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The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
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The Near Witch (edition 2011)

by Victoria Schwab

Series: Near Witch (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,3647513,648 (3.81)13
Fantasy. Fiction. Mythology. Romance. HTML:ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S BEST YA OF THE DECADE NEW YORK TIMES bestseller
Brand new edition of Victoria Schwab's long out-of-print, stunning debut.
All-new deluxe edition of an out-of-print gem, containing in-universe short story "The Ash-Born Boy" and a never-before-seen introduction from V.E. Schwab.
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 
There are no strangers in the town of Near. 
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. 
But when an actual stranger, a boy who seems to fade like smoke, appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. 
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. 
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. 
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab's debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won't soon forget.
… (more)
Member:TheLibraryhag
Title:The Near Witch
Authors:Victoria Schwab
Info:Hyperion Book CH (2011), Hardcover, 288 pages
Collections:Your library, Young Adult Library
Rating:****1/2
Tags:library book, witches, fairy tales, young adult, young adult romance

Work Information

The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab

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» See also 13 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 75 (next | show all)
Just good enough to want to finish, but not good enough to enjoy finishing. ( )
  Greenfrog342 | Jan 22, 2024 |
I've read many of Schwab's books and, for good or bad, compare all of them to the Shades of Magic series because I LOVE those books so much. It was fun to read this one, a reissue of one of her earliest books. The story is fast paced and inventive, the characters are interesting, and I found myself reading it every time I had a spare minute. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but Lexi and Cole just can't compete with Lila and Kell! ( )
  Bebe_Ryalls | Oct 20, 2023 |
I loved this! It was a great mixture of cute story, great characters and an intriguing plot. A few bits dragged on a bit, so I’d give this a 4.5 in reality, but not enough to round down to a 4. Would definitely recommend!!! ( )
  Danielle.Desrochers | Oct 10, 2023 |
3.5/5 stars

When you have read a book that an author has released after years of refinement, it is hard to warm up to their earlier works, especially if you love what you have already read.

I found myself looking for classic V.E. Schwab writing until I came to my senses and made peace with the fact that this is her debut novel. I started looking at the growth rather than making a comparison, and that enriched my experience with 'The Near Witch'.

The book's re-release comes with a forward from the author which is bound to make you feel things. It was the perfect beginning and set the expectations right. The Near Witch is the story of an age-old witch. It is a light-hearted fantasy with good and evil witches with the undertones of politics and gender bias.

The story follows a curious Lexi as she tries her best to protect her sister and hunt for the truth when the appearance of a stranger in their village coincides with the disappearance of children. She knows that something is fishy and she is hellbent on figuring that out despite hurdles from her uncle and the village council.

Will she figure out why the children are disappearing? Is the stranger really to blame? If not, how will she navigate the situation?

The Near Witch is brilliant for a debut novel and is very easy on the reader. If you are looking for a fast-paced standalone fantasy, this is a good one.

Short review as I am jumping into 'The Ash-Born Boy'. ( )
  AnrMarri | Aug 1, 2023 |
Beautiful writing as one would expect from Victoria Schwab.
And this was the author's debut novel, re-released.
One sees shades of themes present in her later works.
There is powerful magic, dark fairy tale, loners, cloaks (lots of "peels off his cloak"!), a wee bit of romance, and even a quick mention of someone with dissimilar eyes.

The Ash-Born Boy short story was included as an add-on. It details Cole's heartbreaking backstory. ( )
  deslivres5 | Apr 15, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 75 (next | show all)
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
V. E. Schwabprimary authorall editionscalculated
Wilds, HeatherNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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Fantasy. Fiction. Mythology. Romance. HTML:ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S BEST YA OF THE DECADE NEW YORK TIMES bestseller
Brand new edition of Victoria Schwab's long out-of-print, stunning debut.
All-new deluxe edition of an out-of-print gem, containing in-universe short story "The Ash-Born Boy" and a never-before-seen introduction from V.E. Schwab.
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 
There are no strangers in the town of Near. 
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. 
But when an actual stranger, a boy who seems to fade like smoke, appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. 
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. 
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. 
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab's debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won't soon forget.

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Book description
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.


These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
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