The Spook's Sacrifice, by Joseph Delaney

June 2009, Bodley Head Childrens' Books

377 pages

Childrens, fantasy

Review copy

Cushions: 4/5

Daggers: 3/5

Tissues: 2/5

Overall rating: 5/5

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the cover. It's still scary, but no black dogs. This cover can safely remain displayed in my room. 

The Spook's Sacrifice is the 6th installment of the Wardstone Chronicles series. You can see a review of the 5th book here. 

Tom is back with his original master, passing the time with his studies when he gets attacked by an assassin. Forewarned by Alice in a method which the master Spook disapproves of, Tom manages to keep himself alive. However, assassins are the least of his worries when he's asked by his mother to return with. Back in Greece, where she normally lives, evil is brewing - more than just the Fiend. The Ordeen is making preparations to return, which would of course kill most people in the area and make the earth a terrible place to be. The condundrum facing Tom, is that if he joins his mother, he'll forsake all further training as a Spook. 

I have deliberately with-held information about this, it's one of my favourite parts in the book. Tom faces a lot of internal conflict: naturally he has ties to his mother, even though he doesn't see her much, and wants to discover who she really is. He has strong ties with his current master, for he's taught him so much. And he naturally wants to help make the world a safer place to be. Being pulled in two directions provides much to think about. 

There are a couple of moments in the story which took me completely by surprise - real, strong plot twists which match the twists in the previous book. This installment was perhaps more enjoyable than The Spook's Mistake because it delved into Tom's family life. I like learning how characters interact with their family, especially if contact is limited. Additionally, the whole Alice/Tom story line really blossoms. Not romantically - everything is kept blush free. It is Tom's desire to develop their friendship which clashes against his master's wish for the two youngsters to keep apart. Dark magic has no place in the life of light magic - at least that's how his master views the world. Unfortunately, just like life in our world, black and white is divided with varying shades of grey. 

Even if this is the first Wardstone Chronicle's book you read, I whole-heartedly recommend it. 

Joseph Delaney's website is here.