The Novice / The High Lord - Trudi Canavan

Alone among all the novices in the Magicians' Guild, only Sonea comes from lowly beginnings. Yet she has won powerful allies—including Lord Dannyl, newly promoted to Guild Ambassador. But Dannyl must now depart for the Elyne court, leaving Sonea at the mercy of the lies and malicious rumors her enemies are busy spreading. .. until the High Lord Akkarin steps in. The price of Akkarin's support is dear, however, because Sonea, in turn, must protect his mysteries—and a secret that could lead a young novice mage deep into the darkness. Meanwhile, Dannyl's first order to resume High Lord Akkarin's long-abandoned research into ancient magical knowledge is setting him on an extraordinary journey fraught with unanticipated peril—as he moves ever-closer to a future both wondrous . .. and terrible.

My thoughts:

This book dealt with bullying and it was horrible reading at times. My heart really went out to Sonea. Kids can be so cruel! Taunting, physical abuse, they never stopped it just got worse. Oh how I wished she had thrown them off a roof. But anything she would have done would not have worked. Others believed the bully first. I hope he dies a fiery death.

Yes so the first year at the university for magic is hard. Not to mention that she must avoid the High Lord as she knows he likes black magic. Things will not be easy for her. 

Another character goes on a journey to look for hidden clues about the dark one, and here the book also addresses homosexuality. One country firmly opposed it, one country was not against it, but not for it either and a third he visits do not mind it. It was different. She sure brought forth some issues in this one.

Conclusion:

Still it was a light book that I could read fast.

Cover

Pretty sure that is a man, one would think Sonea could be on the cover

Paperback, 577 pages
Published July 1st 2004 by Orbit (first published 2002)
The Black Magician Trilogy #2
Fantasy
own

Sonea has learned much since she was but a penniless urchin possessing an awesome untapped ability. She has earned the grudging respect of her fellow novices and a place in the Magicians' Guild. But there is much she wishes she had never learned—what she witnessed, for example, in the underground chamber of the mysterious High Lord Akkarin . . . and the knowledge that the Guild is being observed closely by an ancient fearsome enemy.

Still, she dares not ignore the terrifying truths the High Lord would share with her, even though she fears it may be base trickery, a scheme to use her astonishing powers to accomplish his dark aims. For Sonea knows her future is in his hands—and that only in the shadows will she achieve true greatness . . . if she survives.

My thoughts:

How much can I say without spoiling it all? In this book we learn something big about Akkarin, Sonea's master. And something I did not see coming happened. I was all what?! Huh, ok I can deal with this. This is actually pretty good. Yes I went through some emotions here. And the end, that was the one part I did not like. It only made me sad.

Ok I am supposed to say anything? Something big happens...this is really hard. I can't say anything. Oh forget it all. I will try something else instead.

Characters: Sonea is good. I got surprised cos I started to like Akkarin.

Story. Like I said, big things are happening and there is quite the showdown.

Conclusion: I saw that there is another series about Sonea taking part like 20 years after this or something. I do want to read that one too. I'd like to see how Sonea fares :)

Conclusion

Good, light fantasy

Cover

In this one Sonea gets to be on the cover, but she is dressed like some kind of courtesan

Paperback, 531 pages
Published August 31st 2004 by Harper Voyager (first published December 18th 2002)
The Black Magician Trilogy #3
Fantasy
Own