The Last Apprentice is Tom Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son. John Gregory, “the Spook,” is the mentor. The profession? Fighting things that go bump in the night, ghosts, ghasts and witches among the lot.

Perhaps there would be no tale were it not for the girl with the pointy shoes, however. Or maybe if the Spook didn’t keep subdued villains in pits on his property. Then again, how many times have you slept in a haunted house or angered a cat-shaped boggart.

Joseph Delaney has a great tale to tell, and while this is a good and complete story on its own (one perfect for the Halloween season), you’re sure to go on and read more because hey, British authors are stereotypically great storytellers, and The Last Apprentice was written by one. You really ought to read this book.