Author: Taran Matharu
Series: The Summoner #1
Age: YA
Genres: Fantasy
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Source: eBook
Purchase: Kindle | Hardcover | Paperback | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks
Synopsis:
Fletcher was nothing more than a humble blacksmith's apprentice, when a chance encounter leads to the discovery that he has the ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, he must travel with his demon to the Vocans Academy, where the gifted are trained in the art of summoning.
The academy will put Fletcher through a gauntlet of gruelling lessons, training him as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire's war against the savage orcs. Rubbing shoulders with the children of the most powerful nobles in the land, Fletcher must tread carefully. The power hungry Forsyth twins lurk in the shadows, plotting to further their family's interests. Then there is Sylva, an elf who will do anything she can to forge an alliance between her people and Hominum, even if it means betraying her friends. Othello is the first ever dwarf at the academy, and his people have long been oppressed by Hominum's rulers, which provokes tension amongst those he studies alongside.
Fletcher will find himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with nothing but his demon Ignatius to help him. As the pieces on the board manoeuvre for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands ...
My Rating:
Quote(s) I Like:
"We wear them so that dwarves marry for love and not out of lust. Our spouses cannot see us until our wedding night, and so they must love us for our personalities and not our looks. It is also a mark of modesty and privacy, so that we do not flaunt our beauty for everyone else to see. That is a privilege reserved for our husbands." - Briss
"A demon is not an item to be tossed aside like an old shirt. When you have battled side by side with yours, maybe you'll understand." - Lovett
My Thoughts:
Finally decided to read this book and I must say this was quiet enjoyable. I enjoyed the magic, world-building was pretty cool and the using demons as "partners" was an awesome idea that I just loved! I wish there was a bit more action and magic involved and more than just two main locations in the story. However, it was still a good read.
Fletcher is an orphan that was raised by a blacksmith in Pelt. He was bullied a lot by Didric a lot and was forced to leave after an accident. He ran away and ended up at Vocan Academy to become a battlemage. I enjoyed Fletcher. He was given a shitty hand at life and with all the secrets being revealed, he still handled himself well. Fletcher was a very competent and hardworking kid. He was nice, had a big heart and the way he saw the world was beautiful.
Othello was a freaking bomb dwarf! He was very kind, knew his way around the world's bigots and could hold his own if need be. I loved him. Slyva was an elf and at first I hated her, but when she, Othello and Fletcher got caught in drama I began to love her a bit more. These two are probably my favorite of Fletcher's friends.
Scipio was interesting. I don't know if I like him or not because he sends so many mixed signals to Fletcher. I hope he stays on Fletcher's side. Captain Arcturus was down right awesome. Having been the one to send Fletcher to the academy he became his sponsor. The theory he shared with Fletcher was insane. I hope it's true to some extent because then Fletcher wouldn't be alone any more.
The other commoners at the academy were cool until the tournament scene when they feel for the lies of Tarquin and his sister. The noble students were assholes! I'm so happy that Tarquin lost and got his butt handed to him! The King's crew were a bunch of money hungry, wicked bastards. I hated every last one! Even the ones in the school like Rock.
The tournament scenes were awesome, but that ending killed me! Why?! I hope everything pans out for Fletcher in the other books of this story.
Great first book to a series, hope the magic and action picks up more.
Have you read this book?