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Reviewed by Danita Dyess for Readers' Favorite
In The Apprentice and the Vortex by Alister Laurence, you are immediately drawn into the plight of Boglin, the best wizard in Glamaddon, and his wizard-in-training apprentice, Drek, and their realization of Hingebutt's universal spell of lethargy. Not only are Boglin's plants dying, but a fog is enveloping the land and cows have become lethargic in Trufton. King Plutar, Culixag, Boglin's mentor from the Academy, agree that Boglin must determine the source of the vortex, defeat it, and restore Glamaddon's peace and beauty. Is Ulrich the Androgymous, Bishop, a Pious monk or Karkaflux the culprit? On their journey to find the answer, they rely on the leadership of Captain Periwinkle and his crew. They survive a wretched storm, encounter a five-arm Yargrol monster, and discover that Ulrich has escaped prison. Will Boglin's magic destroy the vortex or will a new breed of wizard conquer the enemy?
The cover of The Apprentice and the Vortex was surprisingly simple: a vortex. Author Alister Laurence has a background in science and enjoys philosophy and poetry, which was evident in his debut work of fiction. This fast-paced story was a mixture of fantasy and coming-of-age as Drek learns that magic is more than hand movements and incantations, and discovers the forces of good and evil. I reveled in the imagery of castles, encrusted thrones, towers and tussock grass, and loved the imaginative names of characters and places like Genkle, Slugwol and Vung, and the city of Quinstadore. Characters were well developed with good dialogue and plot. I identified with Drek and his journey toward becoming a wizard. The Apprentice and the Vortex is highly recommended.
