The Apprentice

I stumbled across this book years ago, and have been haunted by the story ever since. They story is lyrical, almost poetic, and unlike many other fantasy novels focuses almost exclusively on the human element, with the adventure as a backdrop for the people. Jaimah is the quintessential abusee--belittled and even tortured at the hand of her mistress and reluctant mother Shayna, still she clings tenaciously to the only life she has ever known. Unlike many other authors, DTB does not demean her characters by ignoring their traumas in favor of a stronger character. Instead, she lovingly shows Jaimah as she truly is, with all the flaws of an uncertain, wounded, and almost painfully innocent young woman. At the same time, again and again she also showcases Jaimah's hidden strengths and potential, things even Jaimah does not yet see. Shayna sometimes comes close to a caricature as the evil mistress, but just when you are ready to dismiss this character, you suddenly turn a corner and find yourself understanding and even sympathizing with her. While evil is very clearly laid out in the book, none of the characters are ever truly evil, or completely good, and therein lies the magic of the tale. The author has a poetic turn of phrase, and the entire book vibrates with the beauty of a song. This makes some sense since the book's concept was based in one. This is one of those authors whom chance, not lack of talent took from the writing scene, and we are poorer because of it.

a truly wounderful book. with many twists within it. Probalby one of my favorites. The heroin is well portrayed as a confused girl in need of help and being saved without being weak. She is strong in her own right yet unsure about who she can trust. The greatest possiable traitor her own heart. Romantic, inspiring, and intreging. In the end you will sympathise with all the characters even the antaganist.

When I thought about trying to explain why I liked this book, I realized that it reminded me of "Cinderella" or "Snow White." Jamiah is rescued from a life of drudgery with the evil sorceress by the handsome prince/good sorcerer in an old-fashioned good versus evil battle. Of course, it's a bit more complicated than that. Recommend. Probably would have given it 4-1/2 stars.

This book was a great find in a used bookstore. I read it in a day. It was a great page turner and the relationship between the three characters was fantastic. I wish I could find more books like this one. When I do find a book like this I have to think what a great jewel!!

I borrowed "The Apprentice" from the library but not expecting to like it. It turned out to be the opposite. I couldn't put it down. I read it over and over again. "The Apprentice" is about a servant girl named "Jamiah" who serves an evil sorcerous "Shayna" in a castle on the forever winterous mountains. One day a man appears at the door of their castle saying his name is Corwyn and he has traveled many days to become Shayna's apprentice. Corwyn has powerful magic that he only reveals to Jamiah and not to Shayna. Jamiah soon finds herself torn between her loyalty to Shayna and her loyalty to Corwyn,the only friend she ever had. I found this book wonderfully written and recommend it to anybody who needs a book on a long, lazy, sunny summer afternoon.