The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - A book review

This is another one of those books I saw on a library recommended shelf and when I decided I was in the mood to read something that didn't have a sequel that I would have to wait for, I picked it up.  I wasn't to sure by the cover, but when I read the description it sounded like something new and different, and sometimes new and different is exactly what the mind wants to read!

"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."

Lexi has lived in the town of near her entire life.  No one has ever visited Near, every face she sees there is one she has known since birth.  That is until one night a stranger appears outside her window one night.  The very next day a local boy in town turns up missing.  Then each night, more children start disappearing from their own beds.  Throwing the town into a frenzy, and Lexi bound and determined to solve the mystery.

Lexi, has always been a little bit like her father who has already passed on.  She has a wild heart, and a mind to do what she wants.  She is also curious by nature.  Unfortunately she is a a girl, and her uncle doesn't think she has any business helping out with the disappearances.  

But Lexi hasn't ever let anyone stop her before and she sneaks out to visit the local witches who she knows are harboring and possibly hiding the stranger who came to town.

As the town hunts for the children, Lexi realizes the stories that her father told her about the Near Witch might have more truth to them, than she could have ever imagined.  

When Lexi meets the stranger, and sneaks out to meet him.  A bond forms between the two, and against what everyone else in the town believes, Lexi believes the stranger can help her find the missing children.

The Near Witch is a tale about witches, myth's and fairy tale's of sorts mixed with a love story.  Victoria Schwab takes you on an adventure and mystery in a story that will capture your attention from the beginning.  I personally really enjoyed the story, and found it quite different than even other fairy tale type books I have read in the past.  I also found it to be quite a fast read!  This book is appropriate for any reader, but will most likely be enjoyed by those 15 and up!

Also, I just want to say.  Don't judge this book by it's cover.  I didn't really like the cover, and still haven't figured out what it has to do with anything in the book itself!