Book Review – An Unexpected Apprentice
Author: Jody Lynn Nye
Cover Artist: Michael Kaluta
Publisher: Tor
Binding: Hardcover
Publication Date: June 2007
The story begins with an attack by winged monstrosities known as thraik; an attack that ultimately leaves the young Tildi Summerbee completely bereft of her family. Being a seventeen year old female, the elders of her community decide that marriage is in her best interests. Tildi has other ideas, and decides quickly that a magician’s apprenticeship awarded to one of her brothers would be a much more desirable and interesting future. And, thus, Tildi becomes the unexpected apprentice.
“Tildi paid no attention. All she could see was her second brother, Pierin, at bay against a towering thraik that dipped and bobbed at him, lashing out with its claws. She ran to help him. She fetched up short, nearly falling over an outflung arm. The battle had claimed casualties. Her eyes filled with tears as she recognized them. Jinny, an older woman who had lived on the farm since Tildi’s father was a boy, lay dead on the ground with her throat gashed to the backbone. Nevil, the dairyman’s boy, was huddled in a tight ball, rocking and sobbing with pain. Tildi couldn’t see what was wrong with him, but there was a lot of blood. She dithered for a moment, wondering whether to help him, but the thraik seemed to be ignoring him. Pierin needed her.”
An Unexpected Apprentice takes place in a fantastical world that is populated by humans, elves, dwarves, smallfolk (like Tildi), centaurs, and more. The future of this world is threatened by the re-emergence of the Great Book. Written by the Shining Ones, the book contains the runes of every object in the world. If an object’s rune is known, it is possible to alter it. The book, though, has come to be possessed by someone who appears to have evil intentions and could use this knowledge to destroy the entire world. And, thus, a party of elves, dwarves , centaurs and Tildi (since the book calls to her yet she seems to possess a greater immunity to its influence) is formed to reclaim the book and ensure the future of the world.
This story has a very familiar plot with very familiar characters. It doesn’t deviate from the standard quest formula except to make the small farm boy hero a heroine. The numerous parallels to The Lord of the Rings would appear to be intentional. However, while reading An Unexpected Apprentice, I never felt a sense of impending doom or even some tension concerning the fate of the small party. For the most part, the story is told from the vantage point of Tildi, through her internal ruminations and observations, which often made it difficult for me to become involved in the story. Several incidences in the book further compounded my lack of interest due to their implausibility. Such as one scene during the parties’ search for the Great Book, the book’s possessor brings down a terrible winter storm to thwart them. Edynn, the centuries old and wise elven wizard, admits to the others:
“Edynn bowed her head. “Friends, I am sorry. I apologize for my weakness. I did not foresee that our quarry would use the book against us. More fool I.”
An Unexpected Apprentice by Jody Lynn Nye may find a more appreciative audience among those looking for the familiar, a high fantasy tale that doesn’t stray from the basics.
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