Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Xenophobia, Self-harm
The Near Witch
by V.E. Schwab
Schwab's debut is a gothic fairytale wrapped in mist and folklore. The atmosphere alone is worth the read - you can feel the wind on the moor in every chapter. The mystery of the disappearing children keeps pages turning even as the prose asks you to slow down and savor it.
storykind_community 4.5/5 1 rating
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length282 pages
Story statusStandalone
Spice0/5
PacingSlow
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- None
- Beautiful grief
- Mysterious stranger
- Earned hope
- Secretly soft
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- Escape
- Cursed
Fantasy promise
- Ya fantasy
- Small town / village
- Gothic
- Witches/wizards/warlocks
- Forest / wilderness
- Low fantasy / secret magic
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- Spirits
- Elementals
Reading experience
- Third person
- Slow
- Mysterious
- Lyrical
- Moderate
- Medium
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- General badass
- Eerie
- Atmospheric
- Protector
- Poetic
- Rebel leader / revolutionary
- Dark
- Immersive
- Magical
- Dreamy
- Haunting
- Bittersweet
- Comfort read vibes
- Enchanted forest
- Morally complex
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Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Similar because
General badass · Ya fantasy · Mysterious stranger
Different because
Spice is higher (1/5 vs 0/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.
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Similar because
General badass · Comfort read vibes · Protector
Different because
Spice is higher (1/5 vs 0/5). Medium pacing rather than Slow.
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Similar because
Slow · Comfort read vibes · Bittersweet
Different because
Spice is higher (1/5 vs 0/5). A longer read (405 vs 282 pages).
Book details
- Length
- 282 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book