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  • The Novice

  • The Black Magician Trilogy, Book 2
  • By: Trudi Canavan
  • Narrated by: Samantha Bond
  • Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (177 ratings)
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The Novice cover art

The Novice

By: Trudi Canavan
Narrated by: Samantha Bond
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Summary

Following The Magicians' Guild comes the second book in the phenomenally popular Black Magician Trilogy, from international Number One best-selling author Trudi Canavan.

Over 3 million Trudi Canavan copies sold worldwide.

Imardin is a city of dark intrigues and deadly politics, where those who wield magic wield power. Into this established order has blundered a young street-girl with extraordinary magical gifts. Adopted by the Magicians' Guild, her life is changed forever - but for better or for worse?

Sonea knew that she'd face a tough time training within the Magicians' Guild but she little realised the level of animosity she would face from her fellow novices. The sons and daughters of the most powerful families in the realm, her classmates seem determined to see her fail - at whatever cost. But in accepting the protection of the guild's high lord, Sonea may have embraced an even bleaker fate. For High Lord Akkarin harbours a secret that is far darker than his magician's robes.

The Black Magician Trilogy:

The Magicians' Guild

The Novice

The High Lord

©2004 Trudi Canavan (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Engaging...with some distinctive touches and delightful characters that lift it well above average." (Locus)

"The world-building is tremendous. The magical system is sophisticated and fascinating." (Striking Keys)

"A suspenseful masterpiece...will have fans desperate for the sequel." (RT Book Reviews) 

What listeners say about The Novice

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing....

I give only 3 stars for this book, part 2 of a trilogy which I'll probably not bother to download the final part of.

What disappointed me?

This book had a different narrator from the first book so several of the names were pronounced differently. I found this very irritating and was constantly checking in my head the old and the new pronounciation to ensure I was following the correct character. Probably an odd quirk of mine! I did get used to this fairly quickly but it did detract from my enjoyment.

I also felt that this abridged version lost some of the 'padding' and detail that made the first book come alive.

Although I enjoyed the story I would probably be inclined to buy the writen book rather than bother with the audio version if I decide to get the final part of the story as part 3 is also an abridged version.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Better, and yet worse

I love the narration of this book. Samantha Bond is a huge improvement on the man who read the first in the trilogy and really brings the character of Somea to life. Sadly this is an abridged version of the story and lacks all the detail that made the original novels worth reading. 10 out of 10 for the narrator, 0 out of 10 for whichever publisher decided that a shorter version of the book would be a good idea. I have no intention of risking further disappiointment with the abridged version of book 3

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great series

a great book and very well read. love these books have read them before but will listen to them over and over again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well worth reading

really enjoyed this very intriguing 😀
ok
the book gives you a lot to think about and keeps you on the edge

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much love for this series

One of my favourite stories. I love Trudi Canavans books. I recommend to others

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great reading, shame it's an abridged version

One of my favourite trilogies ruined by being an abridged version read beautifully by Samantha Bond.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

worth the read

great book, slow to start but once in to it kept me going,
looking forward to the final book

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

3 stars overall. First book was better.

A very imaginative story but not as good as the first installment. I will however look forward to reading the next book in Sonya's adventures.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A pretty simple story

There is a decent story in there, but at times the book/reading is painfully over simplified.

It's often very obvious where the conversation or situation is heading, and it becomes a chore listening to it unfold.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

short version gggrrrrr

As always i'm a big fan of Trudi Canavan but this SHORT version of the second book is very unsatifactory if you enjoyed the full written one. Very disapointed with this audiobook, it cast a bad light of the 2nd book that is truely great. Best read this one...

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