Name: The Novice
Rating: 4.1 (55 reviews)
ISBN: 9781444926644

Taran Matharu

The Novice

Luke Harkness

Not quite sure why it's got SUCH a high rating, but it is a decent book. I liked it because I'm a nerd who liked Pokémon and RPGs when growing up...and still do. This book caters to that very much. I didn't like this book because it felt a little rushed. There could easily have been another 200-300 pages. However, there are more books in the series which makes this much better. I did really enjoy the book and sometimes after the first book I'm not fussed about reading the second, but I'm very interested to carry on the series... especially after the ending!

Demons, magic and epic adventure - the first book in the New York Times bestselling Summoner Trilogy has been chosen for World Book Day. Fletcher was nothing more than a humble blacksmith's apprentice, when a chance encounter leads to the discovery that he has the ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, he must travel with his new demon to the Vocans Academy, where the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. The academy will put Fletcher through a gruelling lessons, training him as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire's war against the savage orcs. Rubbing shoulders with the children of the most powerful nobles in the land, Fletcher must tread carefully. The power hungry Forsyth twins lurk in the shadows, plotting to further their family's interests. Then there is Sylva, an elf who will do anything she can to forge an alliance between her people and Hominum, even if it means betraying her friends. Othello is the first ever dwarf at the academy, and his people have long been oppressed by Hominum's rulers, which provokes tension amongst those he studies alongside. Fletcher will find himself caught in the middle of powerful forces - with no one but his demon Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of the empire is in his hands...

One Boy's Power to Summon Demons Will Change the Fate of an Empire

Giulia Pianta

I remember seeing this book around and hearing people talk about it, but I was never really too interested in it.
However, I went to an event with the author who, apart from being so very kind, made me so interested in picking up the book. I purchased the second book on the spot (the first one was sold out) and I got that signed, knowing I would like the first enough to want to continue with the series.
And I was not wrong.

I read this book months ago so I don't have a very clear idea of the details of the book, but I surely retained some of the crucial scenes and the overall feeling.

This is a middle-grade book that reads like a middle-grade book, with a middle-grade character, which I think is great.I could see my young cousin reading this in a few years and relate to Fletcher (by the way, I like his name!), because Fletcher is not beyond his age. He thinks, acts, feels like his own age, and this is not easy to do when you are older and do not remember exactly how being young is.

I like first books in fantasy series, because it is where the world is described the most. And I like that, even if sometimes it could be info-dumping, I just love learning of the world, of the magic system, of the different creatures.
I don't think this book was info-dumping though, the world was developed in a very organic way and we got to see a big chunk of it through Fletcher's eyes. I especially like the school setting, it is something I always enjoy in books.

I also enjoyed the presence of demons, and the possibility of having them as sorts of "pets", so being emotionally attached to them. I really like Pokémon so I obviously enjoyed the similarity to it.

Being a middle-grade book doesn't mean that it doesn't touch upon important issues, such as racism and injustice. I was impressed at how it was handled, it was simple enough that children could get it, but it was not too simple as to not convey a strong message.

This book is quite action-packed, and I remember being on the edge in many scenes and needing to find out more.

After all the good things, I feel like there was something lacking. I am not sure what it is, but I feel there needed to be something more. The writing was in some points a bit too simple too. However, I do believe it is just because this is Taran's first book. It is easy to tell it is a debut due to it being a bit "unripe", but I can see so much potential and I am sure the next books in the series will get better and better.
I also see this book targeted to young boys. This is not necessarily true as I am sure lots of girls did enjoy it just as much, but there is something more towards boys, while I prefer books leaning more towards girls so I was not as compelled to pick this up as often. This is TOTALLY just my preference, and the fact one book is more for girls/boys is also completely my impression.

All in all, I enjoyed this. I did not go crazy over it but I can confidently give it 4 full stars, and I am planning to pick up the second instalment soon.

ONE BOY'S POWER TO SUMMON DEMONS WILL CHANGE THE FATE OF AN EMPIRE ... Demons, magic and epic adventure - introducing the first book in the New York Times bestselling Summoner Trilogy... Fletcher was nothing more than a humble blacksmith's apprentice, when a chance encounter leads to the discovery that he has the ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, he must travel with his demon to the Vocans Academy, where the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. The academy will put Fletcher through a gauntlet of gruelling lessons, training him as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire's war against the savage orcs. Rubbing shoulders with the children of the most powerful nobles in the land, Fletcher must tread carefully. The power hungry Forsyth twins lurk in the shadows, plotting to further their family's interests. Then there is Sylva, an elf who will do anything she can to forge an alliance between her people and Hominum, even if it means betraying her friends. Othello is the first ever dwarf at the academy, and his people have long been oppressed by Hominum's rulers, which provokes tension amongst those he studies alongside. Fletcher will find himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with nothing but his demon Ignatius to help him. As the pieces on the board manoeuvre for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands ... BONUS MATERIAL: Find out more about Demons in an illustrated DEMONOLOGY - exclusive to this paperback edition. 'Friendship, loyalty, magic and political intrigue beckon ...' The Bookseller

Book 1

Judy McClure

Pretty good.  The ending has compelled me to continue the series. 

Fletcher is working as a blacksmith s apprentice when he discovers he has the rare ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must travel with his demon, Ignatius, to an academy for adepts, where the gifted are taught the art of summoning. Along with nobles and commoners, Fletcher endures grueling lessons that will prepare him to serve as a Battlemage in the Empire s war against the savage Orcs. But sinister forces infect new friendships and rivalries grow. With no one but Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of the Empire is in his hands.

The novice

Leelynn Brady

I definitely liked the premise of this novel, although I honestly forgot what drew me to read this in the first place. I'm definitely not regretting it, because I enjoyed it for the most part.

I'm not sure of the world that Tolkien created all those years ago served as inspiration for this novel, but I definitely felt it. This was another book that had different races of creatures, specifically elves, dwarves, men and orcs. In addition, there are elements of demons in this world, where some lucky men, orc shamans, elves and dwarves are able to summon demons from the "ether" which definitely has to be another world where demons reside, and can control them to do battle.

In this world, we have our main protagonist Fletcher, who is an orphan and blacksmiths apprentice. He comes across a battle worn soldier who has found a summoner's book, and from there, the magic begins.



I think one of the things I liked most about this book was that Fletcher learned that the prejudices that he may have grown up with were wrong, and learned how to be friends with dwarves and an elf. He was one of the few humans that actually hated seeing the injustices that both races suffered at the hands of humans, and wanted to change the system from within. He became a true friend to the dwarves and the only elf he had ever met in his lifetime, and didn't let his race dictate how he should treat others. That was one of the redeeming qualities of this novel, and what made me like it and push through.

I'm curious to know what happens in the rest of the trilogy, especially since the way that the first novel ended was a total cliff hanger. I mean, after all of what Fletcher and his friends went through in the span of a year - which when you're reading it, you don't realize there are months that have gone by until it's mentioned - only for it to end like that? The horror. I will also say that the monthly time jumps were a little much, but I get that the story needed to continue. I think it worked out since there probably wasn't much happening during those months, but from the way the chapters run together, you wouldn't know that months had past until it's explicitly mentioned. Time just went by super fast, almost like a montage.

Other than that, it was enjoyable. Ignatius was the cutest Salamander demon I've ever met, and I think the name fits perfectly. The relationship between the summoners and their demons reminded me a little bit of The Golden Compass, but not too much that it felt like a copy of it. There were key differences, especially in that summoners can control more than one demon at a time depending on their fulfillment level. But that's all I'll say on that. It was a good book. Give it a try :)

Courtney Shipley

I was so happy to find a YA Fantasy book that has a male for the main protagonist and doesn’t have a love plot! Such a great change of pace can’t wait to read more of this series!

Carla Aquino

Oh my gosh!!! This book was so good and such a carefree and easy read. The story just flew by and ended with a cliffhanger and questions left unanswered....because obviously that's the way trilogies work, Duh. I will have to move book 2 up in my read list soon. I can't wait to see what the Forsyth's evilness has in store...since Fletcher is a force to be reckoned with now. With orc's, elves, dwarves, and summoners I feel like I'm in middle earth. So freakin awesome! I can't wait to see how may levels Fletcher achieves and what demons he acquires...not that he needs anymore with his rare salamander Ignatius by his side. And exactly how old is Ignatius anyway? I need to know more. Oh and I found myself always referring to the cover of the book to look at the small details about Fletcher that were described in the story that I needed to visualize with its beautiful artwork.

Jesika

I loved this book so much it gave me Harry Potter vibes. The first chapter of this book had me hooked right away and also the atmosphere of this book made me feel like I was apart of it. It was fast paced too which I always enjoy. The ending is a cliff hanger so I have to find out what happens next!😊

Manon van Heumen

This was good! I really loved this book and I can't wait to read the next one!

Lisa Beasley

This book was a really fun story. I liked all the characters, they all felt fleshed out with backgrounds and personalities. The demons are amazing and I adore how different they are and that they have different personalities too. I can't wait to find out more about them all. That cliffhanger though!? Evil!

A solid 4.5 stars.

He can summon demons. But can he win a war? Fletcher is working as a blacksmith's apprentice when he discovers he has the rare ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must travel with his demon, Ignatius, to an academy for adepts, where the gifted are taught the art of summoning. Along with nobles and commoners, Fletcher endures grueling lessons that will prepare him to serve as a Battlemage in the Empire's war against the savage Orcs. But sinister forces infect new friendships and rivalries grow. With no one but Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of the Empire is in his hands.

The Novice

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