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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Second in The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles paranormal fantasy series for middle-grade readers and revolving around young Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son.
My Take
One shouldn’t allow ignorance and superstition to interfere with reality, for evil is found everywhere and must be fought. And the truth of that comes out with Delaney’s use of first-person protagonist point-of-view from Thomas’ perspective.
It's a hard road for Thomas with all the authorities on the lookout and a funeral pyre likely to be at the end. It doesn't help that Old Gregory and Thomas can't keep in touch. Especially with all the hatred being focused on them.
Delaney sure gets me all roused up in how he uses his words. Phew. Of course, part of that “rousement” could well be my antipathy toward organized religions. The things religious groups are allowed to get away with!??
I would recommend reading Revenge of the Witch, 1, first, as Delaney isn’t quite as thorough in introducing us to this world in Curse of the Bane. It is still an easy read, just horrific what with the Quisitor’s actions and all that Andrew and Brother Peter have to relate.
There's some interesting back history on Old Gregory, a bit shocking considering his demeanor and actions these days.
The Story
Imprisoned below the cathedral, the Bane is but getting worse and worse, influencing people into corruption and evil. It must be stopped before it becomes too strong, before it breaks out, and before it destroys the countryside.
The only man with a chance of stopping it is the Spook, but Priestown is too full of priests, eager to burn witches and others, such as the Spook and young Thomas.
The Characters
Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, has been apprenticed to the Spook, a.k.a., John Gregory. Matthew, a.k.a., “Holy Joe”, had been one of his dad’s brothers. Thomas’ older brothers include Jack and James.
John Gregory is now known as Old Gregory and had once been a priest. His summer home is based in Chipenden while his winter home is in Angelzarke Moor.
A priest is Old Gregory’s very estranged brother — they haven’t spoken in 40 years. Another brother, Andrew, works as a locksmith. Father Cairns is a cousin. Emily Burns had been engaged to one of Gregory's brothers. Margery “Meg” Skelton was a notorious witch.
Priestown is…
…loaded with priests, and the bishop is the uncle of the High Quisitor, the one who takes absolute delight in torturing and killing people, as he confiscates all their goods for himself. Other priests include Father Hendle and the now-deceased Father Roberts. Brother Peter is a gardener for the cathedral.
The Little People are…
…actually called the Seganti, and the Bane was once their god. They built the catacombs. Their next-to-last king had been Heys who lost his sons of whom Naze was the last.
Prisoners of the Quisitor include Alice (Aunt Bony Lizzie was in Revenge of the Witch), Maggie, and so many other innocents. Dr. Sherdley from Horshaw tried to save him. The chained Meg was a lamia witch. The feral ones are dangerous, unpredictable, and unlike humans. The domestic ones often become benevolent. Bill Arkwright is the local spook north of Caster.
The Bane is an ancient and evil spirit that affects the thoughts and emotions of all around it. Three covens of Pendle witches cursed John. Ghosts include Matty Barnes, a serial killer.
The Cover and Title
The cover has the look of an engraving with the lines in metallic golds. The background is a deep copper against which stands the gate, the gorgeous wrought iron gate that imprisons the Bane with Thomas in his cloak, holding a candle aloft with his staff in hand. There are bones and skulls on either side of the hall he must walk. The series information is at the very top in a distressed gothic font in the same deep copper with black shading and a pale, pale yellow glow. Directly under it is the title in black using the same glow as a background. The author’s name is in white at the very bottom.
The title refers to the evil against which Thomas must battle, the Curse of the Bane.
My Take
One shouldn’t allow ignorance and superstition to interfere with reality, for evil is found everywhere and must be fought. And the truth of that comes out with Delaney’s use of first-person protagonist point-of-view from Thomas’ perspective.
It's a hard road for Thomas with all the authorities on the lookout and a funeral pyre likely to be at the end. It doesn't help that Old Gregory and Thomas can't keep in touch. Especially with all the hatred being focused on them.
Delaney sure gets me all roused up in how he uses his words. Phew. Of course, part of that “rousement” could well be my antipathy toward organized religions. The things religious groups are allowed to get away with!??
I would recommend reading Revenge of the Witch, 1, first, as Delaney isn’t quite as thorough in introducing us to this world in Curse of the Bane. It is still an easy read, just horrific what with the Quisitor’s actions and all that Andrew and Brother Peter have to relate.
There's some interesting back history on Old Gregory, a bit shocking considering his demeanor and actions these days.
The Story
Imprisoned below the cathedral, the Bane is but getting worse and worse, influencing people into corruption and evil. It must be stopped before it becomes too strong, before it breaks out, and before it destroys the countryside.
The only man with a chance of stopping it is the Spook, but Priestown is too full of priests, eager to burn witches and others, such as the Spook and young Thomas.
The Characters
Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, has been apprenticed to the Spook, a.k.a., John Gregory. Matthew, a.k.a., “Holy Joe”, had been one of his dad’s brothers. Thomas’ older brothers include Jack and James.
John Gregory is now known as Old Gregory and had once been a priest. His summer home is based in Chipenden while his winter home is in Angelzarke Moor.
A priest is Old Gregory’s very estranged brother — they haven’t spoken in 40 years. Another brother, Andrew, works as a locksmith. Father Cairns is a cousin. Emily Burns had been engaged to one of Gregory's brothers. Margery “Meg” Skelton was a notorious witch.
Priestown is…
…loaded with priests, and the bishop is the uncle of the High Quisitor, the one who takes absolute delight in torturing and killing people, as he confiscates all their goods for himself. Other priests include Father Hendle and the now-deceased Father Roberts. Brother Peter is a gardener for the cathedral.
The Little People are…
…actually called the Seganti, and the Bane was once their god. They built the catacombs. Their next-to-last king had been Heys who lost his sons of whom Naze was the last.
Prisoners of the Quisitor include Alice (Aunt Bony Lizzie was in Revenge of the Witch), Maggie, and so many other innocents. Dr. Sherdley from Horshaw tried to save him. The chained Meg was a lamia witch. The feral ones are dangerous, unpredictable, and unlike humans. The domestic ones often become benevolent. Bill Arkwright is the local spook north of Caster.
The Bane is an ancient and evil spirit that affects the thoughts and emotions of all around it. Three covens of Pendle witches cursed John. Ghosts include Matty Barnes, a serial killer.
The Cover and Title
The cover has the look of an engraving with the lines in metallic golds. The background is a deep copper against which stands the gate, the gorgeous wrought iron gate that imprisons the Bane with Thomas in his cloak, holding a candle aloft with his staff in hand. There are bones and skulls on either side of the hall he must walk. The series information is at the very top in a distressed gothic font in the same deep copper with black shading and a pale, pale yellow glow. Directly under it is the title in black using the same glow as a background. The author’s name is in white at the very bottom.
The title refers to the evil against which Thomas must battle, the Curse of the Bane.
karrama's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad! I wouldn't let a child under 14 read this because of the violence, though. The story progresses in very good pace and the horror is properly dealt with. I won't tell you if it's happily ever after or not.
antimony's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
i must just be in a mean mood... i definitely remember this one not being one of my favorites in the series when i was a kid (i don't actually remember rereading it at all after the first time i read it...though this may just be because i didn't own it). the first half was good but after a good start the second part drags SOOOOO much. i do appreciate what it does for the series, it really sets up the parallels between tom and alice and opens up a lot of stuff for tom's mam's backstory. and i love the illustrations of course. but it could have been shorter
laserdiscreader's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Enjoyable, nothing stood out really. I do like the growing relationship between Alice and MC
captainclever's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book in the Wardstone Chronicles also known as 'The Spook's Curse'. It continues the story of The Spook and his apprentice, Tom Ward, as they journey to Priestown. Priestown isn't a good place for a Spook to hang around because the Quistor is in town and he has taken it upon himself to rid the County of the dark which includes witches, warlocks and even Spooks! But they must journey there because the Spook has some unfinished business. His nemesis "The Bane" lurks within the catacombs under the town and the Spook must defeat him once and for all. I listened to this book on audio book (as well as the first and third) which I thought was so much better than reading it. I really enjoyed listening to the actor performing the voice of the Bane, it was creepy and made it so much more entertaining than simply reading a book. I would recommend this series to boys or girls but beware it can get a little bit scary!
sassblaster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ssc1109's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
4.0
Solid middle grade book. So glad to come back to this series.
hallobud12343's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Awesome book. The enemy is insane and super cool.
lemonbun's review against another edition
3.0
An easy and enjoyable read like the last book!
I preferred the witches storyline from the first book personally, and wasn't a huge fan of the Priest town setting.
Less rampant with sexist remarks compared to the first book which is an improvement...but they were still dotted around here and there.
Idk why, the Bane just didn't draw me in like Mother Malkin. Maybe because the Bane was a lot more vocal and less mysterious.
It also felt like there were a lot less spooky happenings and a lot more running around. I think with all these things considered, I give the book a slightly lower rating than the first. It was still a very decent book and a good continuation from the first instalment.
I preferred the witches storyline from the first book personally, and wasn't a huge fan of the Priest town setting.
Less rampant with sexist remarks compared to the first book which is an improvement...but they were still dotted around here and there.
Idk why, the Bane just didn't draw me in like Mother Malkin. Maybe because the Bane was a lot more vocal and less mysterious.
It also felt like there were a lot less spooky happenings and a lot more running around. I think with all these things considered, I give the book a slightly lower rating than the first. It was still a very decent book and a good continuation from the first instalment.