A parent might reach for this book when their confident reader, who loves fantasy, is looking for something genuinely spooky and thrilling. This is the first book in The Last Apprentice series (also known as The Wardstone Chronicles), following Tom Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, who is apprenticed to the local "Spook". His job is to protect the countryside from ghosts, boggarts, and witches. The story is a gripping, atmospheric exploration of fear and bravery, destiny, and the lonely path of doing what's right, even when it's terrifying. While it's a fantastic and engaging read for kids who enjoy being scared, its intense, dark tone and frightening creature descriptions make it best suited for mature middle graders, ages 11 and up, rather than younger or more sensitive readers.
Supernatural creatures attack people. Non-graphic combat. Characters are bound, trapped, and threatened.
Character DeathMild
A priest is killed by a supernatural entity. The threat of death is constant for the main character.
Moral AmbiguityMild
The protagonist befriends a girl from a family of witches, questioning the Spook's rigid views.
Sensitive Topics
The book's primary sensitive topic is fear, presented directly and intensely. It also deals with death and evil as tangible forces. The approach to these topics is secular but rooted in a dark, folkloric tradition; there are mentions of God and the Devil, but the magic system is its own. The resolution to the immediate conflict is hopeful (Tom succeeds and survives), but the overall tone of the series is grim, suggesting a long, difficult struggle ahead.
Ideal Reader
An ideal reader is a child aged 11-14 who actively seeks out scary stories and has a high tolerance for suspense and frightening imagery. They have likely graduated from series like Goosebumps and are looking for horror and fantasy with more complex world-building and higher stakes. This reader enjoys atmospheric settings, mentor-apprentice relationships, and stories about facing down evil.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the book is significantly scarier than much of the middle-grade fantasy on the market. The descriptions of monsters are visceral and unnerving. A parent may want to preview Chapter 2, where Tom spends his first night in a haunted house, or the chapters involving the witch Mother Malkin's escape and pursuit of Tom to gauge the intensity. The book can be read cold, but it is important to know the child's tolerance for fear. The parent's child says, "I want to read a really scary book, not a baby book." They might be showing an interest in the horror genre or have exhausted other fantasy adventure series and are looking for something with a darker, more serious tone.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the plot and the thrill of the scary encounters. They'll connect with Tom's fear and root for him as an underdog hero. An older reader (12-14) is more likely to appreciate the grim atmosphere, the nuances of the Spook's character, and the moral ambiguity introduced through the character of Alice, a young witch who befriends Tom. They will grasp the deeper themes about duty, loneliness, and the nature of good and evil.
What Makes It Special
Unlike its contemporaries in the fantasy genre, which often blend adventure with humor and camaraderie (like Percy Jackson), this book is distinct for its relentlessly grim and spooky tone. It feels less like an epic adventure and more like a collection of dark, English folklore. The focus on the lonely, dangerous, and unglamorous work of being a Spook sets it apart from stories of chosen ones destined for glory.
Read plot summary
Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, is sold by his family to be the apprentice of the county Spook, John Gregory. The Spook's job is to protect the local folk from things that go bump in the night: ghosts, ghasts, boggarts, and witches. Tom's training is a harsh and lonely trial by fire. He must learn to use his wits, his courage, and the secret knowledge of the Spook's trade to survive. His first major test involves the terrifying witch Mother Malkin, whom Tom accidentally releases, forcing him to confront the dark head-on.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Spook has very strict rules for dealing with the dark, but Tom breaks one by trusting Alice. Was Tom right or wrong to do so? When is it okay to break a rule to help someone?
2
The Spook's training methods are very harsh, and he often leaves Tom in dangerous situations alone. Do you think this is the best way for Tom to learn, or is the Spook being cruel?
3
Tom's mother says that his destiny was decided long ago. Do you think Tom is brave because he has no other choice, or does he make the choice to be brave in each scary moment?
4
Mother Malkin is presented as pure evil. Do you think any part of her was ever good? Why do you think she became so powerful and cruel?
