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I will give Victoria Schwab credit: she sure knows how to build a captivating world full of deftly defined characters, and a creeping, sentient magic. It also doesn’t hurt that she has in her arsenal the capacity to wield a wicked sentence or two. But it’s a strange feeling when you give a book a 3 star rating, yet still feel as though you are a black sheep. I was absolutely enchanted by the first volume, but this one didn’t quite hit the same mark for me. We pick up the story four months after the events of A Darker Shade of Magic. Lila has taken her adventuring to the high seas in her delightfully audacious quest to see “everything.” Kell and Rhy are left behind in Red London struggling with the consequences of the powerful decisions made at the end of the first book. Their storylines converge when all... Read more »
We have two fun things for you today–A Darker Shade of Magic prize pack and a quick visit from V.E. Schwab as part of the official blog tour! The book was just released this week and reviewed by Kim–I’m in the middle of the book myself and I can see why she lavished it such glowing praise. In the book, which takes place in multiple alternate universe Londons, one character observes, “No London is truly without magic.” Kim’s question for our stop on the official blog tour: What are the most magical parts of London to you? V.E. Schwab: I grew up wanting the world to be stranger than it was, and because of that, I’m inclined to look for—and see—the potential for the magical, the fantastical, the extraordinary everywhere I look. In alleys and doorways and in the seams between places—and in the case of ADSOM, between worlds—anywhere there’s... Read more »
Hello! Do you like humorously told fantasies, unique magic, complex heroes, heroic villains, parallel worlds, and London(s)? Of course you do. You are a person of quality and good taste. So, great news! This book has all of those things. I mean, honestly, it had me at “parallel Londons!” Each London is distinct and wondrous in its own way. I loved being able to follow the characters through to the different worlds. Even our own dreary, magic-less* Grey London is a joy to visit. Red London is vibrant, opulent, and full of life. White London is gorgeously dark, creepy, and dangerous. Atmospheric, beautifully detailed, and rich in the character of its worlds; Schwab writes in such a way that I felt like I could step off from the main story and wander around in her various Londons exploring for days. This is world building done right. And give me a... Read more »
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.
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.
*************************** Seriously, go buy this book. It's so rich and timeless. Beautiful storytelling, with a setting as vivid as the characters. I could say a zillion wonderful things about it, but really, after reading that description, how could you not already want to read it?
1 Comments on Friday Book Recommendation: The Near Witch, last added: 9/9/2011
Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."
She also tells stories.
She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.
What has been the most surprising thing about being a debut author?
It’s a tie between how much work there is to do besides writing, and how wonderful and supportive the community is! Honestly, both things completely knocked me off my feet.
Is the legend of The Near Witch that Lexi recites in the novel inspired by any real-world fairy tales?
Elements in NW were inspired by the WAY fairy tales are written and told, their archetypes and flavor, by the oral nature of folklore, etc. But I didn’t draw on any specific fairy tales when writing the story of the Near Witch.
It is clear that Lexi adores her little sister Wren (and who wouldn’t?). Do you have a little sister? Did that relationship influence the way you wrote Lexi and Wren?
I am actually an only child! But sibling relations have always fascinated me (they are really important in NW...Magda and Dreska, Lexi and Wren, Otto and Lexi’s father, etc). I’ve always wanted to have a sibling. As an only child, I spent half my time delighting in being the center of my parents world, and half the time wishing I had a brother or sister in that world with me. So I think my want of a sibling and my awareness of the lack of one made me want to write them even more.
What inspired you to make Lexi such an adept tracker? Is that a skill you also possess?
Not exactly. But I’ve always been, I think, a very observant person. My father is a Type1 diabetic and I grew up hyper-attentive to his tells (signs he was low in sugar). I learned to read him, and eventually others. Reading people and spaces are overlapping skills, I think, in that the require an ability to look at the details and the whole at the same time.
Witches in the world of Near control different elements. Given the choice, which element would you like to be able to control? What would you do with that power?
I would like to be able to control water, because it can be hard or soft, running through the land or falling from the sky. It is, in my opinion the most diverse of the elements, used to nurture but also incredibly dangerous. I like to hope I’d use it for good ;)
I have to ask, with your English heritage and the strong presence of the ghostly moor – are you a fan of Wuthering Heights?
Hahahahaha. It’s...um...not my favorite. I am a huge fan of The Secret Garden though, which I feel has a closer connection to Near and the nature o
2 Comments on Author Interview: Victoria Schwab (The Near Witch), last added: 8/26/2011
I loved The Secret Garden, too! I used to make-believe I was part of the story when I was a kid. I'd love to see more of Near in the future--glad Victoria isn't letting it go quite yet! :) Thanks for the interview!
This was a really cool interview. Thanks, V, for answering questions, and the questions themselves were really cool and interesting so I look forward to reading more interviews from this blog!
There are no strangers in the town of Near -- until now. When a ghostly boy appears outside Lexi's bedroom window and the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, the entire village is on the verge of a witch hunt. Yet, though the smoky stranger refuses to talk, Lexi's instincts tell her to trust him. To clear his name, Lexi and the stranger must go in search of a secret known only by the wind, a legend older than Near itself -- but what they find might just tear their world apart.
In The Near Witch, debut author Victoria Schwab creates an original, haunting fairy tale that will capture readers imaginations -- and hearts. Her lyrical prose reads like a lullaby, with a rhythm and cadence bewitching to the senses, and sets the scene for a tale of children lured from their beds to vanish across the moonlit moor. The world Schwab constructs is richly atmospheric, with its own history and customs and bedtime stories, blending a coming-of-age story with the myth and magic of folklore. The town of Near will feel as familiar as the reader's own neighborhood, its inhabitants as endearing and frustrating as family.
Lexi is everything a heroine should be, unhindered by the archaic constraints of custom or the close-minded disapproval of society. Her father raised her to be independent and maybe a little bit wild, part of the natural world around her. She is brave and compassionate, defiant and intelligent -- unwilling to sit idly by and let mistrust and panic take its course. She won me over from the start.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is Lexi's family. The love between Lexi and her family is unconditional, their faith in her unwavering. Though her mother is broken in the wake of her father's death, echoes of the strong, commanding woman she once was peek through and give readers hope that the sun will shine on them again one day. Wren is Lexi's bubbly and birdlike little sister, and Lexi's adoration of the spirited sparrow is palpable on the page. Wren is a bright spot amid the eerie, misty moor, and gives passion to Lexi's drive to save the children of Near.
Then there's Cole -- enigmatic, elusive Cole. He is the stormy center of the story, alluring Lexi (and readers) with his mystery, and winning their sympathy with his tempestuous past. Though this sounds like the same old story, it's not. There's an ethereal, untamed quality to Cole that likens him to the wind-tossed moor -- more than just a brooding, beautiful boy. He is bowed by secret trials beyond his years, an old soul to keep pace with Lexi's own spirit. Though the novel is more folklore than love story, the streak of romance gives an edge of softness to an otherwise ominous tale.
Magda and Dreska -- the gnarled, weathered witches that lurk on the outskirts of Near -- were two of the most fascinating characters in the novel, their commanding presence demanding attention even on the fringes of a scene. Their wisdom, hidden behind riddles and half-formed phrases, gave the novel its air of mystery and impugned the town's hate and fear. The rest of the village is infuriating. Their small-minded prejudice creates the drama and emotional tension that drives the plot, and will keep readers fuming with the injustice of it all. Yet, they are just one of the evils Lexi must face. Though the villain may be foreseeable, the outcome is not -- there is no promise of happily-ever-after in the town of Near, and readers will be up until the wee witching hours to discover whether justice prevails or beloved characters ta
5 Comments on Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, last added: 8/1/2011
Yes! A thousand times yes. I completely agree with everything you mentioned. The Near Witch has been my favorite book of the year so far; it's just so, so amazing. <3 Beautiful review, Casey! :)
Great review! :) I've started reading this one a week ago but I stopped to read a book for a blog tour! It sounds great. All of a sudden, I'm hyped-up about this again!
A land of leyend, where numerous characters face the darkness released by Ténebrus and his minions. While on the Lands of Esmerald, their inhabitants have understood that a book is worth as much as a library, and a person as much as all people, on the dark world beside them, evil lurks in shadows.
Can a group of teenagers and an elder restore hope to the villages? And what about those flying young people from Tilsmans? To know that, just open this book, where it reads... "Lands of Esmerald or the lineage of the Smáragdos. Also known as the Land of the Three Kingdoms (Mytos, Circe and Artemisa), the three lineages and the three libraries." Submerge in a classical and medieval world, where the wondrous becomes real. A war between good and evil. This is just the beginning.
Summary from Goodreads: 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. 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.
Today's guest post is by Victoria Schwab, another of those talented young writers who seem to be setting the book world on fire. Which is exactly what she wants to talk about. She's the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she's been known to say "tom-ah-toes", "like", and "y'all." Her first book, THE NEAR WITCH, will be out next summer. You can catch her on her website or on her blog.
On Short Paths and Long Roads
by Victoria Schwab
People say I had a short path to publication. Others say I had a long road. I think it depends greatly on how you look at it, and how much you know.
I’m 23. My book sold when I was 22. I signed with an agent at 21. I wrote my first novel at 19. But I’d been writing in other forms since I was 16.
I signed with an agent 7 days after querying, on a book called The Shadow Mile. Now, THAT is in fact a short path. But The Shadow Mile went on submission for more than 9 months, and didn’t sell. It got close, again and again and again, but no sale. That is a pretty long road.
Toward the end of that time, I started writing The Near Witch. I wrote that book in under two months. That is a short path. It went on submission, and sold in under two months. That is a short path. But, revisions on that book took TEN MONTHS. That is a long road. The Near Witch’s window from sale to shelf: TWENTY-THREE MONTHS. That is a long road.
There’s a reason I’m saying all this. There is almost never a short path. Even when you THINK something is a short path, it’s most likely not. I know of an author who wrote a book, and the book sold within days, at auction, HUGE deal. Dream scenario. Everyone said, “That was so fast!!” and they didn’t say it in the kindest way. But what wasn’t publicized about this deal was that the author had written almost a dozen books before it.
We become preoccupied by the journeys of those around us. We see how easy it is for some (we think) but the fact is, we never, ever know the full road. Just as no two books and no two writers are the same, no two paths will ever be. It’s easiest for us to endow this industry with a sense of random chance, to attribute someone’s deal to luck, than to face the fact that we are never allowed the full picture.
It has always been on of my greatest weaknesses, comparison. The want to look around and gauge my own progress by that of others, to lay my path side by side with another’s. But it’s not worth it. We all have had long paths and short roads. Rather than concern ourselves with the journeys of others, we must try, for the sake of our productivity and sanity, to focus on our own, and not just to look down at the stretches of road ahead and behind, but to keep our eyes on the place we want to reach. If we are constantly looking down, preoccupied by how long the road is, we might lose ourselves there and never look up again.
Great post and nice to meet you, Victoria. Your youthful wisdom shines in the post. Perception is everything, sometimes. It really is all in the way you look at it. Best of luck to you.
As a 25-year-old, I still find it weird that you're considered "young." I'm here going, I feel like I've been doing this forever, it'll be about time! so definitely understand what you're saying about a hidden long road.
Comparison never works for writers because every writer is apples to oranges, and every book even by one writer is apples or oranges. What good would a comparison do? None.
Nice to meet you Victoria. I look forward to getting to know you better. Your wisdom shines through here. We all have different road to follow. Some long, others short. It's important that we keep moving forward and not get discouraged by other people's journey's.
Thanks, Victoria! Love your excerpt on your blog, too, nice writing style. Will definitely have to read your book when it comes out! Really enjoyed the long and short of it here, too; what struck me is that it's not always a given when you sign with an agent, and the time frame can still really vary even after signing. Interesting! So it's best to relax and just keep writing--which is what it sounds like you did. Congrats!
"It has always been on of my greatest weaknesses, comparison."
I hear that! It can be maddening to compare your journey to other people's. We all do it, I'm sure, but the trick is to focus on those comparisons as little as possible and think, instead, about your writing! :-)
I love this post! Because it's so true. You never fully know an author's story, and it's dangerous to compare yourself to someone else's journey. Great post, Victoria!
So true! It's easy to compare ourselves to others, but in the end, it mostly makes us feel inadequate. I agree that we should focus on our own path, however long or short it is. If we enjoy the journey, it won't matter how long it takes us to get "there."
Victoria, you hit this one out of the park! I think trying to figure out the rhyme and reason to this business at any given second, is a sure fire road to insanity.
Thanks for your great post! You are so right about what's considered "long" and "short." Ten months is long compared to two months, but ten months for a revision would be fast for me and many writers I know. Compared to 23 months, though, 10 is fast. It's all relative, as you point out.
Even more important is your point about comparison. It's so tempting but such a destructive path. I'm not immune from it, but when I find myself wishing that I had what someone else had or--eeek!--thinking I've got it so tough and they've got it easy, I try to change that mindset right away. It doesn't help me reach my goals. In fact, it hurts me.
It's exciting to see where you're at at your age, and to imagine where you might be down the road. Thanks for a great reminder, and good luck with your book!
My friend, Victoria Schwab, just got her cover for The Near Witch.
How exciting to get it! I'd thought I'd give her a congrads shout-out. And it's up for preorder! So go order it now!
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. 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.
And here's her talking about all the deets around the cover. Check it out!
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*adds to Goodreads* That sounds like the perfect book!