A Refreshing Return: Embracing The Near Witch
“Funny how when we start to tell a secret, we can’t stop. Something falls open in us, and the sheer momentum of letting go pushes on”
It is quite refreshing to finally be back to reading Victoria Schwab. She was one of my most-read authors back in 2018, and she remains one of my favorites as well. Revisiting her work feels like reconnecting with an old friend, and I’ve missed that connection.
As I dove into this book, I could see Schwab’s unique style shining through. There’s a distinct presence of her voice in the writing; however, I noticed she felt a bit more juvenile here compared to her newer works. Given that this book is aimed at a younger audience, I can completely understand that choice. The story follows Lexi, a girl who was raised by her father to embrace the versatility of being human rather than focus solely on the fragility of being a woman in her time. He instilled in her a deep appreciation for both people and nature, teaching her to see the beauty in the world rather than live in fear. This perspective gives her a broader outlook on life and shapes her journey in meaningful ways.
The introduction of the secondary protagonist was intriguing, adding complexity to the narrative; however, it became quite clear where the story was heading. I’m not going to lie—I felt a bit disappointed with the romantic aspect of the story. Personally, I would have preferred if it didn’t exist at all, as it seemed to detract from the more compelling themes at play.
To sum it all up, the book was highly entertaining, simple, and straightforward, with writing that was very accessible. While there were plenty of sequences that didn’t quite resonate with me and that I would have preferred to see handled differently, I believe this is still a fun tale worth reading. Overall, it captures the spirit of Schwab’s storytelling while offering a light yet engaging experience.