The Novice: The Black Magician Trilogy: The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2 [Kindle Edition]

In the meantime Lord Dannyl has taken up his new role of Second Guild Ambassador to Elyne. After an adventurous sea voyage, and after sorting out some of his appointed duties in the capital Capia, he finally has some time to himself to investigate Akkarin's journeys. Indeed, Administrator Lorlen, who suspects the High Lord of performing Black Magic, which is forbidden by the Guild's laws, has asked the young magician to retrace Akkarin's footsteps, ten years earlier. Doing so, Dannyl meets Tayend, a scholar who works at the Great Library and has an amazing memory. The handsome lad will aid him in research and they'll become close friends.

This middle novel is very exciting, I just couldn't put it down. All the loveable characters from the first volume are back, with the exception of Cery, whom we almost hear nothing of. Replacing Fergun, Regin is suitably despicable and irritating, and you can really feel Sonea's frustration when she can't find proof enough to expose him. The High Lord, although first depicted as the ultimate invincible villain, becomes more three-dimensional throughout the book, and I'm looking forward to reading the thrid installment to discover what his real motives are.

Doch die Situation wird immer schwieriger, denn Sonea, das Mädchen aus dem Armenviertel, die auf die Magier-Universität geht, wird dort von ihren adligen Mitschülern bedrängt. In der Stadt selbst geschehen grausame Morde, die vielleicht mit schwarzer Magie zusammen hängen. Und die Scharade, die Lorlen, einst Akkarins bester Freund, aufführen muß, fällt immer schwerer...

Ebenso wie das erste Buch, ist auch die Fortsetzung spannend geschrieben, auch die handelnden Personen sind gut gezeichnet. Besonders gefallen hat mir die wunderbar uneindeutige Schilderung von Akkarin, wie weit ist die schwarze Magie böse und in wie weit jemand, der sie benutzt?

Einige wenige Probleme sehe ich für den dritten Band voraus. So wird mir Sonea langsam zu mächtig, ich hoffe, sie entwickelt sich nicht zu einem dieser langweiligen Überhelden. Auch das Land Sachkan, das noch völlig geheimnisvoll bleibt, wird hoffentlich nicht zu dem klassischen (und langweiligen) "Reich des Bösen" hochstilisiert. Auch hier sind noch einige logische Brüche und Schwächen beim "world-building" erkennbar, die aber die Freude am Lesen bei mir nicht getrübt haben. Alles in allem ist es immernoch ein Buch, daß richtig Spaß macht zu lesen.

Superficially THE NOVICE is a typical school story, where a talented outsider becomes the butt of cruelties and contempt and struggles to prove himself. Canavan offers no easy solutions, however, and uses the isolation and cruelty to form Sonea's character.
The secondary leads (Dannyl, Rothen, Lorlen) add a more adult touch to the story. Rothen and Lorlen are struggling with their knowledge, even more so when Akkarin discovers their ken and takes Sonea hostage to their good behaviour. Meanwhile Dannyl, the newly promoted Ambassador to Elyne, is researching into Akkarin's past on Lorlen's orders. Too curious for his own good he discovers disturbing hints about Old Magic and comes to realize that long past rumours hold a kernel of truth.

THE NOVICE is good and easy to read - a delightful entertainment. Especially young adults and fans of Dawn Cook, Mindy L. Klasky, Kristen Britain and J.K. Rowling will love it and its sequel THE HIGH LORD.