The Ash-Born Boy (The Near Witch #0.5) by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Review

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Title: The Ash-Born Boy
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2012

My Review of The Near Witch
My Pre-Reading of The Near Witch

Synopsis: Before he came to Near... 
Before he met Lexi... 
Before they faced the witch... 
Who was the boy named Cole? 

Follow us to Dale, a city on a hill, where in a matter of days fire will devour everything. Meet the Lord and Lady, and their son, the boy destined to inherit all...until everything turns to ash. 

It's time to learn the truth behind the stranger's story.

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Review: This prequel story answered all of the questions I had about Cole after reading The Near Witch! It was really interesting to see who Cole was before he came to Near, and especially to find out why he is the way he is. We learn so much about why he thinks and acts the way he does, and it's both heartbreaking and enlightening. 

This story is written just as beautifully as The Near Witch, and I was so sad when it ended (even though it ends pretty much right before he comes to Near, minus the wandering in between). I didn't want to leave Dale or Cole or the world that Schwab so beautifully crafts in this series. 

Anyone who read and loved The Near Witch should definitely pick up this story as well! I mean, it's free, so you really have nothing to lose. I recommend reading this after reading The Near Witch though, because it might give away some things that are better discovered in the course of the full novel. But this story makes me want to go back and read The Near Witch again to see what hints i can pick up about who Cole is! A 4/5. 


--Ashley

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Review

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Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2011

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: The synopsis for this book calls it "part fairy tale, part love story," but it is SO much more than that. There's loss and sadness and mystery and horror and lessons about understanding and acceptance and beautiful world building and so many other things that are all woven together so intricately that this story is unlike anything I've ever read. This book gave me all of the feels, and had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Victoria Schwab is a literary genius (and this was her debut!). 

Fairy tales are my favorite kind of stories, and I especially love when there are new stories incorporated into books. The story of the Near Witch is terrifying enough to be a true fairy tale, but it's still different enough to be its own thing. If I was a child and I heard the story that Lexi tells Wren, I would be scared enough not to go out onto the moors. That witch is crazy - especially after how she was treated. And speaking of witches, I love how there are hints of magic and their "craft," but most of what they do is connected to the Earth and its elements, which I love. I mean, I love witches of the Harry Potter variety too, but I think those that are more connected to nature are the most interesting.

Victoria creates characters that are deep and dynamic and is constantly molding and changing them throughout the book. Lexi is strong-willed, independent, and hurting, but she also cares deeply for her mother, sister, and friends. She is willing to go to great lengths to protect them, even if it means defying her uncle's orders. And even though she remains those things, she matures quite a bit and becomes a more well-rounded version of herself. And then there's the stranger boy. He's mysterious and quiet, but he holds so much pain within himself that it's kind of ridiculous. I think he's my favorite character in this book, and I love his relationship and interactions with Lexi. All of the more minor characters are excellently crafted as well, and I found myself wanting to know more about their background and their lives and more of why they do the things they do. 

As I was reading this book, I never wanted to put it down. The whole story flows just like a fairy tale, and never gives too much detail or not enough. I can't even begin to fathom how Victoria pulled this out of her imagination, because the world and character building are phenomenal, and everything about Near is just so gorgeous and precise. I felt like I was walking around the village, or out on the moors, or in the sisters' cottage. I could feel the wind and smell the dirt and the wildflowers. Everything about this book is just wonderful.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has read and loved any of Victoria's other works, but hasn't read this one yet. And to anyone who enjoys fairy tale books or books about witches or love stories or fantasy books... and to pretty much anyone. Because I honestly think there is something in this book for everyone. This book is one of my favorite reads this year, and I'm so glad I finally got around to buying and reading it. Definitely a 5/5 from me! 

--Ashley

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Near Witch
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: 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.

Why?: I really enjoyed The Archived, and it pretty much made me want to read everything Victoria has ever written and will ever write (I'm anxiously awaiting Vicious). I've only heard excellent things about this book, which just made me want to get my grabby little hands on it. Plus, it sounds like a fantastic mix of horror and fairy-tale, which is definitely right up my alley.

Expectations: I kind of have really high expectations for this novel. I know Victoria's writing is beautiful, and I expect that her debut will reflect that. Well developed characters, an imaginative world, and a story that has me on the edge of my seat and not wanting it to end. 

Judging a book by its cover: I really like this cover. It looks spooky but is still really pretty. It's kind of stereotypical with the girl on the front, but I think it works alright in this case. I would definitely stop and pick this book up off of a shelf if I saw it somewhere. 


--Ashley

The Archived (The Archived #1) by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Review

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Title: The Archived
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2013

My Pre-Reading
Paul's Review
Paul's Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.


Review: Ohmygosh, you guys, this book. When I heard so many people gushing about this book, saying how extraordinary it was, I had no idea that they were so right. This book has everything that makes a book wonderful - the writing is phenomenal, The world-building is awesome, and the characters are fantastic. I was hooked as soon as I started reading.

I love the idea that there are three worlds that are all connected, and that most people only know about the Outers. The Narrows are so creepy, I'm glad that they aren't real. I'd be really terrified if I was walking around one day and all of a sudden someone who is supposed to be dead escaped into my world and started running around killing people. And if I were like Mackenzie, I would not enjoy walking around in hallways that often have trapped Histories. And then there are the Archives. I love how much it resembles a library (because who doesn't love libraries), and I love that the people who work there are Librarians. And that everyone becomes a History when they die - it's really interesting to think that no one is ever completely lost. 

The whole time I was reading this book, I felt like the three separate worlds could totally exist, and I think a lot of that has to do with Schwab's writing. I mean, of course the world-building and the creativity behind it was great, but everything just flows so nicely together. There are details, but not too many. And I liked that Schwab doesn't take too much time to describe the Outers, since we already know what our world is like. Instead, she focus on the worlds we DON'T know. 

I really loved the relationships between Mackenzie and her family, her friends, and her love interest(s). The familial relationship is so real. Broken and strained, but real considering the circumstances. I really love Mac's dad too, he seems like he would be a lot of fun in different circumstances. And then there's Wes, who is absolutely wonderful. I love their friendship, and how they can talk to each other about things they can't mention to anyone else.

I would totally recommend this book to pretty much everyone who enjoys contemporary, paranormal stories. Especially ones with mystery, twists, and adventure. I can't wait for the sequel to come out to learn more about the Archives, and the people who work for them. A 5/5 from me on this one!! 


--Ashley

The Archived (The Archived #1) by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Archived
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

Why?: Books about the dead are always intriguing to me. I loved Anna Dressed in Blood, and this sounds like it has a similar feel to it. Maybe more thriller than horror, but there's still violent Histories (instead of ghosts) that could escape to the real world and hurt people. Plus, there's the mystery about why someone is deliberately altering Histories, and what they have to gain. I've been waiting for this book for a long time, and I'm so excited to finally be able to read it!

Expectations: I expect this to be a very dark novel, and I expect it to be very exciting. Lots of mystery, adventure, and danger, and I also feel like the Archives crumbling will have some parallel with Mac's life crumbling - she's lost her grandfather and her brother, she lies to her remaining loved ones, and her job is now starting to become quite a mess. Oh, and definitely a lot of world-building. Even if there are similar elements to our world, there still has to be something about the Narrows and the Archives, right?  I've heard so many good things about this book, I've got pretty high expectations for it!

Judging a book by its cover: The cover reminds me of something that would be on the cover of a Disney DVD. Which isn't entirely surprising considering the publisher... but I'm not sure if I would pick it up if I saw it somewhere. It looks intriguing, but it doesn't really pop or anything, so there's that. I do like it though, and I wonder what significance the key will have.


--Ashley