Posts Tagged 'apprentice'

These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang

Genre: Fantasy

Tabatha is the apprentice to one of the world’s most famous sorcerer’s and so far it has been a good learning experience. Until that is, when her boss predicts his own gruesome death and it actually comes true. There is a special division of law enforcement who deals with magical murders and they quickly zero in on Callum, the sorcerer’s youngest son. Callum and Tabatha decide to work together to try to figure out how someone could have killed the sorcerer in the way he died, but also who would want him dead. Many things do not add up in this mystery and there are many family members acting suspiciously in the days after the unexpected death. Moreover, Tabatha still isn’t sure who she can trust and it becomes clear that no one trusts her either. How can they solve the mystery of this near impossible crime?

This fantasy story is unique and intriguing from the beginning as the world is described and the purpose of sorcerer’s in the world becomes clear. The idea of a prophecy predicting the death of a powerful sorcerer is very interesting because he should be able to protect himself from most supernatural threats. As the family members are introduced it becomes clear that there are several dynamics at play, not to mention Tabatha suspects many of them are lying. Callum has a backstory with his father that makes his motives unclear, but for some reason he is able to convince Tabatha that he had nothing to do with his father’s death. The ending is exciting and satisfying. Recommended for fantasy fans looking for something new and different.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Genre:  Futuristic

# of Pages: 433

2018-19 Iowa Teen Award Winner

Citra and Rowan live in a world where all human problems have been eradicated including hunger, disease, and poverty.  Science has even made it possible to revive those who have died in accidents so that they can continue living without any complications or injuries.  Therefore, in order to curb population growth the governing entity has created scythes whose entire job is to glean, or kill, those they see fit.  Scythes are supposed to take their job very seriously and act with honor and compassion to those they glean, but there have been some rising up who seem to enjoy killing people and this has the traditional scythes very concerned.  Citra and Rowan are both chosen to be Scythe Faraday’s apprentices which means they will train with him for an entire year, but then only one will be ordained a scythe and the other will return to their regular lives.  At the first scythe conclave they go to, however, one of the more progressive scythes challenges Faraday’s choice to take two apprentices and proposes that the one who wins must glean the one who loses and the scythe rulers agree.  This puts Citra and Rowan in a tough spot because as they train together they become closer and closer and neither is sure if they could glean the other.  Is there a way for them both to exist in this “perfect” world?

Shusterman has done it again with this unique and engaging story.  The premise seems far fetched and yet the reader is pulled in almost immediately when Scythe Faraday is introduced.  All of the characters are well developed and make the reader want to know more about their intentions and motivations, while also watching them react to various plot twists.  Recommended for anyone from reluctant reader teens to adults who want something fresh and new.


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