Helpful Score: 4
The second book of The Black Magician trilogy starts off at a rapid pace like its prequel. We get more involved in
some of the support characters and learn more about them. The plot is just as strong as the first book with more twists
and some of our questions being answered. Trudi keeps the reader absolutely confused about the reality surrounding the
strange activities of the High Lord and this ambiguity is handled very well.
I have enjoyed this fantasy thoroughly thus far and would recommend it to all fantasy readers. It is different in terms of
the plot, the "world" and the balance of magic and reality.
some of the support characters and learn more about them. The plot is just as strong as the first book with more twists
and some of our questions being answered. Trudi keeps the reader absolutely confused about the reality surrounding the
strange activities of the High Lord and this ambiguity is handled very well.
I have enjoyed this fantasy thoroughly thus far and would recommend it to all fantasy readers. It is different in terms of
the plot, the "world" and the balance of magic and reality.
Helpful Score: 2
Second in the Black Magician fantasy trilogy, in which Sonea, the young slum girl who was found to have magical talent, begins her formal training at the Magician Guild's University. Under the sponsorship of Rothen, the magician who helped her get her magic under control, Sonea enters the summer class with eight other students, all of whom shun her because she is not 'high born.' One boy in particular, Regin, who is a bully and leader of the group, seems to have it in for Sonea and makes her life a living hell, such that she is determined to test out of that class and advance to the next one. But when Regin follows her to the more advanced class a few days later, Sonea thinks her world has fallen apart--until the High Lord, Akkarin, decides that he will take over her guardianship from Rothen. Since Sonea witnessed the High Lord practicing black magic (at the end of the last book) this terrifies her to no end, but she feels powerless to do anything as he is basically holding those she cares about hostage. The middle book of trilogies are usually the weakest and I think that's probably the case here, too. It was a good read, just that nothing is really resolved, though it set up the final installment very well.
Helpful Score: 1
If you like epic fantasy and especially coming of age stories, the Black Magician Trilogy is for you. Comparable to Raymond Feist's Magician series, but a female protagonist and a darker (but not too dark) tone.
Helpful Score: 1
Continuing the story of Sonea's life in the guild, she grows in her magical power and suffers many trials as an outsider. This book to me was predicatable in it's outcome, yet I enjoyed it because of the realism in Canavan's style of writing. She is able to take many activities and ideas that we take for granted and make them new again.
Helpful Score: 1
Another excellent book by Canavan. I really enjoyed this.
This is such an excellent series. I've just received the last book and I'm so motivated to find out what happens and yet cringing at the idea of saying goodbye to characters I've learned to care about. That is one of the best signs of a really good book. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author.
I enjoyed this book, though less than the first. The 'Dannyl' sections often moved slowly, with unnecessary descriptions of setting that weren't particularly vivid or original and that didn't further the plot. However, Canavan does a fine job addressing issues of bullying and homophobia. I still maintain, as with the first novel in the series, that the story is more suited to young adult readers, though Canavan has made me care enough about her characters that I intend to find out what happens to them by reading the third book as well.
Great read and gripping until the surprising end.
Great trilogy. Can't wait for more from this author.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the last book of this trilogy The High Lord. I recommend the all three books.
In part 2 of the series, Sonja continues her training. I enjoyed the first book, and the second one was even better. Ms. Canavan starts explaining more about how her magic system works, and some of the characters get a little less 2-dimensional. A little is explained, but a lot is left unresolved, setting the stage for the third and final book, and I was looking forward to reading it. The ending is a little predictable, but satisfying, with enough unexpected to still be satisfying.
I definitely recommended it to my wide, who doesn't read as much fantasy as I do, but I try to send her to the ones I think she will enjoy ... and this is one of those.
I definitely recommended it to my wide, who doesn't read as much fantasy as I do, but I try to send her to the ones I think she will enjoy ... and this is one of those.
This is a great series. This book has it all. Wonderful read, can't wait to read book 3!
Good second book, takes up where the first left off, though it does jump around a bit. Sonea finally gets the courage to challenge Regin to single combat.
This was a spectacular continuation to the Black Magician series. After reading the first book in the series I wasn't sure if I would continue it; but I am so glad I did. This book is much better than the first one and incredibly interesting and engaging.
I listened to this on audiobook and I really love the narrator of these books. He is a pleasure to listen to and does an awesome job with character voices and emotion. I would highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.
There is so much tension throughout this book, it just about kills you. Sonea, Lord Robin, and the Administrator know a deadly secret about the High Lord Akkarin that they are desperately trying to keep secret. As if this isn't enough stress Sonea's fellow classmates have taken a strong dislike to her. Sonea remains admirable through the book; she is smart and resourceful but continues to get caught up in events that test her. I loved her character and my heart just broke for her throughout this book; there were a couple of times I just wanted to scream "Enough, give the girl a break and some happiness!"
Much of the story is also told from Dannyl's perspective. I adored his parts of the book just as much as Sonea's. Dannyl does a lot of traveling and ends up on a quest to trace Akkarin's travels and find out more about the ancient history of magic. These parts of the book had a lot of adventure and history involved in them and I loved them. Both Sonea and Dannyl develope love interests in this book; much of that is in the background but it was nice for these characters to have some happiness in midst of all of their trials.
The only thing that really irked me throughout this book was everyone's fear and assumption that The High Lord Akkarin was evil. Yes, Sonea saw him practicing black magic but did anyone ever try to figure out why Akkarin would do that? Throughout the book Akkarin remains alof, intimidating, and at times strict and even a bit cruel. However, he is never outright evil and I can't help but believe he isn't the problem in this book. It bothered me that all the magicians and novices that know his secret just assume that he is evil without finding out if maybe he has a greater ulterior motive. It made me disappointed in the intelligence of the surrounding characters and seemed short-sighted to me. I was especially disappointed in Robin and the Administrator.
The other thing I found frustrating was how all the magicians turned a blind eye to how Sonea was tormented by her classmates; at times this torment is so severe as to be torture. I found it disturbing that the adults in this book are okay with the students ganging up on and torturing one young girl.
Overall aside from the above two complaints I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The whole book is written in a fantasy style that feels a bit older to me (like 90's epic fantasy) and I enjoyed it a lot. There is some excellent world-building in here along with a complex plot and characters that are easy to engage with and relate to. The book ends on a cliffhanger that will absolutely kill you; I want to read the third book immediately! I would recommend to fans of classic fantasy.
I listened to this on audiobook and I really love the narrator of these books. He is a pleasure to listen to and does an awesome job with character voices and emotion. I would highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.
There is so much tension throughout this book, it just about kills you. Sonea, Lord Robin, and the Administrator know a deadly secret about the High Lord Akkarin that they are desperately trying to keep secret. As if this isn't enough stress Sonea's fellow classmates have taken a strong dislike to her. Sonea remains admirable through the book; she is smart and resourceful but continues to get caught up in events that test her. I loved her character and my heart just broke for her throughout this book; there were a couple of times I just wanted to scream "Enough, give the girl a break and some happiness!"
Much of the story is also told from Dannyl's perspective. I adored his parts of the book just as much as Sonea's. Dannyl does a lot of traveling and ends up on a quest to trace Akkarin's travels and find out more about the ancient history of magic. These parts of the book had a lot of adventure and history involved in them and I loved them. Both Sonea and Dannyl develope love interests in this book; much of that is in the background but it was nice for these characters to have some happiness in midst of all of their trials.
The only thing that really irked me throughout this book was everyone's fear and assumption that The High Lord Akkarin was evil. Yes, Sonea saw him practicing black magic but did anyone ever try to figure out why Akkarin would do that? Throughout the book Akkarin remains alof, intimidating, and at times strict and even a bit cruel. However, he is never outright evil and I can't help but believe he isn't the problem in this book. It bothered me that all the magicians and novices that know his secret just assume that he is evil without finding out if maybe he has a greater ulterior motive. It made me disappointed in the intelligence of the surrounding characters and seemed short-sighted to me. I was especially disappointed in Robin and the Administrator.
The other thing I found frustrating was how all the magicians turned a blind eye to how Sonea was tormented by her classmates; at times this torment is so severe as to be torture. I found it disturbing that the adults in this book are okay with the students ganging up on and torturing one young girl.
Overall aside from the above two complaints I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The whole book is written in a fantasy style that feels a bit older to me (like 90's epic fantasy) and I enjoyed it a lot. There is some excellent world-building in here along with a complex plot and characters that are easy to engage with and relate to. The book ends on a cliffhanger that will absolutely kill you; I want to read the third book immediately! I would recommend to fans of classic fantasy.
I enjoyed this book, though less than the first. The 'Dannyl' sections often moved slowly, with unnecessary descriptions of setting that weren't particularly vivid or original and that didn't further the plot. However, Canavan does a fine job addressing issues of bullying and homophobia. I still maintain, as with the first novel in the series, that the story is more suited to young adult readers, though Canavan has made me care enough about her characters that I intend to find out what happens to them by reading the third book as well.
