The Novice

Fletcher, a blacksmith's apprentice, discovers he can summon demons after acquiring an ancient scroll. When his newly discovered powers lead to trouble in his village, he flees to Vocans Academy where noble children train to become demon summoners and battlemages. At the academy, Fletcher faces discrimination due to his commoner status while learning to harness his summoning abilities. He forms alliances with fellow students including a dwarf and an elf, breaking social barriers as they train together with their demon companions. The students prepare for warfare against the orcs while navigating complex political tensions between nobles, commoners, and different races. As Fletcher develops his skills, he uncovers secrets about his own past and the true nature of the conflict. This fantasy coming-of-age story explores themes of class division, prejudice, and the bonds that form between outcasts who find strength in unity. Through Fletcher's journey, the narrative challenges assumptions about birthright and questions what truly determines a person's worth in society.

Readers compare The Novice to Harry Potter and Pokemon, with many noting it follows familiar young adult fantasy tropes but executes them well. Readers liked: - Fast-paced plot with minimal slow sections - The demon summoning magic system - Relationship between protagonist Fletcher and his demon Ignatius - Clear, straightforward writing style accessible to younger readers Readers disliked: - Predictable plot points and character arcs - Underdeveloped side characters - Worldbuilding lacks depth and originality - Some found the school setting derivative Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,400+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Perfect for younger fantasy readers transitioning to longer books" "The magic system saves it from being just another Hogwarts clone" "Characters feel one-dimensional but the story keeps you turning pages" "Would recommend for ages 11-14 but may be too simple for adult fantasy readers"

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The Black Witch by Laurie Forest A student enters a magical military academy where she must master her innate powers while confronting discrimination and political intrigue.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown A young man infiltrates an elite training institute where students compete in deadly trials to rise through a rigid societal hierarchy.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss A gifted young man attends a school of magic where he learns to harness his powers while pursuing vengeance for his family's murder.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card A child prodigy enters a military training school where he learns combat strategy and leadership through increasingly complex challenges.

🔮 Taran Matharu wrote The Novice when he was just 22 years old, publishing it first on Wattpad where it gained over 6.5 million reads 🐉 The book's magic system, which features demon summoning, was partially inspired by Pokémon and the author's love of collecting trading cards as a child 📚 Originally self-published, The Novice caught the attention of publishers after becoming one of Wattpad's most-read stories, leading to a major publishing deal with Feiwel & Friends 🌍 The series has been translated into more than 15 languages and has sold over a million copies worldwide ✍️ Matharu wrote much of the first draft during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), completing roughly 50,000 words in just 30 days