The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: August 2, 2011
Source: Thanks Netgalley and Publisher!

Summary: 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.

Review: The Near Witch is a gripping, addicting story that you will not want to miss.

I was drawn into the story of Lexi and the town of Near almost immeadiatly. It was intriguing and I instantly wanted to know more. Lexi was strong, brave and totally admirable. She was not like the people in the town of Near, who shied away from strangers and would go drastically farther than that to be rid of them. No, she had character. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't admire her. She didn't like listening when men told her she couldn't do something, which was another plus! Lexi set out to prove them wrong.

Near, as Lexi was, comes to life. I felt like I had wandered the windy moors with Lexi and seen the gossip and trouble in the middle of the town. I was there with Lexi as she discovered new things about her safe little town, that isn't so safe anymore. Simply, I'm in love. With this book and with Schwab's writing. Her writing is elegant and a joy to read.

There were also touches of mystery and romance in this magical fairy tale book. Watching Lexi and her love interest, Cole interact was like this book. Pure magic. Even as Lexi was falling in love she didn't stray from her mission to find the children. Heroines usually stray from their mission when they find some desirable boy but not Lexi, thank goodness. And Cole was certainly desirable.

The Near Witch is a spectacular fairy tale that will have you falling in love. With its picture perfect writing, admirable characters and mystery, The Near Witch is a favorite for sure.

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