A review by angelofthetardis
The Novice by Trudi Canavan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Book two of the Black Magician trilogy, Sonea has now been inducted into the Guild and is learning to hone her skills as a magician. But she's the odd one out, and so it's not long before the whispers, stares and taunts start. And not only does she have to deal with all of the usual 'playground' politics, but the spectre of the High Lord's secret only serves to put her and all those she cares about in danger.
This is so much better than the first book in basically every way. There's a narrative plot that actually serves to move the story forward, the character development is deeper, it's got several sub-plots bubbling away nicely that hopefully will carry forward to book three, and generally it's just so much easier to read.
I particularly enjoyed following Lord Dannyl's travels. He comes across to me as one of those people who are quiet, well meaning and happy to help, but can be quite naive and not always entirely entirely understanding of the bigger picture. So it's lovely to see him coming out of his shell. I think he's my favourite character overall, and something tells me a lot of the resolutions are going to fall on his shoulders once he manages to piece together exactly what's going on in the Guild. The clues are all there; he just has to put them together!
The High Lord has me on edge - in my head I see a Voldemort-esque figure, who surely can't be anything but evil, right? Except there's some lovely layering being done in this book which suggests that all is not as it seems. For me, this really adds an edge to the narrative; it's really difficult to even try and guess what his motives are. He's just creepy!!!
There are a few tropes in here though that do frustrate me. The fact that no-one is talking to each other because they're too scared has so many holes I could strain tea with it! And while the outcast being bullied by a fellow student with an over-inflated ego absolutely makes sense in this context for the wider story, at the same time each encounter becomes less and less effective and begins to just feel like filler. The inevitable resolution to this also feels like something of a disappointment.
I do have to keep reminding myself that Sonea is older than her peers. She says that most of her first class are immature because their attendance at the Guild effectively extends their childhood for five years, but she herself doesn't exactly come across as 'grown up'.
I am now definitely interested in how the story will resolve itself - there's plenty of questions left to answer! And the next book is already in transit to my local library, so hopefully not too long to wait!
This is so much better than the first book in basically every way. There's a narrative plot that actually serves to move the story forward, the character development is deeper, it's got several sub-plots bubbling away nicely that hopefully will carry forward to book three, and generally it's just so much easier to read.
I particularly enjoyed following Lord Dannyl's travels. He comes across to me as one of those people who are quiet, well meaning and happy to help, but can be quite naive and not always entirely entirely understanding of the bigger picture. So it's lovely to see him coming out of his shell. I think he's my favourite character overall, and something tells me a lot of the resolutions are going to fall on his shoulders once he manages to piece together exactly what's going on in the Guild. The clues are all there; he just has to put them together!
The High Lord has me on edge - in my head I see a Voldemort-esque figure, who surely can't be anything but evil, right? Except there's some lovely layering being done in this book which suggests that all is not as it seems. For me, this really adds an edge to the narrative; it's really difficult to even try and guess what his motives are. He's just creepy!!!
There are a few tropes in here though that do frustrate me. The fact that no-one is talking to each other because they're too scared has so many holes I could strain tea with it! And while the outcast being bullied by a fellow student with an over-inflated ego absolutely makes sense in this context for the wider story, at the same time each encounter becomes less and less effective and begins to just feel like filler. The inevitable resolution to this also feels like something of a disappointment.
I do have to keep reminding myself that Sonea is older than her peers. She says that most of her first class are immature because their attendance at the Guild effectively extends their childhood for five years, but she herself doesn't exactly come across as 'grown up'.
Spoiler
Which does give Dorrien's interactions with her a little bit of an 'ick' factor IMO. I have no problem with age-difference relationships (would be hard for me to when my husband is 11 years older than me!), and as much as the characters seem like they might be a good fit one day, something just doesn't sit right with me at this stage.I am now definitely interested in how the story will resolve itself - there's plenty of questions left to answer! And the next book is already in transit to my local library, so hopefully not too long to wait!