Tom Ward

Tom is the main character of the book. He’s thirteen years old and the seventh son of a seventh son, making him a perfect applicant for a career as a spook. Tom starts off very bored with life on the farm and wanting to do more with his life. He fears that being a spook will be a lonely life. Unlike Gregory, he seems to value his connections with humanity. Tom is intelligent and clever even at the start of the book, seeing through the initial trial set by Gregory when he’s considering him for an apprentice. Tom initially lacks courage, but over time he becomes very brave, even standing up to powerful witches like Mother Malkin.

Tom is a very merciful character, feeling bad for the imprisoned spirits. He stops Alice from killing Mother Malkin because he doesn’t want her to have to...