Apprentice (The Black Mage Book 2) by Rachel E. Carter Starting 19th February 2020

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

She survived a trial year at the Academy of Magic, but that was the easy part...

Now sixteen-year-old Ryiah is an apprentice of Combat, her school's most notorious faction. When she finishes, she will be a war mage, but in order to do so, she has to survive four years traveling across Jerar, training with a master she hates, her old nemesis, Priscilla, and Prince Darren, her sometimes-rival sometimes... more?

Ry's new apprenticeship is nothing like what she prepared for. War is on the horizon and her lessons aren't just for practice anymore.

It's time to fight.

*** The second book in The Black Mage series by USA Today bestselling author Rachel E. Carter. ***

[Dannii]

Just started on this one, this morning :)

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[All but the final book in this series are rereads for me, but I can remember little beyond the first book which makes it almost feel like reading this for the first time.

The first quarter involved just as many details about the academy training as book one and I loved that the focus remained there. I also really enjoyed the high stakes trial it closed on, although I couldn't predict the winners. Ryiah was wrong to agree with Darren and use Ian's feelings for her to their advantage and I felt so sorry for him afterwards, especially as it seemed he was about to announce how he felt before he was knocked out. All is fair in love and war though, I guess...

I'm so glad that Ryiah and Alex's younger brother made it into the academy too! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Even though these characters make stupid decisions I kinda appreciate it. It helps them seem more authentic. Ryiah betraying Ian and Alex's constant flirting are flaws but ones I'm sure they can overcome to be better people going forwards.

The attack on the salt mines brings a new political focus to the series, as Eve reveals it was rebels not those from neighbouring kingdoms who they fought. I'm looking forward to exploring this more.

The ball inside the palace ends part one, and the second year of academy training. I wish Ryiah would forget the prince and focus on Ian, she is treating him unfairly by allowing him false hope when her heart still sings for Darren. His brother is even more of an ass than I remembered from the prequel! I also forgot how this book seems to fly. I really wish we had a book per year, instead of cramming more into this book.

10% later and a whole year has passed and the ball has returned again. It angers me to see Darren kiss Ryiah and then profess he has not thought about halting his betrothal. I also hate how she stayed with Ian for an entire year when she knows her feelings don't match his. I think they have both behaved rather selfishly.

I was glad, on the other hand, to see Derrick leave the academy and feel no shame with his future as a soldier. It seemed there should never been shame in it, yet all the characters only previously saw failure at the prospect of leaving the torture of the academy's regime. I am glad to see him happy, even if his character is a very minor one. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[A lot of this quarter felt overrun with emotions. Even when Ryiah and Darren are sent on a month-long mission it is overshadowed by their feelings. I understand Ryiah is young and her perspective is noting what she deems important but I'd rather learn of the world and the crew rather than awkwardness with Darren. Her feelings also caused her to act recklessly when Darren goes missing in the woods. She screams his name and it causes her to be caught by the enemy. Of course it ended happily... which means more emotion between the pair. I really wished it was Ian! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[The last quarter was my least favourite, as it focused too much on the tension between Darren and Ryiah. I enjoyed that this shifted to the trials and then the attack, as it kept the pace high and my intrigue intact. I felt sad at Eve's death, even though she had such a small part to play in the story. I've always been interested in her character - especially after the prequel - and would have loved to learn more about her.

The ending wasn't my favourite. I don't see anything between Ryian and Darren and so after his proposal I was just like, 'okay, back to the ceremony'. They haven't even spoken to each other in over a year and now a marriage is on the cards!? I'm looking forward to seeing where she will go now she is a fully fledged mage, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

25%

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad that now they are apprentices that it's not all fluffy and easy. I also like the fact that the prince is now acknowledging her and admitting that they are friends to everyone. The trails seem just as hard as before. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

54%

(view spoiler)[ Did she really rank 2 or was it the prince's doing? I can understand her not wanting to be his bit on the side but couldn't she have found another way to say it so they could still be friends. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

60%

(view spoiler)[ Okay so now they are going to give it ago. I think it'll make Darren a better person but how they will make it work. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Well I'm not sure they should be getting married already. I'm glad he found a way so they could be together but getting married is a bit far. I wonder what their new roles will be them and where they end up. (hide spoiler)]

When do you wan to read the next one?

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - "

(view spoiler)[ I agree they are both as bad as each other at points. It's frustrating how she moans about him yet she does the same.

I also agree with their brother leaving, it's always seemed like the worse thing to leave.

I agree on the book a year, the schooling seemed to fly by in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes this was perfect to learn morw of the class, the way the system runs and the outside world yet it was just focused on them too. I felt Ryhain was very emotional during lots of the parts where she needed to keep her head straight. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - "

(view spoiler)[ I agree marriage was way too far. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]

When do you wan to read the next one?"

I suppose the betrothal was more a political and public move, than a romantic one.

[Dannii]

I'm good for starting anytime. Would later today be too soon?

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]

When do you wan to read the next one?"

I suppose the betrothal was more a political and public move, than a romantic one."

That is true. I just hate politics lol.

I can start today.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Here's the thread. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Dannii]

You're a gem! Thank you :)