TRUDY Canavan’s The Magician’s Apprentice is a voluminous thriller. The story of a war between magicians of different countries – some good and some bad. Caught in the middle of action is Tessia, the daughter of a healer, who herself has a kind hand. Tessia is a born natural, which means she has the capacity for magic, though it is yet to be awakened. Her talent is recognised by Lord Dakon, the local magician who takes her under his tutelage. For Tessia it is a dream come true and more, because her father had already considered taking her out of the healer job, to accept a boy under his training.
This book is a prequel to the Black Magician trilogy. As an introduction the book goes into the details of the fictional world of magic.
The gift of magic weighs heavily on Tessia, who realises that the talent is not an unmixed blessing. It also places enormous responsibility. Rivalry among magicians leads to war between nations, in which everyone must take sides. The two major groups arraigned against each other are the Kyralia, to whom Tessia belongs and the rogue Sachakans. The bad Sachakans brutally kill Kyralian villagers, including Tessia’s parents. When all seem lost, slowly the table turns and the Kyralias gain. They push the Sachakans beyond border. Will Kyralias leave them here or will they chase them into their kingdom?
A magic thriller that is engaging. Definitely it would earn Canavan more fans.
-VN
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