**Something witchy is approaching.** The air is heavy with a sense of anticipation. A feeling of magic lingers, as if nature itself is holding its breath. It's the time of year when the veil between worlds thins, and the otherworldly begins to seep into our reality. The signs are all around us. Shadows dance in the corners of our vision, intertwining with a shiver down our spine.
Shadows dance in the corners of our vision, intertwining with a shiver down our spine. The sky takes on a deeper hue, as though a cauldron of mystery is brewing above. The moon, our silent witness in the night sky, grows fuller and brighter with each passing day.
BOOK REVIEW: THE NEAR WITCH – V.E. SCHWAB
I received a copy of The Near Witch from TitanBooks in exchange for an honest review, and today is my stop on the blog tour! (Primarily an Instagram-blog-tour but why not coincide the posts?) So here is my review, uninfluenced, and entirely from my own thoughts and opinions.
Synopsis (Thanks, Goodreads!)
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger-a boy who seems to fade like smoke-appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know-about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
The cover (Titan Books, UK hardback):
So I am adoring this new cover for the republished The Near Witch, and keeping with the Titan-Books-publishing-V.E.-Schwab-hardbacks there is a beautiful gold silhouette detail under the dust jacket!
Having now read the story I also think this cover fits the book so much more than the previous, but I guess my love for this one is also due to the trend-change in book covers. Back in 2011, I think there was more of a trend to have a life-like human on the front of the book. Oh I’m glad we’ve moved away from that.
As well as the off-white, standard edition, there are also two special editions. A grey one exclusive to Forbidden Planet, and a gold Barnes & Noble exclusive. Both stunningly pretty and if anyone wants to send me a Barnes & Noble one I’ll be eternally grateful!
The setting/ character descriptions:
So V is just good at setting scenes, I don’t think I’ve read a single book by her where I’ve struggled to imagine the scenery. The scenes are vibrant and seem so alive. It found it so easy to follow Lexi around the town of Near, and out into the moor.
This leads nicely onto the character descriptions which as expected are pretty damn flawless. Well, her characters aren’t, that’s just not her style and I love her for it. The characters just seem to come to life on the page, each and every one, no matter how minor the part, just seems to develop in my minds eye effortlessly.
The clothing descriptions, the interactions between characters all just add to the overall real-feel of the book.
Lexi:
So Lexi is our protagonist, and compared to some of the more recent protagonist V has introduced us to, she’s surprisingly… unbroken? Maybe too strong-a word. But she is still this character that is so easy to connect with, even if you’re not familiar with running around moors – what are you doing with your life? – she has so many other storylines that seamlessly entwine with the main storyline. It makes for a perfectly realistic protagonist.
Storyline:
Though I wouldn’t put this down as the best book Victoria has written, I still loved it. I thought the scenery was beautiful, the story was exciting, and the big-event scenes were stunning. I felt like it was missing something to really draw me into the world like her Shades of Magic and Villains series do, but it was still a book I didn’t want to put down. I don’t know how to describe it… I just didn’t become obsessed.
But I’ll definitely read it again at some point.
I would’ve also liked it to be longer. It seemed like it was over too quickly! We have another character (no spoilers) who features quite heavily but it isn’t until Ash Born Boy (The Near Witch #0.5) that we really know that much about them. They sort of just appear at the fore-front of the story. And I would’ve liked to spend longer getting to know them before the story was up.
In general:
An enjoyable read and I am still yet to read a book written by V.E. Schwab that I didn’t like. It felt like a fresh approach to the scary witch thing, and the use of folklore and stories Lexi tells to her younger sister Wren really builds the story in a unique and captivating manner. The scenery is perfection, it was just missing the addiction-factor I often get with Schwab’s books. But I’ll definitely be reading it again and if you’re a fan of Schwab, or stories about witches I’d definitely recommend this to you.
Something rings so true with the statement on the synopsis:
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar
Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
I would’ve also liked it to be longer. It seemed like it was over too quickly! We have another character (no spoilers) who features quite heavily but it isn’t until Ash Born Boy (The Near Witch #0.5) that we really know that much about them. They sort of just appear at the fore-front of the story. And I would’ve liked to spend longer getting to know them before the story was up.
**Whispers of enchantment echo through the wind.** Leaves rustle with a secret knowledge only they can understand. The scent of herbs and incense fills the air, mingling with the musty aroma of ancient books and the earthy notes of damp soil. Symbols and sigils appear, etched into the bark of trees or drawn in powdered magic on the ground. **There is a stirring in the collective unconscious, a yearning for connection to the mystical.** It is a time when the spirits of the past walk amongst us, and the supernatural becomes part of our everyday existence. Dreams become portals to a realm beyond, where prophecies are whispered and visions take shape. **But amidst the allure of the occult, a sense of caution lingers.** The power that resides within these ancient arts is not to be taken lightly. As the line between good and evil blurs, we must tread carefully. What is intended for good may be twisted by the dark forces that dwell in the shadows. **So, brace yourselves, for something witchy is approaching.** Embrace the unknown with curiosity and respect. Seek out the wisdom of those who have walked this path before, but forge your own journey. Witchcraft is a mirror, reflecting the true nature of our desires and intentions. May we choose wisely, and may the enchantment that awaits us bring forth light, love, and transformation..
Reviews for "Unlocking Your Psychic Abilities: Developing Your Gifts as a Witch"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Something witchy is approaching". The storyline was all over the place and the characters felt underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the book. The writing style felt forced and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to create a spooky atmosphere. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and coherent witchy story.
- Sarah - 1 star - "Something witchy is approaching" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with cliché characters that lacked depth. The writing was subpar, with repetitive phrases and unnecessary descriptions that added nothing to the story. I found myself bored and uninterested in what was happening, and it felt like a chore to finish the book. I had high hopes for this witchy tale, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
- Alex - 2 stars - I found "Something witchy is approaching" to be a poorly written and uninspiring read. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the pacing was all over the place. The plot lacked originality and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to care about what was happening. The author seemed more focused on creating shocking moments rather than building a cohesive and engaging storyline. Overall, I was left disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.