The Magician's Apprentice

By: Trudi Canavan

Narrated by: Rosamund Pike

In the remote village of Mandryn, Tessia serves as assistant to her father, the village Healer - much to the frustration of her mother, who would rather she found a husband. Despite knowing that women aren't readily accepted by the Guild of Healers, Tessia is determined to follow in her father's footsteps. But her life is about to take a very unexpected turn.When treating a patient at the residence of the local magician, Lord Dakon, Tessia is forced to fight off the advances of a visiting Sachakan mage - and instinctively uses magic. She now finds herself facing an entirely different future as Lord Dakon's apprentice.

Although there are long hours of study and self-discipline, Tessia's new life also offers more opportunities than she had ever hoped for, and an exciting new world opens up to her. There are fine clothes and servants - and, she is delighted to learn - regular trips to the great city of Imardin. But along with the excitement and privilege, Tessia is about to discover that her magical gifts bring with them a great deal of responsibility. Events are brewing that will lead nations into war, rival magicians into conflict, and spark an act of sorcery so brutal that its effects will be felt for centuries.

©2009 Trudi Caravan (P)2009 Hachette Audio

OK but underdeveloped

I chose this because I enjoy Rosamund Pike. She's wonderful as always. The story is ok but seems underdeveloped. Since this is a prequel, the world-building may rely on the other books in the series which I had not yet read.

Love Rosamund Pike

I chose this book specifically because I had heard another book read by Rosamund pike and enjoyed her reading thoroughly. I was not disappointed. She is a fantastic reader and I look forward to finding more books performed by her. I like this type of book so I enjoyed the story I was not pleased with the abridgment thinking that maybe there were some details that were missing as it seemed as though they were storylines that were clipped certainly I expect that some of the information I feel I missing will be revealed in future books.

Wonderful reader!

i am just starting on audio books i love to read and found i am running out of time in the day so i started adding audio books to keep up with my favorite authors! The reader is wonderful, great speed and feeling, not to mention accents! This story was ok, if you have read Trudi Canavan's other trilogies then you know what to expect she really hasn't moved from the same path, i expected more from the story, however it does leave a lot for a second and/or third book!

Tropes, awkward and abrupt end. Not recommended.

Spoilers alert:

Predictable plot. Overall, the women fell into the common trope of the suppressed/marginalized and felt like token characters, although this book passes the low bar of the Bechdel-Wallace test. Ending was bizarrely awkward and abrupt and, of course, the two young characters introduced at the beginning end up falling in love, maturing BBC and expecting a baby. Props for having one gay character & one advocate for that character (still under-represented in my opinion). Props for some women who don’t “need” men. Overall, like with most fantasy, the majority of the main and supporting characters are male, women are objects, property, subservient or need rescuing, the goal for them is marriage/love. The character development felt weak and the story arc too broad to contain within the length of the story. Some sticky things wrapped themselves up a bit too neatly at the end. It felt like the author needed to finish and so they just tidied things up to close out the story. Unsatisfying. Won’t recommend.

I enjoyed the narrator although her transitions between scenes were a little hard to follow. Overall, her voice was very easy to listen to. Will try another book narrated by her.

Do not get this abridged version

Rosamund Pike does an amazing job reading but the story is poorly cut and seems to end just as it was beginning. Too many storylines are simply not explored and quick endings provided. It will leave you disappointed.

Perfect narration.

Would you listen to The Magician's Apprentice again? Why?

Rosamund Pike is not only stunning, but she has mastered the art of storytelling.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the female lead being the stronger of the characters.

Which character – as performed by Rosamund Pike – was your favorite?

Tough to say, she was great at all of them.

Abridged didn't realise either

I loved this book when I first read it. I'm so grateful to the reviewer who said she didn't realise it was the abridged. I realised then I had the abridged too (was nearly finished with it) and returned it right away for the full version. 5hrs vs 25hrs. I recommend if you are short on time and need a quick read, but I know the longer version is one if the best books I've ever read

good story, bad job abridging the content

I like Trudi Canavan's works and I suspect I'd like this one in the unabridged format. But I must say I felt as if I lost to many aspects of this book probably due to what was cut out.

Undeveloped

I agree with Coleen's review. In addition to being abridged and jumping around, many of the characters were left undeveloped. I kept hoping for more dialog or background to explain the growth the characters were experiencing and expressing, but it never arrived. Having not read the book, I don't know how much was abridged, but the author rushed forward many years at the end of the book in order to make it easy to write an ending.

The story line was interesting enough that I plan on listening to the unabridged "The Magician's Guild" before I make a final decision about this author.

Abridged!! Terrible jumps

Warning this version if heavily and terribly abridged!!! It makes it almost unlistenable if you have never read before.
Save your credits unless you have already read it and almost want a reminder summary.