Night of the Soul Stealer | The Last Apprentice Book 3

Night of the Soul Stealer

by Joseph Delaney

I’m reading this book because the first two were great … and I need another fantasy before I choke someone!

Chapter One: An Unexpected Visitor

Uh oh, looks like we’re dealing with a jilted, former apprentice in this book.  Poor Alice.  The Spook is always dumping her.  I hope she comes back … like she did in the last book.  She HAS to!

Chapter Two: Farewell to Chipenden

Alice WILL be nearby.  We’re going to get to find out all about Meg and Emily–YAY!–and what could it be that Morgan THINKS the Spook owes him?  Off to Mam and Dad’s!

Chapter Three: Home

Eap!  Now I’m worried.  This doesn’t sound fun.  I’m glad I chose to read this book now.  This is how I feel about the cold weather we’re having here in New Hampshire.  I wonder if Delaney wrote this book in winter?  I hope dad doesn’t die soon … cuz that would be really sad.  Delaney is also setting us up for Alice to do something silly again.

Chapter Four: The Winter House

Wow.  This book is so GOOD!  I’m totally drawn in in the best way!  What’s with Meg?  Is she good or bad?  What’s with Morgan?  Is that who is looking down on the house from above?  Why can’t Tom go to town?  Is the Spook going to be doing the shopping? SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Chapter Five: What Lay Beneath

Hrm.  So Meg’s sister is laying in a SUPER-witch’s pit in the cellar.  Meg might get her memory back … this sounds like a bad combination.  It’s kinda cool that Tom doesn’t have to do the errands all winter back and forth from town … but this snow sounds terrible.  *peers at the piles outside his window and sighs*

Chapter Six: A Nasty Piece of Work

What are you doing to me Delaney?  You make me sad and suspicious of Meg.  You make me feel terrible for Alice, and then you go a pull a final line like that?  Morgan needs a good punch in the nose as well!

Chapter Seven: The Stone Chucker

Good gravy that was awesome!  The ax, the stones, the lighting the tree on fire!  Brilliant!  And ending it with Alice showing up … talk about perfect.  Once again, Delaney manages to side track me, and I totally didn’t see that coming.  I was so sad about Alice’s predicament, I forgot to look for clues!

Chapter Eight: The Stone Chucker’s Return

Poor Spook.  These books are just getting worse and worse for him.  Tom really has his work cut out for him.  At least the boggart is dead.

Chapter Nine: Intimations of Death

Yay, Alice saves the day!  Of course the doctor and nurse were wrong.  There’s TWO more books after this one … he COULDN’T be dead.  Well, I guess he could–but I can’t see how it could get better without him.

Chapter Ten: Bad News

I knew this was going to happen.  I just didn’t think we were going to find out until the end of the book.  I thought the whole adventure would be over the winter, and he’d come back to his father’s grave.  Turns out it’s much sooner.  Way to subvert my expectations, Delaney.  I love what you do to me.

Chapter Eleven: Mam’s Room

That may have been the saddest thing I’ve ever read.  Poor Tom!  He’s smart though, I wonder why Mam left him her room.  There’s probably something in there that’s going to help us.  And I hope Morgan hasn’t stolen Dad’s soul … the title of the American suggests it.  I wonder if we’re going to get to see Mam’s homeland.  That would be … scary.

Chapter Twelve: Necromancy

Jeez.  That chapter could have been the CLIMAX of the book.  I love how Delaney does that.  He brings you to climax after climax, and they only get better throughout the book.  I love this.  Noted.  I can’t wait to see what the Spook has to say about all the magic Morgan just did.  How are they going to save Dad?  Where is Alice?  She’s GOT to be with the Spook.  Or, maybe she’s with Mam.

Chapter Thirteen: Trickery and Betrayal

Had to stop reading to note: Meg just called Tom “Tom” not “Billy.”  Something’s up!

Climax after climax.  Meg has got the Spook imprisoned, and her blood-thirsty sister is on the loose.  Where is Alice?  Will Morgan end up being one to help the Spook?  Hrm.

Chapter Fourteen: Snowbound

You know, I had a sneaking suspicion about the Spook being Morgan’s father when we heard that thing about him always loving Morgan’s mother.  I forgot where that was though … SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!

This is getting all so complicated.  This is how Delaney is a genius.  He gives us a bite of predictable story, the explodes it in a million directions, making the reader wonder where all the chips are going to fall.  How will Tom defeat Morgan and save his father?  How will they deal with Meg?  How will they rescue the Spook?  “Questions … questions that need answering!”

Chapter Fifteen: Down to the Cellar

Hrm. I’m starting to get suspicious.  Maybe Morgan doesn’t have all the powers Delaney wants us to think he has.  I’m not sure, but Delaney is REALLY pushing this Dad getting tortured thing.  So much so, that I feel like it’s only a distraction from what’s really going on.  Maybe I’ll figure something out when I finish the chapter.

Well, I’d be angry with you too, you dolt!  Ah, I know you’re doing it for your father, but your father is dead.  There’s nothing Morgan could do that could really harm him I don’t think.  Once the Spook is on his feet again, this Morgan shite will be all sorted out.  Come on, Tom.  “Don’t be daft!”  Although, I think binding Meg is a GREAT idea.  Nine out of Ten OR Ten out of Ten.  It’s worth the risk.

Chapter Sixteen: Up to the Attic

I wonder how Tom is going to get out of the cellar.  Maybe Morgan.  I don’t see Alice coming back in the night.  Maybe Mam, but Mam is gone.  Hrm.

Chapter Seventeen: Home Truths

Well, that was unexpected, haha!  The Spook saves the day!  Now all we have left to deal with is Morgan … who is NOT the Spook’s son.  So I guessed wrong.  Delaney did that on purpose.  He’s distracting us from something else.

Chapter Eighteen: The Chapel of the Dead

Tom is caught.  Someone is going to have to save him YET again, haha.  I’m ready to sort out Morgan.  I DON’T think Alice sent him to a trap … it’s not like her.  All the suspicion around Alice is just a red herring.

Chapter Nineteen: The Round Loaf

Nothing new to add.  Golgoth just showed up … MAJOR bad guy, and Tom is all tied up.  Gotta go find out what happens!

Chapter Twenty: Golgoth

Good lord, if it ain’t one thing it’s another.  Now the feral witch Marcia is after him.  Unless … somehow … she’s there to RESCUE Tom … you never know! *shoves nose back in book*

Chapter Twenty-One: The Trap

Hehe! That was an easy guess.  Although, I could have easily been wrong in THESE books.  Delaney fakes me out SO much.  I don’t think Alice is going to be allowed by to Chipenden with Tom and the Spook, but, you never know.  STRANGER things have happened!

Chapter Twenty-Two: For the Best

After this scene I have more hope than ever that Alice will be allowed back with them.  However, there is still some doubt.  I HOPE so!  And what about Mam?  Are we not going to see her at all?  MAYBE I’ll be lucky and get BOTH my wishes in the next and last chapter

Chapter Twenty-Three: Back to Chipenden

YAY! Got BOTH my wishes! w00t!  Haha.  Sorry.  What an interesting ending.  BOTH Alice and Tom are going to do something BIG for the Country.  The way Delaney writes about Tom’s duty to server could almost be used as military propaganda.  I’m really interested in reading the next book now.

The last pages written by “Tom Ward” say something about sorting out 3 covens of (39) witches … could be fun!

Curse of the Bane | The Last Apprentice Book 2

Curse of the Bane

By Joseph Delaney

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.

Chapter Two: The Spook’s Past

What’s this?  The Spook has an Alice too?  We’ve got to find out more about this!

Chapter Three: The Bane

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.

Chapter Four: Priestown

*Sigh* Of course Alice is a prisoner of the Quisitor.

Chapter Five: The Funeral

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!

Chapter Six: A Pact With Hell

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.

Chapter Nine: The Catacombs

Where the devil are the Spook and Alice then?

Chapter Ten: Girl Spit

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.

Chapter Thirteen: The Burning

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.

Chapter Fourteen: Dad’s Tale

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!

Chapter Twenty: Mam’s Letter

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.

Revenge of the Witch | The Last Apprentice Book 1

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch

by Joseph Delaney

I was in Barnes and Nobles the other day, and they have this display up for the holidays where they’re asking you to donate a book to a kid for Christmas.  What you’re supposed to do it pick up a bookmark, which has the first name and age of a child.  Then you get a book, stick the bookmark in–pay for the book–and they send it to the kid.

I wasn’t intending to donate a book, but I wanted to get a closer look at the bookmarks.  The first one I pick up if for: Joseph age 14.  Immediately I think to myself, what would I choose to give my fourteen year old self to read.

Destiny was set in motion; I had to find the perfect book for this boy Joseph.  I started with kids classics.  I wanted to give the kid something great to read.  Then I thought about it from his/my fourteen year old self’s opinion.  The classics became uninteresting.  So, since the kid was a teen, I went over to the teen books.

After about a half hour of gazing futilely at oceans of sappy teen-romance, an over abundance of varying vampire series, and a cornucopia of emo fiction; I find this book–the first book in the section that visually appears worthy.  I pick it up.  I love the dark style of the art.  I read the back of the book, scan through the novel, and take one last look at the cover.  It was then I noticed the author’s name.  Joseph Delaney.

That was that.  To a Joseph, from a Joseph, by a Joseph.  I grabbed a copy for Joseph age 14 and one for myself–I had to read the book now too.  And to the Joseph age 14, if you ever happen upon this website, I hope the book turns out to be as great a read it looks!  Here’s to our shared adventure.

Chapter One: A Seventh Son

Nice set up about a cowardly boy.  This is going to be a tale about finding yourself.  It also has the potential for some really interesting magic scenes.  Me likies.  Although, I’ve read about the whole seventh son of a seventh son before in Terry Pratchett’s Equal Rites.  Except the way Pratchett plays on this myth is an eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son becomes a wizard.

So, Tom is going to become the Spook’s apprentice.  I really like that the magical protector of the area is called the Spook.  I tend to enjoy the rural medieval style fantasies such as these.  Very nice set up, don’t you think Joseph?

Chapter Two: On the Road

The Spook is a really entertaining character.  The tropes of master and student well illustrated.  It’s time to face your fears head on.  The differences between ghost and ghast was neat as well.  I always thought of them as the same thing.  I like it when words have clear separate definitions.  Synonyms are hardly ever 100% the same.  Ah, the richness of language.

Also, there is an new reason this book seems to be fate.  Tonight I was talking with Rhiannon about how I was starting to see “things” around my apartment, at work, even when going for walks.  They’re “shadow figures” (for lack of better terminology); I can make out some details, but they’re clouded.  Sometimes I see a sunny little girl.  Sometimes I see a tall dark man.  Sometimes it’s just flashes of light or patches of blackness.  I don’t know what it is, but it’s very similar to the ghasts described here.  They don’t try and communicate with me; they’re just there.  Weird, and cool.

Chapter Three: Number Thirteen Watery Lane

Wow.  Joseph, he even managed to fool me.  I wasn’t expecting it to be the Spook in the basement.  I should have though.  I usually pick up on those kind of things.  Haha.  I really like Tom as a main character.  Even though he is scared out of his mind, he is very brave.  He faces his fears when he has to, and has a mind analytical enough to figure things out under pressure.  I identify with that.  Good show Mr. Joseph Delaney.  So far, you’ve got me hooked.

Chapter Four: The Letter

I’m really identifying with this character.  The way he thinks he and his mother are the same is very much how I see my mother and myself.  Only, I wish she knew the similarity as much as Tom’s mam seems to.

Chapter Five: Boggarts and Witches

I enjoy chapters like these; when you’re learning along with the protagonist.  It really defines the realm which the story is told in.  Chapters like this also tend to have a lot of clues in them.  The Spook has given Tom a myriad of warnings, made him make a promise not to go into this garden after dark and never alone, and never to try as see the living witch.

Using my “reading into things” superpowers, here’s what I can sniff out:  the living witch is going to do something that’s going to require Tom to go into the garden alone at night–possibly kidnap the Spook.  Tom will have to face the two dead witches before getting to her.  The boggart will probably be a challenge for Tom at some point, but I’m not sure if it will be connected to the witches ordeal.

Chapter Six: A Girl With Pointy Shoes

The way Tom thinks makes me happy.  He’s smart, he can deduce things, and he’s self reflective.  His thoughts match my thoughts as a reader (for the most part).  Insights on the plot are a little different.  Although, Tom does smell trouble ahead by realizing his mistakes in making the promise of Alice (who I think is the niece of the living witch).

I can’t decide whether Alice will end up a love interest–yes, I realize they’re thirteen–or if she’ll end up an nemesis.  We have the potential for both here.

Chapter Seven: Someone Has to Do It

Okay, so Tom DOES have the ability to make really silly choices.  I was starting to think he might be infallible.  Kinda glad he isn’t.  He’s still thirteen years old. Haha.

Chapter Eight: Old Mother Malkin

So I was wrong about the circumstances, but I was so right about him breaking all those promises.  I mean, come on though … that one was a duh!  The cakes will probably free the living witch at which point she’ll impart her revenge on the Spook.

Oh, so NOW you realize how foolish you’ve been Tom.  Nice goin’.

Nope.  Either Bony Lizzie took the children, or Mother Malkin did … who I think might be one and the same.  Also, children stealing totally reminds me of Hocus Pocus.

Alright, he’s got me convinced they can’t be one person (Mother Malkin and Bony Lizzie).  I believe that Alice might be being manipulated.  Don’t be fooled Joseph!  I think that the author had the Spook tell Tom to stay away from girls with pointy shoes because of a prejudice.  Alice seems alright.  I believe her.

Chapter Nine: On the Riverbank

To quote Stephen King: “Sometimes, dead is better … “

Chapter Ten: Poor Billy

Not yet convinced Alice is bad, but I could be pulling a Joey at this point.  I have over read into things a couple of times already.  I’m glad I’m reading a simpler story.  It is reminding me that basic plot-lines can be just as riveting as complex ones.  I should keep that in mind when we’re ready to chop stuff from the book we’re writing … aka, phase three.  Also, I don’t think Tom imagined seeing the Spook.  I think the Spook has just been watching the whole time to see how he’ll react, “since he decided to get himself in this mess,” is how I hear him putting it.

Okay, so the Spook wasn’t watching.  Haha.  I’m curious though … if he wasn’t watching, then wouldn’t he be more angry at Tom?  He was pretty short earlier in the book, now he’s got some patience.  I mean, I like it … it just seems out of character.

Chapter Eleven: The Pit

She’s only a young girl people!  She’s being manipulated.  Sorry folks; yelling at the voices in my head telling me Alice is bad.  I still think she’s good, but the men–with pipes, tweed, and reading specs–sitting in leather armchairs around the library of my mind, disagree.

The simplicity and straight-forwardness of this story is amazingly done.  It’s like Disney movies.  Clean, creative, with subtle layers of deeper story within the main drama for more advanced readers.

Chapter Twelve: The Desperate and the Dizzy

Figures, I decide to read before Rhiannon comes over, and I have to stop JUST as Alice is getting possessed by Mother Malkin.  Grr.  Joseph, our pal sure has my attention now!

Alright, this guy is playing me like a harp.  It’s certain now.  He’s writing for readers like me.  I haven’t just been reading into things.  He WANTS me to make these assumptions.  If you’ve read this chapter, then you know what I mean.  It’s not easy to make everyone an equal suspect for possession like this guy just did, Joseph.  I, seriously, have no idea who it could be.  I do know that the Spook needs to come and save the day though!  Or Mam.  Or both.  I’m still holding out on Alice as well.  I want her to end up being good … but the evidence is mounting against her.

Chapter Thirteen: Hairy Pigs

Joseph Delaney is a master: plain and simple.  I didn’t see that coming.  He had me properly distracted.  Genius.  I love books that subvert my expectations in such an amazing way.  I’m also glad the Spook nor Mam had to come save the day.

Chapter Fourteen: The Spook’s Advice

Awe!  See.  I knew she was “good” all along.  Tom’s got a friend for life in Alice.  I have no choice, Joseph.  I have to buy the next book in this series.  A-ma-zing.