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The Novice

The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2

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The Novice

Written by: Trudi Canavan
Narrated by: Richard Aspel
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About this listen

Sonea knows the other novices in the Magicians' Guild all come from powerful families, but she also knows she can turn to Rothen and Dannyl for help when she needs it. That is, until someone starts spreading malicious rumours about her – and Akkarin, The High Lord, steps in.

Promoted to Guild Ambassador, Lord Dannyl leaves for the Elyne court. His first order from Administrator Lorlen is to resume, in secret, High Lord Akkarin's long-abandoned research into ancient magical knowledge. Not knowing the true reason for his journey, Dannyl is soon facing unexpected dangers.

Meanwhile, Sonea has almost forgotten the High Lord's dark secret, but keeping the truth hidden may be a grave mistake.

©2002 Trudi Canavan (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Coming of Age Epic Epic Fantasy Fiction Fantasy Magic Users

What the critics say

'A wonderfully and meticulously detailed world, and an edge-of-the-seat plot, this book is a must for lovers of good fantasy.' (Jennifer Fallon)
'Epic, vivid and believable.' (on Thief's Magic) (The Guardian)

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Profile Image for Russell Stirling

Magical Fantasy or Highschool Melodrama?

Honestly I'm torn on this book. It's an improvement from the first where we get some truly interesting exploration into the world of the Magicians, they're politics internally and a taste of the magic they use. But the main plot focuses so much on a highschool bully exaggerated to the extreme that it's virtues are overshadowed.

Seriously the bully plot is just frustrating. I'm fine with the bully archetype being exaggerated but this goes to the extreme. Otherwise we'll rounded mentor characters also end up tainted for their ineptitude in recognizing or handling the situation. Even the magician guild world building is hurt by how easily the bully gets away with his antics. Now you might say that this is all about building up the "villain" but there's no real payoff in the end. And everytime I thought we were done with this stupid plot thread or came back stronger.

All that said, the rest of the story is brilliant. The over seas adventure follows an interesting character as he retraces the footsteps of ancient magic to try and discover secrets for the guild officials. Both his story and his subplot of self discovery feels well done and earned. But he is just one of the tools being moved by the higher officials of the guild and their maneuvering is the part of the story I truly enjoyed.

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