The Novice

I really liked this book. It was a lot of fun, until the last few pages. I get that the ending is a set up for the next book. It was just underwhelming.All in all, I still recommend this book.

Actual rating: 4.5 starsWow, wow, wow! This book was a fantastic read that takes you on an exciting adventure. Everything about this book was simply amazing, from the characters to the world to the writing. The scenes were richly described and I truly felt as if I was standing next to these characters, witnessing the magic and chaos around them. Taran Matharu shows tremendous promise as an author, and is definitely one to watch. It is safe to say that this will easily become one of your favorite books of 2015, and you will be eager to get the second Summoner book as soon as possible.Fletcher was an amazing main character. He was refreshing in so many ways, and so original. As soon as you starting reading from his character's POV, you get this feeling like you know his character is going to be something different from every other male lead character you've read previously. He is basically a breath of fresh air. I adored how Taran Matharu wrote his character as Fletcher always acted his age, and you could tell Mr. Matharu set a good foundation for Fletcher to grow. By the end of this book you know that no matter what life has in store for Fletcher, he will handle it with a maturity and find strength in the events. Suffice to say, Fletcher is an easily likeable character, and you will love every single second with his character.The secondary characters are just as wonderful, and while we don't learn a lot about them, I'm sure that we will come to know these characters like they're our friends. I am extremely interested in learning more about Vocans Academy, and I can't wait to see where this story goes! And I have to put this in here, but I ADORED Ignatius. He was the cutest thing, and I loved how protective he was of Fletcher. I never thought I would say this, but this book made me want a demon of my own...especially one like Ignatius.Where this novel truly stands out is the world. Taran Matharu incorporates all of these small intricate details into helping the reader understand everything they need to know about the world. There's even a glossary of all the different types of demons in the back! I don't know about you, but I love when authors do this because I feel like they go the extra mile for the reader to make sure they feel apart of the world they create. This novel is straight up fantasy, and it is pure magic. This world is truly unique, even though orcs, elves, dwarves, and the like are all running rampant. I truly felt like I belonged in this world of summoners and their demons. The magic was so well described. It is different than what we have come to know (not that different, but not just flick a wand type magic). I was blown away by the creativity, and I loved learning about things as Fletcher learned about them. It was yet another element of this book that made me feel like I was apart of the story. The magic in this novel is not something to be taken lightly. It is dangerous, and must be handled with care. After reading, you know that there is much more to be learned, and that The Novice is only an introduction to a larger world and larger story.I highly recommend reading this book. As I said, this is easily one of my favorite books of 2015 so far, and I can already tell that this will become one of my favorite series. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Summoner series!Happy reading :)

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy when it comes out!Fletcher is so cool, but can get into so much trouble just walking around! He's a blacksmith's apprentice, who is Berdon. Berdon actually brought him up as a baby. But I won't go into that story. Fletcher ends up getting into trouble with the punk Didric in their little town of Pelt. He has to leave in a hurry so they won't catch him since Didric is a high figure in the town.Berdon gives him a wicked blade and some gifts with money to get away. I was saddened that he had to leave Berdon and I hope he is ok. Fletcher also has a little demon named Ignatius, but you will have to read the book to see how that came to pass.Fletcher ends up in the town of Corcirllum. And her sure seems to do some dumb things at times like taking out a big bag of money in a tavern is one of them. He gets followed by some roughnecks but is saved by a man named Arcturus who takes him in and gets him set up in the academy for adepts where they teach you all about summoning etc.He meets some wonderful friends here. My favorite is Othello the dwarf! He is a wonderful character. Dwarves are treated like trash, but Fletcher treats everyone equal. My other favorite is Sylva the elf. She is really sweet and cool. They make the best of friends and I love their demons. They certainly don't seem like demons. They are sweet :)There are some other characters in the book that I like and that you are going to hate naturally. I like one of their teachers Lovett. She is just too cool!All of this training is for a battle with the Orcs.I really loved this storyline! There are so many things that are great about this book. The author used a lot of details and I didn't have any trouble keeping up. Well, on some of the names of things, I'm not good with remembering names right away, but that has nothing to do with the book.Seemed like a mix of Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings. Just certain things reminded me of those books and that just makes it all the better :)I recommend this book to anyone that loves this type of a read.Fin.MY REVIEWS:www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.comhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1275227905

I was introduced to ‘The Novice’ by my grandson and, after reading about ten pages, was intrigued enough to order a copy from Amazon. It is clearly written and successfully handles that genre of Fantasy which has fascinated readers since the creations of J.R.R. Tolkien first appeared over 80 years ago in ‘The Hobbit’ That book was written for children: later books in that genre appealed from 8-to 80, to use a cliché.In any genre the reader encounters certain standard figures involved in the story. So, in a typical Crime/Detective story, there will be a victim, a criminal, a detective, a red-herring & so on. They may resemble others from elsewhere in behaviour, style, vocabulary or challenges – orphans Fletcher, Harry Potter, and Lyra Belacqua (in Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials) but differences in setting, plot etc., mean the ‘formula’ has to change. Taran Matharu teases the reader with such references as Fletcher’s room looking ‘like an afterthought, more a glorified broom cupboard than anything else’ (P.111) and am I imagining things when I hear Septimus Snape in some of barbs directed at the the novice.The hero, Fletcher, is not like ‘the boy who lived’, with innate qualities to guard him against an ever-present evil power, but stumbles on to his his destiny; his ‘demon’ initially resembles a ‘daemon’ (as in His Dark Materials’); but whereas daemons are constantly on view, Fletcher’s Ignatius can appear/disappear as his master decides –note a daemon’ ‘is a crucial feature of their human companion, here their activity and very existence DEPENDS on the human. Naturally, as this is Book 1, the tale is played against an academic background but Vocans is certainly no Hogwarts – less crowded and less controlled. Arcturus, a key character, slips into the story just like Strider / Aragorn in ‘Lord of the Rings’, but don’t identify him as Fletcher’s father (like Lord Asriel is Lyra’s father in ‘His Dark Materials’) as his life-story (PP.52-58) suggests that’s too simple especially as, in this book, ‘orphan’ carries a strange connotation.In ’The Novice’ there’s no gigantic ‘external’ threat to the existing world (as in ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’) but danger stems from ‘internal’ corruption (e.g. The Pinkertons), the gap between the ‘nobles’ and the ‘commoners’, and the ‘racial’ hostility between humans, elves and dwarfs. In Book 1 the orcs appear merely the threat bringing together those groups (as in ‘Lord of the Rings’). Even so, despite only having read Book I, I fear Greed & Treachery will undermine the realm.Magic is not used to control events or perform everyday tasks: it is there as a WEAPON. This is clear in the detailed categories and distinguishing strata making up the intriguing subject of Demonology. Clearly the nobles expect to monopolise the most powerful demons and so I’d expect in later books there’ll be a struggle over muskets; as in Europe (1400-1800) gunpowder (& muskets etc.) proved the great equaliser and class will give way by talent in the search for victory.Taran Matharu never talks down to his audience – I felt challenged in some areas, especially about demon management (e.g. ‘Fulfillment’). His style is easy but without ignoring ‘difficult’ words or aspects of life. Here’s a ‘NASTY’ passage: ’The scroll was leathery in his palm, and Fletcher realised…. the symbols must have been carved into the victim’s flesh to scar over, before skinning him alive.’ (P.52) And yet, he can write describing Fletcher’s early problems with his demon: ’When he tried to pull it from his neck it growled in its sleep and tightened itself.. The claws clamping down near his jugular…. The imp was a possessive little thing.’ (P.56). The style seems able to handle virtually anything from fighting to sleepiness.Notec the differing ambience between a plain description of a dwarf that of a Hydra‘The dwarf’s naked chest was enormous, with brawny arms spanning the doorway…. The red beard that hung from his chin was split into a fork that hung in two braids down to his waist, and his long droopy moustache hung almost to his stomach… (P. 182)‘Tarquin’s demon was a Hydra, with three reptilian heads on long, powerful necks attached to the body of a monitor lizard… The Hydra’s neck was short but each foot was equipped with thick black claws… (P.238)One you MIGHT see at a rock festival but, as for the other….Although written in the third person, judgements, planning and actual events are described from Fletcher’s perspective which maintains an undercurrent of suspense throughout and that makes SURPRISE very effective. AFTER you’ve read the book, check out. PP 189,235 and 389-390 as examples.On reaching P. 390 I was wondering what next? But, as that’s in Book 2, I’d better ask my grandson.For me a ‘The Novice’ is clearly 5 stars.

Throw in some of the Lord of the Rings with the Orcs and the Westerns I watch with Pinkerton Detectives and we have The SummonerA young boy Fletcher was hunting in the woods, he was late coming home but still in time before the gate closed, Didric Cavell 15yrs was on the gate and wouldn't let him in, the village beyond the gate was known as Pelt, they dealt with furs, Didrics friend let in Fletcher an hour later, Fletcher lived with Bredon the Blacksmith, Fletcher was left by the gate as a baby, Bredon was the only person who wanted him, all in the village had blonde hair but Fletcher's was darkBredon would get Fletcher to help him sell his weapons at market, it was a time of Elves, Dwarfs and humans united against the Orcs, Didrics father had the whole village owing him money and became powerful, there were some known as Battlemages or Summoners who would lead our armies an old soldier had the book of a young summoner, Fletcher bought the book being the only one in the village to read and write, Fletcher had his own Demon, Fletcher had been set on so many times by Didric and his friends, once he was cornered and his Demon Ignacius Burned Didrics face, Fletcher had to leave and Bredon agreed sadlyFletcher left, an old soldier took Fletcher to Vocans Academy to learn to be a Summoner, this is where the adventure begins

The Novice opens with a scene where a boy called Fletcher is hunting with a bow in order to get food so he doesn't go hungry. I rolled my eyes and thought "here we go". Not only is that pretty much the opening of The Hunger Games, but "Fletcher" and "using a bow and arrows", really? But I was actually really drawn in by the whole summoner thing! Fletcher is one of the rare commoners who are able to summon demons from the "ether" to have as magical pets as this means he gets to go to the summoner academy.The book weaves together this story of Fletcher learning to become a summoner, the ongoing war against the orcs, and the oppression and heavy racism towards dwarves and orcs. It's quite fast paced and is quite light on the details on Fletcher growing to become a great summoner; it is more focused on exploring his growing friendships with his fellow commoners and his antagonism with the nobles. But it's fun and Fletcher really grew on me; this book drew quite a few comparisons with Ranger's Apprentice, one of my childhood favourites, which I loved.

Review by FrancescaI recently read ‘The Novice’ by Taran Matharu and it was absolutely brilliant. I loved it, and I would definitely recommend it to others. Here are five reasons why:THE OPENING IS SIMPLY FANTASTICThe first chapter of ‘The Novice’ has to be one of the best openings I have ever read, if not the best. It is so captivating, in fact, that as soon as I finished it I passed it over to my dad and got him to read it, too, because I wanted someone to share it and talk about it with. It made my dad very eager to read on but luckily I got the book back so I could do so first.The opening is tense as Fletcher is hunting and very hungry, it immediately and vividly establishes the setting for the novel and world-builds, it has a twist at the end, and, most importantly, because Fletcher is treated unfairly in it, it has the reader immediately on Fletcher’s side. We establish a connection with Fletcher which lasts for the whole novel and we cheer him on and wish for him to succeed and prevail against the odds. Fletcher is one of the most likeable characters I have read about, and in my mind he has joined the ranks of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson – at times awkward male protagonists you cannot help but grow very attached to, ones who face adversity but unexpectedly overcome it.‘THE NOVICE’ IS FULL OF STRIKING AND VIVID CHARACTERSFletcher is not the only wonderful character in this novel – far from it. He is joined by an excellent cast of other characters. Standouts for me are Berdon, the blacksmith to whom Fletcher is apprentice and who touchingly treats Fletcher as a son rather than a worker, Othello the wise-beyond-his-years dwarf who has had himself tattooed identically to his volatile brother Atilla so that he can get Atilla out of trouble, and Sylva, the elf who is immediately hostile but who undergoes change and realisation after her life is threatened. All the teachers at the Vocans Academy are great too, from the loyal and friendly Captain Lovett to the hostile and challenging Rook. I think that Fletcher’s mentor Arcturus is my favourite of the teachers.THE WORLD-BUILDING IS GREATThe world-building in this novel is brilliant. We learn lots about the history of the Hominum Empire, about its present, and also about possibilities for its future. Taran Matharu manages to get the balance exactly right between giving enough detail to capture the reader’s imagination and not giving so much that it becomes at all overwhelming or excessive. We see the racist attitudes of the largely corrupt Pinkertons and the general human public towards the elves and the dwarves. Taran Matharu also establishes traditions for the dwarves and elves – like that the female dwarves wear veils – which make them feel more vivid and real. I really liked the explanation for why they wear veils. Additionally, the writing is very atmospheric, capturing the bustle of the marketplaces, the reaction of crowds, the architecture of the summoning academy…this allows the reader to vividly imagine all the scenes and settings.THE DEMONOLOGY IS ALSO GREATI have read plenty of books that feature demons (The Mortal Instruments, The Dark Days Club etc). It is a crowded theme, but in spite of this Taran Matharu manages to bring something totally new to the table and it’s very refreshing. He reverses expectations – when Fletcher summons a demon I was expecting a ferocious and hideous beast, but actually Ignatius, Fletcher’s demon, is mostly adorable (until he gets into a fight and breathes fire to singe and scorch his enemies!). He curls up in Fletcher’s hood and purrs. I would really like to have a Salamander demon like Ignatius!Additionally, I love the fact that you cannot talk to your summoned demons – instead of sensing your words they sense your emotions and so, whenever Ignatius is concerned or upset, Fletcher has to send him calming thoughts. There are also many other fascinating aspects to summoning and controlling demons in this novel – the idea of fulfilment, which is a summoner’s capacity for summoning demons – infusion, where a summoner absorbs their demon into themselves and their demon is able to process some of what is happening through the summoner’s eyes, and scrying.There are also many different types of demons, from the dog-like Canid and cat-like Felid to hydras and minotaurs. The demon species are imaginative and inventive. The paperback edition has a really helpful guide to these at the back.THE NOVEL IS GRIPPINGYou know it’s a great book when you are reading and you really need to go and do something else and you think to yourself ‘Just one more chapter!’, but you end up reading another five chapters before you are forced to put the book down. I experienced this every time I picked up ‘The Novice’. It is a gripping and fun read, and there are mini cliffhangers at the ends of chapters which keep you reading on. It’s exciting and fast-paced, with several twists. It ends with a cliff-hanger but the best news is that the first sequel is already out so you don’t have to be suspended from the cliff for very long at all! I’m bursting to read the sequel and am so glad I chose to read ‘The Novice’ now when ‘The Inquisition’ already came out in May.Although the novel is targeted at a Young Adult audience, it is one of those universally enjoyable reads that will appeal to a much larger audience. Additionally, I saw a comment in which this novel was compared to Harry Potter. Usually Harry Potter (and also The Hunger Games ones although I didn’t enjoy that series as much) comparisons earn a sign from me because they are handed around a lot now, but actually with ‘The Novice’ I really see it and I think it is very deserving of that comparison. It is perfect for fans of HP.Review also posted on my blog[...]

This story had some real potential. The basic idea of summoning demons is novel but it is let down by the simple predictable plot.Why did he have to learn the craft at school? Only to meet those cruel nobles there. Far too similar to Harry Potter!The whole plot line is so predictable the book became boring mid way through.Maybe for those unfamiliar with fantasy might enjoy this but it really needed more thought into it.But one thing I couldn’t understand was why they wanted to win a tournament that took the winners to war? That could have been used more as a surprise or twist.Disappointing - will not pay to read any more.