The Novice
by Trudi Canavan

Release Date: 1st Jul 2004
Publisher: Little Brown
ISBN: 978 1 8414 9314 5
RRP: £7.99

Fantastic second in this stunning fantasy trilogy...

Lord Fergun has been dealt with; a truth-read confirming his awful intentions. But by truth-reading Sonea, Lord Lorlen, the Administrator and close friend of Akkarin (the High Lord), discovers a memory – a memory where Sonea sees the High Lord covered in blood. Sees him take his servant’s arm and perform a ritual that can only be Black Magic. A new villain has risen: but is it the High Lord himself or some other unknown individual?

Lorlen becomes aware of a recent spurt of multiple murders; his conscience pricked, he finds it increasingly difficult to socialise with his onetime friend. Subsequently, the High Lord grows suspicious and unintentionally, Lorlen’s concerns incriminate himself, Sonea and Rothen. Now under the constantly watchful eyes and ears of the High Lord via a mysterious ruby-red ring- similar to that worn by the murderer – Lorlen feels hostage. Sonea is taken from Rothen, with the High Lord taking her on as his Novice. Regin’s harassment pursues Sonea at every turn; increasing in severity and seriousness, until Sonea is forced to formally challenge him to a battle.
Meanwhile, within his new Ambassadorial role abroad, Lord Dannyl has discovered a few hidden truths – among them the fact that the old rumours about his sexual preferences were well founded. Perhaps more disconcerting is his discovery of a chamber of Punishment - its purpose: to kill magicians. Somehow he survives, but is immediately summoned back to the Guild by the High Lord himself. Surprisingly, Dannyl is encouraged to continue his research, although he is warned away from the Sachakan’s – the only peoples not to have joined the Allied Lands and the ones to have originally had immense magical power, which they had previously used in a war against Imardin.

Second in The Black Magician Trilogy, The Novice compounds Canavan’s immense skill with political intrigue and her understanding of human nature. Though not fast paced or overflowing with action sequences; there is a depth of experience and gained understanding that is obviously necessary to fully immerse oneself in the world Canavan has created. Despite this lack of action, however, there is a growing sense of suspense: a tiny glimmer of doubt that the High Lord is the true villain and an uneasy feeling that things are about to get a lot more dangerous for Sonea and her friends than the taunting of a spiteful Novice. Hugely beguiling and addictive; Canavan’s subtleties are a joy to those who love fantasy but despise the usual gore and battle-lust that goes hand in hand with the genre. Instead, we are treated to an intellectual treat: a symposium of strategy, misdirection and intriguing nuances. The final in the series, The High Lord is sure to be a cracker!

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