Book review: The Novice by Trudi Canavan

‘The most important attribute of a magician is knowledge . . . Without it his strength is useless.’ The magician’s eyes flickered to Sonea, ‘Even if his powers surface of their own accord, he will soon be dead if he does not gain the knowledge of how to control them.’
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...

My review(may contain SPOILERS!):

The Novice is the second book in Trudi Canavans Black Magician Trilogy, and it is definteily better than, The Magicians' Guild[my review]. The Novice on the other hand I didn't want to turn of(audio book) and when it ended it left me really annoyed with myself for not getting the last book.

It's not easy being the only one in the university from a poor background and Sonea has to deal with harassment from an ever increasing group of novices and with no friends to support her. It was almost a bit too much at times, I started getting annoyed that teachers could let this going on, knowingly, to such an extent.

I would have wanted Ceryn's role to have a larger part in this book, because I liked him as a character in the first book. All through this book I kept wondering what Cery was up to. But, yes, there is a big BUT here, there will be a challenger for his role in this book and it's quite an enjoyable character if I may say so. There will be some romance in this book, but only a little bit, and that is a good thing because I wouldn't want this book to change into a love story.

This book made me wonder what it is about The High Lord and the practicing of black magic, it is almost like there is something more to it then using it for evil.

Canavan addresses a, still, difficult matter in this book(mentioned in the first book as well), the subject I must say took me by surprise. It wasn't something I expected in a book about magicians, but why not?! It shows us of how difficult it can be to come forth as a homosexual, both in admitting it to oneself and the rest of the world. Canavan sheds light over the difficulties one can face being gay in different countries and cultures, some countries and cultures are much more excepting than others.

It's awful having to wait to read the last book! I want to know what happens now!

My rating of this book:
4/5


Book details:
• Reading level: Young adult
• Genre: Fantasy
• UK edition: 592 pages
• Publisher: Orbit Books (2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841493147
• ISBN-13: 978-1841493145

For more information about the author or about her books visit:

Trudi Canavan's homepage
Trudi Canavan's blog