Book Review: Curse Of The Bane

The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, rid the county of witches, ghosts, boggarts, and other creatures of the dark. And there's some unfinished business to attend to in Priestown. Deep in the catacombs lurks a creature the Spook has never been able to defeat; a force so evil that the whole county is in danger. The Bane!
But the Bane is not their only enemy. The Quisitor arrives, intent on hunting down anyone who meddles with the dark. Thomas Ward and the Spook must prepare for the battle of their lives.

Curse of the Bane ( The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #2) by Joseph Delaney
Hardcover, 480 pages
Published 2006 by Greenwillow

REVIEW:
I've read the 1st book of the series some years back but i did not continue with it since i found it a bit childish so i though, why not to put in away for a while. Now i got this one as a gift (btw, the hardback edition is just beautiful with black and white illustrations in and a Tom's notes at the end of the book) and i started reading.

Curse of the Bane is entirely on a different level than the 1st book. Yes the first one was creepy but i can't see how a kid (it's mostly a middle grade book i think - do not give to get a kid under 12-13) would read this one and doesn't have nightmares at night. It's dark, dangerous with lots of action,monsters,witches and other dark things. Delaney's writing will caught you from the first page and you won't put the book down until you finish it.

While you get to know more of Thomas, Spook and our little witch friend, at the same time you learn more about the world they live and the past. You will get to know new creatures and maybe see even Spook a little afraid. You see especially Thomas, to grow as a character and learn more about the world and not trust every one who tries to help him.

If you have doubts after the 1st book, there is no way to not love the series after this one. When i finished i just wanted to get into the next one immediately. They are a big series with about 7 books published if i'm right, so get read for lots of reading if you decide to give it a try. And buy the hardbacks editions with the cover above. They are awesome!