The Last Apprentice: Rage of the Fallen (Book 8) (Last Apprentice, 8)

I'm so disappointed. I've been a huge fan of this series since the beginning and loaned my books out to all my kids' friends. But this latest book takes the gore and evil rituals stuff too far. Graphic beheadings, bloody details, dark rituals, one thing after another. The first three or four books were creepy in a fun sort of way, but the creep factor has increased in the last few books, focusing on really dark, evil stuff -- to the point that the story is ruined for me. I no longer feel good about loaning them out to kids. It is no longer a children's series. They should have marketed it as a YA series if they wanted to take it this dark and graphic. Too bad. But if you like your books really dark and gory, you'll love it.

I enjoyed reading this book, kust as I have the entire series. The characters are well developed and interesting, the settings dark and spooky. Delaney rarely waves off the chance to bring real horror to a scene, and this unflinching approach to witches, demons, and evil make the series and this book very good.
For all that, there are some flaws in the series, and sometimes I think it may have jumped the shark and the best is past. There are way too many scenes with main characters captured and bound helplessly. This happens in every book now and for a long time each time. It is not very original, and is frankly kind of dull. Also there is not much insight action or wisdom from The Spook anymore, and I think this is a mistake in that he is a great character.
I am glad the series plot points were sewn up the way they were with this book, but the main story itself - the fight against the goat mages - lacked any kind of depth. I look forward to seeing where this series goes from here.
Grimalkin is a cool character.
And I am in love with Alice Deane.

I have enjoyed the entire Last Apprentice series. The books have a nicely eerie, medieval feel, and the writing style is clean. This part of the series is no exception and manages to close a major plot point while opening up some new very interesting plot threads without it feeling like some bogus attempt to unnaturally extend the series. My only criticism is that the book is almost over-edited. The beginning seems rushed to set up the main action more quickly than is natural. In particular, the group meets a benefactor and immediately sets off with him in a rather incautious way that seems very out of character for Gregory. But that is a fairly minor flaw in the beginning only. Once the story gets going it is action-packed and flows more naturally.

I can't seem to stop reading!! The more I read the more afraid I become, but I can't seen to stop reading. I just got this book at 7 this morning and it's 2 now and I'm already finished. Can't wait for more.

I highly recommend this series (The Last Apprentice) to my students, basing my allegiance on Curse of the Bane, which I absolutely loved and Revenge of the Witch. I was baffled with Rage of the Fallen (Book 8): the capital characters are flat; where is the ardent Tom, the compelling Spook, the sincere and bewitching Alice? Perhaps I should have kept reading the series in its order, for nothing was as scary as I remember. Sigh. For myself, I don't know how to pull it together for this book: I hadn't thought Morrigan, nor the Greek god Pan (what's he doing in Ireland?) to be so evil, and shouldn't the Fiend be more difficult to conquer? I was looking forward to real Irish demons, like the puca. Throwing in Cuchulain doesn't count! Geographical descriptions are plain jane- they may as well be back in the County, for all the difference there is shown between Spook's County and Ireland. Nonetheless, the kids are crazy about the series. It's A-1 for reluctant readers with its expanded text and haunting scratchboard illustrations.

I have read all of this series and in my opinion, this was one of the best! My only disappointment was that it went so quickly! I am really looking forward to the next book.

I read a lot of different books to give critiques to elementary school teachers for their book lists. I try to give a guide as to what kids would like and be able to read and understand. This was a great series. It was entertaining as well as having some worthwhile values thrown in there as well. It was easy to climb into the skin of both of the main characters and to see their realities. I think that 5th grade through adult could read and enjoy these books.

I am addicted to the last apprentice series, and this is another well-written book. for anyone who has not read the last apprentice, it is a fantasy series with a mix of horror, and is quite easy to read for all ages.

I was worried that this author might be losing control of his story after The Rise of the Huntress was released. With that book, an otherwise outstanding series seemed to go off on a tangent with a story that had nothing to do with the overall story arch. It's not a bad book at all. It's just that you could completely remove it from the entire series and not miss a beat of the larger story.

Now...with Rage of the Fallen, Delaney is back on track furthering the larger story along with the crisp, clean writing, non-stop action & suspense and great characters he's known for. I'm glad the larger story is rolling again and this book is as good as any in the series. It's actually my second favorite, next to Attack of the Fiend. I'm really excited that Delaney seems to have a handle on his story / mythology again and am very, very eager to see where he going to take it with the next book.

I am totally enthralled by this story! I bought the most recent book of the series, "Rage of the Fallen" from Amazon - by the end of the same day I had read it all and was sad that I had finished it and would have to wait until the next one comes out. I can't remember reading a book that draws you in as much as this series does. I love the "Harry Potter" books and "The Lord of the Rings", but this story really touches you in a way that I can't even tell you with in words. I feel like Tom Ward, the main character is actually sharing what is happening with me, personally. These books will really draw you in and hold your attention until the very last page. You will be hungry for more! This story is not just for younger readers, adults will love them as well. I shared the books with my dad who is in his 70's, he liked them so much he was telling my mother about the story! He never tells my mom about the books that he reads! You will be so satisfied with reading about Tom Ward and his scary adventures! Come join us!