The Spook's Curse

Joseph Delaney

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

Warning: Not to be read after Dark

"How many times have you told me that the dark's getting stronger in this town? That the priests are becoming more corrupt, that people are afraid. And think about the double tithes and the Quisitor stealing land, and burning innocent girls and women. What do you think is at the centre of it all? What terrible force makes good men inflict such atrocities or stand by and let them happen? Aye, the Bane is to blame, and the Bane must be stopped now."

The Spook and his apprentice, Thomas Ward, have travelled to Priestown to defeat 'the Bane', a powerful, evil creature that lurks in the catacombs of the cathedral and is corrupting the County. As Thomas and his master prepare to battle with the Bane, they soon realize it isn't their only enemy in Priestown. The Quisitor has arrived, searching the County for those who meddle with the dark - witches, warlocks and spooks! Can Thomas and his master survive the horror that follows?

Review by M. Mallop (080308) Rating (9/10)

Review by M. Mallop
Rating 9/10
Thomas is back, as is the Spook, Mam and Alice, this time the boggarts seem less scary, the ghosts seem like puppies because there is something rotten in the roots of Priesttown: The Bane. The Bane is a foul beast, the personification of pure evil, long trapped in the catacombs by a silver gate, but the Bane's power is slowly growing, the priests are burning more and more witches and the evil Quisitor has come to seek out any who dabble in the black arts and drown, behead and burn them into hell!

Delaney really is a master of his genre, the story is not as complex as the later Harry Potter novels but if I had to line it up against Chamber of Secrets which would I prefer? Dare I say?

The world of Thomas Ward is dark and mysterious, every page leaves you wondering if the characters will survive and if they do what type of horror they will meet next. This book is a wonderful addition to adult and teenagers alike, the perfect book parent's could read alongside their children allowing for mutual engagement.

The Spook's Curse opens mysteries and character development that I am sure will be followed through in subsequent novels. A true must have and a true must read. I was worried when I finished it that the shop may have sold out of the next one.

I conclude with the statement that occurs in the blurb: Warning: not to be read after dark. Let me tell you, take it seriously because you never know what horror is just over the page...
M. Mallop (8th March 2008)