Lowly’s Book Blog

The Magician’s Guild trilogy by Trudi Canavan has been out for years. And it is very popular with many fantasy readers that I know. But now Canavan has released a prequel for this trilogy. I certainly enjoyed it, but I wonder how many of the fans will be bothered reading about the founding of the Guild.

This story opens with a young girl working with her father who is the local medical man. The term doctor doesn’t really apply because the training and methodology is not very scientific in the modern sense. Anyway, Tessia is checking on a seriously injured slave resting at Lord Dakun’s castle when she is forced to defend herself from unwanted advances. She instinctively uses magic, and suddenly her plans to become a healer are changed. The law dictates that Tessia must be apprenticed to a magician to learn to control and manage her magical talent.

During her apprenticeship, her village is invaded and destroyed by the same man who attacked her. At first Tessia thought the attack was in revenge for her rejection, but it is quickly apparent that this is only the opening stroke in a battle for the survival of her whole country. From simple village healer, Tessia moves to become an active participant in the magical battle between nations.

This is an enjoyable, engaging book. I really liked the character of Tessia, and quickly came to understand and appreciate Jayan, Lord Dakun’s other apprentice. There is a touch of romance, and it is well handled without being mushy. Even minor characters are given a level of complexity that is unusual. As a result, everyone is interesting.

But somehow, this book never got around to founding the Magician’s Guild. Does that mean there are more to come?