The Near Witch Paperback Release + The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab

Let's all greet Victoria Schwab a 
Happy Release Day to The Near Witch Paperback!

It's out in Paperback today! If you haven't got a chance to grab a copy, maybe it's time to get it now!

But wait there's more, you can read "The Ash-Born Boy" over at Disney*Hyperion's website!

So, what IS "The Ash-Born Boy"?

It's a free story Victoria wrote as a thank-you to her fans, and she wrote it to answer ONE question: "Who was Cole before he came to Near?"

Now, if you've already read THE NEAR WITCH, "The Ash-Born Boy" is guaranteed to change the way you see Cole.

And if you haven't read THE NEAR WITCH yet, don't worry, "The Ash-Born Boy" won't spoil anything!

So basically, either way, you should go read Cole's story ;)

And if you want to wait and read THE NEAR WITCH first, don't worry! Cole's story will stay up on Disney*Hyperion's website, and if it ever comes down, Victoria will carve out a space for it on her own site. It will always be available somewhere, and it will always be free.

And!

Cole's story isn't the only goodie to go along with the paperback release. In the back of the paperback itself, you'll find the first chapter of Victoria's new book, THE ARCHIVED, which doesn't come out until January!

So what are you waiting for?

Help Victoria celebrate today by taking a look at "The Ash-Born Boy," and don't forget to buy/order/pick up your own paperback copy of THE NEAR WITCH!

If you haven't heard of The Near Witch before here's the synopsis

The Near Witch
by Victoria Schwab
Published: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion Books CH
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy


Synopsis

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.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Praise for The Near Witch

I found this to be a very entertaining book. I thought the author did an amazing job of creating a sense of atmosphere. You are very quickly pulled into this book, and you feel a sense of urgency for the characters. I loved that the story was as simple as it appeared. This book does a great job of showing what people can do when they feel threatened and scared.- L_Manning

While I was reading this book, I could not believe that this was Victoria Schwab's debut novel. The writing was so professional. It was very original and fresh as well, yet it rang of familierness. I forgot that I was reading a book, for I felt swept into the events in the town of Near as though I was witnessing them myself. The suspense in this book was perfection, never seeming to dry up, but never overwhelming the story either. - Harpreet Singh

Schwab’s writing is lyrical and was my favourite aspect of the book. With her words, the town of Near and the surrounding moor come alive and you can picture the hills bathed in moonlight, the grass gently blowing, and the wind whispering its enchanting song. - A Canadian Girl

The Near Witch Opening: Read by Victoria Schwab

About the Author

Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."

She also tells stories.

She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

PS. I used the Paperback cover of The Near Witch, there's a slight difference between the Hardcover and the Paperback. If you have keen eyes can you find the difference?