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rini's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The story really just didn't grab me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
edaisreading's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
3.0
I have never once read a book by Schwab and walked away feeling like I was disappointed... until now. This breaks my heart to write because I truly wanted to love this book, but I just didn't.
The story itself held my interest and I finished it very quickly. The plot was unique and had a good pace to it. However, as it went on, it got really depressing, and then it got more depressing, and then it was creepy, and then it had what felt like a really open ending and THEN... to top it all off... it actually ended with a short story that was so morbid and full of uncomfortable themes that I almost quit listening to the audiobook right then and there. I couldn't believe what a turn it had taken and it was incredibly unpleasant.
That's what truly made me dislike this book the most. If it hadn't had that ending, and maybe she had written a sequel instead to kind of wrap things up a bit better, maybe I would've enjoyed it, but instead, I felt hollow inside.
Needless to say, this is not one I'll be picking up again and I'm really glad this wasn't my first taste of her writing because I'm not sure I ever would've continued reading her books past this one (GASP).
The story itself held my interest and I finished it very quickly. The plot was unique and had a good pace to it. However, as it went on, it got really depressing, and then it got more depressing, and then it was creepy, and then it had what felt like a really open ending and THEN... to top it all off... it actually ended with a short story that was so morbid and full of uncomfortable themes that I almost quit listening to the audiobook right then and there. I couldn't believe what a turn it had taken and it was incredibly unpleasant.
That's what truly made me dislike this book the most. If it hadn't had that ending, and maybe she had written a sequel instead to kind of wrap things up a bit better, maybe I would've enjoyed it, but instead, I felt hollow inside.
Needless to say, this is not one I'll be picking up again and I'm really glad this wasn't my first taste of her writing because I'm not sure I ever would've continued reading her books past this one (GASP).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
andromeda_1998's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The near witch is an other one of V.E. Schwab amazing books. It’s right in my ally. It has magic, amazing characters and together it forms a dark fairytale everyone should read. The near witch is lesser known then some of her other books and I think that it has something to do with the fact that it’s a young adult book instead of adult or middle grade.
The story:
The story focuses on Lexi who lives in the town of Near. She has never left her home town and she doesn’t particularly feels the need ago. She wants to stay in the house overlooking the moor.
In this little town a couple of things are sure:
1. There are no strangers in Near
2. The near witch is nothing more than an old wives tale
3. Don’t listen to the wind since the wind always looks for company.
These are the rules Lexi lives by and they have been told to her all her live. But everything changes when one day a stranger is seen around the village. The very next day children start to disappear in the night and the stranger falls under suspicion.
Lexi needs to find out the truth about the missing children, the time is ticking, since she has a little sister to protect.
My opinions (spoiler free)
I really liked this amazing story. The stakes are high and the story is a bit dark. I like these kinds of darker magical fairytales. The story his been written in a faster pace and the storytelling is amazingly done. V.E. Schwab has an amazing way of writing a story and she always delivers with her beautiful writing-style. Like always I cannot wait to read more from her.
V.E. Schwab knows her character building. She has again made some complex characters. The thing I liked less though is that you really need the short story “The Ash-born boy” to understand Cole’s character fully. I wouldn’t mind that so much if the short was included in all the different editions of this book but it isn’t. For as far as I know you really need the red edition by titan books to get the short included. (ISBN:9781789091144)
The worldbuilding has been done well but it only includes one little village and the moors around it. Something that isn’t bad but I would love to know more about the world she has created and I would love it if she would go back to write more story’s in this world 😂.
Favorite quotes:
“If the moor wind ever sings, you mustn’t listen, not with all of your ears. Use only the edges. Listen the way you would look out the corners of your eyes. The wind is lonely, love, and always looking for company
Other books you should read if you loved the near witch or if you loved these books the near witch is something you would like:
- Uprooted or Spinning silver by Naomi Novik
- The winternight trilogy by Kathrine Arden.
- Into the heartless woods by Joanna Ruth Meyer
- The enchantment of Ravens or Sorcery of thorns by Margret Rodgerson
- The bone houses by Emily loyd-Jones
The story:
The story focuses on Lexi who lives in the town of Near. She has never left her home town and she doesn’t particularly feels the need ago. She wants to stay in the house overlooking the moor.
In this little town a couple of things are sure:
1. There are no strangers in Near
2. The near witch is nothing more than an old wives tale
3. Don’t listen to the wind since the wind always looks for company.
These are the rules Lexi lives by and they have been told to her all her live. But everything changes when one day a stranger is seen around the village. The very next day children start to disappear in the night and the stranger falls under suspicion.
Lexi needs to find out the truth about the missing children, the time is ticking, since she has a little sister to protect.
My opinions (spoiler free)
I really liked this amazing story. The stakes are high and the story is a bit dark. I like these kinds of darker magical fairytales. The story his been written in a faster pace and the storytelling is amazingly done. V.E. Schwab has an amazing way of writing a story and she always delivers with her beautiful writing-style. Like always I cannot wait to read more from her.
V.E. Schwab knows her character building. She has again made some complex characters. The thing I liked less though is that you really need the short story “The Ash-born boy” to understand Cole’s character fully. I wouldn’t mind that so much if the short was included in all the different editions of this book but it isn’t. For as far as I know you really need the red edition by titan books to get the short included. (ISBN:9781789091144)
The worldbuilding has been done well but it only includes one little village and the moors around it. Something that isn’t bad but I would love to know more about the world she has created and I would love it if she would go back to write more story’s in this world 😂.
Favorite quotes:
“If the moor wind ever sings, you mustn’t listen, not with all of your ears. Use only the edges. Listen the way you would look out the corners of your eyes. The wind is lonely, love, and always looking for company
Other books you should read if you loved the near witch or if you loved these books the near witch is something you would like:
- Uprooted or Spinning silver by Naomi Novik
- The winternight trilogy by Kathrine Arden.
- Into the heartless woods by Joanna Ruth Meyer
- The enchantment of Ravens or Sorcery of thorns by Margret Rodgerson
- The bone houses by Emily loyd-Jones
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
nicheinterests's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent
aviery's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Self harm, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, Blood, and Religious bigotry
wondereads13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
This book toes the line between fantasy and a thriller. It's very fast-paced, but it's also a bit predictable. The best thing about it are the amazing descriptions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
littlewishling's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
As someone raised in a small town, Near felt so familiar. A story of small minds and fear but also courage.
It’s beautifully written and a joy to read.
It’s beautifully written and a joy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
danicaleblanc's review
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Kidnapping
Minor: Physical abuse
thebookforest's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Kidnapping, and Death of parent