Scan barcode
kkotclub's review against another edition
4.0
La bruja de near es un cuento dentro de un cuento y puede que sean poco más de 250 páginas pero consiguen atraparte desde la primera página.
Es una historia con misterio, brujas, naturaleza, y amor inesperado. La lucha de una adolescente por resolver un misterio (e ir un poco en contra del patriarcado tbh) y por conocer a un extraño, porque en Near no hay extraños. Pero ahora sí.
Un libro corto pero intrigante que aunque al final te deja con ganas de un poquito más (con ganas de un par de respuestas más) tiene un final que te deja contenta y satisfecha.
Siempre se puede confiar en Vicky para una buena lectura. Y qué bonito es poder leer su primera novela y ser capaz de ver lo que ha cambiado desde entonces pero también ver que desde su primer paso tenía esa prosa tan bonita que a mi tanto me enamora.
“Los arroyos del páramo eran su sangre, la hierba era su piel y su sonrisa era amable pero afilada a la vez, como la luna en la negra noche”
Es una historia con misterio, brujas, naturaleza, y amor inesperado. La lucha de una adolescente por resolver un misterio (e ir un poco en contra del patriarcado tbh) y por conocer a un extraño, porque en Near no hay extraños. Pero ahora sí.
“El viento está solo y siempre busca compañía”
Un libro corto pero intrigante que aunque al final te deja con ganas de un poquito más (con ganas de un par de respuestas más) tiene un final que te deja contenta y satisfecha.
Siempre se puede confiar en Vicky para una buena lectura. Y qué bonito es poder leer su primera novela y ser capaz de ver lo que ha cambiado desde entonces pero también ver que desde su primer paso tenía esa prosa tan bonita que a mi tanto me enamora.
“Del páramo tomo y al páramo devuelvo”
leia____'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cro777's review against another edition
4.0
This book tells the story of The Near Witch and how she is taken care of by a local Near young girl named Lexi. Near is the name of the village Lexi and her family live in and is where years and years ago, a witch lived at the edge of town. She was known for her garden, her love of children, and later the death of a boy amongst the flowers. One night, Lexi looks out the bedroom window while her sister Wren sleeps, and sees an angular figure flow away with the wind. The next morning, it is news throughout the village that a stranger is in town, and there are no strangers in Near. At the same time, children begin to disappear overnight, apparently out of thin air. With the help of the Thorne sisters who are also quirky old witches, and a boy she names Cole, Lexi sets out to solve the mystery of the missing children before it is too late.
There are several things in this book that I loved and a few things that I did not like, as with most books. Overall, I loved the storyline of this one and the way the plot moved. I liked the character development, and for a first novel and a young adult piece, I was satisfied with the deep deep tropes and cliches of dead dad, ghostly mother trying to live, the overbearing uncle who promised to take care of the family, old witches who know more than they let on, deep secrets about the village kept between elders/council (who are ALL men), creepy young guy who wants to marry a girl and is very much a 'Gaston' character who uses force but later is changed into a good guy, guns and metal versus nature, little sister who never listens but is still cute and so you can't blame her too much if she gets kidnapped or killed, groups of men who do not listen to women for whatever reason, and the mysterious dark-featured boy who blows into town but is immediately the one you fall in love with. I hope I didn't give too much away there.
Don't get me wrong, I loved reading this story and devoured it in almost one sitting. At the end of the day that I started it I only had about 20 pages left and could have pushed myself to finish it, but I wanted to make sure I savored it. Once I let go of any writing issues or plot holes, I really enjoyed it and the idea of the Near Witch. As I said, I haven't read anything else from her, but V.E. Schwab/Victoria Schwab has a way of writing prose that is so lyrical and is rich in song and rhyme. The Near Witch song or rhyme that the children receit in the story is what really solidified this story for me; after I read that part I had to keep reading. I loved the way that, for me, this rhyme was almost like a lullaby and just kept pulling me in. There is something so soothing and enticing about stories that use folkloric elements like this, even if the story of the Near Witch isn't a good one.
I also was infatuated with the description of and use of the moors in this book throughout. The moors are something that I have always wanted to experience and I feel like I would love them so much. It is almost akin to forests and fields for me, and how I always grew up in and around them and they have a sort of otherworldly and almost magical feeling about them. Anytime someone mentions the moors, I am there! I feel like, at points, the writing about the landscape mimicked the wind for me, and how it just sort of pulls you and fills in where it needs to. The imagery of the moors combined with the rich lyrical prose about both the landscape and the wind just bring it to life and make it flow off the page. While I loved the overall story of The Near Witch and Lexi, I loved how rich the folklore about the wind and the moors are even moor (get it!). Easily, I would read this book again just to go back to that place and re-read the gorgeous prose and lyrics that go along.
Other than the heavy use of highly predictable tropes and cliches, the other part of this book that I really did not care for was the instant love between Lexi and Cole. In fact, if this was my story and I was writing it, I would have left all of that out! While sometimes it does work, and honestly it does work out in the end for this story, I feel like there is also a strong juxtaposition between the Lexi who instantly falls in love with this boy (and I almost literally mean instantly. While I was reading it took me a minute to realize how quickly they had jumped to unknown boy and village girl to soulmates) and the Lexi that is taught by her father to be strong and independent. If almost feels like the book says that the strong Lexi is instantly replaced with the other because it was fate or she was destined to do this. I hate that idea and think that it follows too many male/female, instant love and destiny ideas. I would have liked it a bit more if the instant love wasn't a thing and Lexi was able to come out in the end by herself, and even stronger and self-assured than before because of what she had gone through, rather than sitting on a village stone wall with Cole laying his head in her lap and her petting him. Yeah, just not a fan of all of that. I feel like I could argue that a lot of what her dad taught her was lost, but you could counter and say that what her dad taught her was to prepare her for what was coming. But anyway, I just wasn't a fan of the instant love story and the destiny subtext implied.
In the end and with all things considered, I did enjoy reading this book and the story of the Near Witch. I liked how there were plenty of messages about being different and how everything isn't always as it seems. I do wish that perhaps the love story could have been different or non-existent, but this isn't my story! The best part, in my opinion, is the lush landscape descriptions, the lyrical prose embedded throughout, and how atmospheric this book is as a whole. It begins in the summer and ends with the coming of fall, so it was a pretty perfect book to read at the time of the year I read it.
There are several things in this book that I loved and a few things that I did not like, as with most books. Overall, I loved the storyline of this one and the way the plot moved. I liked the character development, and for a first novel and a young adult piece, I was satisfied with the deep deep tropes and cliches of dead dad, ghostly mother trying to live, the overbearing uncle who promised to take care of the family, old witches who know more than they let on, deep secrets about the village kept between elders/council (who are ALL men), creepy young guy who wants to marry a girl and is very much a 'Gaston' character who uses force but later is changed into a good guy, guns and metal versus nature, little sister who never listens but is still cute and so you can't blame her too much if she gets kidnapped or killed, groups of men who do not listen to women for whatever reason, and the mysterious dark-featured boy who blows into town but is immediately the one you fall in love with. I hope I didn't give too much away there.
Don't get me wrong, I loved reading this story and devoured it in almost one sitting. At the end of the day that I started it I only had about 20 pages left and could have pushed myself to finish it, but I wanted to make sure I savored it. Once I let go of any writing issues or plot holes, I really enjoyed it and the idea of the Near Witch. As I said, I haven't read anything else from her, but V.E. Schwab/Victoria Schwab has a way of writing prose that is so lyrical and is rich in song and rhyme. The Near Witch song or rhyme that the children receit in the story is what really solidified this story for me; after I read that part I had to keep reading. I loved the way that, for me, this rhyme was almost like a lullaby and just kept pulling me in. There is something so soothing and enticing about stories that use folkloric elements like this, even if the story of the Near Witch isn't a good one.
I also was infatuated with the description of and use of the moors in this book throughout. The moors are something that I have always wanted to experience and I feel like I would love them so much. It is almost akin to forests and fields for me, and how I always grew up in and around them and they have a sort of otherworldly and almost magical feeling about them. Anytime someone mentions the moors, I am there! I feel like, at points, the writing about the landscape mimicked the wind for me, and how it just sort of pulls you and fills in where it needs to. The imagery of the moors combined with the rich lyrical prose about both the landscape and the wind just bring it to life and make it flow off the page. While I loved the overall story of The Near Witch and Lexi, I loved how rich the folklore about the wind and the moors are even moor (get it!). Easily, I would read this book again just to go back to that place and re-read the gorgeous prose and lyrics that go along.
Other than the heavy use of highly predictable tropes and cliches, the other part of this book that I really did not care for was the instant love between Lexi and Cole. In fact, if this was my story and I was writing it, I would have left all of that out! While sometimes it does work, and honestly it does work out in the end for this story, I feel like there is also a strong juxtaposition between the Lexi who instantly falls in love with this boy (and I almost literally mean instantly. While I was reading it took me a minute to realize how quickly they had jumped to unknown boy and village girl to soulmates) and the Lexi that is taught by her father to be strong and independent. If almost feels like the book says that the strong Lexi is instantly replaced with the other because it was fate or she was destined to do this. I hate that idea and think that it follows too many male/female, instant love and destiny ideas. I would have liked it a bit more if the instant love wasn't a thing and Lexi was able to come out in the end by herself, and even stronger and self-assured than before because of what she had gone through, rather than sitting on a village stone wall with Cole laying his head in her lap and her petting him. Yeah, just not a fan of all of that. I feel like I could argue that a lot of what her dad taught her was lost, but you could counter and say that what her dad taught her was to prepare her for what was coming. But anyway, I just wasn't a fan of the instant love story and the destiny subtext implied.
In the end and with all things considered, I did enjoy reading this book and the story of the Near Witch. I liked how there were plenty of messages about being different and how everything isn't always as it seems. I do wish that perhaps the love story could have been different or non-existent, but this isn't my story! The best part, in my opinion, is the lush landscape descriptions, the lyrical prose embedded throughout, and how atmospheric this book is as a whole. It begins in the summer and ends with the coming of fall, so it was a pretty perfect book to read at the time of the year I read it.
bookdragonism's review against another edition
5.0
BLESS YOU V. E. SCHWAB.
I've been having a recurring reading slump for weeks but this book lifted that dark cloud off my head for a few blissful days.
The Near Witch was Schwab's debut and as a huge Schwablin, I really looked forward to reading this book. I also can't deny that there's something magical about the re-release of this first Schwab child that pulled me towards it even more. I may or may not have cried when I read Schwab's introduction. I am: soft.
This is not my favorite Schwab book but I loved it nonetheless. The paranormal elements + the descriptive prose filled my bookdragon heart. It's evident how Schwab's writing style improved throughout the years but just like I said before, The Near Witch has a different magic to it. I also loved the Sherlock-ish vibe it gave off with Lexi's late-night investigations with Cole. Near is also one of the most interesting towns in fiction. It was interesting how the people of Near are so deep-rooted to their beliefs. Most of them are afraid of the strange and that can become dangerous if not dealt with carefully.
The Near Witch also has a feminist undertone to it and I loved how Lexi unapologetically burned bridges with the patriarchy and proved everyone that she is more than capable to do the things that men can.
The Near Witch is both creepy and thrilling to read. Coupled with the mystery of Cole's sudden appearance in Near, I was really hooked to the book from page one. I admire how Schwab gave intricate details to the mythology and history of Near which made it even more interesting. This book reminded me of all those creepy stories the elders used to tell me when I was a kid. None of them were as detailed as the story of The Near Witch but they were equally disturbing for my smol heart. This will forever be a perfect book to read during dark and cold nights.
If you're looking for a book that can give you goosebumps, this one is for you. V never fails to deliver all the soulfully dark books AND I AM HERR FOR THEM ALL. I will dedicate my wallet to V. E. Scwhab and I will never have regrets.
I've been having a recurring reading slump for weeks but this book lifted that dark cloud off my head for a few blissful days.
The Near Witch was Schwab's debut and as a huge Schwablin, I really looked forward to reading this book. I also can't deny that there's something magical about the re-release of this first Schwab child that pulled me towards it even more. I may or may not have cried when I read Schwab's introduction. I am: soft.
This is not my favorite Schwab book but I loved it nonetheless. The paranormal elements + the descriptive prose filled my bookdragon heart. It's evident how Schwab's writing style improved throughout the years but just like I said before, The Near Witch has a different magic to it. I also loved the Sherlock-ish vibe it gave off with Lexi's late-night investigations with Cole. Near is also one of the most interesting towns in fiction. It was interesting how the people of Near are so deep-rooted to their beliefs. Most of them are afraid of the strange and that can become dangerous if not dealt with carefully.
The Near Witch also has a feminist undertone to it and I loved how Lexi unapologetically burned bridges with the patriarchy and proved everyone that she is more than capable to do the things that men can.
The Near Witch is both creepy and thrilling to read. Coupled with the mystery of Cole's sudden appearance in Near, I was really hooked to the book from page one. I admire how Schwab gave intricate details to the mythology and history of Near which made it even more interesting. This book reminded me of all those creepy stories the elders used to tell me when I was a kid. None of them were as detailed as the story of The Near Witch but they were equally disturbing for my smol heart. This will forever be a perfect book to read during dark and cold nights.
If you're looking for a book that can give you goosebumps, this one is for you. V never fails to deliver all the soulfully dark books AND I AM HERR FOR THEM ALL. I will dedicate my wallet to V. E. Scwhab and I will never have regrets.
xxscramblesxx's review against another edition
5.0
Consistently eerie. Wonderfully paced.
In an interview printed in the book, Schwab said a sort of inspiration for this story was her love for classic fairy tales and their universality, partially due to the ambiguity of their settings.
I wavered between giving this 4 or 5 stars, but I can’t honestly criticize her for anything - she succeeded brilliantly in what she set out to do. This feels like a classic fairy tale.
I suppose the narrator being the main character might be a point against that fairy tale feel, but it’s done so well that it’s hard to fault it.
In an interview printed in the book, Schwab said a sort of inspiration for this story was her love for classic fairy tales and their universality, partially due to the ambiguity of their settings.
I wavered between giving this 4 or 5 stars, but I can’t honestly criticize her for anything - she succeeded brilliantly in what she set out to do. This feels like a classic fairy tale.
I suppose the narrator being the main character might be a point against that fairy tale feel, but it’s done so well that it’s hard to fault it.
yeuw44's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Not a bad read, not a distinctively good one either. I actually found the end of the book when we learn more of the backstory to be far more interesting.
emiliedeeann's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded to 5. A friend purchased this book for me, and I can see why. The words form together poetically, flowing easier than most stories do. The characters all remind you of somebody. The story makes you smile, feel anxious, and feel grateful. Plus, the book itself is stunning.
Ironically, I sat snuggling my black cat with orange eyes for the last 100 pages of the book, while 3 different kinds of bugs found their way into my clean bed and tried to dissuade me from finishing. There’s a witch out there who didn’t want me to reach a happy ending, apparently.
Ironically, I sat snuggling my black cat with orange eyes for the last 100 pages of the book, while 3 different kinds of bugs found their way into my clean bed and tried to dissuade me from finishing. There’s a witch out there who didn’t want me to reach a happy ending, apparently.
arsenic_and_ivy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
lenamoat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beautiful dark nature references, semi-rich prose & a lovely little easy read. my only real gripe is that it felt like the plot was quite rushed & not fleshed out as much as it could've been for such an immersive world. but this is VES"s first novel (I believe ?) and it's very satisfying to see where her style, ideas, prose & world building came from since I'm such a big fan of her other works.