Book Review #65: The Near Witch

Title: The Near Witch.
Author: Victoria Schwab.
Format: ARC.
Source: Publisher.
Pages: 288.
Publisher: Hyperion.
Published Date: 8/2/2011.

Summary:

"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."

Story Line:

After Lexi's father passed away, three years ago, she watched as her mother change into someone she doesn't know anymore, she watched as her uncle attempted to take her father's place, and the only thing Lexi had left was her little sister, Wren.

The way she clung to her, took care of her, and would do anything for her was amazing! It really made me reflect on my relationship with my older brother. No matter how much we might disagree, argue and fight, we'll always be there for one another when push comes to shove. Even though I don't want to admit it sometimes, he really is a good big brother, that doesn't want anything but the best for me.

The little town of Near, has passed stories of a local witch, from generation to generation; most denying she ever existed, and others accepting, and believing she's long gone. But when a stranger comes to town, and kids around Wren's age go missing, Near has no one to blame, but the stranger!

Lexi meets, and gets really close with the stranger, she, herself named him Cole. What a cute name!? With more kids disappearing, Lexi's uncle and other men wanting to hunt and kill Cole, and always fearing that Wren might be next, Lexi doesn't want to do anything but put this to an end. So she goes to edge of Near, where the sisters live.

The Near Witch was great! I wasn't too sure how I would like it at first, I wasn't even sure I wanted to read it. Why? Because there was just so much hype, and the worst feeling is when you read the book, and don't love it as much as everyone else. It sucks when all of your blogging buddies got so much out of it, and you didn't.

But I'm glad I took the chance, and let everyone talk me into it! Victoria Schwab, didn't simply write a Young Adult novel, she wrote an amazing story, that takes the reader on a journey they've never been on! If you haven't read it, and are looking for adventure, excitement, and a little bit of romance, this is what you should be reading!