Novice by Taran Matharu

Ranking: Title: Novice Series: Summoner , #1 Author: Taran Matharu Published: May 5, 2015

 When blacksmith apprentice Fletcher discovers that he has the ability to summon demons from another world, he travels to Adept Military Academy. There the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. Fletcher is put through grueling training as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs. He must tread carefully while training alongside children of powerful nobles. The power hungry, those seeking alliances, and the fear of betrayal surround him. Fletcher finds himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with only his demon Ignatius for help.

As the pieces on the board maneuver for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands. The Novice is the first in a trilogy about Fletcher, his demon Ignatius, and the war against the Orcs.

First, I never expect this book to be this good. The plot and the pacing of the book is incredible. I didn't even notice that I was almost halfway from the story. That explains a lot on why this book has made its way to reader's TBR lists.

Characters. Well Fletcher is definitely your act-first-before-you-think kind of guy. There are some moments I find him so aggressive that I just wanted to smack him in the head. But what he lacks makes up for his kind attitude. It makes me glad that the author didn't settle for a hero who gets his courage for mistakes he makes in the past. But instead Fletcher is a pure courage. Othello, the dwarf guy, is certainly a character to love for. His relationship with Fletcher makes me smile. There are some characters that are very disappointing in the end. I never saw it coming, maybe that is also the reason why this book has enough to makes you occupied and crave for the next sequel.

Plot. The book has some issues about prejudice, exploitation and class inequality and the author is certainly not above taking a jab or two at the hypocrisy of the ruling classes.

The Ending. Well definitely not a cliffhanger. But it actually ended in a way that you feel like a new journey is about to happen. And well, the answers about everything about Ignatius might be answered in the next sequel.