The Near Witch.
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Thank you for the copy @bloomsburyindia ♥️
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"Everything seems different at night. Defined. Beyond the window, the world is full of shadows, all pressed together in harsh relief, somehow sharper than they ever were in daylight.
Sounds seem sharper,too, at night. A whistle. A crack. A child's whisper". - V.E. Schwab.
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The Near Witch was Schwab's debut novel and it blew my mind. A story about woods, wind, magic and miracle ; The Near Witch is so much more than just a fantasy fiction. It's about faith, hope and everything that falls in between the two. The story begins in a small town called Near which has a small population comprising of hunters, residents and witches. Near has a dark story about a Witch who lived hundreds of years ago and was killed by the residents for they feared her. But her presence is often felt in the wind, trees and night. Lexi, a girl of sixteen, follows her father's footsteps of being a Hunter after his death. She trusts the witches because her Father respected them till he died.
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When children of the town start disappearing in the middle of the night, Lexi takes it upon herself to figure out the reason. A stranger, a young boy of her age appears in Near and people are quick to blame his powers for kidnapping the children. But Lexi knows something is amiss and sets out on an adventure to find the truth. The story is gripping right from the first page and the characters are extremely well written. The language is lyrical and makes you feel that you have stepped into a fairytale. Considering that this book is her debut novel, I'm in awe of her imagination. The fact that I loved this more than Vicious says a lot for itself.
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A magical, lyrical and beautiful read for all age groups, this book is a must have in your shelves.
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Rating -5/5.