By: R.M. Prioleau
Published Date: April 2011
Format: Kindle edition
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3/5 stars
Book blurb
Jasmine Na’Darod lived a simple life with her parents and older sister on the family’s farm. She never strayed far from home until the ill-fated Blood Moon arose, basking the country of Caristan with a terrible, sickening drought. When her mother falls ill, Jasmine and her family are forced to leave home in desperate search of a cure. During their journey, a series of tragic events will change Jasmine’s life forever. With her former life shrouded and forgotten, Jasmine embraces a new path granted by an unlikely stranger, who, ironically, practices the Art of death and undeath. As Jasmine is drawn to this enigma of a man, she soon realizes there is more to him than what she initially perceived—his true motives are beyond anything she could ever imagine. . . . Deeply compelling and morbidly intriguing, The Necromancer’s Apprentice is a beautifully-narrated gothic fantasy with memorable characters.
My thought
Clocking in at just 106 pages, I finished this book aimed at young adults in one sitting. Set in the mythical country of Caristan it follows the exploits of Jasmine Na’Darod, a girl forced to leave home on the search for a cure for her sick mother. After losing her father, sister and then her mother to some gruesome creatures on route to the nearby town she is soon rescued by a dark master of magic.
This man, it turns out, is a Necromancer, who teachers Jasmine the ways of the dark arts. It also turns out he’s a dragon to boot – pretty cool huh!?
The biggest thing I didn't like was actually the main character herself. Jasmine is completely flat emotionally. Although she admits that to the reader, it makes it very difficult to care about anything that happens to her. In her mind, she's already dead and nothing is worth fighting for. The other issue I had was in plot holes. I'd love to see more work on getting everything to flow.
I see definite potential in this story. With more editing and polishing I think Jasmine's story will come through better.
