Courtney Crumrin vol 5: The Witch Next Door h/c back

"How did you know you could trust me with witchcraft?"
"I didn't. And I was right, as I recall."
"What if I used it against you?"
"Why would you do that?"
"I don't know. But if I did…"
"Maybe I'm a fool, but I think every young witch should have the freedom to make mistakes. Good judgement comes from dealing with the consequences of bad judgement. Besides, there are ways to take magic away if need be…. Just be careful I never need to use them on you."

Brrrr… That's Uncle Aloysius to our young Courtney, and by the end of this penultimate volume of COURTNEY CRUMRIN things will have come to a head.

"Good judgement comes from dealing with the consequences of bad judgement."

Courtney will have to exercise some seriously swift judgement here following some catastrophically bad judgement in teaching Holly Hart, the new girl in town, witchcraft. Oh, Courtney once made the same initial mistakes that Holly does with spells to make herself popular, but Courtney recognised those for the mistakes they were. The only thing Holly realises is that Courtney may rescind her privileges: Courtney has been a liability, a threat - one best dealt with swiftly.

Ingeniously Ted mirrors the whole of the first book in the second chapter here, right down to the Goblin market, and then in the third chapter you're witness to Holly's point of view. In the first chapter you'll learn far more of the history of warlocks in Hillsborough than has previously been revealed, and in particular an early assault on Uncle Aloysius' authority via his heart.

Naifeh really let's rip with the actions and fireworks later on. I think we can safely say that Courtney has "levelled up". There's always been a certain steeliness in her eyes, but now she doesn't even flinch.

There's also the reintroduction of many a familiar face most unexpectedly, so for maximum satisfaction I'd make sure you've read the previous instalments of COURTNEY CRUMRIN, reviewed quite extensively, first.

"How do you live with knowing what evil you've done? Knowing you'll do more?"
"I feel like a jerk. But then I get on with my life, and try not to screw up so bad the next time. We're not faeries, Templeton. We don't have forever."

No indeed.

Time is now running out.