The Novice by Trudi Canavan (The Black Magician Trilogy: Book 2)

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Rating 8.0/10

If you are not reading Trudi Canavan, you are definitely missing out.

Review by Angela

‘The Novice’ is the 2nd book in ‘The Black Magician Trilogy’. The reader does not need to have read the first novel, because the important information is in some early conversations. Obviously, if you did read it you would have a greater understanding of the characters.

The story again follows Sonea, this time as she starts her first year at the Magicians Guild – a school for magicians. Sonea is the first student to be from the slums and not one of the high born Houses. This causes the other students to bully her, and try constantly to get her into trouble. One student, Regin, makes it his mission to get her expelled, and spends all his free time tormenting her. The book follows how Sonea copes with the brutal bullying, including studying harder and making friends with the librarian.

Everybody who reads this book will feel Sonea’s pain at being constantly bullied. It is very well described, and her character always seems to have a quiet dignity. Her reactions are believable, and she really grows as a person throughout the novel. The other characters shine too, from Rothien, her guardian, to the High Lord, the black magician of the title. There are lots of inter-magician politics. This means that half the novel concentrates on Dannyl and his ambassadorial trip to foreign lands. Though interesting, sometimes the action moves from Sonea to a boring bit about Dannyl, and that can be frustrating for the reader.

‘The Novice’ is a traditional magic school story with added realism and very real danger. The novel is an easy read, and at times can be very enthralling.

Review by Joshua S Hill

The second book in Trudi Canavan’s The Black Magician trilogy continues on from the first flawlessly, almost as if there should not have been a break. Sonea has decided that staying at the Guild is in the best interests of all she cares about, and is not entirely as distrustful of magic as she had been starting out in book one.

As such, she begins her studies as a novice in the Guild University. Subsequently, Sonea’s storyline is very much a similar story to that of Harry Potter. The magician from a lowly station, with great power, suffers the ill attentions of the class king, despite her best attempts to remain anonymous.

While sometimes a story that mirrors another can be a detriment to the second, in this case it is not so. Trudi Canavan has a better grasp of storytelling and writing ability than Rowling does, and makes Sonea’s journey through her classes all the more interesting. She does not fall for creating a character that is flawless in every regard, but simply allows the well established upper class distaste for “dwells” carry the antagonism.

Moreso, within the confrontations and conflagrations that stem from the combatant lower and upper class relationship, Canavan allows herself to introduce the reader to the finer details of the magic of her world. This is all the more interesting upon having read the prequel, The Magician’s Apprentice, where what is “now” has changed so very much from what was “then”.

While the story does follow on almost immediately from book one to two, one major change is apparent. Cery’s perspective is dropped entirely in favour of Lord Dannyl and Administrator Lorlen. As you will find out in the third book, there is reason for this, but it is not even necessary to have that information at hand, as Canavan writes these two characters so wonderfully.

It takes a skilled hand to surprise not only the reader, but the character as well, and in Lord Dannyl’s storyline, that is exactly what happens, and only serves to surprise and entertain the reader even more.

As for Administrator Lorlen, his unique perspective and relationship to the stories theoretical “bad guy” is a captivating read, and every time we deviate from his point of view you crave to return.

This was my favourite of the books, and I’m halfway through the third and final instalment of the trilogy. The series is a definite must for anyone who likes good fantasy, and would be especially good for any children or nephews and nieces that wanted to get into fantasy. Not too hard, but in no way a “children’s book” to put them off. If you are not reading Trudi Canavan, you are definitely missing out.

The Novice: Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2 (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Trudi Canavan
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 592
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Publisher: Orbit

RRP: £7.99
Lowest new price: £2.42
Lowest used price: £1.44

The second novel in the bestselling Black Magician Trilogy.
Product Description

The Novice (Black Magician Trilogy) (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Trudi Canavan
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 592
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Publisher: Orbit

RRP: $16.50
Lowest new price: $7.52
Lowest used price: $1.03

Imardin is a city of dark intrigues and deadly politics, where those who wield magic wield power. Into this established order has blundered a young street-girl with extraordinary magical gifts. Adopted by the Magicians' Guild, her life is changed forever - but for better or for worse? Sonea knew that she'd face a tough time training within the Magicians' Guild but she little realised the level of animosity she would face from her fellow novices. The sons and daughters of the most powerful families in the realm, her classmates seem determined to see her fail - at whatever cost. But in accepting the protection of the guild's high lord, Sonea may have embraced an even bleaker fate. For High Lord Akkarin harbours a secret that is far darker than his magician's robes.
Product Description

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