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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Remarkably well done for a novella. Author builds sympathy and empathy for the main character and establishes both setting and background without bogging down any sections of the story. Side characters were vividly depicted without distracting from protagonist. Story was well constructed and neatly ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent
I do not have a single emotion in either direction about this story.
Rating: 7 out of 10
I'm very glad my edition of The Near Witch came with this short story as an extra! I read it right after finishing the main novel, and I have to say it was just as much of a fantastical experience as that book was!
This tells the backstory of Cole, one of the protagonists from The Near Witch. I'll be the first to admit I wasn't especially fond on Cole (or Will, his real name and the one he's called in this book) during that book. He seemed like the typical mysterious, sappy love interest and I got tired of him pretty quickly. However, I didn't want to leave this fictional universe behind and reading this novella was a great decision!
The story takes place in Dale, Cole's former home, and narrates his last months there, all the details he didn't give Lexi included. Let me start by saying this book was a lot to take in only 60 pages. It was dark (way darker than the main story), tragic and enchanting. I was surprised by how the author managed to tell such a concise, round story in such few pages.
I loved Cole's characterization in here! He had a lot more personality and emotional depth, and I genuinely enjoyed reading from his perspective, as opposite as I thought I would. The gray morality of the other characters was also delightful and a very Schwab touch.
What I loved the most about this short story were the emotions. I could feel everything Cole did and understand him deeply. Not many books pull me in so much, and I definitely wasn't expecting such a tiny novella to do it that well. The ending was heartbreaking and poetic in a way I absolutely adored.
If you liked The Near Witch, there is no way I wouldn't recommend you read The Ash-Born Boy! It has all the charm and magic of that book, and it would make for a perfect one-sit read.
I'm very glad my edition of The Near Witch came with this short story as an extra! I read it right after finishing the main novel, and I have to say it was just as much of a fantastical experience as that book was!
This tells the backstory of Cole, one of the protagonists from The Near Witch. I'll be the first to admit I wasn't especially fond on Cole (or Will, his real name and the one he's called in this book) during that book. He seemed like the typical mysterious, sappy love interest and I got tired of him pretty quickly. However, I didn't want to leave this fictional universe behind and reading this novella was a great decision!
The story takes place in Dale, Cole's former home, and narrates his last months there, all the details he didn't give Lexi included. Let me start by saying this book was a lot to take in only 60 pages. It was dark (way darker than the main story), tragic and enchanting. I was surprised by how the author managed to tell such a concise, round story in such few pages.
I loved Cole's characterization in here! He had a lot more personality and emotional depth, and I genuinely enjoyed reading from his perspective, as opposite as I thought I would. The gray morality of the other characters was also delightful and a very Schwab touch.
What I loved the most about this short story were the emotions. I could feel everything Cole did and understand him deeply. Not many books pull me in so much, and I definitely wasn't expecting such a tiny novella to do it that well. The ending was heartbreaking and poetic in a way I absolutely adored.
If you liked The Near Witch, there is no way I wouldn't recommend you read The Ash-Born Boy! It has all the charm and magic of that book, and it would make for a perfect one-sit read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
"You don't know how much violence it took for me to be this gentle."
Currently emotionally numb as a response to the emotional trauma brought about by this book. It was so mindblowing because I wasn't expecting it to be this violent. I am out of words, I just wanted to scream!!!!! I thought this is as light as The Near Witch, oh I was wrong!!!! Cole or William was just 16 and he experienced all of those bloody shits?! He doesn't deserved it, no one ever does... HE WAS 16 AND HE SURVIVED IT ALL ALONE?! What's more fascinating was amidst all of those, he didn't turn into the monster that the real monsters painted him to be. Instead, all those violence made him softer, and gentler. Aaaaaaaaa Cole!!!!!😠I will never ever feel the wind's embrace the same... every time the wind will touch my skin, I will inevitably think of you and how lucky I am to feel your gentleness...
Currently emotionally numb as a response to the emotional trauma brought about by this book. It was so mindblowing because I wasn't expecting it to be this violent. I am out of words, I just wanted to scream!!!!! I thought this is as light as The Near Witch, oh I was wrong!!!! Cole or William was just 16 and he experienced all of those bloody shits?! He doesn't deserved it, no one ever does... HE WAS 16 AND HE SURVIVED IT ALL ALONE?! What's more fascinating was amidst all of those, he didn't turn into the monster that the real monsters painted him to be. Instead, all those violence made him softer, and gentler. Aaaaaaaaa Cole!!!!!😠I will never ever feel the wind's embrace the same... every time the wind will touch my skin, I will inevitably think of you and how lucky I am to feel your gentleness...
4 Stars
Well, that was depressing! But actually more compelling than The Near Witch. I feel you can see a lot more of V.E. Schwab's later novels in this little prequel novella than in the book it precedes.
Oh poor boy, that was so sad. I loved getting the background on him though!
This prequel to The Near Witch was so heartbreaking and beautifully written. It brings Cole’s backstory to life in a way that makes his struggles in The Near Witch even more impactful. The hardships he faced are truly gut-wrenching, but they add so much emotional depth to the story. I think it’s a must read for anyone who wants to fully connect with the world and characters!
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked getting some extra insight into who Cole was before he showed up in Near. It was fun to get a bit more development for his character, though I don't think it was at all necessary to understand or enjoy his character in THE NEAR WITCH.