Curse of the Bane | The Last Apprentice Book 2
C’mon. You knew after I read the first one and commentated, I’d have to do it for every other one as well. This is a great memory tool for me, and I hope it gets at least one or two of you interested in the books I tare through. It might even ward you away from not so good books.
This book, I’m 98.764% sure will be fan-freakin’-tastic.
Chapter One: The Horshaw Ripper
More courage than in the first, we’re back in action with Thomas binding his first boggart. Awesome. I can’t wait to get into the meat of this book. The premise is promising. I can’t wait to see how they plan to outsmart The Quisitor. And what of the Bane? I have a feeling we’ll find out in the next chapter.
What’s this? The Spook has an Alice too? We’ve got to find out more about this!
I really like the way the Spook answer’s Thomas’ question about God. Wise, honest, and it leaves the choice up to the reader what to believe while still making it perfectly clear what he, himself holds to be true. This is one of my goals as a writer.
*Sigh* Of course Alice is a prisoner of the Quisitor.
It wouldn’t be a great adventure if we didn’t go see Father Cairns. Alice will be saved, rest assured people. He has to. Those are the rules for books like this. It’s the journey to the great rescue that’s rewarding! Woo!
What a jerk! Of course, we had to get Tom really on his own–without the Spook. It wouldn’t be Tom’s tale if we hadn’t! Very “anti-Catholic” sentiments here. I can appreciate them.
Chapter Seven: Escape and Capture
The Spook is captured. I see we’re going to find out more about Brother Peter in the next chapter. I’m glad Andrew is with Tom … maybe he’ll explain a few things. *nudge nugde, wink wink*
Chapter Eight: Brother Peter’s Tale
Well, of course the Spook won’t be alone when Tom ends up bringing him into the catacombs–which we all know he will! Therefore the Spook won’t die there. That is, even if there was such a thing as a curse. 
Where the devil are the Spook and Alice then?
The title of this chapter gave it away. I knew Alice’s return was eminent. I’m glad for it too. Alice and Tom make a great team.
Mr. Delaney has a quality in his storytelling I wish to capture–I even have a note of it written on the back of my bedroom door: subvert expectation. He somehow gets the reader thinking in one direction, sometimes many other directions, and surprises the reader with what actually happens. This is storytelling at it’s best. Always exciting. I can’t stop reading …
Chapter Eleven: The Spook’s Trial
The Spook can’t be all washed up. No way. The sad part is … I’m really not sure. Mr. Delaney managed to dupe me with his straightforwardness throughout most of the last book. Then snuck that rouse on me at the end. This time there seems to be many truths going on. I’m not sure what to guess.
My gut tells me the Spook is going to be alright by the end. Just like it did when I wasn’t sure about Alice. Not to mention, there’s four books come after this one. The Spook can’t be all washed up! Hope, my friends, we have hope!
Oh yes, and thank goodness Brother Peter is sentenced to go to the catacombs! Tom can save him now! Unless of course, Tom can’t save him.
Chapter Twelve: The Silver Gate
Damnit Alice! Why do you have to be so … weak?
To make the story interesting, Joseph.
I don’t think it’s so much good can come out of evil … more that good and evil aren’t so black and white.
Did we not figure out Tom’s mother was a witch in the last book? Maybe not in so many words, but there were definitely strong hints. No great shock! Haha. I mean, the conversation between Mam and Alice … that was a huge clue.
Chapter Fifteen: The Silver Chain
Tada! Mam’s officially come out. I like all this loot Tom keeps getting. Makes me want to quest even more. Also glad to see the Spook starting to recover.
Chapter Sixteen: A Pit for Alice
Maybe I’m heartless, but wouldn’t you put Alice in the pit? I mean, just until you figure out a way to kill the Bane. Then let her out and deal with whatever comes next. If she’s going to be a jerk about it, then put her back. If she’s going to continue being good–and a bit smarter–in the future, then let her go.
Chapter Seventeen: The Quisitor Arrives
Mr. Delaney, are you really going to make me hold out on Alice again? We know she’s good. The Spook is silly for mistrusting her. She’s going to end up a GREAT ally. I suppose if she remains on the edge of the story, the trouble she causes does make for good story.
Chapter Eighteen: Nightmare on the Hill
That IS a nightmare. Of course, that may be his mother’s true form, but I don’t think that will end up being the fate of his family. If there is a real threat of this , I don’t see it coming into the plot for another couple of books yet. It was already in the first book … give the family a break!
Chapter Nineteen: The Stone Graves
The best part about this chapter is that I guessed it was going to come to this … then, Mr. Delaney through me off. He brought us down to the catacombs the first time, and subverted my expectations. I wasn’t expecting to end up down there again after the Bane was free. It’s all coming down to the wire, and it’s all going to depend upon one moment–where Tom is going to do the right thing and save everyone! Woo!
Heh, you’re not alone Tom. I’m starting to feel that way about me and my “great adventure.” And my name means light bearer … there are a lot of us 
Chapter Twenty-One: A Sacrifice
Well, that’s all fortune telling is really. Intelligent guessing. I wonder how Alice brought him back to life … and what the repercussions of that will be. Probably something in the coming books. This series has many of the elements I desire for the books we’re writing.
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Bargain’s a Bargain
The question still stands. I can’t wait to see what comes of Alice. I can’t wait to see Meg and maybe Emily. I really should read another book before launching into the third one though. But what?
This book was another amazing chapter in the training of Thomas Ward. Bravo Joseph Delaney. You’ve got me good and addicted.
Tags: Books, Genre: Fanstasy, Genre: Young Reader
Thoughts on Books | Joey | 
16 December 2009 11:45 AM
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