Magicians Apprentice Paperback – January 1, 2010

I read this book becuase i happened to see it at ny local library and it had an interesting cover. I had never heard of Trudi Canavan or any of the books she had written, so i read this book assuming it was the first in a series. I found it really enjoyable. It may have been more enjoyable for me because some of the startling revelations for me were actually shocking where as if you had read the original series it would be old news. I did feel that as reading this book some of the points of batle we impracticle. For instance if you can't hurt the magician why don't you just direct your magic to the area around them. Maybe set the grass they're standing in on fire, or create a crack in the rock they're standing on. The minors things didn't stop me from really enjoying the book though. Based off the other reviews I've read the original series is better so for me it only gets beeter. This book was a good start to a series, even though it wasn't actually the start.

It's good, but it will probably never be on the great list. Battle scenes, magic scenes, personal interaction, are all just barely there. It seems to be more a way for the author to express views about women's equality and other political ideas. I almost feel like I know the characters, but not like the truly great books. Kindle formatting is very imperfect.

I think that should make it clear, I wouldn't have read it so many times, if it wasn't an enjoyable read. I can not explain why exactly. It may be its characters, its world development, the unexpected changes and turns of the story. I don't know...I love this book. I hope you enjoy it too.

I remember reading the reviews before I purchased this book and my own thoughts after having read it echo the ones I read. It was a well written and interesting premise. There are colorful characters in a vivid world, which made it easy to empathize and cheer for them throughout their struggles. I rather liked the different magic system used and how a Master and Apprentice are extremely important to one another. The only real drawback to this book is that most things of importance happen off screen so to speak. The characters experience most of the events second hand, which during certain places enhanced the story, but for most of it only slowed down the experience, since most of the book is about a war, though we only experience a very small amount of that war. Through most of it we are stationed on the sidelines, and although makes some sense due to the fact that two of the main characters are apprentices and wouldn't be much help, but the hearing everything secondhand and not experiencing the story as it happens does get old, especially when it is character death. Twice we hear about important characters dying, from heresay, and both the times the author continues on without any other thought or mention, which is rather annoying as they were important characters and yet apparently their deaths mean nothing.Perhaps the books largest drawback for myself was the second story taking place in another country. This second story adds little to the book and even less to the main story line. I kept waiting for this piece to tie into the main storyline, but as I neared the end began to fear that it wouldn't. Within the very ends it does finally meet the main storyline, but only for one two pages. There wasn't a merging of the stories. They simply bump into each other and continue on. I think that this second story is somehow important in the author's "The Magician's Guild" trilogy, but I haven't read it yet, so I'm not certain. I realize that this book was a prequel, but it should stand on its own right, so I was rather disappointed with the stories connection as well as by the last few segments that take place a few years down the road. They barely relate to any of the novel, and I'm certain have to go along with the following trilogy, but again this novel should stand on its own.Overall it was a rather enjoyable read with a great cast, but if you're looking for a fantasy novel with epic battles, then this isn't for you as much of the action takes outside of the pages.

This book is Well written I was a little taken back that this is the second book. it seemed a little off topic and to leave a reader and the events of the first book. It does give a foreshadowing and a possible deeper understanding of the next book.b I will definitely recommend this series to my friends and read other books by this author.

Judi Canavan is an amazing writer. Each of her books in this series suck you in and make you want to just keep reading more! I thoroughly enjoyed the "Black Magician" trilogy. I had my doubts about the prequel but it easily lived up to the trilogy that follows it. It also answers many of the questions the author was unable to answer in the trilogy. Better yet the characters and story lines in the prequel are intriguing and rich with details. If you've enjoyed the "Black Magician" trilogy or just are looking for a great fantasy book the is definitely worth buying and reading!

Looking forward to working through this series. This book sets the context or environment for the others, as it should. The plotline progressed smoothly and deliberately. It avoids ending as if the author had to end it quickly to meet a deadline that suddenly appeared. I noticed that I am looking for the story to continue not so much as favorite characters.

This is an imaginative tale, a world that I could not conceive. Just plain fun.

Fantastic author and a huge fan of this series, highly recommend. Read this one before starting the Black Magician Trilogy and Traitorous Spy Trilogy

I m addicted to her writing, this book is for everyone who loves magic and strong characters

This book explains lot about the Kyralian series by Trudi Canavan and also lot enjoyable

Rich Characters, multi story lines, great tension and satisfying finish!

For many years I have been a fan of Trudi Canavan and her high lord series and Age of Five series and I must confess that I have awaited her latest Book with some reverence, fear and hope.Now to those whom have read the High lord series your in for a surprise as its about 200pages longer then the high lord and covers a far broader story line. Now some of you must be thinking that a stand alone book is a bit risky and that there is no way the whole story can be told. However Canvan doesn't disappoint and in fact infuriates me as it is able to tell a very well structured book, with intimate and action paced scenes. You are able to witness key characters who influence the world and magicians guild to come in later years and you get to see how the nation of Kyalin is formed. My main pain with the book being that by the last chapter (before the epilogue where you jump forward 10 years to what in my opinion was one of the best scenes I have ever read in my many years of reading fantasy), you have grown so attached to the characters that you want to know what happens during those 10 years, now I don't want to give too much away but suffice to say this book is not about how the guild is formed. Now to seasoned readers of Canavan you must understand that this is the book mentioned in the High Lord which was the history book Akkarin gives to Sonea, and of the war that leads up to the creation of the guild (the ten year gap mentioned being when the guild is formed).So in conclusion it is a definite read and above par from what I expected. I understand that Canavan is writing a trilogy set after the high lord about Sorea and her son and some guild novices who find some books on black magic, which will undoubtedly be amazing, I hope she does revisit this story and tells the story of the ten year gap.Here is the opening extract:"The history of magic is a tale of accidental discoveries and deliberate concealments. It would be impossible to write an accurate history of magic without scraping away the dirt under which unpalatable facts have long been buried. Twenty years ago the Guild was scandalised to discover that what we know as 'black magic' was once called 'higher magic' and was practised by all magicians - who were all known as Higher magicians. It was as much a shock to learn this as to comprehend that so much of our recorded history has been altered and destroyed. But there are stranger truths to be uncovered. I have unearthed no mention of the destruction of Imardin in the accounts of the Sachakan [foot note: people in the high lord series who they fight] War, for instance. Yet it is an accepted part of our basic historical teachings. And the greatest mystery of all is how the wastelands of Sachaka were created. The people of that land hold the Guild responsible for that terrible act. Yet no record has ever been found to explain how it was done" Extract from the preface of Lord Dannyl's A Complete History of Magic.Note to reader, who WILL BUY THIS BOOK BECAUSE ITS SO GOOD, this book pretty much covers the above extract (first page of the book).Enjoy and I hope you found this helpful and encouraged you to read the book or series.