Amazon.com: The Novice (Black Magician Trilogy) (9781905654116): Trudi Canavan: Books

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46 Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars (46 customer reviews)

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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very exciting!, January 30, 2006

By

Stephanie Noverraz "crooty" (Lausanne, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Novice (The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Now that Lord Fergun has been sent into exile, Sonea is starting her first year as Novice at the Magician's Guild University, under Lord Rothen's guardianship. She's eager to learn, but being a slum girl she knows it won't be easy to be accepted by, not to mention make friends with, her wealthier and nobler classmates from the Houses. However, she far from conceives the depth of their scorn yet. Indeed one of them, Regin, probably because he simply can't stand a mere slum girl outdoing him, will rally the others and gang them up against her, bully her constantly, play pranks on her, repeatedly ambush her to exhaust her strength and destroy her notes. In other words, make her life hell.

In the meantime Lord Dannyl has taken up his new role of Second Guild Ambassador to Elyne. After an adventurous sea voyage, and after sorting out some of his appointed duties in the capital Capia, he finally has some time to himself to investigate Akkarin's journeys. Indeed, Administrator Lorlen, who suspects the High Lord of performing Black Magic, which is forbidden by the Guild's laws, has asked the young magician to retrace Akkarin's footsteps, ten years earlier. Doing so, Dannyl meets Tayend, a scholar who works at the Great Library and has an amazing memory. The handsome lad will aid him in research and they'll become close friends.

This middle novel is very exciting, I just couldn't put it down. All the loveable characters from the first volume are back, with the exception of Cery, whom we almost hear nothing of. Replacing Fergun, Regin is suitably despicable and irritating, and you can really feel Sonea's frustration when she can't find proof enough to expose him. The High Lord, although first depicted as the ultimate invincible villain, becomes more three-dimensional throughout the book, and I'm looking forward to reading the thrid installment to discover what his real motives are.

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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story continues, September 22, 2004

By

History_Girl (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Novice (The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The second in the series Sonea's story continues as she begins to learn the finer points of magic.

Akkarin is more featured in this book and despite how 'evil' he is meant to be, you can't help but be curious. This book also sees a brief love interest for Sonea.

I admit the book gets a little wordy with Lord Dannyl's journey and I got a little bored as I couldn't see how it was effecting the story (but trust me - you need to know it)

Overall a great sequel.

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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Darn Good Read, April 28, 2004

By

Matthew Asnip "bibliophile" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Novice (The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

As Bildungsromans go, this is a good one. Sonea grows a bit here and acquires more of a conscience. The other characters are expanded more and the tale is told from 4 separate viewpoints. There's some serious bullying, a good fight at the climax, a mystery or two, a red herring, tales of adventure as the story moves out of the confines of the city into the greater world and a little romance.

All in all this is a good successor to the first book in the series. Also, as the middle book in a trilogy, it has a suprisingly satisfactory end, with just enough plot hooks to keep the reader interested without being too much of a cliffhanger.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars the novice
I loved this series!!!!! I had a hard time with the first few pages but after that I couldn't wait to read the next in the series! Read more

Published 7 months ago by grayeyes

3.0 out of 5 stars fine read
This is my least favorite book of the trilogy, while it is somewhat interesting how the main character attends magic shool and how they are thoaugh magic and the relationships... Read more

Published 9 months ago by mango

3.0 out of 5 stars High school problem in magical world
From all 3 books, this one is not so special. Most scene is very "high school situation". Nothing spectacular or catchy. But the flow is nice, fun to read and enjoyable. Read more

Published 12 months ago by N1kita

5.0 out of 5 stars really good read
the Black Magician Trilogy

these 3 books were the best fantasy novels I have read for a long time. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Linda E. Rowe

5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
I am an avid reader of historical fiction so this was a little out of my comfort zone, but I absolutely loved it! Read more

Published 22 months ago by BookLover

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Trilogy- Buy them all!
Great author, great book, great characters! Just when you think you know whats going on, the story changes! Read more

Published 23 months ago by Tina

4.0 out of 5 stars Life in the Guild
The second book of The Black Magician trilogy starts off at a rapid pace like its prequel. We get more involved in some of the support characters and learn more about them. Read more

Published on December 22, 2008 by Hassan Awan

5.0 out of 5 stars novice
The quick service was appreciated. The book was the second in a series I was reading. It was a great continuence. I finished the book in 3 days.

Published on November 25, 2008 by Karin M. Holloway

2.0 out of 5 stars Needs more editing
It's very rare that I read a book and finish it and say, "You know, that could have been a good book, but the editor screwed it up."

This is one of them. Read more

Published on October 7, 2008 by William Kerney

4.0 out of 5 stars The Novice Indeed
Trudi Canavan spins a delightful tale. I liked the explanation of the calling of one's own magic that she uses. Read more

Published on February 29, 2008 by M. Perry

› See all 46 customer reviews...

Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
For a few weeks each summer, the sky over Kyralia cleared to a harsh blue and the sun beat down relentlessly. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
sea leech, slum girl, older novices, other novices, portal room, inner shield, other magicians, ambassadorial duties, formal battle, more novices, young magician, inner passages, two magicians, globe light

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
High Lord, Warrior Skills, Ambassador Dannyl, Lord Elben, Lord Vorel, Great Library, Lord Garrel, Lord Rothen, Allied Lands, Guild Ambassador, Higher Magicians, Night Room, Guild House, High Priest, Dem Agerralin, Tayend of Tremmelin, University Director, Administrator Lorlen, Entrance Hall, Lady Kinla, Lady Tya, Lord Osen, Bel Arralade, Lord Ahrind, Lord Balkan

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