The Near Witch Online Blog Tour - A Review of The Ash-Born Boy & a Giveaway!

by Victoria Schwab
publisher: Disney-Hyperion
date of publication: May 15, 2012
format: pdf
pages: 61
source: free download (find it HERE)
read it in: an afternoon

From Goodreads:

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.

At long last the answers to some of the most pressing questions about Cole have been answered!  In The Ash-Born Boy, the tragic truth to Cole's past is revealed, along with his true name.  In this 61 page whirlwind, Victoria Schwab has provided a glimpse into the ruthless, cruel world of court life, as well as its impact upon Cole.  Just how did Cole discover the true extent of his powers?  You'll find out the answer to that question and more right here.

When I first read The Near Witch last year, I was so very intrigued by Cole.  The air of mystery surrounding him was just as thick at the end of the book as it was when he was first introduced.  I despaired of ever finding out more about him until the day that Victoria posted about this story.  This deeper glimpse into Cole's past and his personality were very insightful and breathed even more life into him as a character.  Now that I've read The Ash-Born Boy, I really want to read The Near Witch all over again just so I can see what nuances I pick up. 


The setting for The Ash-Born Boy is the town of Dale, where we find the boy now known as Cole in a somewhat unexpected position.  The plot that is at work in this story is tragic, ominous, and anger-inducing as the atrocities that Cole faces comes to the forefront.  The characters surrounding him manage to evoke a wide arrange of emotions in amazingly high amounts considering the brevity of the story.  

Schwab does her work very well, and it shows in this story.  If she can draw me in this firmly with only 61 pages, imagine what she could do with an entire book about Cole.  At the very least, The Ash-Born Boy served as a reminder of everything I loved about The Near Witch.  It is well worth the time it takes to read it and you'll definitely want to pair it with a reading of The Near Witch as soon as you possibly can.

And now, it's time for a giveaway.  This one is open to ALL of my readers ages 13 and older.  That's right, folks, this is an international giveaway!  Thanks goes to Victoria for this truly awesome prize.  At this point, I'll bet you're wondering what the prize is.  Well, you will have the chance to win a copy of the new paperback release of The Near Witch, which contains an excerpt from Victoria's next book, The Archived.  But wait!  It gets even better.  This copy will be SIGNED, people!  I want to wish you all the best of luck with this one.  Now, enough of my yammering.  Hop to it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Special Near Witch Announcement!

Hey, all you Near Witch fans!  Has Victoria got an announcement for you!  Have you been hankering for more Near Witch-related awesomeness?  Well, never fear, because Victoria has something very special to share.  Keep reading to find out all of the juicy details!

It's May 15th!

Not only does THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab come out in paperback TODAY, but, to celebrate its release, "The Ash-Born Boy" is finally up over at Disney*Hyperion's website!

So, what IS "The Ash-Born Boy"?

It's a free story Victoria wrote as a thank-you to her fans, and she wrote it to answer ONE question: "Who was Cole before he came to Near?"

Now, if you've already read THE NEAR WITCH, "The Ash-Born Boy" is guaranteed to change the way you see Cole.

And if you haven't read THE NEAR WITCH yet, don't worry, "The Ash-Born Boy" won't spoil anything!

So basically, either way, you should go read Cole's story ;)

And if you want to wait and read THE NEAR WITCH first, don't worry! Cole's story will stay up on Disney*Hyperion's website, and if it ever comes down, Victoria will carve out a space for it on her own site. It will always be available somewhere, and it will always be free.

And!

Cole's story isn't the only goodie to go along with the paperback release. In the back of the paperback itself, you'll find the first chapter of Victoria's new book, THE ARCHIVED, which doesn't come out until January!

So what are you waiting for?

Help Victoria celebrate today by taking a look at "The Ash-Born Boy," and don't forget to buy/order/pick up your own paperback copy of THE NEAR WITCH!

The Near Witch Online Book Tour - Character Interview with Lexi

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the second stop in the The Near Witch Online Book Tour!  This tour is sponsored by the awesome Hannah at The Book Vortex and is in celebration of the paperback release of Victoria Schwab's The Near Witch, coming to a book store near you on May 15th!

Today, we have a very special guest.  The one and only Lexi was so kind as to stop by to answer some questions for you all.  I hope you have as much fun reading her answers as I did.  Pull up a chair, sit down, and get to know this amazing girl.

Marla: Hi, Lexi, and welcome to Starting the Next Chapter.  I've got a few fun questions for you to help all the readers out there get to know you better.

First question: In 3 words, how would you describe yourself?

Lexi: My uncle would say foolish. My father would say strong. Magda and Dreska would say headstrong. 

M: If you were to stumble across a time machine, where and when would you go?

L: Out. Beyond. Somewhere past the hills. Magda and Dreska told me once about the sea. Water forever and ever. I want to see that.

M: What's your favorite thing about Cole?

L: He's so quiet, and it makes you think he's not there, not really, but he is. He's always present, always listening. He'll be looking off, and I'll think he's far away, and I'll say something, half to myself, and then, hours later, he'll repeat it. He always hears me.

M: What is your absolute favorite thing to eat?

L: Fresh bread. I know, simple, right? But it's like home to me.

M: What is your favorite thing about the moor?

L: It goes on. It goes on in that forever way that makes you want to take off running, or shout, or sprawl out in the grass and watch the sky, just because you can. It is wild and free and infinite. 

M: If you could spend an entire day with Cole, where would you go and what would you do?

L: I'd take him back to the hill beyond the village, the one where he first trusted me. Out on the moor like that, with Near out of sight, it would be feel like we were alone, just us in all the world. That can be a scary feeling sometimes, but with him, it's wonderful. He's so guarded in the town, but when it's just the two of us, he lets go. He untangles. I want a full day of him smiling, of him laughing, and holding me, all without flinching, without fear.

M: What part of the day do you prefer: day or night?

L: Night. The world is different. All the magic drifts to the surface, like dew, and you can see it, feel it, smell it.

M: What is your favorite season?

L: Fall. The winter is too cold, but that time before, when everything is dying. It's sad, but so beautiful.

M: Since StNC is a book blog, you know I've got to ask: What is your favorite book?

L: My father's. It's all I have left now, but it is everything. I like to set my fingers in the grooves where his wore down the cover. I love the book for that as much as the stories inside. 

M: Okay, last, but not least, question.  Lexi, we're all dying to know: Do you know the Muffin Man?

L: I don't know a muffin Man, but my mother has been teaching me to bake, so perhaps I could be a Muffin Girl?

Thanks for visiting Starting the Next Chapter, Lexi!

Make sure you keep an eye out for the paperback release of The Near Witch, which will be out on May 15th.  Stay tuned, because the tour fun isn't over yet!  There will be a special announcement on Tuesday, May 15th and a guest post from Victoria, herself, on Wednesday, May 16th!

Also, I hope you all will join me in extending congratulations to Victoria.  She just sold her first adult fiction release, Vicious, to Tor!  Congratulations, Victoria!

About The Near Witch

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.
 

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.
 

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.

About Victoria

Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."

She also tells stories.

She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.


Website / Twitter / Blog / Tumblr / Goodreads

The Tour Schedule

Tuesday May 8- Hannah @ The Book Vortex

Wednesday May 9- Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter

Thursday May 10- Shalena @ Writer Quirk

Friday May 11- Kelly

Saturday May 12- Sara @ Through the Looking Glass and Back Again

Sunday May 13- Lindsay @ The Violet Hour

Monday May 14- Aeicha @ World Spelunking

Tuesday May 15- Everyone

Wednesday May 16- Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter

Thursday May 17- Kelly

Sources
Book Description: Goodreads
Author Photo: Author's Blog
Bio: Goodreads

Ash2Nash: The Nashville Stop

Yesterday was absolutely fantastic! Nikki and I drove to Nashville again for another awesome author event, this time the final stop of the Ash 2 Nash book tour, featuring Victoria Schwab, Myra McEntire, and Beth Revis, with special guests Julie Kagawa, Rachel Hawkins, and Ruta Sepetys. We reached B&N super early with the intention of getting coffee and getting some reading time in. We both had coffee and were also intrigued by a little something called the "blackout" cupcake.



I just have to say it: that cupcake kicked my butt. I only finished half of it before I had to call it quits. Nikki looked like she felt a little ill after hers. Evil, evil cupcake! It's as menacing as it looks, folks. Beware!

We both got in some much-needed reading time, which was excellent. After a while, though, the chairs became uncomfortable, so we decided to look for empty arm chairs. They were all full, so back to the cafe we went. When we walked back in, I looked up only to notice that Julie Kagawa was sitting 2 tables away. I mentioned this on Twitter while having a "holy crap!" moment, only to notice Victoria Schwab walking across the parking lot outside. Yup. The time was drawing near!

Shortly thereafter, Shannon from Stalking the Bookshelves arrived, and while she was getting a cup of coffee, we had some unexpected visitors drop by our table. I saw someone out of the corner of my eye, then heard, "Marla?" It was Julie Kagawa and Victoria Schwab. (insert shock here) Apparently, my tweet didn't go unnoticed. LOL! I (obviously) couldn't see my own face, but I'm pretty sure it looked something like this when I looked at Nikki:


Introductions were made, my inner voice did much squealing, and then it was time to head back to the event area. Also, I can definitely say that they are both as awesome as their books. It was great talking to them.

Let me preface the next pictures by saying that these ladies are utterly hilarious. The discussion portion of the event was very funny and a good time was had by all. I wish I could have gotten video for you all. Unfortunately, I was seated behind some ladies who were roughly my height, which was both unusual (I'm rather tall) and prevented me from getting any direct shots of the whole panel. I had to make do with ducking and weaving the camera around heads and over shoulders. Thanks goodness for 18X zoom!

After the discussion, chaos ensued. There were people everywhere waiting to get their books signed. Any thought of a queue was out the window. It was a free-for-all! Luckily, there was plenty of time left, so everyone had the chance to get their books signed and chat with the authors for a bit. This was truly awesome, as Nikki and I didn't have to rush off this time and could stay until the end. We even found out that Ruta has a home near us and that she is in our town fairly often! She was very nice and a lot to fun to chat with. We got to talk with most of them for a fair amount of time and snapped several pics in the process.

We also snapped some pics with Shannon. It was really awesome to get to meet another book blogger.

It was a fantastic night and I sincerely hope that they can all make it back to Nashville someday. If you ever get the chance to attend an event with one of these ladies, do it! You won't be sorry and I can guarantee that you'll have a great time.

Be sure to visit my IMM post on Sunday to see all of the books I got signed last week, as well as at Ash 2 Nash. Also, make sure to keep an eye on my blog in the weeks to come. I brought back something special that I will be giving away at a later date. What is it, you ask? Well, you'll just have to wait to find out. ::wink::

Review - The Near Witch

by Victoria Schwab
publisher: Hyperion Books CH
date of publication: August 2, 2011
format: eGalley
pages: 288
source: Netgalley
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

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.

What I Thought

The Near Witch managed to accomplish something that I haven't experienced in a long time. Not only was I entertained as I read the story of Lexi and her search for the missing children of Near, I was also reminded of how I felt when I would read on cold afternoons as a teen. The Near Witch reminded me of so many things that I loved: crisp late-October afternoons; dark, snowy Novembers spent curled up next to a window with a blanket and a good book; the smell of wood smoke; and so much more. To say that this book sucked me in is a vast understatement and I can't even begin to explain just how well I was drawn into Lexi's world.

There is a recurring theme throughout The Near Witch that puts forth an important message. That theme is fear and the message is the dangers that fear leads to. Much of what happens in The Near Witch occurs as the direct result of irrational fear. Lexi's uncle, Otto, as well as much of the townsfolk, have an intense fear of strangers. Fear led to the atrocities committed against the woman once known as the Near Witch. Fear leads the men of the town to put their trust in someone who intends harm rather than help. The level of fear in this story was so tangible that several points were very anxiety-inducing and I was left feverishly reading in the hopes that the situations would have good outcomes.

The characters found in this story are fairly well-written. My personal favorite was Lexi in that she is independent in a way that sets her apart from the other village girls. That Lexi is one of the few who do not fear Cole (aka "the stranger") speaks to her fortitude and compassion. I also like that she has talents such as tracking, whether her over-bearing uncle likes it or not. Cole is another aspect of the story that I liked. Finding out who Cole really is is one of the more intriguing aspects of the story. Seeing him open up and develop as a character was enjoyable, as well. There are some characters, however, that I would have liked to see developed more. For instance, I was very curious about Bo, Otto's right-hand man. There were several hints at something beneath the surface with him, but that something was never explored. It left a bit of a hole in the plot that it would have been great to see filled.

The Near Witch was, overall, a fun, spooky read that I will enjoy reading again and again. The feelings and images it evoked in me along with the plot in general were superb, making this a new favorite. I will be looking forward to seeing what else Victoria Schwab has in store in the future. I give The Near Witch 5 hoots.

Obligatory legal statement: This galley was provided to me free of charge via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.