The Novice

By: Taran Matharu

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2015 Taran Matharu (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

very good listen

some books cover the tropes you love and cover them well.
this is one of those books. a few small twists on the traditional fantasy works. enough to make the world feel good and unique, but not so much it feels strained.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Entertaining but not art

First you need to understand that I tend to be a tough reviewer who hardly ever rates a book a five. I think fives are for masterworks that years later you can remember and discuss with someone in a random conversation if a friend mentions the book or the author. Fours are for really good books. Threes are for books that were entertaining at the time but I won't remember the story line or characters a year later when I see the books cover in my library. This book is like a cross between Harry Potter and Pokémon. It has all the usual races of elf, dwarf, human and monsters. It was an easy listen and entertaining all the way around, but I would not consider it a work of art. The book comes to an actual conclusion of sorts so you don't feel ripped of by absolutely having to buy the next book in the series. I am growing Tired of books in a series that cannot be read as a stand alone story. The sequence of occurrences in the book seem Jammed together in a few places because the relationships tend to make jumps that would clearly take more time to develop than the author allowed. The time training is sketchy compared to mastery of skills as well. This is a lighthearted listen and worth the credit and time to listen but I would recommend it to a younger audience than the 50 year old man I am.

26 of 32 people found this review helpful

A solid average work of art

I found after chapter one that I was certainly not going to like the narrator, Ralph Lister. The content of the book however was very fun. A unique world that had a few elements I love such as: A magic school with rival competition, magical creatures that need to be captured and leveled up, and a protagonist who starts low-born with nothing who must rise above the status quo and overcome problems.

However, the actual execution of the story is where I had a lot of displeasure. The author might be young or new? The writing wasn't the worst thing I have ever read but it was certainly not the best. I would have to say the way the book is written is plainly average.

This book is not something I would recommend to someone, UNLESS they have already read a lot of my normal recommendations. AND they extremely enjoy books about magic school, Pokémon like pets, and teenage level war, love, and intrigue.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Very predictable, good narration

Any additional comments?

The positives = good story, some interesting magic tweaks, interesting characters. The bad = very predictable story, rushed ending, poor ending, character growth not consistent. I did binge listen to the story, which does highlight some things. The beginning is interesting and engaging. The fight scenes are not well done, I never got a feel for things. The ending was complete marketing, and poorly done. The narration does help this book though, and I think I will be searching for more of Ralph's work.

I don't think I will be getting the second in the series, unless I am looking for a time waster book + a spare credit.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

This story read like an episode of Pokémon.

The villains in this story were cheesy to the point of comedic. If they were just evil, they were mustache-twisting enemies. If they were nobles, they were just 2 dimensionally arrogant and smug beyond all reason. The main character had two kills and a wealth of survival experience under his belt, but can't muster enough confidence to ignore the chattering of children. It boggles the mind.

13 of 17 people found this review helpful

Pokémon with demons

Just felt like i was reading a Pokémon story. Why use Shakespeare character names and names of real world figures as character names. It irritated me a lot, and I felt it messed with my ability to connect with the character. If you like teen fantasy, Pokémon and angry school teachers, you might enjoy this one. I didn't. The narrator did a good job though.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

A bad version of an Adult Pokemon book

The beginning starts off ok but it gets worse from there. Predictable plot lines ana an ending that you can see a mile away, it was a huge disappointment. Unfortunately I bought the second book first on a sale then purchased this one. So I had to see it through....

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Book 1 of 3

I read all 3 books. The trilogy is okay. Give it a try if you like epic fantasy told in 3rd person featuring teenage protagonists (humans, dwarfs, and an elf) and endearingly loyal domesticated demons, including canids, griffins and salamanders. See my review of book 3 for more details.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

cheap ploy, ending a good book at a cliffhanger.

such a cheap ploy, ending an already good book at a cliffhanger. parlor trick! great performance, good magic system, great creatures. Very few people wouldn't buy the next book simply because the first was really good. I guess he had to be sure the next book would sell. oh well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Worthless world of racism & politics

Protagonist of inherently limited abilities. Several tropes borrowed from other books; especially the superior book, “The Name of The Wind”. However the unforgivable failure was the vastly limited environment of humanity.

The protagonists’ current & future actions are rendered irrelevant due to a human world flooded with rampant racism and bureaucratic bullies. The only way this series has a happy ending is if the entire world of humanity is utterly destroyed by the less barbaric orcs. Not a probable conclusion & therefore not worth my investment.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful