I don't know, it sounds a lot like Harry Potter but it's not!

Interesting. The second "Magician's Apprentice" is a completely different book than the first "Magician: Apprentice"

When did you read it? As in, what year? Was it part of a series?

I found:

Magician's Apprentice by Tom McGown, 1987.

Summary: A young pickpocket becomes apprenticed to a magician who opens a whole new world for the boy, not only of magic and healing, but of kindness and adventure. Together they seek knowledge lost since the Age of Magic thousands of years before.

"Reepah repeatedly warns them that they are being followed by a creature of evil that he calls "Isst," a warning Armindor ignores until it is almost too late"

Re: Queen of Sorcery
I'm skimming through it but it doesn't look familiar although it does look interesting. Thanks for your suggestion.

I think the book I'm looking for is more of a children's book, it was simpler than "Queen...". I now remember that during the duel/fight ssss guy turned his staff (or something like it) into a snake. It reminded me of Moses.

I'll check out Magician Apprentice. Thanks, Cheryl.

Could it possibly be "Magician: Apprentice" from Raymond Feist's Riftwar Saga? Here's a book review that might help: http://www.curledup.com/mag_app.htm

Not much to go on, but it might be Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings, the second book in the Belgariad.

Male protagonist, he was something like a wizard's apprentice I think. I remember there was snake imagery around some guy who would often go 'sssss' when talking. I can't remember much more other than there might have been a scene where the protagonist does some magic he wasn't supposed to do and gets caught. I might also (vaguely) recall there being a duel/fight at some point. And it's not Harry Potter.

I know all this sounds pretty generic but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway.

Thanks in advance!