Summoner: The Novice: World Book Day 2018

Review by Francesca I recently read ‘The Novice’ by Taran Matharu and it was absolutely brilliant. I loved it, and I would definitely recommend it to others. Here are five reasons why: THE OPENING IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC The first chapter of ‘The Novice’ has to be one of the best openings I have ever read, if not the best. It is so captivating, in fact, that as soon as I finished it I passed it over to my dad and got him to read it, too, because I wanted someone to share it and talk about it with. It made my dad very eager to read on but luckily I got the book back so I could do so first. The opening is tense as Fletcher is hunting and very hungry, it immediately and vividly establishes the setting for the novel and world-builds, it has a twist at the end, and, most importantly, because Fletcher is treated unfairly in it, it has the reader immediately on Fletcher’s side. We establish a connection with Fletcher which lasts for the whole novel and we cheer him on and wish for him to succeed and prevail against the odds. Fletcher is one of the most likeable characters I have read about, and in my mind he has joined the ranks of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson – at times awkward male protagonists you cannot help but grow very attached to, ones who face adversity but unexpectedly overcome it. ‘THE NOVICE’ IS FULL OF STRIKING AND VIVID CHARACTERS Fletcher is not the only wonderful character in this novel – far from it. He is joined by an excellent cast of other characters. Standouts for me are Berdon, the blacksmith to whom Fletcher is apprentice and who touchingly treats Fletcher as a son rather than a worker, Othello the wise-beyond-his-years dwarf who has had himself tattooed identically to his volatile brother Atilla so that he can get Atilla out of trouble, and Sylva, the elf who is immediately hostile but who undergoes change and realisation after her life is threatened. All the teachers at the Vocans Academy are great too, from the loyal and friendly Captain Lovett to the hostile and challenging Rook. I think that Fletcher’s mentor Arcturus is my favourite of the teachers. THE WORLD-BUILDING IS GREAT The world-building in this novel is brilliant. We learn lots about the history of the Hominum Empire, about its present, and also about possibilities for its future. Taran Matharu manages to get the balance exactly right between giving enough detail to capture the reader’s imagination and not giving so much that it becomes at all overwhelming or excessive. We see the racist attitudes of the largely corrupt Pinkertons and the general human public towards the elves and the dwarves. Taran Matharu also establishes traditions for the dwarves and elves – like that the female dwarves wear veils – which make them feel more vivid and real. I really liked the explanation for why they wear veils. Additionally, the writing is very atmospheric, capturing the bustle of the marketplaces, the reaction of crowds, the architecture of the summoning academy…this allows the reader to vividly imagine all the scenes and settings. THE DEMONOLOGY IS ALSO GREAT I have read plenty of books that feature demons (The Mortal Instruments, The Dark Days Club etc). It is a crowded theme, but in spite of this Taran Matharu manages to bring something totally new to the table and it’s very refreshing. He reverses expectations – when Fletcher summons a demon I was expecting a ferocious and hideous beast, but actually Ignatius, Fletcher’s demon, is mostly adorable (until he gets into a fight and breathes fire to singe and scorch his enemies!). He curls up in Fletcher’s hood and purrs. I would really like to have a Salamander demon like Ignatius! Additionally, I love the fact that you cannot talk to your summoned demons – instead of sensing your words they sense your emotions and so, whenever Ignatius is concerned or upset, Fletcher has to send him calming thoughts. There are also many other fascinating aspects to summoning and controlling demons in this novel – the idea of fulfilment, which is a summoner’s capacity for summoning demons – infusion, where a summoner absorbs their demon into themselves and their demon is able to process some of what is happening through the summoner’s eyes, and scrying. There are also many different types of demons, from the dog-like Canid and cat-like Felid to hydras and minotaurs. The demon species are imaginative and inventive. The paperback edition has a really helpful guide to these at the back. THE NOVEL IS GRIPPING You know it’s a great book when you are reading and you really need to go and do something else and you think to yourself ‘Just one more chapter!’, but you end up reading another five chapters before you are forced to put the book down. I experienced this every time I picked up ‘The Novice’. It is a gripping and fun read, and there are mini cliffhangers at the ends of chapters which keep you reading on. It’s exciting and fast-paced, with several twists. It ends with a cliff-hanger but the best news is that the first sequel is already out so you don’t have to be suspended from the cliff for very long at all! I’m bursting to read the sequel and am so glad I chose to read ‘The Novice’ now when ‘The Inquisition’ already came out in May. Although the novel is targeted at a Young Adult audience, it is one of those universally enjoyable reads that will appeal to a much larger audience. Additionally, I saw a comment in which this novel was compared to Harry Potter. Usually Harry Potter (and also The Hunger Games ones although I didn’t enjoy that series as much) comparisons earn a sign from me because they are handed around a lot now, but actually with ‘The Novice’ I really see it and I think it is very deserving of that comparison. It is perfect for fans of HP. Review also posted on my blog[...]

If you're considering reading this book, definitely go for it! It's a great read, truly compelling and exciting. The fight scenes are really gripping and they'll have you on the edge of your seat! Summoner blends fast paced action with magical politics, shaming the ways of the rich and spoiled but also showing the reader that those discriminated against can be "bad" too. The characters are really engaging. Fletcher, the main character is loveable, slightly clueless at times and has a huge heart. He'd do anything for his friends, for their people and is shocked by the racist culture that surrounds him. He sees shreds of goodness in almost everyone, which is a nice change from other fantasy and action book characters. The only faults in this book are barely noticeable. The pacing is slightly uneven, with most of the action piled on at the end, but even so, the story chugs along and the content is so interesting that you barely notice. The dialogue tends to be a little stilted at times, with the "commoners" coming out with well structured sentences and impressive vocabulary. Even the conversation between Fletcher and his friends is often overly polite. I'm not sure if this is just a feature of Hominus, the world in which the story is set or if it's unintentional. Other then that, I can't find fault with the book. It's plotline is clever and sets up an interesting world for the rest of it's series to play out in. A brilliant debut, well done.

Wow. This book was amazing. Where do I even start with this review? (Fair warning, there is going to be a lot of fangirling ahead.) The Novice drew me in from the very first chapter. Taran’s writing is so engaging and his descriptions are so vibrant and detailed that I just got lost in the world of Pelt and then later, Vocans Academy. I adored Fletcher completely, I haven't loved a male MC this much since I first read the Harry Potter books. Much like Harry, Fletcher had me charmed almost from the onset with his inherently good nature and his courage. I loved that we got to discover the world of summoners and Vocans alongside him, and it was a great way to introduce readers to the world that Taran has created without it seeming overwhelming. There are a whole host of additional characters, most of whom I loved (except for the very obvious rivals – boo! Hiss!), though some easy favourites were Othello (yes to kick ass dwarves! More books need dwarves!!) and Arcturus (every underdog needs that one cool, supportive teacher on their side!). The summoner system was fascinating and my favourite part of the book was Fletcher arriving at the academy and then beginning his studies and training. Oh, and Ignatius, I have to talk about how incredibly adorable Ignatius is. Their developing bond was so precious and their interactions so fun and cute that I just loved the little Salamander to bits. There were so many cool demons introduced throughout the story and their unique abilities were so fascinating! I can't wait to see what other demons are going to be in the sequel! The pacing was on point throughout and I didn't find any parts slow at all, and the storyline slowly builds up to a big showdown at a tournament. I couldn't wait to see Fletcher and Ignatius in action and the ending didn't disappoint – it was fast paced, full of drama and action, and definitely had me gripped! It does end on a cliffhanger though so I'd recommend getting the next book ready, because you're going to want to dive right into it once this one is finished! I genuinely have no complaints about the book at all, and it is by far the easiest five stars I've given in a while. In fact, five stars doesn't seem high enough! I really can't recommend this enough. If you're a fan of fantasy then this is a must-read.

You are gripped into liking the main character, Fletcher, right from the beginning as he goes through a life changing event which arises slowly over the opening chapters. The unique aspects of the story, particularly summoning, are well explained throughout as Fletcher undergoes his story and starts to explore the world getting further away from the little trading village/town he grew up in. This is a book where Humans are fighting Orcs in a national war while Dwarfs plot rebellion and Elves watch from afar. None of which is breaking ground for a fantasy novel. However, there are some interesting shifts, differences, and original changes, which are not typical with some species. The book is easy to read and I would recommend it to any young person or adult interested in fantasy. Some of the other reviewers have stated that it will never be a classic like Tolkien and it is fair to say that the intricacies of a novel like that are not present in this book. Having recently re-read some of the Harry Potter series I was surprised to see how rudiment and basic the books I loved as a young teenager were, but they created a new world with characters and a story which people fell in love with and which inspired people. A part of me believes that given the chance this book 'the novice' could do the same. It is refreshing to find a book which is near impossible to put down from beginning to end. Now .... When is book two due?

A bit like Pat Rothfuss' King killer chronicles, but without music, chemistry or adventure. It doesn't sound that great but it is still good read. The ending was a bit sudden and the cliff hanger just left me a bit annoyed, the final duel was an obvious ending. I kept thinking how far will it go? Just the end of school year like Harry potter or will we see the actual war? But the ending wasn't exactly a total surprise but it felt like a bit of a cheap trick. Over all a decent read but a bit too simple a story for my liking, more suited to teen market. Nothing like epic brutal worlds created by likes of Steven Erikson or G RR Martin, but something to keep us entertained as we wait for real masters of genre to deliver the next instalments.

Having seen Taran at the YALC Convention at ComicCon this summer, and heard him talk about this book, I really wanted to try it out on my book group of Year 7 boys. I read it at the same time as they did and we unanimously loved it. It's the first in a fantasy series about a lowly orphan called Fletcher who grows up with the local blacksmith in a remote village in the woods. His fate changes when a traveller gifts him a mysterious spell book in exchange for Fletcher's help. With it Fletcher is able to summon a demon - a rare power that he was unaware he possessed. He ends up on the run and finds himself taken in by the Vocans Academy which trains Battle Mages. At this point I wondered if plot would slow down while he goes through several years of training, but instead it neatly finds a way to condence the experience. I'd hate to give away any more of the plot, as it's a good one and involves many well-drawn and varied characters. The author struck a good balance between keeping the plot moving but also taking the time to introduce the characters, the world it was set in and the important points about the history of the conflict betwen the Humans, Elves, Dwarves and Orcs. Interestingly the boys who read it at my book group liked the fact that it wasn't a frenetic pace all the way through as so many books for teen boys are. They liked the fact that they could relax into it and had time to get to grips each bit of the story berfore it moved on. I must admit I kept expecting Fletcher's ability to summon demons to kick in and for him to do something amazing in a kick-ass 'chosen-one' kind of style at some point. He does prove himself by the end of the story but he does it through intelligence and not though any fluke of nature, which was quite refreshing. I also thought the portrayal of Elves, Orcs and Dwarves was straight out of other mainstream fantasy. One minor character was described exactly like Dobby the House Elf from Harry Potter. Othello the Dwarf was a dead-ringer for Gimli in Lord of the Rings, as were the Orcs. But is that wrong? I suppose if you're going to call it an 'Orc' or a 'Dwarf ' then it probably should look the way we all imagine it to look. The book does end on a cliffhanger, but not in any annoying way. Fletcher has completed an important stage in his life and the ending sets up a good twist that makes me want to read book two.

This is simply an amazing read! I don't normally write reviews but after reading this book, I just had to!! Now I will not give much away but it has the perfect balance of excitement, adrenaline, magic, curiosity/wonder and courage. These books will relate to you (no matter who you are) and really does relate to differences in culture and beliefs that are relevant in our current and (very) real world. It is fresh and fast moving but the way in which it is written enables you to pick up where you left off and is easily digestible making this fun and enjoyable to ready to lose yourself in. However, I could not imagine having to wait for the next book in the series to come out... if your going to buy this book, buy the first three at the same time because the suspense of where the book ends will drive you mad. The cliffhangers are that good!! To my understanding there will be six books in this series, I have written this review at the end of book three (The Battlemage) which doesn't end on a cliffhanger, still I cannot wait for the fourth book (The Outcast) to be released next year! All three books are brilliant. Truly fantastic!!!

Throw in some of the Lord of the Rings with the Orcs and the Westerns I watch with Pinkerton Detectives and we have The Summoner A young boy Fletcher was hunting in the woods, he was late coming home but still in time before the gate closed, Didric Cavell 15yrs was on the gate and wouldn't let him in, the village beyond the gate was known as Pelt, they dealt with furs, Didrics friend let in Fletcher an hour later, Fletcher lived with Bredon the Blacksmith, Fletcher was left by the gate as a baby, Bredon was the only person who wanted him, all in the village had blonde hair but Fletcher's was dark Bredon would get Fletcher to help him sell his weapons at market, it was a time of Elves, Dwarfs and humans united against the Orcs, Didrics father had the whole village owing him money and became powerful, there were some known as Battlemages or Summoners who would lead our armies an old soldier had the book of a young summoner, Fletcher bought the book being the only one in the village to read and write, Fletcher had his own Demon, Fletcher had been set on so many times by Didric and his friends, once he was cornered and his Demon Ignacius Burned Didrics face, Fletcher had to leave and Bredon agreed sadly Fletcher left, an old soldier took Fletcher to Vocans Academy to learn to be a Summoner, this is where the adventure begins

Es un libro similar a los de Eragon, fantasía, orcos, enanos, elfos, humanos, demonios, muy divertido, no pude parar de leer hasta que había terminado los tres libros

The pacing was good and the story was great, wish it was longer. It ended with a cliffhanger so buy the second book!

I would recommend this to people who fancy fantasy novels! It's easy to read and I like how the characters developed from mere commoners to total badass, oh and the plot twist too!

definately one of the best authors and series i know. It is interesting for even slow readers and i even once stayed up till 4 reading this. definately worth reading...

One of my favourite ever books! This book follows Fletcher, an orphan abandoned in the winther snow as a baby outside the small village of Pelt. In this book Fletcher will discover his extrordinary talent and ability and will make many friends, but with friends and talent comes enemies and betrayal. Fletchers home country is in threat from the orcs and their empire crumbles as the racism between dwarves, elves and humans worsens. Will Fletcher find out who his parents really are and will he live through the emmense dangers that he and his friends face? This book is thrilling and will have you hooked. A great mix of Lord of the rings, Harry Potter and a new original idea.