The Last Apprentice Series

Book 6: Clash of the Demons

Clash of the Demons

"You can't make alliances with witches and suchlike and hope to avoid being drawn toward the dark."

As the Spook's apprentice, Thomas Ward's first duty is to protect the Country from ghosts, boggarts, and other dangerous creatures.

But now his mother has come back from her homeland to seek his help. One of the most dangerous of the old witches, Ordeen, is about to return to earth, bringing with her suffering and devastation.

Tom's mother has mustered a powerful army- including Tom's friend Alice, the Pendle witches, and the assassin Grimalkin- to confront Ordeen.

If Tom joins them, the Spook will refuse to take Tom back as his apprentice. What sacrifices will be made in the battle against the dark?

Our Rating for Clash of the Demons

Read a free book excerpt from Clash of the Demons

Review of Clash of the Demons

VOYA | Vikki Terrile

Tom Ward is overjoyed to learn that his mother, who has been battling the Dark in Greece, is returning to the County to see him.

Tom soon learns, however, that his mother's visit is no holiday; she is there to ask him, his master John Gregory, and an alliance of the Pendle witches to return with her to Greece to fight the Ordeen, an old god whose presence could herald a universal turn toward the dark.

Delaney gathers many characters readers have met along the way in The Last Apprentice series, including Alice Deane, Tom's friend and daughter of the devil himself, and Grimalkin, the witch assassin.

The narrative drags in places, and even the climactic scene of the defeat of the Ordeen is rather lackluster. But what is most interesting here is the dynamic that Delaney establishes between light and dark.

Can Tom defeat the forces of darkness using dark powers given to him by the women who fight beside him? The growing conflict between Tom (who trusts Alice and his Mam, believing that if their methods are not always purely of the light, their intentions certainly are) and Gregory (who fears any help from the dark will damage Tom beyond repair) hints at things to come.

In the end, Tom is given a choice between sacrificing his soul or allowing darkness to enter the world. His moral dilemma will leave readers wondering what they would have done in Tom's shoes as they eagerly await the next installment.

Quote from Clash of the Demons

"What your mam's proposing. Going to Greece, joining forces with the witches and... well... I'll let her tell you herself.

I can't do it- the words would choke in my throat. I'm going straight back to Chipenden now.

If you're not back within three days, I'll know you're following your mam's wishes. In that case your apprenticeship with me is over!" - Old Gregory, Clash of the Demons