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Spook's Curse (Wardstone Chronicles)
 
 
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Spook's Curse (Wardstone Chronicles) (Paperback)

by Joseph Delaney (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
RRP: £5.99
Price: £4.99 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £5 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

Spook's Curse (Wardstone Chronicles) + The Spook's Battle (Wardstone Chronicles) + The Spook's Mistake (Wardstone Chronicles)
Price For All Three: £13.87

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Product details

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Red Fox (6 Jul 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 009945646X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0099456469
  • Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 12.6 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 19,792 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, have travelled to Priestown for some unfinished business. For, deep in the catacombs of the cathedral, lurks the Spook's nemesis - The Bane, a creature he has never been able to defeat. As Thomas and his master prepare for the battle of their lives, it becomes clear that The Bane isn't their only enemy in town. The Quisitor has arrived, searching the county for those who meddle with the dark - witches, warlocks and Spooks! When the Spook is arrested and sentenced to death, it's up to Thomas, with a little help from his old friend, Alice, to rescue his master and destroy the curse of Priestown.

From the Inside Flap
It’s going to be a long, hard, cruel winter, son,’ Mam said. ‘All the signs are there . . . And there couldn’t be a worse place to spend it than up on Anglezarke. Your dad was worried about you, son, and I am too. So I won’t mince my words. There’s no doubt that the dark’s growing in power and there’s a particularly baleful influence up on that moor. It’s where some of the Old Gods were worshipped long ago and in winter some of them start to stir from their sleep . . . So stay close to your master. He’s the only real friend you’ve got. You must help one other.’
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Spook's Curse (Wardstone Chronicles)
78% buy the item featured on this page:
Spook's Curse (Wardstone Chronicles) 4.7 out of 5 stars (32)
£4.99
The Spook's Sacrifice (Wardstone Chronicles)
12% buy
The Spook's Sacrifice (Wardstone Chronicles) 4.8 out of 5 stars (13)
£4.99
The Spook's Mistake (Wardstone Chronicles)
5% buy
The Spook's Mistake (Wardstone Chronicles) 4.9 out of 5 stars (12)
£3.89
The Spook's Battle (Wardstone Chronicles)
3% buy
The Spook's Battle (Wardstone Chronicles) 4.8 out of 5 stars (12)
£4.99
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Customer Reviews

32 Reviews
5 star:
 (23)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Not to be Read After Dark, 9 Aug 2004
By Chrestomanci (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
This review is from: The Spook's Apprentice No. 1 (Hardcover)
The Spook's Apprentice is a children's horror novel set in the time of the Pendle Witches. The eponymous Spook is a man whose job it is to protect the local villagers from witches, boggarts and all other evils, yet despite his invaluable service, he is shunned by all. After the death of his last apprentice, the Spook enrolls young Thomas Ward, who, being the seventh son of a seventh son is qualified for the position. However, he soon discovers that this is no mere accident of birth.

Thomas is left the entire night in a haunted house as a kind of initiation into his new job. The twist in this scene is perhaps a little too obvious. Thomas progresses with his lessons - but before long, the Spook is called away on an urgent matter in Pendle, and rather recklessly leaves his inexperienced young apprentice behind. During his absence, Thomas makes a rash promise to Alice (a girl with pointy shoes), and is tricked into releasing Old Mother Malkin, who was buried alive as punishment for killing the villagers' children and drinking their blood.

Once she is free, Thomas's problems really begin - and it seems that the only person he can turn to for help is the one who got him in this mess ... Alice. Alice is perhaps the most interesting character in the book. The reader is never certain whether she is to be trusted or not. Is she as well-intentioned as she claims, acting under duress - or is she an evil scheming trickster out to lure Thomas to the same bloodthirsty fate as the previous apprentice?

'Not to be read after dark,' it says on the back cover. Perhaps it's not quite as scary as the publishers would have you believe - but it's still sufficiently chilling for most young readers. Certainly not suitable for those under 8 or 9, or those prone to nightmares, as some of the imagery is quite intense: (ghosts of dying soldiers hung on a tree - a witch who wants to drink a new born baby's blood - a boy who has his fingers cut/chewed off by a boggart, and many others). However, if you're 13 or older and enjoy something on the gruesome side, this is an adventurous tale with many a cliff-hanger.

It's somewhat difficult to settle on a star rating for this book. To be honest, this kind of dark horror is not to my tastes; I prefer my fantasy reading material to be a little more light-hearted - preferably with a few laughs. However, putting that aside, I award 4 stars for the quality of writing. This is a well-written novel, briskly paced and with some good characterization. For those who live in Lancashire, the local history of the Pendle Witches may be of particular interest - but this book may well appeal to any teen with morbid or gothic tastes.

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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Spook, 5 Sep 2005
This review is from: The Spook's Apprentice: No.1 (Paperback)
If you're an adult, don't dismiss these books as simply 'kid's stuff'!

I'm nearly 43, and I was as captivated by the Ward Chronicles, as my 15 yr old daughter and sons of 11 and eight years. These books have much to offer an adult audience.

The plots are fast-moving, brilliantly written and, above all, totally enthralling. Joseph Delaney is an imaginative author, who makes it impossible to put down his stories once you've picked them up.

Even as an adult, it was easy to slip into young Tom Ward's mind, and really see the events from his viewpoint. Or, perhaps having a more experienced imagination just adds to the thrills!

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great (and good) surprise!, 31 Aug 2007
By Stefano D. C. Pachi ""Compulsive Reader"" (Sao Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I bought this series through Amazon.co.uk, and at first I really thought it would be a great series. When I received the books though, it came as a small dissapointment. Why? They are not as long as they seem. Their design and cover is incredible (UK cover). I think it really fits, but the book itself is way smaller than the number of pages suggest. For this reason it took me some time to read this book.
And how much time I missed. Though short, the first book is very sattisfying, and the climax and end of it are amazing. I then began to read the second one (this one), and I couldn't let it go. I stayed awake longer than I should in order to finish it, but it was worth it. It is quite easy to read, and the story is marvellous, you just can not stop reading it, for every time a problem is solved a new one appears, and the relationship between Tom and Alice has some pretty interessing twists. All around, I believe this is the best book in the series (so far). The third book (Spook's Secret) is but slower, and focus a lot on the Spook's past, perhaps a little too much. The last one released (Spook's Battle) is once again set at a quick pace, having many dramatic moments. And once again it reaches an intense climax. A very interesting series, by a new and promising author.
Oh, and if you stop to actually imagine and "feel" some of the scenes, you may find out it is actually scary!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spooks Curse
Ive read all of the Spooks books now, and have found them all wonderfully simplistic to read and understand. Read more
Published 8 days ago by fiction lover

4.0 out of 5 stars Cover Change :[
This book is great and all, it realy dosn't let you put it down yada yada. what i am writing about is that this cover is awsome and i cant belive that thay have changed it to a... Read more
Published 10 days ago by A. Walker

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely superb read
I have read all of the previous titles by Joseph Delaney and he does not disappoint with this latest novel. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Mrs. C. A. Waterfield

5.0 out of 5 stars Spooks Apprentice
This is a brilliant book for both young and old and follows the journey of Tom, the 7th son of a 7th son, as he battles the forces of the dark. Read more
Published 29 days ago by A. Richardson

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Incredibly Deep, But Thoroughly Enjoyable
You could (maybe) argue that this is a bad book. It's rather basic and it's technically shallower than a childrens play pool. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lui_Gui

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT!!!
This is one of the BEST books i have EVER read.I was so so so scared of some of it.At night time i was DESPERATE to read it but it was so scary i just couldnt bare it. Read more
Published 4 months ago

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully different series for all ages
The first book was terribly slow to start, thought buying the series was looking like a mistake, but bear with them, from about a quarter of the way into the first book it warms... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Richard J. Powis

5.0 out of 5 stars great fun and a little scary
Loved the book, great unique plotline and a wonderful writer. Will now be reading the others in the series.
Published 12 months ago by Little angel

5.0 out of 5 stars the spooks apprenice
IK read alot and have never seen anything like this! its brilliant. there is a completely new world with new animals, monsters and magic! this book is truly original. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Glen Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST CHILDRENS READ THIS YEAR
This book reminded me of how much joy you can have when reading to your kids. The scary bits really captivate and you find yourself reading faster just to see what happens! Read more
Published 16 months ago by L. Starkey

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