Book Review: The Truthsayer's Apprentice

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Truthsayer's Apprentice     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Deborah Christian
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Tor, Dec 1999, $15.95, 396 pp.

The truthsayer apprentice Dalin was returning from an errand when he sees the Nimmian thieves attack their cave. He watches the thugs toss Granmar the Truthsayer off the Crystal Spires and leave with the symbolic cloak of the Truthsayer.

A stunned Dalin follows the thieves, but is captured and left to die by the magic of Hanno, a runemaster working with the enemies. Dalin is rescued by traveling elves seeking the truthsayer. With their help, he begins a quest to regain what has been stolen because without the cloak there is no truthsayer and the land has always had a truthsayer.

THE TRUTHSAYER'S APPRENTICE is a by the book fantasy tale that will thrill sub-genre fans. The story line is entertaining, but the characters, even Dalin, never seem genuine and in turn fail to gain reader empathy. The action never lets up and the plot constantly moves forward. However, those readers who want their fantasy tales to feel as if it could be real, need to pass on this book. Those who enjoy non-stop adventure will gain pleasure from Deborah Christian's first book in the "Loregiver" series.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner