The Spook's Apprentice is the first novel in The Wardstone Chronicles, written by Joseph Delaney.
The book was later loosely adapted into the 2014 film, Seventh Son.
Publication[]
The novel was originally published on July 1st, 2004 by The Bodley Head in hardback, but since has been published in paperback (published by Red Fox) and reprinted in a new-style cover.
The book was also released in the U.S. as The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch due to the term 'spook' possibly being viewed as a racist term towards the African- American population.
Editions[]
- First Edition: The original 2004 edition had a worn out leather look. Later after new editions had been made, this edition is considered a collectors edition.
- 2005 New Art Edition: The 2005 paperback edition had a new illustration with the caption below the title saying "Is he brave enough?".
- Seventh Son Paperback: A new release of the book released in 2014 to help promote the Seventh Son film. "The Series That Inspired The Movie: Seventh Son" is printed at the bottom with Delaney's name at the top and the words "Born To Fight The Dark" on the left side of the cover.
- U.S. Edition: Due to the fact that "spook" could be considered a racial slur in the United States, an edition titled The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch, was published, with new cover art.
Description[]
Warning: Not to be read after dark
"The Spook's trained many, but precious few completed their time," Mam said, "and those that did aren't a patch on him. They're flawed or weak or cowardly. They walk a twisted path taking money for accomplishing little. So there's only you left now, son. You're the last chance. The last hope."
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the Spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before him. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the County, the horror begins...
Chapters[]
- A Seventh Son
- On the Road
- Number 13 Watery Lane
- The Letter
- Boggarts and Witches
- A Girl with Pointy Shoes
- Someone Has To Do It
- Old Mother Malkin
- On the River Bank
- Poor Billy
- The Pit
- The Desperate and the Dizzy
- Hairy Pigs
- The Spook's Advice
Deaths[]
| Character | Killed By | Cause Of Death | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tusk | John Gregory | Hit on head with the spook's rowan wood staff. | In defense of Tom during chase. |
| Mother Malkin | Pigs | Chased away with fire and eaten alive, including heart, by pigs. | Mother Malkin tracked Tom to his family farm |
Gallery[]
