However, I felt like the horror elements balanced this out, so that it didn’t always feel like things were being resolved too conveniently. Some of this is typical “Saturday morning cartoon” morality, which gets wrapped up a little too easily. Ward and his mentor are always conscious of the possible consequences of their actions, they seek to avoid undue cruelty less they find themselves acting just like those they are fighting against. Right and wrong are not so simple to figure out-even when dealing with ghosts and witches (blood-witches at that!). Traditions, methods, outcomes are all questioned. So, I felt this element added in abundance to the narrative.Īnother thing Delaney does, is develop a nice perspective for the protagonist. More sensitive readers might not care for the imagery, but many of us enjoy a scary tale now and again. The author does a good job of bringing this element in without going over the top. Some of the antagonists are down right scary (Mother Malkin is straight out of Terminator 2).Īlso, the creepy settings that are done very well I could really picture Ward’s struggles as he tangled with the various antagonists. Fans of the darker genres will delight in the real risks at stake: cannibalistic witches, missing limbs, and the typical creepy ghosts born of horrible tragedy. There are a few more visceral elements and descriptions that “up” the horror meter into a more mature level. However, all this is contrasted with dark tonal themes. The words are easy to digest for young readers and the occasional big word that comes around gets explained succinctly and in context. This is a Young Adult story that moves at a good pace (after it gets going). Dangerous, but necessary work for keeping the darkness at bay and insuring that the local people of the County can be free from unruly harassment or worse from the ghosts and ghoulies prowling about.
This strange vagabond has the auspicious profession of being a sort of ghost-hunter or witch-finder. Through his mother’s influence, it has been decided that Ward will take on an apprenticeship with Mr. His Mam has a little something extra going on with her, and planned quite an interesting and unique future for her youngest born. Thomas Ward was born to a farming family living out in the countryside. Our young hero is the ill-fated, seventh son of a seventh son. A heroic fantasy blending in just the right amount of horror for young readers to delight in.
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