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The Near Witch
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
Brand new edition of Victoria Schwab's long out-of-print, stunning debut All-new deluxe edition of an out-of-print gem, containing in-universe short story "The Ash-Born Boy" and a never-before-seen introduction from V.E. Schwab. 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. 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. 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.
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CoffeeNBooks
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Eggs Fantastic 💙🩶 2w
45 likes2 comments
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suvata
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

3.5 Stars • The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab is a captivating tale set in a small village where children mysteriously vanish. The story follows Lexi, a young girl who uncovers a hidden truth about a mysterious boy and the legend of a witch. As Lexi navigates the secrets of her community, she also finds herself drawn to the enigmatic stranger, leading to a thrilling adventure filled with magic, suspense, and a touch of romance.

43 likes1 stack add
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Macnjen
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
Mehso-so

I liked the writing up until the last bit where the end felt rushed, a big lead up to a quick result and then all was good. Some questions remain so I think the end could have been developed further to make a more complete story..

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Fortifiedbybooks
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

Schwab is one of my favorite authors and The Near Witch did not disappoint! I had a couple of strange and creepy dreams last night, but nothing overly scary. I've earned another 125 points for #Scarathlon #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall

FlynnDewey Great photo? Glad the book was good, too! 12mo
17 likes1 comment
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CollapsingLibrary
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

Overall, it was a fine book for a debut novel. You can see the bones of a good writer and if it wasn‘t an audiobook to listen to while cleaning, I probably would have bailed. I wasn‘t invested in the characters or story line but as someone who‘s really enjoyed Schwab‘s other work, it was nice to see where she started. I‘d recommend skipping this story for one of her later works and only read this if your obsessed and read everything else.

TieDyeDude Thanks for the review. I wanted to read this, but, though I really like her stuff, I'm okay skipping a mediocre one. 2y
72 likes1 comment
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CollapsingLibrary
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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It‘s a slow start to my morning and Merlin is on the same page with me of a lazy Monday morning. Hoping to get a couple hours of my audiobook (tagged) in today while puttering around. Still not loving it, but not hating it enough to bail.

How do you decide if you‘re going to bail on a book?

xicanti I figure if I‘m not at all invested in the characters or curious as to where the story is heading, it‘s time to bail. 2y
Aims42 I‘m with @xicanti - when I think, “ugh, I don‘t care what happens to anyone”, it‘s time to find a new book lol 2y
IuliaC 😻 2y
See All 9 Comments
IndoorDame Such an awesome photo! 🐈‍⬛🖤 2y
TracyReadsBooks This book definitely read like a debut, and is not as polished & compelling as Schwab‘s more recent work, but while reading it I could see flashes of the author/writer she would become. So while I enjoyed but didn‘t absolutely love the story, I finished it and appreciated it as the first step in her evolution as a writer. That being said, if it really isn‘t working for you, bailing is totally legit. 2y
dabbe A photo contest winner! ❣️🐾❣️ 2y
peanutnine This photo is TOO adorable 😻😻 2y
CollapsingLibrary @TracyReadsBooks now that I‘ve finished I completely see what you mean. I knew it was a debut which is probably the reason I didn‘t bail right away. I‘ve only read 1 other book by her but have so many on my TBR so I‘m glad to know the one book of hers I had read previously wasn‘t a hidden gem! 2y
Anna40 That‘s the cutest cat photo I‘ve seen! 💕 2y
72 likes9 comments
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CollapsingLibrary
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Started my next audiobook this afternoon. Not loving it so far, but I know it‘s a debut novel so I‘m willing to hang on a bit longer than I might typically.
However, my moment of shock when I thought, “wow, Schwab‘s written a lot of stories over the last 2 years” before realizing 2019 was 4 years ago 😅

TheBookgeekFrau Isn't it scary how fast time passes?! 😱 2y
TieDyeDude I am interested in reading this, but I did not like the narrator. Only made it about 30 minutes into the audio book 2y
CollapsingLibrary @TieDyeDude I can be the same way! I‘ve become more patient with narrators as I listen at faster speeds since I know the voice is warped because I‘m impatient 😂 but I‘ve bailed on numerous audiobooks for that very reason 2y
50 likes3 comments
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perfectlywinged
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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A cozy little folk tale for Halloween.👻🎃

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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

- All I knew about this one before reading were (1) it's by Schwab—her debut novel—and (2) there's a witch
- First-person narrative (maybe the only 1 of her books? At least from the ones I've read. Bonus story's in 3rd-person, though)
- Quick read but it wasn't easy
- Not bad but her later books are definitely better
- So far, I don't like Schwab + romance

39 likes1 stack add
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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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I know my father's story.

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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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lumbricuslibri
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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This, for those who don't know, is a book about magic.

It is also a book about fear.

Specifically, about the fear of the inside toward the outside, the antagonism between those who belong, and those who don't. Little did I know then that it would become a theme so central to my work.

lumbricuslibri That all my stories, from 𝘈 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 to 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 to 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨, would center on those who felt lost inside their own worlds, or found inside someone else's. But at twenty-one, as a second-semester senior at university, stealing hours in a coffee shop each night to write, and as a young adult on the cusp of graduation, and the unknown of life beyond school, 3y
lumbricuslibri I felt pressed between two chapters of my own life, and as if I belonged to neither.

That is the world in which this book was written.
3y
26 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kera_11
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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This book was a bit more YA than I anticipated with an insta-love type story that I found lacking development (as is usually the case with that trope). But STILL, VE Schwab has an incredible way of world building and making these fantasy and witchy books very vibrant and easy to fall into. you can tell this is her debut, as her later books are better but I enjoyed this story and liked Cole as a character.

4 likes2 stack adds
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KatieDid927
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

So, I get the mixed reviews with this book. The mythology and setting were lovely, but the rest of it falls flat. The majority of the book is obnoxiously cloying YA insta love. Many reviewers warned me of this, but it was still worse than I anticipated. The narrative itself is also super flat. It‘s a shame, because there‘s a lot of potential here.

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erzascarletbookgasm
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Mehso-so

A witchy tale, good for October reading. It‘s atmospheric, with a nice mystery at its centre, but it could do away with the romance part 🙄. Overall, it felt ‘meh‘. Her City of Ghosts, Cassidy Blake series are much more enjoyable.

#AuthorAMonth

53 likes1 stack add
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sprainedbrain
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

My #AAM choice this month did not disappoint. I really love Schwab‘s Shades of Magic and Villains series, so was excited to read her debut, a witchy fantasy. It‘s fairly YA and has a bit of annoying insta-love in it, but the spooky vibe, the village witches, and the mysterious goings-on kept me listening attentively. Very good audiobook choice for the season!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Read-y_Picker
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Pickpick

Is it just me or was anyone else bothered by the amount of 'touching' in this story? Lots of fingers being suddenly intertwined without there having been any character or relationship development. A cute read still 3.5 🌟
#aamveschwab #scarathlon #teamhendrix #spookoweenathon #wickedathon #outstandingoctober
#screamathon week 3 #hocuspocus and #ominousoctober #dontjudgeabook #roaringwolf

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Eggs
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Here are my books finished for #outstandingoctoberreadathon
There was one more “You Are a Badass” but I bailed in the 3rd chapter

@Andrew65

Andrew65 A great readathon 👏👏👏 3y
60 likes1 comment
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Eggs
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

“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.

There are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.”

This started out so well! But it lost me halfway through. Maybe it was the clunky narration. But the tone and mood gave it potential

#authoramonth2021
#bookspinbingo

GondorGirl I found this one too be good, but certainly not great. 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
61 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Kimberlone
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

Another audiobook victim of my poor attention span recently. This was a Gaiman-esque fairy tale. I‘ve loved others by Schwab, so I am hoping this was just a outlier for me. I might have enjoyed it better as a book, since I had a hard time getting into the narration. The narrator sounded like a 49 year old woman narrating a teenager in the first person. This audiobook edition also included The Ash Born Boy novella. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

TieDyeDude Thanks for the warning. I just got in my audio hold. 3y
peanutnine I've heard many people say they didn't care for the narrator on this audiobook. What a shame how that can ruin a good book 3y
TieDyeDude @peanutnine I just listened to a half hour and returned the audio early. It's like she's trying to read it in sing-song, ending every sentence with a high inflection. Very distracting, I'll have to try and find a print copy... 3y
Kimberlone @TieDyeDude @peanutnine yeah I love audiobooks but sometimes the narration can totally ruin the book, and that really felt like the case with this one 3y
59 likes4 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one! Lexi is convinced that the Near Witch is to blame for the disappearance of the children in the village. The villagers are convinced that the stranger is to blame, not the Near Witch who they believe is dead. Lexi must convince them in time to save the stranger.
@Soubhiville #AuthorAMonth

TieDyeDude I just reserved this on audio because my library doesn't have hard copies. I'm new to Schwab, but loving what I've read so far of her's! 3y
CoffeeNBooks @TieDyeDude I thought this one was really good, A Darker Shade of Magic was even better, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is my favorite! 3y
TieDyeDude Those are the two I've read 😆 I'm about 50% through Darker Shade. I absolutely devoured Addie LaRue at the end of last year 3y
76 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Friday morning #coffeeandabook on this extra day off this week- all schools in the district are closed today because of the homecoming festivities at the local university.

Read-y_Picker I'm waiting for my library hold on this one. Super excited for it! 3y
mrsmarch I love Highland Grog! 3y
KristiAhlers I quite enjoyed this one. 3y
See All 6 Comments
Leftcoastzen Love your mug! 3y
Sungirl79 Love Bones Coffee!! 😍 3y
CoffeeNBooks @Sungirl79 It's my favorite brand of coffee! 3y
76 likes6 comments
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Melismatic
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

I‘m surprised by the low rating — I loved this as a quick spooky YA read. In my head, I pictured this akin to a Tim Burton/Roald Dahl piece. Spooky but with an edge and a dash of whimsy. I‘m surprised no film iteration came of it — Cole gave me similar vibes to Thackery Binx when I watched Hocus Pocus as a child. 👻🧟‍♀️ #AuthorAMonth

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rsteve388
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

This was a quick,.young adult fantasy read. I found the cadence of the narrator to be difficult. They stoped at odd places throughout the story and so it was difficult to get into the story. It had some great plot movement throughout the story and I liked the ending. This should be read, not listened to. 3.5 stars for me.

24 likes1 stack add
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WriterAtHeart
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

Another great read by V.E. Schwab. I enjoyed the story and the lore of the world. The ending was a little predictable for me, but I don't think that takes away from the creation of the story.

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Ms.Story
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

Excellent YA audio!

65 likes1 stack add
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julesG
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

Took me until chapter 13 to get into the story - not the story's fault. Then it was smooth sailing until way past my bedtime.

Low pick: YA decision making. 🥴 A tiny love triangle. Breaths that were held without the breather's notice. 😵

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Bookgirl
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

I found this first novel by VE Schwab difficult to stay invested in. The author herself describes it as a “quiet book” and that‘s a great way to explain it. It‘s a nice story, but perhaps lacking in the sort of details needed to make it more compelling. I also wonder if my Covid-affected attention span is the problem. Try it.
Meanwhile, that‘s a dusting of snow out the window. With 70s forecasted in a few days. #springinmichigan #puremichigan

quirkyreader I love your Flaming Katy plant.🐸 4y
Bookgirl @quirkyreader I‘ve not heard it called that - not a green thumb - but I love it!! 4y
39 likes2 comments
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rsteve388
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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New Audiobooks! #BookHaul

AkashaVampie Love how u did ur picture for this. 4y
rsteve388 @AkashaVampie I have an App called Pic Collage and it allows me to take screenshots or pictures and have different layouts. It's fun! 4y
AkashaVampie @rsteve388 ill have to see if I can find it. Thanks 4y
25 likes3 comments
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broughtyoubooks
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Mehso-so

Tried to read the book then moved to the audio version. The narrator didn't grab my attention but happy that I finished it, it's a good story but would've loved more of the fairytale inserts about the witch. More storytelling from the sisters. Excited to read some of Schwab's other stuff.

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SW-T
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Mehso-so

Not a bad read, but predictable and the writing style didn‘t hold my interest at times. Early effort from Schwab.

Hooked_on_books I wasn‘t too impressed with this one, either. 4y
25 likes1 comment
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alecia3dixie
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

I could read V.E. Schwab's writing all day. She just has a way with words that is so immaculate and profound. I love how her characters are so well developed without being boring. And her relationships are just amazing. A love that is all consuming but not clingy and annoying. She just has an amazing way with words and a great mind for astonishing stories ❤

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Branwen
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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I had originally planned on reading a ton of vampire books this fall, but I actually have been reading a lot of books about witches! 🎃💖📚 It must be the season of the witch! 😁🎵🎵🎵

paper.reveries I love witchy books! Finally just read my first VE Schwab (Darker Shade of Magic series). How is this one of hers? 4y
Branwen @daisyheadmaesie Me too! Witchy books are so fun to read this time of year! The Near Witch of hers is really good! It's the first book she ever wrote, so you can definitely see some flaws, but it's still honestly pretty great! 💖 4y
paper.reveries @Branwen Good to know. Thanks! 4y
61 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Gryffleclaw95
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This may be V.E. Schwab‘s debut, but it was still well-written. My major criticism of this book would be that the romance between Lexi and Cole was very rushed and that moments of the book were predictable. In addition, my edition included a short story of Cole‘s backstory and it was probably the most heart-wrenching short story I‘ve read in a long time and I wish it was included in the actual story as it is so well done.

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TheSpineView
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

This one was just OK. I know this was her debut novel and it read like that. The characters lacked depth especially the minor characters. The plot was a little awkward. Specifically I felt one small part could have been cut out entirely. It was redundant and nothing happened to move the story forward. A bit more world building was needed. Her later books are a night and day difference. I am glad I didn't read this one first or I might not have⬇️

TheSpineView Anything else by her. That would have caused me to miss out on some great books. 3⭐ #screamathon2020 @4thhouseontheleft #Scarathon2020 @StayCurious #TeamHarkness Ponits = 26 4y
NeedsMoreBooks I have this on my TBR. Now wondering if it‘s a good idea to read this 🤔 4y
TheSpineView @NeedsMoreBooks I was disappointed. I loved A Darker Shade of Magic! 4y
See All 8 Comments
NeedsMoreBooks @TheSpineView this will be my first book by her. 4y
TheSpineView @NeedsMoreBooks That is a good choice. 👍 4y
alisiakae I love ADSOM, and the City of Ghosts series! Also looking forward to Schwab‘s latest: 4y
61 likes8 comments
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TheSpineView
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Here are Day 8 results for #Scarathon2020 and #screamathon2020 I finished The Near Witch last night and worked more on A Discovery of Witches. I am surprised at how much I have been able to read this month. 🧡🧛‍♂️🖤🧙‍♀️🎃📚

@StayCurious @4thhouseontheleft
Points = 61

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Hooked_on_books
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Panpan

I don‘t read much fantasy, but I occasionally like something witchy, so I thought I‘d give this a try. It really didn‘t work for me. Lots of filler writing, ludicrous insta-love, and an audio reader with a deeply annoying, choppy cadence. Nope. (I know lots of people love this author, so, sorry!)

#bookspinbingo audio edition

TracyReadsBooks This was her debut, I believe, and while Schwab isn‘t for everyone—I‘ve noticed people tend to really love or hate her writing/stories—her writing is much improved and keeps getting better. 4y
Hooked_on_books @TracyReadsBooks I‘m curious about her brand new book and won‘t let this deter me from trying it. However, if I find I‘m responding similarly to it, I‘ll be quick to bail. 4y
TracyReadsBooks Absolutely! There are too many books to read—definitely not worth sticking with one you aren‘t enjoying! 4y
41 likes3 comments
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TheSpineView
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Day 5 results are in! I read a total of 5 hours and worked on these two books. Love those vampires and witches! 🖤🧛‍♀️🧙‍♀️ Points = 51

#Screamathon2020 @4thhouseontheleft
#Scarathon2020 @StayCurious #TeamHarkness

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TheSpineView
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Got this gem today on sale at Goodwill. I need to go back when I have more time to look around. Now to decontaminate!

Kar2b Great book! Nice find!! 4y
GardenJess One of my favorite authors. Nice score! 4y
76 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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wanderinglynn
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
Mehso-so

The Near Witch - 2.5 ⭐️

#unpopularopinion V.E. Schwab is just not for me. I get this was her debut book, but just couldn‘t connect with the MC. I should‘ve been rooting for her. Instead, I was detached. An intriguing and somewhat endearingly naïve premise that read a bit too bumbling and awkward. Full review on GR.

Another #bookspin bingo space filled – one more until my first Aug bingo!

Chrissyreadit I actually do not love VE Schwab either. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4y
jmtrivera I love Schwab, but this isn't my fave of hers either. I like her Villains series best. 4y
See All 6 Comments
wanderinglynn @Chrissyreadit we are so simpatico! 🙌🏻💜 4y
wanderinglynn @jmtrivera I have not read any of those 4y
jmtrivera @wanderinglynn It's about two grad students who figure out how to give themselves superpowers, and then use them to basically go after each other because they each feel entitled in a different way. There are only 2 so far, & honestly the first one stood alone for years, so if you ever think the millionth Schwab will be the charm (😄), that'd be my rec. 4y
61 likes6 comments
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wanderinglynn
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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I love taking dust jackets off of hardbacks and finding fun designs on the book cover. 💜

Starting this one today. I really liked City of Ghosts, but didn‘t care for Shades of Magic. So we‘ll see how this one goes.

TheSpineView As good as a map!🌞 4y
Palimpsest I really liked this one. 4y
phantomx @wanderinglynn I do that too. 4y
Literary_Siren Love. Love. Loved this book!! 4y
93 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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behudd
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This book is so atmospheric & moody - Schwab takes on some well-used ideas: isolated townspeople, independent female not listening to male relatives, misunderstood witches on the outskirts of town, etc. but uses them in ways that though they feel familiar, don‘t feel repetitive. There was enough action & suspense driving the plot, and I appreciated that it all for wrapped up in the end. This is a fun one for sure!

pareads I've never even heard of this book but love Victoria Schwab's other books! (edited) 4y
behudd @aprek this is her debut novel! 4y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sweetkokoro
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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My current listen while I do some sketching, it‘s been years since I put real effort back into my art. This year though I have really dived into Audiobooks, and my library is exploding with new ones so what better way to mindlessly sketch and get back in the grove then listening to a book!! So far I am enjoying it, the writing style is a bit awkward to me but I like the story idea.

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thekeeperoflostbooks
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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"Fear is a strange thing", "it has the power to make people close their eyes, turn away. Nothing good grows out if fear."

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Near Witch | V. E. Schwab
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Mehso-so

This was cute, but felt a bit dragged out.
The story didn't flow as her more recent books does, but as a Debut it's not bad.
I think if I read it before reading her other work I would have found it better.

I've read this as my #DebutNovel #ReadWithMrBook

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e.c.vitoria
The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab
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