Revenge of the Witch

The Last Apprentice, #1

By: Joseph Delaney

Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Warning: Not to be listened to after dark.

For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried: some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.

Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope; the last apprentice. Can Thomas succeed? Will he learn the difference between a benign witch and a malevolent one? Does the Spook's warning against girls with pointy shoes include Alice? And what will happen if Thomas accidentally frees Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county?

©2005 Joseph Delaney (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Delaney grabs readers by the throat and gives them a good shake in a smartly crafted story." (Booklist)

Mostly pleased

I love this book series, and was happy to get the audio book for it. I was 95% pleased with the performance, but his voice for Alice just stuck in my craw.

Other than that, looking forward to the rest of the series.

Entertaining, interesting, and a bit too short.

This was a very fun story to listen to, more spooky fantasy than horror. I don’t have much else to say that wouldn’t spoil the story. My only criticism is that it was much too short and felt more like the first half of a much longer novel. Definitely give this a shot if you’ve got any interest at all in fantasy, adventure, or spooky things. You won’t regret it.

Beware the Dark

My sister read this series and loved all the books and suggested I read them also. This introduction to Tom and the Spooks world is incredible. The narrator was perfect! He would often whisper or lower his voice during the more spooky parts of the book. I couldn't put this one down and finished it so quickly. So very good and the narrator is spot on. I wish the movie was better and more true to the book. The deviations they made really ruined the movie and took the charm away.

I love this book!

2nd time around reading this book and it was even better the second time! Such great imagery and the story feels as if I’m the protagonist and I’m in it.

Great Story

This is been on my TBR list for years. I’m so glad I got to listen to it. It keeps your attention and the performance is good!

Stunning work

Overall, the book is amazing. In the way, the reader would mimic the voices of each character takes you flying in imagination, as if you were watching a movie.

Good Overcomes Evil

I liked the main character Tom who must learn to fight witches, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. He has integrity, and even when he is afraid he chooses to do the right thing to help others. The narrator did a good job of making each character come to life.

Looking forward to the next book

The story and the reader was amazing. I am not sure if it was the mic used in the recording, my phone or the download but the quality of the recording was a little off at times it was distracting. It was like it was an old fashioned book on tape. I am upset with myself for being bothered by it. Please give the book a try. It opens your mind to wondering about things and the way of life inside that world. I enjoyed it.

Dark, Mysterious and Fun!

Most excellent! The story keeps you in suspense and you're always wondering what is going to happen next!

Setting the stories.

This is book 1 of a great series. Although, it might be considered a child to teenager book, this book has so much more than just a children's book. It has ethics, mystery, challenges and more. The book is great. I won't tell you the story but it of a young boy, finding his way as an apprentice of a older spook (a man that fights evil in every form).