Spook was in the last book so much it just made no sense to me. And I really think if he wanted to make this a spectacular series, he needed to actually give Tom hard choices to make instead of him still doing the dumbest thing per usual and everyone screaming about how he is the only thing that matters. Tom is a straight up a Gary Sue at this point and he's not the most interesting character anymore.
Honestly this was so long and I wish that the last book had been longer. There is just way too many things going on in this one that even make sense and I just rolled with it. I think there should just be one big bad per book because otherwise it's just a collection of characters that are hard to track and even make sense of things.
I think that the book flow was really repetitive though, they kept trying to escape and got captured by so many different big bads in this one I got tired of it.
And of course you have Tom still keeping secrets from the Spook and I am sick of the and then I told him everything that always seems to happen. I think that what the biggest part of the series fall for me was that Delaney changed who the Spook was in the last book so much it just made no sense to me. And I really think if he wanted to make this a spectacular series, he needed to actually give Tom hard choices to make instead of him still doing the dumbest thing per usual and everyone screaming about how he is the only thing that matters. Tom is a straight up a Gary Sue at this point and he's not the most interesting character anymore.
February 8, 2011
I have excitement and fear. I've got this in my hands, but can't read it quite yet. I so very much enjoy this series but wonder...how long can it stay good? Seven books is a really long run and while not every book in the series has been equally great, they've all been quite good. Will this one be, as well?
***Feb 2011***
If I didn't know better - and maybe I don't - I'd have thought this was fan fiction and not written by Joseph Delaney at all.
Maybe my expectations were too high going into the book and maybe had they not been, I would not have felt so terribly let down. However, I was so disappointed with this installment.
It started out ok - the shock of coming home, exhausted, to find your house and life's work burned to the ground, to find your home inhabited by enemies and to have to flee should have set up a very emotional story. I had expected Gregory to lose it, to finally snap. I had expected Tom to have to tell Gregory of the pact he had made with the Fiend. I had expected there to be a big break-up, of sorts, and I thought Tom would have to finally step up and grow up really quickly, taking over and doing his duty to the county because Old Gregory was finally broken.
Speaking of Tom, I'm no longer sure why this series is even called The Last Apprentice. Shouldn't it be called The Little Witch Saves Your Butts AGAIN? What on earth is he even doing in this story, aside from watching stuff happen? He may as well be sitting beside me listening to these books instead of being a character in them; he cannot get his act together. This is the seventh book (and he's a seventh son! You'd think the seventh book would be a big turning point). He has to have learned something more than silver chains, iron filings, salt, and waiting for Alice to swoop in and rescue him! I do not once remember him taking any initiative in this entire story - he fought when he was told to fight, otherwise, he stood there, watching, waiting for his turn to do something. He really couldn't kill Lizzie when the chance came? He really couldn't defy her and go to the dungeons to rescue his new BFF Adriana as well as the Spook? He really fell for Lizzie's trap in the tower? He really couldn't subdue Lizzie as she was melting Horn's head? Really?
He couldn't even stand up to a couple of soldiers in the beginning of the story. There were,what? five? scared "witches" on top of the hill against one or two soldiers. They couldn't fight back? They were going to die anyhow so why didn't they at least fight? And Adriana? What was her purpose in this book? She was forgotten half the time. No one ever thought to look for her in the dungeons until they actually had to go into the dungeons and she just happened to be on the way. She and Simon were throwaway characters and I was really upset that Adriana was used as the source of Lizzie's demise because it took away from one of the main characters doing something unpleasant but necessary; it completely invalidated Tom and Gregory's existence and didn't allow Alice to face the dilemma she wasn't able to face earlier in the story.
Speaking of invalidating, why did Bill Arkwright's ghost show up to give control of his dogs back to Tom? I don't think I could have rolled my eyes hard enough at that. It was a complete cop-out and should never have happened. How did Bony Lizzie even know who Bill Arkwright was, anyhow, and why was his ghost available for her manipulation? It was just another excuse to not have Tom stand up for himself; someone always comes in to save him and since it couldn't be Alice this time, it was a ghost who told the dogs to obey Tom again. Oh, that was horrible and it hurt my head.
Reading the book was like reading an account of little kids playing pretend. Not only did it lack depth, the characters never gained any significant emotional growth - and Alice saying that Old Gregory is past his prime and it's Tom's turn to take up the mantle of Spookitude doesn't count because she's said that before - nor were there any pivotal turning points in the plot (Gregory should have been killed by Lizzie since she hated him so very very much and had become so powerful that even he couldn't overcome her). Mostly, the story consisted of getting to Mona, being captured, escaping, getting captured, escaping, then getting captured and escaping. It was like no one wanted to really hurt or kill any of the main or semi-main characters - Lizzie didn't really want to kill Tom or the Spook or else she'd have done so immediately instead of playing this "I want to torture you and make you miserable" game over and over and over. I'd have just killed them the second time I'd gotten my hands on them because I'd be really angry they got away the first time I'd intended to torture them and make them pay. Alice didn't really want to kill Lizzie, which is understandable, though she should have been given a chance to do so again at the end...maybe Tom could have finally repaid her for all the work she does for him. Tom couldn't kill Lizzie because he was always under her spell (when he actually got around to thinking about killing her) and the one chance he did have, he didn't take because his morals flared to life - and I'm getting a little tired of that, too. His morals have no play anymore; he sold his soul to the devil and he is lying to his master about it because he's afraid of being rejected...and yet he can't kill a witch known for murdering children because she's suddenly defenseless? I'm not buying it. Even worse, Lizzie had to tell the Spook this sordid little tale at the end and Tom never even had to man-up and take responsibility for his actions; he was ratted out and there were no consequences? Seriously? This is where we're going?
Adriana and Simon were completely unnecessary. Horn could have been used to much better advantage but was the go-to not-so-bad guy when things got sticky...until his head was melted. The captain of the guard was another throwaway character. These people had no real impact on the story, with exception of Adriana being used as Lizzie's death sentence and that was merely an easy cop-out. These useless characters had no impact on the story's forward movement and could have been removed altogether.
I feel the story would have been better played had Gregory died. Lizzie should have been able to kill him because he was weak with grief over both the loss of his home and books as well as the loss of his apprentice's soul, which he should have found out in the beginning. This should have finally kick-started Tom to take up the Spook's role and to not only take revenge on Lizzie but to solidify his need to banish the Fiend since he's the root of all evil and Spooks are becoming more and more rare as the series goes on. He needs to come to terms with his feelings for Alice and he needs to start working with her, listening to her, making decisions instead of wavering constantly and letting her pick up all the slack.
I sincerely hope the next book addresses some of these issues and I hope the writer stops making excuses for Tom. Should this not happen, I hope Tom dies because he is becoming the most pointless character ever.
***Feb 2011***
If I didn't know better - and maybe I don't - I'd have thought this was fan fiction and not written by Joseph Delaney at all.
Maybe my expectations were too high going into the book and maybe had they not been, I would not have felt so terribly let down. However, I was so disappointed with this installment.
It started out ok - the shock of coming home, exhausted, to find your house and life's work burned to the ground, to find your home inhabited by enemies and to have to flee should have set up a very emotional story. I had expected Gregory to lose it, to finally snap. I had expected Tom to have to tell Gregory of the pact he had made with the Fiend. I had expected there to be a big break-up, of sorts, and I thought Tom would have to finally step up and grow up really quickly, taking over and doing his duty to the county because Old Gregory was finally broken.
Speaking of Tom, I'm no longer sure why this series is even called The Last Apprentice. Shouldn't it be called The Little Witch Saves Your Butts AGAIN? What on earth is he even doing in this story, aside from watching stuff happen? He may as well be sitting beside me listening to these books instead of being a character in them; he cannot get his act together. This is the seventh book (and he's a seventh son! You'd think the seventh book would be a big turning point). He has to have learned something more than silver chains, iron filings, salt, and waiting for Alice to swoop in and rescue him! I do not once remember him taking any initiative in this entire story - he fought when he was told to fight, otherwise, he stood there, watching, waiting for his turn to do something. He really couldn't kill Lizzie when the chance came? He really couldn't defy her and go to the dungeons to rescue his new BFF Adriana as well as the Spook? He really fell for Lizzie's trap in the tower? He really couldn't subdue Lizzie as she was melting Horn's head? Really?
He couldn't even stand up to a couple of soldiers in the beginning of the story. There were,what? five? scared "witches" on top of the hill against one or two soldiers. They couldn't fight back? They were going to die anyhow so why didn't they at least fight? And Adriana? What was her purpose in this book? She was forgotten half the time. No one ever thought to look for her in the dungeons until they actually had to go into the dungeons and she just happened to be on the way. She and Simon were throwaway characters and I was really upset that Adriana was used as the source of Lizzie's demise because it took away from one of the main characters doing something unpleasant but necessary; it completely invalidated Tom and Gregory's existence and didn't allow Alice to face the dilemma she wasn't able to face earlier in the story.
Speaking of invalidating, why did Bill Arkwright's ghost show up to give control of his dogs back to Tom? I don't think I could have rolled my eyes hard enough at that. It was a complete cop-out and should never have happened. How did Bony Lizzie even know who Bill Arkwright was, anyhow, and why was his ghost available for her manipulation? It was just another excuse to not have Tom stand up for himself; someone always comes in to save him and since it couldn't be Alice this time, it was a ghost who told the dogs to obey Tom again. Oh, that was horrible and it hurt my head.
Reading the book was like reading an account of little kids playing pretend. Not only did it lack depth, the characters never gained any significant emotional growth - and Alice saying that Old Gregory is past his prime and it's Tom's turn to take up the mantle of Spookitude doesn't count because she's said that before - nor were there any pivotal turning points in the plot (Gregory should have been killed by Lizzie since she hated him so very very much and had become so powerful that even he couldn't overcome her). Mostly, the story consisted of getting to Mona, being captured, escaping, getting captured, escaping, then getting captured and escaping. It was like no one wanted to really hurt or kill any of the main or semi-main characters - Lizzie didn't really want to kill Tom or the Spook or else she'd have done so immediately instead of playing this "I want to torture you and make you miserable" game over and over and over. I'd have just killed them the second time I'd gotten my hands on them because I'd be really angry they got away the first time I'd intended to torture them and make them pay. Alice didn't really want to kill Lizzie, which is understandable, though she should have been given a chance to do so again at the end...maybe Tom could have finally repaid her for all the work she does for him. Tom couldn't kill Lizzie because he was always under her spell (when he actually got around to thinking about killing her) and the one chance he did have, he didn't take because his morals flared to life - and I'm getting a little tired of that, too. His morals have no play anymore; he sold his soul to the devil and he is lying to his master about it because he's afraid of being rejected...and yet he can't kill a witch known for murdering children because she's suddenly defenseless? I'm not buying it. Even worse, Lizzie had to tell the Spook this sordid little tale at the end and Tom never even had to man-up and take responsibility for his actions; he was ratted out and there were no consequences? Seriously? This is where we're going?
Adriana and Simon were completely unnecessary. Horn could have been used to much better advantage but was the go-to not-so-bad guy when things got sticky...until his head was melted. The captain of the guard was another throwaway character. These people had no real impact on the story, with exception of Adriana being used as Lizzie's death sentence and that was merely an easy cop-out. These useless characters had no impact on the story's forward movement and could have been removed altogether.
I feel the story would have been better played had Gregory died. Lizzie should have been able to kill him because he was weak with grief over both the loss of his home and books as well as the loss of his apprentice's soul, which he should have found out in the beginning. This should have finally kick-started Tom to take up the Spook's role and to not only take revenge on Lizzie but to solidify his need to banish the Fiend since he's the root of all evil and Spooks are becoming more and more rare as the series goes on. He needs to come to terms with his feelings for Alice and he needs to start working with her, listening to her, making decisions instead of wavering constantly and letting her pick up all the slack.
I sincerely hope the next book addresses some of these issues and I hope the writer stops making excuses for Tom. Should this not happen, I hope Tom dies because he is becoming the most pointless character ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2023
I'm getting closer to the end. And darkness is scaring me as well.
December 7, 2011
Even though the stakes keep increasing, and Tom and Co are facing, in this installment, some of their most powerful opponents to date, I couldn't help but feel that the story was kind of lackluster.
Part of it is the continuing level of the narration which still isn't really aging much in tone (though I will say that one thing, specifically - but I think part of it was just the suspense wasn't there as much.
I don't know if that's due more to me or the narration. It just seemed off this time - sort of choppy and jumpy in ways it wasn't in the past. For example, in one scene
And while that was the worst example of the choppiness, it wasn't the only one. I almost felt like Delaney just churned this one out and didn't really pay as much attention as he has in the past. I also felt there was a lot of telling versus showing and just, in general, it wasn't quite up to scratch.
But there were aspects of the story I did like - some character growth and development - which I hope promises two things: 1) Deeper, more mature tellings as things go on and 2) a winding down of the series.
I'm starting to get the feeling that the series is being dragged out for the sake of being dragged out. Well, not starting, actually - it's been a worry for a few books now - but I'm really hoping with some of the things that happened in this story that we're going to reach a climax at some point and that it's not just going to be dragged out indefinitely.
Time will tell, I suppose.
Part of it is the continuing level of the narration which still isn't really aging much in tone (though I will say that one thing, specifically - but I think part of it was just the suspense wasn't there as much.
I don't know if that's due more to me or the narration. It just seemed off this time - sort of choppy and jumpy in ways it wasn't in the past. For example, in one scene
And while that was the worst example of the choppiness, it wasn't the only one. I almost felt like Delaney just churned this one out and didn't really pay as much attention as he has in the past. I also felt there was a lot of telling versus showing and just, in general, it wasn't quite up to scratch.
But there were aspects of the story I did like - some character growth and development - which I hope promises two things: 1) Deeper, more mature tellings as things go on and 2) a winding down of the series.
I'm starting to get the feeling that the series is being dragged out for the sake of being dragged out. Well, not starting, actually - it's been a worry for a few books now - but I'm really hoping with some of the things that happened in this story that we're going to reach a climax at some point and that it's not just going to be dragged out indefinitely.
Time will tell, I suppose.
April 9, 2012
The Spook's Nightmare is the continuation of an incredible YA series by Joseph Delaney. The series itself follows Tom Ward who becomes the apprentice of the County Spook and learns the various methods of trapping and defeating the creatures of the Dark which inhabit the County. Overcoming beings from Boggles to witches is just part of the adventure. I must warn anyone who thinks these are simple books for thirteen to fourteen year olds that they are pretty dark and gruesome in places. After all there are many witches who use bone and blood magic for instance. Yet if you want a story where the forces of light ultimately triumph over evil no matter how grim things appear you will like this series.
I recommend however you begin at the start with The Spook's Apprentice. Or, if you live in America, The Revenge of the Witch. And I'm certain you will be hooked by the series. I certainly have so far. However do not read these after dark, things might get a little spooky.
I recommend however you begin at the start with The Spook's Apprentice. Or, if you live in America, The Revenge of the Witch. And I'm certain you will be hooked by the series. I certainly have so far. However do not read these after dark, things might get a little spooky.
October 7, 2022
Just finished reading, and sadly I feel a bit disappointed. Some plot lines and deaths begin to feel somewhat thin and forced, and I found things repetitive and plain at times. I already noticed it in the previous book, but here it really stood out to me.
Still, I am a big fan of the series and look forward to reading the next books!
Still, I am a big fan of the series and look forward to reading the next books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2012
Spinechilling and nail-bitingly intense these spooky books will have you jumping out of your skin, completely engrossed within the story!!
The Spooks series continues with a deadly nightmare that haunts your sleep and fills every waking moment with thoughts on how the hero is going to overcome the terrors that await him…full of electric tension amidst and inspired and truly original storyline this book you will find unable to put down, even for a minute! I will warn you though that if you are a younger reader, to NOT read these books after dark!
The county is facing dark days as uncertain times lie ahead, but for the spook it is the nights that are darkest. Having up until now stood against all evil, he is now haunted by vivid dreams that fill his entire being with such terror and foreboding. The dreams almost seem to be like premonitions of what is to come…With his precious library now destroyed by fire and his arch rival, Bony Lizzie free to wreak havoc amongst the people, things soon begin to fall apart and those once strong certainties crumble into dust. As the nightmares soon turn into reality the Spook begins to notice that his powers appear to be waning; just when he needs them the most. Can he defeat this deadly enemy or will his nightmares and the horrors that fill his waking hours take over?!
Tom, the Spooks Apprentice is a fantastic, well-crafted character whom I have really enjoyed following in many adventures that all began in book one “the spooks apprentice”. This chilling tale has you glued to the pages with such frenzied anticipation of what undisclosed secrets lie in wait as you turn over the next page. Complete with symbols, maps and character profiles, book 7 is just as compelling and even more intense as the others within this truly remarkable series. Joseph Delaney is an accomplished author whose series also has now its own online website (www.spooksbooks.com) where you can take part in your own spooks battle, find out more about your favorite characters such as Alice and Tom and where you can plunge back into this magical world of spooky monsters, nightmares and evil enemies that threaten to take over the county.
Thoroughly engaging I cannot fault this tale, although I will say that I have only given this 3 ½ stars because it is designed for the younger reader hence although the characters are individualistic and memorable and the world-building is good, there is not a great deal of depth and so I would recommend this to fans of YA or children/ teen.
The Spooks series continues with a deadly nightmare that haunts your sleep and fills every waking moment with thoughts on how the hero is going to overcome the terrors that await him…full of electric tension amidst and inspired and truly original storyline this book you will find unable to put down, even for a minute! I will warn you though that if you are a younger reader, to NOT read these books after dark!
The county is facing dark days as uncertain times lie ahead, but for the spook it is the nights that are darkest. Having up until now stood against all evil, he is now haunted by vivid dreams that fill his entire being with such terror and foreboding. The dreams almost seem to be like premonitions of what is to come…With his precious library now destroyed by fire and his arch rival, Bony Lizzie free to wreak havoc amongst the people, things soon begin to fall apart and those once strong certainties crumble into dust. As the nightmares soon turn into reality the Spook begins to notice that his powers appear to be waning; just when he needs them the most. Can he defeat this deadly enemy or will his nightmares and the horrors that fill his waking hours take over?!
Tom, the Spooks Apprentice is a fantastic, well-crafted character whom I have really enjoyed following in many adventures that all began in book one “the spooks apprentice”. This chilling tale has you glued to the pages with such frenzied anticipation of what undisclosed secrets lie in wait as you turn over the next page. Complete with symbols, maps and character profiles, book 7 is just as compelling and even more intense as the others within this truly remarkable series. Joseph Delaney is an accomplished author whose series also has now its own online website (www.spooksbooks.com) where you can take part in your own spooks battle, find out more about your favorite characters such as Alice and Tom and where you can plunge back into this magical world of spooky monsters, nightmares and evil enemies that threaten to take over the county.
Thoroughly engaging I cannot fault this tale, although I will say that I have only given this 3 ½ stars because it is designed for the younger reader hence although the characters are individualistic and memorable and the world-building is good, there is not a great deal of depth and so I would recommend this to fans of YA or children/ teen.
December 30, 2010
This is the seventh book in The Last Apprentice series by Delaney. Originally the series was planned for seven books, but this book definitely isn't the last in the series. I haven't been able to find an updated estimate of how many books this series will have. This was another great addition to this series.
This book finds the Spook, Tom, and Alice back on their way to the Spook's house. Things are getting worse on the war front, the enemies are invading further inland and when the Spook and crew arrive home they find the Spook's house burnt to the ground. They end up fleeing to the island of Mona where they will find even more trouble than they left behind on the mainland.
This was another creepy, action packed installment in this series. It is one of the darkest books of the series so far. The Spook hits new lows with his house destroyed and his enemies stronger than he can handle; this results in Tom and Alice having to step up and take on more responsibilities. Over everything you can feel the shadow of the Fiend; his presence on the earth is making humans act in more despicable ways than ever, making the war even more brutal than a war normally would be.
Tom and Alice continue to grow in complexity as characters; both of them are constantly toeing the line between good and evil and trying to stay in a happy grey-white area. All of the characters are sent through horrible trials in this book and it really makes you feel for them.
Most of this book ends up being a fight between Bony Lizzie and the Spook and crew. I can't help feeling like this book was just throwing in another adventure to stall for time while Delaney tries to figure out what to do with the over-arcing story involving the escape of the Fiend. Things are getting worse and at some point the Fiend will have to be dealt with; I am hoping it doesn't get drawn out too long and is addressed in the next book. There really isn't any resolution at all when it comes to the Fiend in this book.
Fans of previous novels should enjoy this book. Although the story is darker, it is written in the same great style as previous novels and is very readable and engaging. Quite the page-turner it was hard to put down.
Overall another excellent installment in this series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and hope that we finally get some resolution to the storyline about the Fiend. I love this series, but it is starting to drag on a bit for me.
This book finds the Spook, Tom, and Alice back on their way to the Spook's house. Things are getting worse on the war front, the enemies are invading further inland and when the Spook and crew arrive home they find the Spook's house burnt to the ground. They end up fleeing to the island of Mona where they will find even more trouble than they left behind on the mainland.
This was another creepy, action packed installment in this series. It is one of the darkest books of the series so far. The Spook hits new lows with his house destroyed and his enemies stronger than he can handle; this results in Tom and Alice having to step up and take on more responsibilities. Over everything you can feel the shadow of the Fiend; his presence on the earth is making humans act in more despicable ways than ever, making the war even more brutal than a war normally would be.
Tom and Alice continue to grow in complexity as characters; both of them are constantly toeing the line between good and evil and trying to stay in a happy grey-white area. All of the characters are sent through horrible trials in this book and it really makes you feel for them.
Most of this book ends up being a fight between Bony Lizzie and the Spook and crew. I can't help feeling like this book was just throwing in another adventure to stall for time while Delaney tries to figure out what to do with the over-arcing story involving the escape of the Fiend. Things are getting worse and at some point the Fiend will have to be dealt with; I am hoping it doesn't get drawn out too long and is addressed in the next book. There really isn't any resolution at all when it comes to the Fiend in this book.
Fans of previous novels should enjoy this book. Although the story is darker, it is written in the same great style as previous novels and is very readable and engaging. Quite the page-turner it was hard to put down.
Overall another excellent installment in this series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and hope that we finally get some resolution to the storyline about the Fiend. I love this series, but it is starting to drag on a bit for me.
April 12, 2017
I like the US names of of these books over the UK versions, the only exception is book 9: it's Grimalkin the Witch Assassin in the US and I am Grimalkin in the UK (<----which I like better).
Review:
4.5*
I hate how the Spook sees things in black and white, even right down to lighting a candle with magic being eeeevuuul. It seems to me it is the ultimate triumph against black magic, to use it for good deeds, like Alice does. She's saved Tom and the Spook countless times over so they could fight the dark another day. But does the Spook say thanks or even give a nod of acknowledgment? No, he chews her out. Not because it's against the laws of the universe to save a life, but because he didn't approve of her methods (which didn't hurt anyone in their place, by the way). He's turning into a grumpy old man. I wouldn't be surprised if he started firing a gun at future supplicants, screaming, "Get off my lawn!"
P.S. Can Tom stop getting kidnapped so much?
Review:
4.5*
I hate how the Spook sees things in black and white, even right down to lighting a candle with magic being eeeevuuul. It seems to me it is the ultimate triumph against black magic, to use it for good deeds, like Alice does. She's saved Tom and the Spook countless times over so they could fight the dark another day. But does the Spook say thanks or even give a nod of acknowledgment? No, he chews her out. Not because it's against the laws of the universe to save a life, but because he didn't approve of her methods (which didn't hurt anyone in their place, by the way). He's turning into a grumpy old man. I wouldn't be surprised if he started firing a gun at future supplicants, screaming, "Get off my lawn!"
P.S. Can Tom stop getting kidnapped so much?
October 14, 2010
As a big fan of the series, I was really disappointed with this book. Let’s start with the death toil. Practically everyone dies, gory gruesome deaths, but as a reader I really didn't care because no one in the book seems to care. And then there’s Tom and the Spook. I didn’t sympathise with either character and they were both beyond useless! Alice had to step in time and time again to save them. (The book gets two stars for Alice's sake.) To top it all, Boney Lizzy, the Spooks nemesis, is defeated not by the Spook, or by Tom, or by Alice, but by this random bird witch (whose name I forget and whose death, and that of her lover, also seemed completely unnecessary). This book frustrated me. It felt like it was meandering all over the place without a clear idea of where it wanted to go. But as I said, Alice was kickass, so it wasn't a complete waste of my time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2015
(Die ganze Spook Reihe bewerte ich übrigens immer besser als ich es vielleicht unter anderen Umständen getan hätte, aber die Bücher haben mich in den letzten Monaten abends immer so beruhigt, als es mir nicht gut ging, dass sie eine besonderen Platz in meinem Herzen haben.)
Langsam kommt etwas Veränderung rein! Selbst der alt eingesessene Spook kommt jetzt nicht mehr drumherum, einige seiner alten Ansichten zu überdenken. Sehr schön. Ich habe wieder sehr viele Gefühle für Alice. Und ich finde es so großartig, dass Tom und Alice so zusammenhalten. Hach.
Das Ende war dann doch etwas plötzlich und wirr, fand ich jedenfalls, aber nun gut.
Langsam kommt etwas Veränderung rein! Selbst der alt eingesessene Spook kommt jetzt nicht mehr drumherum, einige seiner alten Ansichten zu überdenken. Sehr schön. Ich habe wieder sehr viele Gefühle für Alice. Und ich finde es so großartig, dass Tom und Alice so zusammenhalten. Hach.
Das Ende war dann doch etwas plötzlich und wirr, fand ich jedenfalls, aber nun gut.
March 6, 2017
4.5 stars. What can I say about this. It's going much darker. It's almost like Harry Potter bok 4. You just know that from know on it's going to get darker.
Inn this book the characters are keeping secrets. It's still a lots of action going on. But I missed the fun parts. Except for that, it was amazing.
Inn this book the characters are keeping secrets. It's still a lots of action going on. But I missed the fun parts. Except for that, it was amazing.
January 28, 2022
Trop de détails "inutiles" dans ce tome bien que l'histoire de ce dernier accentue le fil rouge de l'histoire et renforce ce côté "dark" de plus en plus présent dans la série.
May 14, 2025
Was wondering when we would ever hear from Bony Lizzie for a while but here she is, back and more powerful and scarier than ever! The Fiend doesn't take part in this story like he's done for the past few books and I'm surprised because his presence left an uneasy feeling of dread for what he has in store for our characters but I guess he can take a backseat for now. This book just didn't have the same feel like the other books in this series but I enjoyed seeing how Alice thought of Lizzie after so long. Sure it had more than one villain for the heroes to contend with, two to be precise, but they just didn't have the same sense of evil and just seemed lackluster compared to other villains they've encountered.
August 26, 2019
Wardstone Chronicles Book 7
*The Spook's Nightmare*
Yet another gripping delight for the young readers of the Wardstone Series. This is a completely different book and things have changed a lot. You'll notice this at the beginning of the book itself. The plot takes place on Mona Island towards the south west of Chipenden. The book starts with a quick recap of its predecessor book and how our heroes fought of the Dark Goddess Ordeen in Greece and also the recap of characters and their origin. Let me give you a brief idea of the plot. At Chipenden, the Spooks house and library gets burnt which thoroughly devastates him and marks the beginning of waxing of his power. As a result, our heroes go to Mona Island to escape from the forces of war at Chipenden. There they meet hostile forces of the 'yeoman' and are captured and transferred to a prison in Greeba Keep under the order of Lord Barule. Bony Lizzie, who also escaped the Spook's prison is now at large on the island. The Spook, Alice, Tom and the Bloodhounds somehow fight of the Shaman and escape the Keep and return again there under the powerful influence of Bony Lizzie as the Spook weakens day by day. Lizzie hopes to become the queen of the island and tries many things. In the end our heroes finish of the Buggane and the malevolent witch with the help of a powerful alliance of a bird witch Adriana.
There's a whole new group of characters, locations, spells and skills in the book. Young Apprentice Ward gains a paramount knowledge here. The protagonists remain the same with the small addition of the three hounds Claw, Blood and Bone. The antagonists are Bony Lizzie, a malevolent witch who has escaped the Spooks pit and wants to become the queen the Mona Island and grows ever powerful. She is the major antagonist. The buggane, a dark daemon identity who is a beast and can suck the life force or the animus of living organisms he is the secondary antagonist and finally the third one, The Shaman who is the controller of the buggane but not as powerful but can influence animals according to his will. The yeomen and 'Horn' the offspring of the Fiend are just minions and not a major threat but they give a hard time to our Dark Duelers. Even, characters like Major Stilton, Adriana the bird witch and her husband Simon and the Tynwald Council are side characters that play a minor role in the story. Lets talk about character development. Tom is just the way he was, not a bit better asp compared to the previous novel. Though he has got some more sense of responsibility. He is confused and sometimes scared of Lizzie and the buggane and wouldn't survive if not for Alice.(She is very helpful, not doubt) Even, the issue of the Blood Jar terrifies him. But he's courageous and not meek like he once was. He is able to face difficulties with much more ease and he is getting a lot better at disobeying the Spook and getting along with Alice. I personally think that he has obtained a glorious and a major role and has sidelined the Spook. Alice has been a lot helpful and saves the life of our young and old heroes a dozen of times. And for doing this, she uses a lot of new and unknown dark tricks. She gains a lot of dark knowledge through he grimore of the Shaman who is slain by Lizzie. She is insuspectable and does not fear Lizzie at all, probably because she is her daughter. Speaking of John Gregory, the Spook he is surely growing old and timid, the major reason may be due to the burning of his library he thinks that he has failed his motive and almost gives up. But he tries to get Tom to do things and seems determined, but gets tired easily. Mark my words, he is still a good teacher but keeps overdoing 'don't use the dark' motto towards Alice and Tom. He has expertise in dealing with the Buggane and tracking Lizzie, though he gets stuck in prison a lot of times, beaten only by Tom. The buggane is just great, his abilities are frightening and his appearance itself can turn people mad. It plays a major role in the book. I would say it was like a mini-Bane version who can get in the minds of people and suck their life force and can change forms it has got a lot of 'Bane' traits. The Shaman is Lord Barule the ruler of the Island and makes things go very bad for Tom and hi Hounds as he makes them fight against each other and is very malevolent and cruel. But he is finished off early in the book by Bony Lizzie who takes his thumb bones and becomes very powerful. Lizzie then just reaches the epitome of a prime Pendle witch and uses astonishing spells and curses and makes people go mad and kills them with just a glance. She wields powerful abilities to make someone do something against their will and even controlling the buggane for a while. She is finished off by Adriana, the bird witch. I just love Mona Island, it sets a grim and a dark atmosphere for the plot that is completely suitable. Its shores and other locations are very well planned, especially the Grim Cache which plays a turning point in the story, the labyrinth of the buggane and most importantly the Greeba Keep. A lot of things happen in the above mentioned places. They have got a Royal but dark touch and it just adds up to the story. The forest are also remarkable. The spiked barrel rides also deserves a mention. I really like he book, how the plot is twisting and turning and mysterious, it gives you jumps and rides of terror, action, morals, threats and dark magic. It has got everything that wardstone readers would be looking for. It would be most fruitful if you read this book Immediately after its predecessor and you would immediately notice the difference both in character developments and the setting along with the location. A very enjoyable, delightful, sometimes horrifying, ride full of action and unobvious plot that will leave you thinking. Nice Reading!!
*The Spook's Nightmare*
Yet another gripping delight for the young readers of the Wardstone Series. This is a completely different book and things have changed a lot. You'll notice this at the beginning of the book itself. The plot takes place on Mona Island towards the south west of Chipenden. The book starts with a quick recap of its predecessor book and how our heroes fought of the Dark Goddess Ordeen in Greece and also the recap of characters and their origin. Let me give you a brief idea of the plot. At Chipenden, the Spooks house and library gets burnt which thoroughly devastates him and marks the beginning of waxing of his power. As a result, our heroes go to Mona Island to escape from the forces of war at Chipenden. There they meet hostile forces of the 'yeoman' and are captured and transferred to a prison in Greeba Keep under the order of Lord Barule. Bony Lizzie, who also escaped the Spook's prison is now at large on the island. The Spook, Alice, Tom and the Bloodhounds somehow fight of the Shaman and escape the Keep and return again there under the powerful influence of Bony Lizzie as the Spook weakens day by day. Lizzie hopes to become the queen of the island and tries many things. In the end our heroes finish of the Buggane and the malevolent witch with the help of a powerful alliance of a bird witch Adriana.
There's a whole new group of characters, locations, spells and skills in the book. Young Apprentice Ward gains a paramount knowledge here. The protagonists remain the same with the small addition of the three hounds Claw, Blood and Bone. The antagonists are Bony Lizzie, a malevolent witch who has escaped the Spooks pit and wants to become the queen the Mona Island and grows ever powerful. She is the major antagonist. The buggane, a dark daemon identity who is a beast and can suck the life force or the animus of living organisms he is the secondary antagonist and finally the third one, The Shaman who is the controller of the buggane but not as powerful but can influence animals according to his will. The yeomen and 'Horn' the offspring of the Fiend are just minions and not a major threat but they give a hard time to our Dark Duelers. Even, characters like Major Stilton, Adriana the bird witch and her husband Simon and the Tynwald Council are side characters that play a minor role in the story. Lets talk about character development. Tom is just the way he was, not a bit better asp compared to the previous novel. Though he has got some more sense of responsibility. He is confused and sometimes scared of Lizzie and the buggane and wouldn't survive if not for Alice.(She is very helpful, not doubt) Even, the issue of the Blood Jar terrifies him. But he's courageous and not meek like he once was. He is able to face difficulties with much more ease and he is getting a lot better at disobeying the Spook and getting along with Alice. I personally think that he has obtained a glorious and a major role and has sidelined the Spook. Alice has been a lot helpful and saves the life of our young and old heroes a dozen of times. And for doing this, she uses a lot of new and unknown dark tricks. She gains a lot of dark knowledge through he grimore of the Shaman who is slain by Lizzie. She is insuspectable and does not fear Lizzie at all, probably because she is her daughter. Speaking of John Gregory, the Spook he is surely growing old and timid, the major reason may be due to the burning of his library he thinks that he has failed his motive and almost gives up. But he tries to get Tom to do things and seems determined, but gets tired easily. Mark my words, he is still a good teacher but keeps overdoing 'don't use the dark' motto towards Alice and Tom. He has expertise in dealing with the Buggane and tracking Lizzie, though he gets stuck in prison a lot of times, beaten only by Tom. The buggane is just great, his abilities are frightening and his appearance itself can turn people mad. It plays a major role in the book. I would say it was like a mini-Bane version who can get in the minds of people and suck their life force and can change forms it has got a lot of 'Bane' traits. The Shaman is Lord Barule the ruler of the Island and makes things go very bad for Tom and hi Hounds as he makes them fight against each other and is very malevolent and cruel. But he is finished off early in the book by Bony Lizzie who takes his thumb bones and becomes very powerful. Lizzie then just reaches the epitome of a prime Pendle witch and uses astonishing spells and curses and makes people go mad and kills them with just a glance. She wields powerful abilities to make someone do something against their will and even controlling the buggane for a while. She is finished off by Adriana, the bird witch. I just love Mona Island, it sets a grim and a dark atmosphere for the plot that is completely suitable. Its shores and other locations are very well planned, especially the Grim Cache which plays a turning point in the story, the labyrinth of the buggane and most importantly the Greeba Keep. A lot of things happen in the above mentioned places. They have got a Royal but dark touch and it just adds up to the story. The forest are also remarkable. The spiked barrel rides also deserves a mention. I really like he book, how the plot is twisting and turning and mysterious, it gives you jumps and rides of terror, action, morals, threats and dark magic. It has got everything that wardstone readers would be looking for. It would be most fruitful if you read this book Immediately after its predecessor and you would immediately notice the difference both in character developments and the setting along with the location. A very enjoyable, delightful, sometimes horrifying, ride full of action and unobvious plot that will leave you thinking. Nice Reading!!
March 2, 2024
For the storyline, I must admit that it needed better structure. I would give it a 3.9. Its not bad, but not too great either.
As for the contents, I appreciate John Gregory’s development. He’s old, extremely principled, but circumstances require you to adapt to change.
John Gregory, The Spook of Chipenden, who has never travelled far beyond the county but stayed trued to his principles taught by Spooks before him, continues to learn despite misgivings.
Rereading this book (read it the first time many years ago) again after so many years brought a different perspective. It was also during this time that I discovered the passing of Mr Joseph Delaney, the fantastic author who wrote this series.
Rest in peace Mr Delaney (1945-2022), in my mind, you were the true Spook of the county.
As for the contents, I appreciate John Gregory’s development. He’s old, extremely principled, but circumstances require you to adapt to change.
John Gregory, The Spook of Chipenden, who has never travelled far beyond the county but stayed trued to his principles taught by Spooks before him, continues to learn despite misgivings.
Rereading this book (read it the first time many years ago) again after so many years brought a different perspective. It was also during this time that I discovered the passing of Mr Joseph Delaney, the fantastic author who wrote this series.
Rest in peace Mr Delaney (1945-2022), in my mind, you were the true Spook of the county.
April 3, 2019
Enemy armies ransack the Spooks home, burning it down along with the library. Only one book is left. Bony Lizzie (Alice’s mother) is set on the loose. Tom, Alice and the Spook must work together more than ever. But while the spook’s power is needed most, it starting to fade. The genre is fantasy and is the 7th book in the Wardstone series. I like it because again the storyline is very gripping and has a lot of dark things involved. The ending is okay as it ties up all loose ends and leaves a storyline for the next book. I would recommend this for both girls and boys, and for year 7 upwards.
October 17, 2021
przez pierwszą połowę książki nie interesowało mnie prawie nic co się działo, ale gdzieś w okolicach dwusetnej strony akcja zaczeła mnie wciągać coraz bardziej i bardziej, rozwijając część wątków z poprzednich tomów, które mogą naprawdę nieźle zagmatwać dalsze losy głównych bohaterów. damn, i even start to quite like Alice.
no i oczywiście czarno-białe ilustracje na początku każdego rozdziału wyglądają naprawdę pięknie.
lecimy z kolejnym tomem, Grimalkin czeka
no i oczywiście czarno-białe ilustracje na początku każdego rozdziału wyglądają naprawdę pięknie.
lecimy z kolejnym tomem, Grimalkin czeka
January 3, 2025
Audiobook, 3.3/5 stars. Formulaic, circular, didn’t really add much to the overarching story. Had some cool scenes and shocking twists, but the “big bad” of this one seemed invincible one second and then quite easy to defeat the next. Hoping for better consistency in the next few, or actual points that move forward the REAL plot.
Alice is growing on me. Tom and Gregory, not so much.
Alice is growing on me. Tom and Gregory, not so much.
July 9, 2019
This one didn't capture my attention as much as the other books did in the series. I do enjoy this series though so I will keep on reading them until I get to the end!! I'm always wondering where the next adventures for the characters will be.
June 2, 2020
An unbearably boring book that only went "ok" in the last chapter. Seriously, I don't know how I finished. I felt like it had the same energy of an anime filler: a complete irrelevant story just for we wait the next one being released.
February 16, 2020
I love seeing Tom and Alice (mostly Alice) take more control over how things get done. She definitely saved the day in this one and Tom is finally starting to understand that ha
May 30, 2020
The seventh book in the Wardstone Chronicles and a must-read for fans of the series, this story sees Tom, Alice, and the Spook confront one of their oldest enemies while also putting the pieces in place for the series end game.
December 1, 2021
2.5
Jestem już ewidentnie za stary na tą książkę - rzeczy i elementy, jakie są główną siłą tej książki nie robią już na mnie po prostu wrażenia.
Jestem już ewidentnie za stary na tą książkę - rzeczy i elementy, jakie są główną siłą tej książki nie robią już na mnie po prostu wrażenia.
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