Review: Lure of the Dead by Joseph Delaney
Author: Joseph Delaney
Title: Lure of the Dead
Release: April 2012
Series: The Last Apprentice #9
Reviewer: Chrissy
Source: Library
Purchase: | Book DepositoryTime is running out for Thomas Ward. His final battle against the Fiend is drawing near, and the Spook’s apprentice has never felt more alone in his task. Isolated and afraid, the Fiend is set to send the greatest of his servants against him – Siscoi, a Vampire God more ferocious than anything he has yet faced. Tom must risk his life to prevent the evil beast from entering this world, even as he learns that the final destruction of the Fiend may involve a sacrifice more terrible than he can imagine.
Having recently read Grimalkin Witch Assassin, I was more than happy to dive into the tenth installment of Joseph Delaney’s The Last Apprentice series, a book entitled Lure of the Dead. In each of the additions to this series Spook apprentice Tom Ward encounters a new and more dastardly villain than the last. In this novel we are introduced to strigoi (a form of vampire) and their vampiric God, Siscoi.
Grimalkin Witch Assassin was the only book in this series to be told from a voice other than our hero Thomas Jason Ward. While I enjoyed it immensely, I was happy to get back to the voice of the story that had grown familiar and comforting to me. I longed for the house in Chipenden, Old Gregory, the guard dogs Claw, Blood, and Bone, and the inner turmoil surrounding the growing relationship between Tom and Alice.
Grimalkin is on the run with the Fiend’s head once more. But this leaves no reprieve for Tom Ward and his allies. Not only must he return to Malkin Tower to learn the horrible truth of how the Fiend must be destroyed, the Romanians in the neighboring town are stirring up trouble for him and his master after deceitfully bringing them to Todmorden. But there is more than meets the eye with these trouble makers, for they are something far more dark and sinister than Tom and Old Gregory could ever imagine.
Yet another fantastic addition to The Last Apprentice series. This book was captivating from start to finish. It is filled with suspense that is capable and enthralling even the most reluctant of readers. His world building and imaginative creatures pull the reader into the story, each page bringing a new and exciting (sometimes frightening) adventure.
We see many of the old favorites in this novel and are introduced to some new characters. The plot is incredibly original, the scenery is terrifying, and the characters are more complex than ever.
One of the most enjoyable parts of reading this series is being able to view some beautiful (and sometimes grotesque) artwork at the start of each chapter. Patrick Arrasmith has really outdone himself this time! The artwork in Lure of the Dead is the crowning jewel of all the artwork found throughout this series. Each chapter begins with a terrifying image that pumps anticipation into the very soul of the reader.
Overall, this was a fun and fascinating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat through its entirety. A rollercoaster of emotions and action, Lure of the Dead is a fantastic read for young adults and adults alike.
While this is a young adult novel, please remember that it does contain some harsh language, frightening images, and a great deal of violence, so it may not be suitable for readers under the age of 14.
