The Near Witch - Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Publication Date: August 2, 2011
Source/Format: BEA 2012 || Paperback

"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. (from Goodreads)

I'm fairly obsessed with fairytales, so it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed The Near Witch. This beautiful little novel reads like a fairytale, which is fitting as it primarily revolves around the elements of an old wives tale told in the story. It was an absolutely lovely reading experience, and it was easy to be consumed by this compelling, quiet story.

The reason I was immediately drawn to this story was that I found the writing incredibly beautiful. Victoria Schwab has a wonderful way with words. She used just enough description to make scenes and characters and settings vivid, but matched it with a brevity that made sure this wouldn't be overwhelming. I lost myself in the nuances of her writing, and that's always a wonderful thing when you're reading a book.

I liked reading about Lexi, and not just because we share a name. She's a decidedly good character at heart, as she tries to be obedient, to make her mom happy and to take care of her baby sister. She loved her father a whole lot, and chooses to honor his memory by surrounding herself with reminders of him. It made me smile to see that she was also not your typical girl - mostly because she was extra adventurous, inquisitive and determined to follow in her father's footsteps. It's easy for heroines like Lexi to find a special spot in my heart, and that certainly was the case.

The story involves a lot of interesting things, like visions and illusions and magic, and all these things add up to create a mysterious, atmospheric tale. There are many little details that seem unrelated at the very start, but eventually, they're all woven together into an explanation in the end. I was fascinated by how things played out, as most of them did not go the way I expected them to. I love when I absolutely cannot predict anything about a book - and The Near Witch certainly delivered for me in that sense.

Finishing The Near Witch was like having the perfect cup of coffee in the morning - it left me feeling relaxed and satisfied. While the writing may not have the same effect on other readers, I thought it was beautiful and fitting, and I absolutely adored it. Victoria Schwab has created something very special with this story, and I'm eager to experience more of her writing in the future.