Spook. Usually it means a ghost, but in this book it means an exorcist - someone who searchesout evil,and binds it, so that the ordinary people can live in peace, unmolested.
Can you imagine being an apprentice exorcist? It's a lonely and frightening job. Take Thomas Ward, for instance. He travels the county with his Master, in all weathers, with only a little to eat. When they reach their destination, there's a terrifying job waiting to be done. A ghast perhaps, boggart or witch to silence. And when the task is finished, and Thomas can go back to the Spook's house to rest withouthaving to lookover his shoulder, he has no friends, because who will befriend a boy whomingles with evil every day?
Someone else who mingles with evil perhaps:
She was probably about my own age - if anything slightly younger. Her face was nice enough, for she had large brown eyes, high cheekbones and long black hair. She wore a black dress tied tightly at the waist with a piece of white string. But as I took all this in, I suddenly noticed something that troubled me.
The girl was wearing pointy shoes, and immediately I remembered the Spook's warning.
Bit late to start remembering warnings really. Alice has already done Thomas a favour and she'd like something in return:
'...I'll have to settle for a promise.'
'A promise?' I asked, wondering what she meant.
'A promise to help me just as I helped you. I don't need anyhelp right now, but perhaps one day I might.'
'That's fine,' I told her. 'If you ever need any help in the future then just ask.'
Well, he's just an apprentice spook, otherwiseThomas Wardmight haveknown to be a little more on his guard when dealing with strangers. But a promise is a promise and once given must be honoured.
It's going to get him into a lot of trouble...
Brilliant. I loved the degrees of evil in this book. Some evil is manageable. Some isn't. You have to learn to trust your own judgment.
What do you think about ‘The Spook's Apprentice’?
katie bond, girl, age 10, from wales, United Kingdom, on 28th June 2008. Rating: 10/10
It was the best book i have ever read, and it halped i went to school and the boys were saying there was a ghost in the girls bathroom so i said don't worrie its proberly only a ghast!!!lol
ryan, boy, age 13, from co.meath, Ireland, on 27th June 2008. Rating: 10/10
the spooks apprentice was so cool it left you on the edge of your seat all the time ive only read the first one couse i can never find the second one i think its called the spooks curse anyway id recoment it to anyone speaking of that i have to tell my cousin about it it would be a minor book seen as hes 17 READ IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
milo, boy, age 14, from Brisbane, Australia, on 20th June 2007. Rating: 9/10
One of the most gripping and exciting books i have ever read. GREAT!. It takes you into a scary and thrilling roller coaster ride of a story with twists,turns and scary witches. Definently one to read.
Read all 28 comments about The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
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Thoroughly enjoyable, though I'm going to have to think pretty carefully before I buy my next pair of pointy shoes. If, like me, you enjoy The Spook's Apprentice, you'll be happy to hear there's a sequel:
If you enjoy seeking out ghasts and pitting your wits against them, have a look at this excellent story by Chris Wooding:
And that silver chain that the Spook bears, to bind witches, puts me in mind of Sabriel's bandoleer of silver bells that she uses to bind the Dead in Death. A fantastic trilogy by Garth Nix:
