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The Near Witch Hardcover – March 12, 2019
V. E. Schwab (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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Enhance your purchase
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.
- Reading age12 - 17 years
- Print length360 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions8.4 x 5.25 x 1.2 inches
- PublisherTitan Books
- Publication dateMarch 12, 2019
- ISBN-101789091128
- ISBN-13978-1789091120
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“gorgeous new release” - Entertainment Weekly
“we’re ready for it to come roaring back” - B&N SFF Blog
“If you missed Schwab's debut novel when it first appeared, now's your chance to get on board.” - Kirkus Reviews
“we’re ready for it to come roaring back” - Barnes & Noble Bookseller Picks for March
“Situated in the sweet spot of the supernatural and the melancholy alongside works like The Ocean at the End of the Lane, [The Near Witch] boasts the dark and inviting sensibilities of fairy tales” - Barnes & Noble SFF Blog
“a delicate, yet powerful novel that succeeds equally as either a journey back to the beginning or as a first tumble down the rabbit hole and into your next author obsession” - Barnes & Noble SFF Blog
“an absolutely beautiful story...you can truly see her future works twinkling in the background” 4.5* - mall3tg1rl
"[has] that timeless allure, like a fairy tale or legend you can pick up five, ten, or twenty years from now and still have its setting and mood resonate with readers" - The Bibliosanctum
“an entirely unique and original story with an exquisitely painted world and for a debut novel, it’s so well written and well done” - Travel the Shelves
“The prose is beautifully written, and the characters will take residence in your heart” 5* - Her Campus
“The prose is beautifully written, and the characters will take residence in your heart” 5* - Books in the Skye
“the most gorgeous kind of fairytale, yet it feels like the kind of thing that’s just odd enough to be real, and I mean it when I tell you that this was easily one of the best books I’ve read all year, and will undoubtedly go down as one of my favorite books, period” 5* - Howling Libraries
“a modern classic that will undoubtedly be regarded as a masterpiece within its own genre by future generations” - Risingshadow
“I loved getting to see themes in The Near Witch that I know become staples of her books...If you’ve read and loved other books by Schwab, I highly recommend sitting down with her debut.” - Bookish Staff Picks
“Schwab is truly a talented storyteller...Her characters are so well written that by the time you finish the story you feel as though you know them.” 4* - Misadventures of a Reader
"A slow but intense gothic romance set in the atmospheric winds of the moors, where a witch’s whisper can just barely be heard" - Buzzfeed
About the Author
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Product details
- Publisher : Titan Books (March 12, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 360 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1789091128
- ISBN-13 : 978-1789091120
- Reading age : 12 - 17 years
- Item Weight : 1.15 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.4 x 5.25 x 1.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #135,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #541 in Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy
- #1,793 in Historical Fantasy (Books)
- #2,177 in Folklore (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her work has received critical acclaim, translated into over two dozen languages, and optioned for television and film. First Kill – a YA vampire series based on Schwab’s short story of the same name – is currently in the works at Netflix with Emma Roberts’ Belletrist Productions producing. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
Victoria "V.E." Schwab is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet, City of Ghosts and Vicious. Her work has received critical acclaim, has been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, and more, has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Nashville and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
Customer reviews
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The version of the book I just finished also had “The Ash-Born Boy” included at the end, which was a nice treat to get a backstory on one particular character that I will not name here for fear of spoilers, but it was a great addition to the main story of The Near Witch.
Just a quick note to add—any of you Audible members who might think about purchasing the Audible version of this book - DON’T!! I’ve been a member w/Audible for over 3 years now and THIS was the only book I’ve ever returned! I HATED to do that too, because I like to support my fav authors, but the Narrator is absolutely ridiculous! She sounds like my British-voiced Siri trying to read me a book. It’s truly unlistenable—the worse I’ve heard. But by all means—go buy yourself the actual physical book, or download the Kindle version. You will not be disappointed!
I will always freely admit i am a massive VE Schwab fan. THE NEAR WITCH seems different than her other works. As her first novel, THE NEAR WITCH is smaller, a more intimate story. Her characters don't quite have the complexity she is now known for, but you can see the beginnings of everything to come. Lexi is stubborn and filled with angst and conviction. She's the character you want to root for. Cole's mystery is what seems compelling. The love story is alright, but it is secondary to the overall conflict.
There are many themes throughout: family, love, acceptance, isolation. Everything is brought together well but unexceptionally.
What truly sets this book apart is the absolutely gorgeous writing and amazing setting/atmosphere. Schwab has a lyrical storytelling quality that makes you feel the grass of the moors at your feet, see the wind blown trees, and connect with the natural rhythm and beauty of Near just like Lexi does. This has become one of my favorite books for the writing alone.
THE NEAR WITCH is one of those hauntingly beautiful books you should crack open on a blustery, rainy night. It is subtle, quiet, and unimposing, but settles around you like a comfortable blanket. There is something familiar in the tale of witches and young love that makes this simple story a treat to experience. I have a feeling I'm going to read this book again and again.
As the blurb says, this story is part fairy tale and part love story. The narrative centers around a young woman who lives in a small town, trapped by the expectations of the men around her, but aching to follow in her late father's footsteps. She's wise beyond her years, and living in that special point of adolescence/young adulthood where she hovers between relating to children and wanting to be an adult, taken seriously by her seniors. Add to that that the men in her life are dismissive of her ideas on the basis of her needing to stay in her place as a girl, and that makes for a great heroine with a righteous rebellious streak. Lexi doesn't care what rules she has to break if it means saving the people she cares about.
The world of this book is one I didn't want to leave. Its mythos, while simple, was so well-developed and immersive that it felt like it could be real. My favorite kind of fantasy is the kind that feels like it could be happening in real life, and fairy tales that manage to spin magic with a touch of realism are my kryptonite. It made me wish the story was longer, if only so I could spend more time in that world.
I think my favorite part of the story, however, was how the character that should have been the prince in shining armor was more of a damsel in distress. Lexi was very much in command, and though she had many forces acting against her, she never really needed saving, or felt helpless, and was fully capable of kicking ass and doing what needed doing. Cole, on the other hand, while valiant and brave, played more of the role of the person that needed saving. This story had the familiarity of a fairy tale, but has a unique spin to it I wasn't expecting.
All in all, if you're a fan of fairy tales (think Holly Black's work), then this should definitely be your next read!
Top reviews from other countries

I can confirm, it is not.
Schwab has written an introduction for this version, in it she calls it a quiet book. Compared to the wild adventures of ADSOM and the thrills of Vicious - it is. But it isn't any less wonderful.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒆𝒂𝒓
The story feels like an old tale. Lexi talks about the stories her father used to tell - and I feel like the book could have been one of them. It's eerie, feels almost like a ghost story. I love the stranger - and at the end of my copy (not sure if it's all) there's a short story showing his origins that I adored too.
Now, I do absolutely love Schwab's work, so I could be biased - but I'd definitely recommend. There is one of my least favourite tropes, instalove, but I don't mind it so much in this story. Probably as it's reminiscent of a fairytale.

Haunting, spooky, dreamlike debut novel from one of my all time favourite authors.
I loved our main protagonists, Lexi & Cole, their relationship was so sweet and heart warming. I really enjoyed Lexi's resilience and determination and Cole was the sweetest and his trepidation broke my heart a little. This book included the short story (The Ash-Born Boy) and that just solidified all my feelings for my precious Cole.
The setting of the village of Near is so eerie and creepy, and that coupled with the descriptions of the moor gave me such a vivid image in my head I felt like I could almost smell the grass!
This book deals with superstitions, witches, community mindset (for better or worse), seclusion and society expectations.
The whole effect of the book was dreamlike; Cole and his blurred edges, the singing wind, the darkness.. it all gave me the feeling of when you're half asleep and you're not sure what is real.
This book is fantastic in itself but the fact that it was Schwab's debut novel and she wrote it at the age of 19 just makes me even more in awe of her. She is a born writer and I absolutely love all of her work.

Lexi, our young hero, is a force to be reconned with. She struggles to do what she feels is right due to the men of Near who overlook and belittle her, trying to control her. This was in utter contrast to how she was treated by the women around her, and I loved how those who knew her best encouraged her to be true to herself.
Schwab’s story of Lexi’s hunt for the truth seems to effortlessly take us through a whirlwind of emotions; anger, fear, faith, love and desperation, to name a few, with the help of a well rounded supporting cast, including my favourites; Magda and Dreska, to my least favourite; Tyler.
Covering a number of important themes, like prejudice, fear and belonging, Schwab sprinkles a little bit of magic to bring together this unique and lovely story.

As I expected, she devoured this and absolutely loves it. I don't quite know what it is about Schwab but she just seems to have the magic touch with her stories and style.


Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2020
As I expected, she devoured this and absolutely loves it. I don't quite know what it is about Schwab but she just seems to have the magic touch with her stories and style.


