Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collections
Publication
Bodley Head (2013), Hardcover, 304 pages
Description
Fantasy. Horror. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: The twelfth volume in the Last Apprentice series, the internationally bestselling fantasy adventure books that inspired the forthcoming major motion picture, Seventh Son. Told from the point of view of Alice, best friend�??and true love�??to Tom, the spook's last apprentice. Alice is the most powerful witch in the world, and she ventures into the dark itself. Will she return? Alice Dean's destiny is intertwined with Tom Ward's. But he's going to be the next Spook, and she's a witch�??possibly the most powerful one the world has ever seen. To rid the world of its greatest evil, the Fiend, Alice will venture into the depths of the dark for the final weapon Tom needs to defeat him. Will she survive? Or will she make the ultimate sacrifice for Tom? The Last Apprentice series is soon to be a major motion picture, Seventh Son, starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue, Djimon Hounsou, and Julianne Moore as Mother Mal… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member claireh18
Received this book via a goodreads giveaway. 'Alice' is the 12th and penultimate book in the Spook's series, and is the only one I have read to date. Despite not having read any of the previous eleven books, I found Alice easy to read - in fact I have just finished it now, at 4.15AM as I was unable
Alice gives enough background information for you to understand her part in the series together with some of her history. The story is well written, fast-paced, exciting and intriguing - a great combination! The characters are described really well, so that the reader can picture them easily. The plot is full of twists and turns and isn't predictable. Just when you think you know what is about to happen, another twist takes you in a totally different direction and being taken along for the ride is brilliant! I've not read anything else by Joseph Delaney, but I will definitely be reading more from this great author.
5 out of 5 stars - not a score I give often or lightly. I am really looking forward to starting the Spook's series from the very beginning - many sleepless nights to follow
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to put it down so I carried on reading through the night, desperate to know what happened next!Alice gives enough background information for you to understand her part in the series together with some of her history. The story is well written, fast-paced, exciting and intriguing - a great combination! The characters are described really well, so that the reader can picture them easily. The plot is full of twists and turns and isn't predictable. Just when you think you know what is about to happen, another twist takes you in a totally different direction and being taken along for the ride is brilliant! I've not read anything else by Joseph Delaney, but I will definitely be reading more from this great author.
5 out of 5 stars - not a score I give often or lightly. I am really looking forward to starting the Spook's series from the very beginning - many sleepless nights to follow
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the twelfth book in The Last Apprentice series by Delaney. The thirteenth (and final book) Fury of the Seventh Son, will come out in the US in April 2014.
This book is all about Alice and is told from her point of view. While Alice is away from Tom she goes on a hunt for the Dolorous
The story goes back and forth between the present and Alice’s past. When Alice encounters someone in the Dark that she has a past with, the story diverges for a bit to tell the tale of Alice’s past. This was interesting since much of Alice’s past has remained a mystery throughout the series.
Through most of the book all I could think was “poor Alice”. She has a very heartbreaking past and as we learn about her upbringing my heart went out to her. This girl has got to have the worst luck of any heroine I have ever read about.
Then you get to the present and Alice’s journey through the Dark. Poor Alice has to face things no one should have to face. She has to face enemies that she’s already vanquished and deal with their hatred for her part in their deaths. Things just get worse and worse for her as the book goes on.
Then you remember that she is doing all of this to retrieve a dagger that will be used to maim and kill her as a sacrifice to destroy the Fiend. It makes you even sadder. That’s not to say that this is an especially depressing read. It is one of the darkest book in the series. However, Alice faces her miserable circumstances with a surprisingly practicality and a resilient attitude. She is incredibly brave and incredibly determined to not succumb to the Dark.
We also learn a lot more about how truly powerful Alice is and how that is a danger to her heart and soul. She is one powerful witch and we see it in this book.
The book ended at a good spot, but right at the end Grimalkin shows up and throws one heck of a twist into the story. It’s another one of those “oh my god! poor Alice!” moments. There is a lot of wonderfully creepy artwork throughout just like in previous books.
The only thing that bothered me throughout the book is that Alice’s accent seemed to come and go without rhyme or reason. Also while I enjoyed hearing Alice’s story, I really really want to get to the final battle between all of characters and the Fiend. I feel like the progress of the overall series has slowed to a crawl.
Overall I loved this book. It was wonderful to see things from Alice’s perspective, to learn more about her past, and follow her through her quest into the Dark. We learn a lot about Alice and...man has this girl gone through some horrible trials in her life. This whole series is incredibly well done and highly recommended to those who love dark fantasy. It’s a very well done fantasy horror for the middle grade and older age set.
This book is all about Alice and is told from her point of view. While Alice is away from Tom she goes on a hunt for the Dolorous
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dagger. This is one of the three daggers needed to make the final sacrifice that will destroy the Fiend once and for all, it is also the dagger that will be used to sacrifice Alice and cut out her heart. When Alice first enters the Dark she thinks it will be a friendless journey, that’s when she meets up with Thorne who offers to assist her. Together they face some of Alice’s most feared enemies.The story goes back and forth between the present and Alice’s past. When Alice encounters someone in the Dark that she has a past with, the story diverges for a bit to tell the tale of Alice’s past. This was interesting since much of Alice’s past has remained a mystery throughout the series.
Through most of the book all I could think was “poor Alice”. She has a very heartbreaking past and as we learn about her upbringing my heart went out to her. This girl has got to have the worst luck of any heroine I have ever read about.
Then you get to the present and Alice’s journey through the Dark. Poor Alice has to face things no one should have to face. She has to face enemies that she’s already vanquished and deal with their hatred for her part in their deaths. Things just get worse and worse for her as the book goes on.
Then you remember that she is doing all of this to retrieve a dagger that will be used to maim and kill her as a sacrifice to destroy the Fiend. It makes you even sadder. That’s not to say that this is an especially depressing read. It is one of the darkest book in the series. However, Alice faces her miserable circumstances with a surprisingly practicality and a resilient attitude. She is incredibly brave and incredibly determined to not succumb to the Dark.
We also learn a lot more about how truly powerful Alice is and how that is a danger to her heart and soul. She is one powerful witch and we see it in this book.
The book ended at a good spot, but right at the end Grimalkin shows up and throws one heck of a twist into the story. It’s another one of those “oh my god! poor Alice!” moments. There is a lot of wonderfully creepy artwork throughout just like in previous books.
The only thing that bothered me throughout the book is that Alice’s accent seemed to come and go without rhyme or reason. Also while I enjoyed hearing Alice’s story, I really really want to get to the final battle between all of characters and the Fiend. I feel like the progress of the overall series has slowed to a crawl.
Overall I loved this book. It was wonderful to see things from Alice’s perspective, to learn more about her past, and follow her through her quest into the Dark. We learn a lot about Alice and...man has this girl gone through some horrible trials in her life. This whole series is incredibly well done and highly recommended to those who love dark fantasy. It’s a very well done fantasy horror for the middle grade and older age set.
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LibraryThing member TeamDewey
I am ready for this series to move forward....
A very dark book.
A very dark book.
LibraryThing member Clare_M
My daughter and I have read this series together from the start. I did enjoy this book quite a bit, however I think it had a major weakness in that there is a point in the book (may be a spoiler but it is more of a writing style spoiler than narrative one...)
Alice is on a journey, and she meets
Otherwise, a good story, although I miss seeing the team work together. It feels like Mr. Delaney has run out of ideas for how to write the group together --or is bored of it-- and is now just kind of jumping around for other ideas. I suppose it is better than writing bad books with the old gang together...
Alice is on a journey, and she meets
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someone. She then proceeds for about 65 pages to tell you why that person doesn't like her. By the time you get done with that "side story" you forget what the original book is about almost!!! When Alice is done with her story it's like... what? Oh YEAH... that is what was going on. It is THAT LONG of a side story. WAY TOO LONG.Otherwise, a good story, although I miss seeing the team work together. It feels like Mr. Delaney has run out of ideas for how to write the group together --or is bored of it-- and is now just kind of jumping around for other ideas. I suppose it is better than writing bad books with the old gang together...
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LibraryThing member ptom3
Finishing the twelve book in the thirteen book series, I am beginning to grow apprehensive about the story. I do not want the saga to end.
This was the third stand alone book. I Am Alice. She is by far one of my favorite characters. Seeing her "story" was well worth it. It gives readers a peak into
While it was not one of my favorite books in the series, it was still a fast, taut and chilling read.
I am anxious to see how Thorne and Grimalkin and Slither play into the thirteenth and final book.
Phillip Tomasso,
Author of Damn the Dead and Blood Rive
This was the third stand alone book. I Am Alice. She is by far one of my favorite characters. Seeing her "story" was well worth it. It gives readers a peak into
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her past --prior to meeting Tom Ward, and continues with her journey to retrieve the hidden dagger stashed under the Fiend's throne.While it was not one of my favorite books in the series, it was still a fast, taut and chilling read.
I am anxious to see how Thorne and Grimalkin and Slither play into the thirteenth and final book.
Phillip Tomasso,
Author of Damn the Dead and Blood Rive
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LibraryThing member lkmuir
"Alice Dean's destiny is intertwined with Tom Ward's. But he's going to be the next Spook, and she's a witch--possibly the most powerful one the county has ever seen. To rid the world of its greatest evil, the Fiend, Alice will venture into the depths of the dark"-- Provided by publisher.
LibraryThing member LynnMPK
I really enjoyed this one! Alice is one of the most interesting characters and I had fun following her while reading this book. The middle part of the book is a flashback that I feel goes on for too long, but it does link back to events that are happening now/may possibly happen in the future.
Language
Original publication date
2013
Physical description
304 p.
ISBN
0370329805 / 9780370329802
Local notes
Over the years, Alice has fought evil side by side with the Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward. But now Alice is alone - in the realm of the dark. And the creatures she has helped to banish there now have the chance to take their revenge. Alice must seek the final weapon needed to destroy the Fiend for good. If she fails, the world will fall into despair and darkness; but if she succeeds, it means facing her own death at the hands of her dearest friend.