Book & Baking Blog Entry 24

I just finished reading The Last Apprentice: Rise of the Huntress.  Actually, I didn't read it, I listened to it.  It's one of the series that I've only listened to.


Side note:  If you are used to listening to an author and switch to an acutual book you may be surprised at how different the narrative seems.  I listened to all of the Harry Potter series (yes, loved 'em) prior to actually reading one of the books.  Wow, what a difference. The narrator, Jim Dale, is so extraordinary and talented at giving the characters a true voice I couldn't compete with that in my own head.   And I've always read JD Robb but had the chance to listen to one of her books from audible and almost hated it.  Again, the narrator made the difference.  She had this horrible, faux Irish accent for the heroines hottie of a super-wealthy and smart husband.  Made him sound stupid.  Certainly not foreign and sexy...Oh well, you lose a few.


Back to Rise of the Huntress:


The Last Apprentice series is by Joseph Delaney.  It was a recommendation from audible.com when I typed in Harry Potter.  The books are a bit dark and gruesome and clearly written for a tween/teen audience.  That wouldn't stop me from reading it and overall I've enjoyed the series.


The series is about a boy of about 11 who is the 7th son of a 7th son.  His mother's "gift to the county."  As one might surmise he is apprenticed to a Spook, Mr. Gregory (also the 7th son of a 7th son.)  A spook, in Delaney's world, is a man who keeps the county safe from boggarts, and witches, and other things that go bump in the night.  A spook can sense evil and see ghosts and other paranormal stuff.  It is considered the norm in Tom's world that these things exist. 


This is Delaney's 7th(?) outing with Tom, the Spook, and Alice (the former witch-in-training who didn't really want to be a witch at all.)  I enjoyed it even more than some of the earlier books and may go back to rereead them.  Tom, Mr. Gregory, and Alice are forced to flee the county with other refugees due to a war "they" are losing.  Homes & fields have been burned and things are so bad that even the witches have fled.  Including several witches that Gregory had penned up in his garden.  As this is a later outing you need to read earlier books to understand WHY it's ok to have witches in pits in your garden. So they end up on an island and the inevitable fight between good and evil ensues.

Despite my flippant choice of words I do like this sereies.  I'm not sure why.   But what's really funny is that Alice isn't our heroine.  SPOILER ALERT. Alice, as per usual, has to rescue Tom, Mr Gregory, and everyone else and then gets referred to as "girl" and despised as a witch.  OK, maybe not despised as a witch, we are clear that she is NOT a witch.   Still What is Gregory's problem?!  Seriously, this chick has done his bidding and helped save his and Tom's lives through any number of adventures and what thanks does she get? Zip.  Nothing.  He even wants to leave her behind in the final push to rid the island of its monster.  Tom always acknowledges Alice's help and support and he does always stand up for her to Gregory. 

I guess I'm kind of curious as to the motivation of the author in not having ANY relenting of the initial hard-feelings that he had against Alice in book 1.  I mean, seriously, what does this kid have to do.  Kill her own mother?

Anyway, a fun outing.  It is a book for younger readers, but still a bit of fun for adults.  I wish someone else would read this series so that I could find out if I'm just over thinking it.

Happy Reading!

PS: heading into baking season.  YIPPEE!  I spent the afternoon with a friend and 2 3-year-olds cutting out pumpkin & ghost cookies.  It's the best mess ever.