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cindyc's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published at: https://midnightbluebookreview.com/2019/03/28/the-near-witch-v-e-schwab/
V.E. Schwab books have become a staple in my literary diet. I first fell in love with her Shades of Magic trilogy, quickly followed by Vicious, the first book in the Villains series. I then branched out with the Monsters of Verity series and still loved every single word of it. When Middle Grade book City of Ghosts was released I wasn’t sure if I was too old for the book or not. But I devoured it in several hours (at work!). Then word reached me that her debut novel that had never been published in the UK and was out of print in the US was making it’s triumphant return. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and when I did I could only confirm that it is an absolutely stunning edition.
I’m going to dive right in and tell you that I enjoyed reading The Near Witch, but it is very clear to me how much Schwab has grown as a writer since first publishing this book. There were certain elements that were just not my cup of tea.
The story centres around the town of Near, a secluded, small town that is never visited by strangers. The main character, Lexi, lives with her mother and little sister at the edge of town. He big dream is to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a hunter. She wants to feel a special connection to the moor that stretches out outsider her bedroom window. One day a stranger arrives in town and at the same time, a child goes missing. Are they connected? Or is something more sinister at work?
There were a few problems for me. First of all: no strangers come to Near. Ever? It’s all kept a bit vague, but logistically this didn’t make much sense to me. It is a good explanation for the suspicion the town feels when the stranger appears, but in every other way it doesn’t add up.
The second thing that bothered me was the insta-love. I even dislike using the word. I know this is a very personal thing and I realise some people actually really like this kind of romantic storyline. That is totally fine and if you are one of these people this won’t be an issue at all. If you’re like me however, it might rub you the wrong way.
Overall, I didn’t connect with the characters very well. I didn’t particularly like any of them and a lot of them lacked some much-needed depth. Lexi’s mother for instance. She has been a shell ever since Lexi’s dad passed away. She gets dominated and bossed around by her overbearing brother-in-law. Throughout the book she shows some glimmer of resistance and life again, but it is never followed through. Her character remains quite dull and one-dimensional until the very end. The Near Witch is another character that I think deserved some fleshing out. The myth surrounding her is interesting and mysterious. I would have loved some follow up on what happened to her and what it that had made her in to. Some redemption or justice maybe.
That being said, I loved the setting of the small town on the edge of the moor. The descriptions created an atmospheric and gloomy backdrop for the story. The way the magic of the witches was linked to nature is also something I really liked. The connection with the earth and with the wind made them feel very authentic. Their powers being influenced by their emotions only contributed to this more. The setting and the magical aspect were smoothly interwoven to lend an easy flow to the story.
The Near Witch is definitely not my favourite of Schwab’s books, but I think that if you are a fan, owning and reading this one is a must. It’s where it all started and it is still an enjoyable story. If you haven’t read any of Schwab’s book before, I suggest you start somewhere else to come to really appreciate her talent. Then once you have, revisit The Near Witch and add it to your collection. The Near Witch is an enjoyable read that is not without its hiccups. But that is probably because my expectation of Schwab’s books have been lifted so high after reading all her more recent work.
V.E. Schwab books have become a staple in my literary diet. I first fell in love with her Shades of Magic trilogy, quickly followed by Vicious, the first book in the Villains series. I then branched out with the Monsters of Verity series and still loved every single word of it. When Middle Grade book City of Ghosts was released I wasn’t sure if I was too old for the book or not. But I devoured it in several hours (at work!). Then word reached me that her debut novel that had never been published in the UK and was out of print in the US was making it’s triumphant return. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and when I did I could only confirm that it is an absolutely stunning edition.
I’m going to dive right in and tell you that I enjoyed reading The Near Witch, but it is very clear to me how much Schwab has grown as a writer since first publishing this book. There were certain elements that were just not my cup of tea.
The story centres around the town of Near, a secluded, small town that is never visited by strangers. The main character, Lexi, lives with her mother and little sister at the edge of town. He big dream is to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a hunter. She wants to feel a special connection to the moor that stretches out outsider her bedroom window. One day a stranger arrives in town and at the same time, a child goes missing. Are they connected? Or is something more sinister at work?
There were a few problems for me. First of all: no strangers come to Near. Ever? It’s all kept a bit vague, but logistically this didn’t make much sense to me. It is a good explanation for the suspicion the town feels when the stranger appears, but in every other way it doesn’t add up.
The second thing that bothered me was the insta-love. I even dislike using the word. I know this is a very personal thing and I realise some people actually really like this kind of romantic storyline. That is totally fine and if you are one of these people this won’t be an issue at all. If you’re like me however, it might rub you the wrong way.
Overall, I didn’t connect with the characters very well. I didn’t particularly like any of them and a lot of them lacked some much-needed depth. Lexi’s mother for instance. She has been a shell ever since Lexi’s dad passed away. She gets dominated and bossed around by her overbearing brother-in-law. Throughout the book she shows some glimmer of resistance and life again, but it is never followed through. Her character remains quite dull and one-dimensional until the very end. The Near Witch is another character that I think deserved some fleshing out. The myth surrounding her is interesting and mysterious. I would have loved some follow up on what happened to her and what it that had made her in to. Some redemption or justice maybe.
That being said, I loved the setting of the small town on the edge of the moor. The descriptions created an atmospheric and gloomy backdrop for the story. The way the magic of the witches was linked to nature is also something I really liked. The connection with the earth and with the wind made them feel very authentic. Their powers being influenced by their emotions only contributed to this more. The setting and the magical aspect were smoothly interwoven to lend an easy flow to the story.
The Near Witch is definitely not my favourite of Schwab’s books, but I think that if you are a fan, owning and reading this one is a must. It’s where it all started and it is still an enjoyable story. If you haven’t read any of Schwab’s book before, I suggest you start somewhere else to come to really appreciate her talent. Then once you have, revisit The Near Witch and add it to your collection. The Near Witch is an enjoyable read that is not without its hiccups. But that is probably because my expectation of Schwab’s books have been lifted so high after reading all her more recent work.
inkandimagination's review against another edition
5.0
The near witch is THE perfect tale to read for autumn.
It’s not too long but not too short either which sometimes makes the plot rush ahead but doesn’t hinder any of the readers experience
Lexi and Cole have my heart
It’s not too long but not too short either which sometimes makes the plot rush ahead but doesn’t hinder any of the readers experience
Lexi and Cole have my heart
ambur_justeen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
okjaaaaa's review against another edition
2.0
I’ll start by saying this: Victoria Schwab is one of my favourite authors. All of her work is placed on the highest shelves in my heart, they mean the world to me. Being able to sit with her first work is an immense honour, and a privilege on my part. Having the opportunity to see how Schwab has grown as an author since the Near Witch is not something I’ll ever take for granted.
The Near Witch is, in Schwab’s own words, a story about fear. What fear and strangeness can do to a society. This, like with any of her other works, she manages to convey splendidly. It reads like a fairytale; a wonderful, grim, and meaningful one.
It’s so cool to see the roots of Schwab’s other work in this book; to see the threads that bind the Near Witch to A Darker Shade of Magic or Vicious.
But, this one was over too quick for me. In usual fashion to a great fairytale. I, frankly, wish there was More.
(Might bump this one up, once it’s settled a bit more; 3.5)
The Near Witch is, in Schwab’s own words, a story about fear. What fear and strangeness can do to a society. This, like with any of her other works, she manages to convey splendidly. It reads like a fairytale; a wonderful, grim, and meaningful one.
It’s so cool to see the roots of Schwab’s other work in this book; to see the threads that bind the Near Witch to A Darker Shade of Magic or Vicious.
But, this one was over too quick for me. In usual fashion to a great fairytale. I, frankly, wish there was More.
(Might bump this one up, once it’s settled a bit more; 3.5)
emmmmmily's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
will_cat_books's review against another edition
I've forgotten where I am and what's happened so I need to restart it
bookonarooftop's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an easy read and my first book by the author
however it was also so simple that nothing happened
I think 15 years old me would have enjoyed it more than me now.
the plot was quite creative and i liked fantasy details but overall it read like children's book.
however it was also so simple that nothing happened
I think 15 years old me would have enjoyed it more than me now.
the plot was quite creative and i liked fantasy details but overall it read like children's book.
kalona's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I didn’t love this unfortunately. My experience with Schwab is a little hit and miss. I loved addie larue but was gallant was a little mid for me (I liked the first half ending was too rushed). With the near witch I feel a little like I felt about gallant, not great and not bad. The story is fine enough but it took me a very long time to get into it and I don’t feel like I cared about any of the characters. The book I got was with the short story “the Ashen boy” which I cared even less for. All in all it was an alright filler read, but now I feel nervous because I invested in all her darker shades of magic books after loving addie larue so much 😂
georgiemay7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0