Curse of the Bane

Great combination of fantasy tropes and a gothic setting reminiscent of medieval England, this series about an apprentice ghost hunter is perched somewhere between YA and adult reading. The pace is quick, the world-building intriguing, and the ink drawings which begin each chapter are suitably grim.

I enjoyed the second book in "The Last Apprentice" series. The main reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was that this book felt a bit muddled at times. I think having the Quisitor and then The Bane in this one was just a lot. I wish that Delaney had broken them up into two separate books. I also have to say that some parts started to bore me a bit while I was reading.

"The Curse of the Bane" follows Thomas Ward and the Spook, as they return to a place that the Spook once left after he was unable to defeat something that was a great evil. But with a Quisitor out to burn people like the Spook as well as witches too, it's up to Thomas and Alice to help save the day.

I really do love the characters in this book. Delaney provides us more show more clues about Thomas's mother (I feel like that could be a whole separate book honestly). Alice though seems to be drifting more towards something dark that may have implications for Thomas and the Spook.

The overall story about The Bane was good I thought, but the Quisitor and all that came with it just weighed things down too much.

The ending leaves things on an uncertain note. We know that Thomas and the Spook are about to move somewhere else, but we have to wait to see what if anything will come knocking next. show less

Curse of the Bane is the 2nd book in the The Last Apprentice Series by Joseph Delaney. In this one Tom is still studying to become a Spook. He gets to bind his first Boggart which is actually pretty interesting. I've learned more about witches, boggarts, spooks & curses in this one series then I have in my entire life. At least if I run into a witch or a boggart, I'll know how to bind it and what type of pit to dig etc. You never know when that will come in handy.

I really like the main characters too- Tom, Alice and Tom's master, the Spook. I think Alice might be my favorite character. She was raised by bad witches but she hasn't crossed over yet to the dark side. She has the potential to be a good witch or a bad witch so I'm curious to show more find out which way she goes or if she stays somewhere in between. I'm sure if I was a witch I would be a little of both too so I guess I just relate to her more. : )

One thing I am tired of though, is hearing Tom talk about his mam! Omg his mam is this, his mam is that. His mam makes the best this, she cooks the best that, she hung the moon, she ran 50 miles uphill in the snow. Blah blah blah. Cut the cord for goodness sake! If my boys talked about me like that I probably wouldn't be complaining though right. Lol I'm just glad they aren't listening to this series. I don't want them to get any ideas. Hey mom, why don't you do that? I mean, who can compete with that?

The audio books have been fairly short so I've been moving right along in the series. The narrator is also still the same as the first book and he is really good which is always a make or break for me. I still don't recommend for younger middle grade though. They need to stick with Harry Potter or something because this series has more of a dark magic feel to it with a little gore and horror mixed in. Definitely better for teens or older and great for adults too. : ) show less

While I do not agree with all of the religious views presented in the book, this book is one of my favorites. It could be classified as YA or children's horror, but it is so much more than a horror story.

The dark is gathering strength and it is up to the Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, to keep it at bay. As they battle the latest threat, we learn a little more about the Spook's hidden past and new details about Thomas' mother's mysterious origins.

My favorite aspects of the book, besides the wonderfully fascinating characters, are its perspectives on life. The story speaks of the good and evil dwelling within each of us, expounding that it is our choices, not circumstances, that make us who we are. We must choose to step toward show more the light or the dark. Also, the idea of destiny versus free will is brought to the surface again after the topic was introduced in the first book of the series. Is life playing out according to a predetermined fate or is it a blank book waiting to be filled?

Readers will not want for page-turning, bone-chilling adventure in this second installment of the series. And after turning the last page, it will take enormous willpower not to pick up book three straightaway.

The book could be frightening to very young children, but older readers will find it scary enough to be truly exciting without causing too much fright-induced insomnia. It's even more fun to read after dark (and by candlelight), especially knowing that you can shut the book and return to safety whenever you wish -- if you can stand to put it down before the last page has been turned. show less

"None of us is either all good or all bad ~ we're all somewhere in between ~ but there comes a moment in each life when we take an important step, either toward the light or toward the dark. "

This series is so surprising so far. I didn't expect to like this as much as I do. But it's highly entertaining and full of monsters and magic. The story is still full of the Spook and him not giving much information but we finally have a little more back story.

It also, of course, has Tom. Tom is learning more and his training is going well. Except he is still headstrong and no terribly obedient. It doesn't matter what the Spook asks, Tom almost always asks for an explanation and information to make his own decision. It can get a little frustrating show more but....he's just a boy and is constantly putting his life in danger, so it does make a little sense that he wants more information.

Finally, Alice is back. I know, I didn't think she would be so soon either but she is. The tale twists the three of them together again and we get to learn another thing that the Spook and Tom must face. I'm looking forward to book #3. show less

Wow! This was great! Just as scary and exciting as the first book, and even more riveting. There is nothing like a good scary book for fun. The Spooks Apprentice Tom Ward gets in a little deeper trouble in this second installment and quickly begins to fight off tougher demons and things more evil than he could have ever imagined. The book starts off with the Spook too sick to work, so Tom starts right out learning to battle and bind his first high-level boggart and does it with bravery and insight to make his master proud. But thankfully after that first good job done, the action never stops throughout and this novel will keep you up all night for sure. The character of the young witch Alice plays a bigger part in this book and one show more never knows which side she is on, but readers will find her character very endearing and loveable. The loyal friendship deepens between her and Tom much to the Spooks dismay,but the two are strong and creative in fighting the forces of evil together and more than once in these books save each others lives. Another intriguing ingredient added to this volume is that we get a little more information on Tom's mysterious mother, leaving us to wonder what her part will be in the finale. Not for the faint of heart or for kids who get nightmares, these books are horrifying and descriptively scary, albeit delicious to devour! I just can't wait for book three! show less

I enjoyed the second book in "The Last Apprentice" series. The main reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was that this book felt a bit muddled at times. I think having the Quisitor and then The Bane in this one was just a lot. I wish that Delaney had broken them up into two separate books. I also have to say that some parts started to bore me a bit while I was reading.

"The Curse of the Bane" follows Thomas Ward and the Spook, as they return to a place that the Spook once left after he was unable to defeat something that was a great evil. But with a Quisitor out to burn people like the Spook as well as witches too, it's up to Thomas and Alice to help save the day.

I really do love the characters in this book. Delaney provides us more show more clues about Thomas's mother (I feel like that could be a whole separate book honestly). Alice though seems to be drifting more towards something dark that may have implications for Thomas and the Spook.

The overall story about The Bane was good I thought, but the Quisitor and all that came with it just weighed things down too much.

The ending leaves things on an uncertain note. We know that Thomas and the Spook are about to move somewhere else, but we have to wait to see what if anything will come knocking next. show less