Review - Rage of the Fallen (The Last Apprentice, Book 8) by Joseph Delaney (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Size: 416 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: April 19, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0062027566
Stand Alone or Series: 8th book in The Last Apprentice series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars
 
This is the 8th book in The Last Apprentice series and it was even more fantastic than the previous books.  Another spin-off of this series called I am Grimalkin (UK release) is supposed to be released later this year which I am looking forward and Delaney is working on book 9 of this series as well.  So, no idea how many more books in this series...but honestly I hope it goes on forever! 

The Spook, Tom, and Alice have fled to Ireland.  They hope to meet up with Grimalkin and take care of the Fiend once and for all.  Things are never easy though and Tom finds himself hunted by the very witch he thought he destroyed in the last book (or is it?).  Our three unlikely heroes also end up meeting up with some locals who want their help in preventing a dark ceremony that will summon the God Pan to create chaos.  Will they be able to hold the Fiend and all of his dark minions at bay?  What about the darkness and war that is threatening to consume the land.

This was a wonderful book.  Both Tom and Alice are coming into their powers nicely.  They both are taking on more responsible and find themselves in more dire situations than ever.  This is a very dark book, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  They do finally confront the Fiend in this book and what a confrontation it is!

The second half of the book has a lot more Grimalkin, she is my absolute favorite in this series, and it was so awesome to read more about here.  It is also interesting to watch how the Spook reacts as he gets further and further drawn into the dark magic that threatens to consume Alice and Tom.  

This was an absolutely awesome book.  The writing style is wonderful to read; very gothic yet easy to read and such wonderful descriptions and characters.  The drawings throughout are creepy and stunning.  This is a book that is dark, but never gets too scary.  The book ended well and it looks like we are in store for yet more adventures for our travelers.

Overall an absolutely fantastic addition to this series.  I loved some of the turns this story took, loved how Alice and Tom are developing as characters, and loved that Grimalkin was in the story more.  I really do hope this series goes on for a bit longer, it is one of those rare series that has consistently spectacular books.  If you haven't read this series and you like adventure with monsters and a bit of creepy you have got to check this series out.  It is a fantastic read for middle grade and up.  

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 100+ Reading Challenge