The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer [Hardcover]

Joseph Delaney (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Last Apprentice | Publication Date: August 28, 2007

It's going to be a long, hard, cruel winter. And there couldn't be a worse place to spend it than up on Anglezarke.

Thomas Ward is the apprentice for the local Spook, who captures witches and drives away ghosts. As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in, the Spook receives an unexpected visitor. Tom doesn't know who the stranger is or what he wants, but the Spook suddenly decides it's time to travel to his winter house, Anglezarke. Tom has heard it will be a bleak, forbidding place, and that menacing creatures are starting to stir somewhere on the moors nearby.

Can anything prepare Tom for what he finds there? What if the rumors about the evil beast called the Golgoth are true? And how much danger will Tom be in if the secrets the Spook has been trying to hide from the world are revealed?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The third book in the Last Apprentice series follows the same pattern as previous titles, even as it raises the stakes. Thirteen-year-old Tom Ward, apprentice to Mr. Gregory, a Spook who clears the countryside of witches, ghasts, and boggarts, accompanies Mr. Gregory to the man's desolate winter home. There's trouble in the Spook's cellar, mostly dangerous witches bound in pits, but even more disquieting is a former apprentice, Morgan, who has learned the secrets of necromancy. Morgan is harrassing Tom's recently deceased father from beyond the grave and will continue to do so until Tom accedes to his wishes. One of the best things about this well-written series is the uncompromising horror Delaney provides at every turn. However, although the terror level is high here, readers may be inured to some of the crashing and bashing that goes along with evil run amok. Better are the nuanced interpersonal relations, especially the relationship between Tom and his mother, who is off to fight her own battles against evil. Cooper, Ilene

About the Author

Joseph Delaney lives in Lancashire, England, in the middle of boggart territory.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060766247
• ISBN-13: 978-0060766245
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Delaney formerly taught media and film studies at a high school in Blackpool, England. He lives with his family in Lancashire, in the middle of boggart territory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Steler, February 19, 2008

By 

Joan M. Heiden "Archetypical Alice" (Everett, Wa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer (Hardcover)

The Last Apprentice series, while dark and sinister, has many white knuckle scenes, leaving you holding your breath with anticipation. Delaney is masterful, his fine crafting of words creates a world far different from other fantasy/horror writers. The beyond-sinister witches and other creatures make you want to take that running jump into bed at night, in case there is something underneath that may just grab you. I never know what to expect next, his many twists and turns in the plot leave you amazed and wondering where he is leading you. My son and I are huge fans of his books we can hardly wait for the next installment.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer, December 17, 2007

By 

Karen L. Spriggs - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer (Hardcover)

The book continued along nicely with the series. It was good to see more into the past life of the Spook. Can't wait to see what the apprentice finds in his mom's room in the next book of the series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't go into the basement..., November 17, 2007

By 

Gail - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer (Hardcover)

The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer is a great follow-up to the first two books in this series. Just like it's counterparts, Soul Stealer kept me on the edge of my seat with terror, while at the same time wanting MORE, MORE, MORE! I was a bit apprehensive when I got the book, wondering how Mr. Delaney could possibly come up with new ideas, but as usual, he did not disappoint! As usual, I was terrified of going into my basement alone after I read this! This series is fantastic for adults and kids (10 and over) alike, especially for anyone who likes to be scared! My eleven-year-old son has read the series and cannot wait for the next book to come out. I just can't wait to see what kind of trouble Tom Ward will get into next! Keep up the GREAT work, Mr. Delaney!