The Magician’s Apprentice, by Trudi Canavan

I first found Trudi Canavan with the publication of The Black Magician Trilogy and was hooked. This book, The Magician’s Apprentice is a prequel set hundreds of years before the original three novels and just as enthralling. The plot revolves around Tessia, a healer’s assistant and budding magician, and her involvement in the war between the neighboring countries of Kyralia and Sachaka. It also tells the history of the wasteland that featured largely in the first books, as well as the foundation of the Magician’s Guild. About two-thirds of the way through we start to get the story of the Ancient magic as well, although I thought this felt a bit forced; I think this part of the novel would have worked better as a short story. Overall, though, an enjoyable story in an interesting world.

First Sentence:

There was no fast and painless way to perform an amputation, Tessia knew.