Review: This might be a good intro to a novel, but it doesn't work well on it's own
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 27, 2012
Despite the fact that "Gifted Apprentice" is written in a style that I myself do not find appealing I believe it has potential.  The book just doesn't go deep enough into world building for me, it lacks the descriptive elements I appreciate when reading fantasy in favor of a brisk understated mentality which often leaves the reader without necessary information, a good example of this are the "sylph" a character class seemingly created by the author who have blue skin, a language of interpreted ear twitches not unlike cats and who form a rare class of apparently indentured servants on the main character Sallis's home island. That along with their ability to sense and inherent dislike of the use of "The Gift" represent the bulk of what we learn about this race of people, one of whom is a significant part of this first story. The sense of mystery that this creates may be enough for some readers, but for me I needed more too really get into and enjoy the story.In addition this first volume has no internal conflict, which to me makes for a story which lacks intensity, there are some vague discussions of sorcerers and people who seek to corrupt those with "The Gift", but no one like that is featured in this story. In the end a conflict is hinted at, but not enough time is given over to it to truly begin heightening tension in the story.Still I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this story and I do feel these first 90 or so pages would make an acceptable beginning to a larger work(Novel), but presented here without that conflict which I feel any good story needs I felt like I was reading simply for the sake of reading and not because I was emotionally invested in the characters.