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The Traitor Spy Trilogy #1
The Ambassador's Mission
Sonea, a Black Magician of Kyralia, is horrified when her son, Lorkin, volunteers to assist the new Guild Ambassador to Sachaka. When word comes that Lorkin has gone missing, Sonea is desperate to find him, but if she leaves the city she will be exiled forever. And besides, an old friend is in need of her help.
Most of her friend's family has been murdered - the latest in a long line of assassinations to plague the leading Thieves of the city. There has always been rivalry, but now the Thieves are waging a deadly underworld war, and it appears they have been doing so with magical assistance.
With over one million copies in print, Trudi Canavan has taken the fantasy world by storm. If you haven't done so already, THE AMBASSADOR'S MISSION is the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of Trudi Canavan.
Most of her friend's family has been murdered - the latest in a long line of assassinations to plague the leading Thieves of the city. There has always been rivalry, but now the Thieves are waging a deadly underworld war, and it appears they have been doing so with magical assistance.
With over one million copies in print, Trudi Canavan has taken the fantasy world by storm. If you haven't done so already, THE AMBASSADOR'S MISSION is the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of Trudi Canavan.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Trudi Canavan
91 books6,536 followersTrudi Canavan was born in Kew, Melbourne, and grew up in Ferntree Gully, a suburb at the foothills of the Dandenongs.
In 1999 she won the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Short Story with “Whispers of the Mist Children”. In the same year she was granted a writers residency at Varuna Writers’ Centre in Katoomba, New South Wales.
In November 2001, The Magicians’ Guild was first published in Australia. The second book of the trilogy, The Novice, was published in June 2002 and was nominated for the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The third book The High Lord was released in January 2003 and was nominated for the Best Novel Ditmar category. All three books entered Australian top ten SF bestseller lists.
The Black Magician Trilogy reached the international market in 2004, published by HarperCollins’ EOS imprint in North America and Orbit Books in the UK. The trilogy is now rated by Nielsen BookScan as the most successful debut fantasy series of the last 10 years.
Trudi’s second trilogy, Age of the Five, has also enjoyed bestselling success. Priestess of the White reached No.3 in the Sunday Times hardback fiction bestseller list, staying in the top ten for six weeks.
In early 2006 Trudi signed a seven-figure contract with Orbit to write the prequel and sequel to the Black Magician Trilogy. The prequel, The Magician’s Apprentice was released in 2009 and won the Best Fantasy Novel category of the Aurealis Awards.
In 1999 she won the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Short Story with “Whispers of the Mist Children”. In the same year she was granted a writers residency at Varuna Writers’ Centre in Katoomba, New South Wales.
In November 2001, The Magicians’ Guild was first published in Australia. The second book of the trilogy, The Novice, was published in June 2002 and was nominated for the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The third book The High Lord was released in January 2003 and was nominated for the Best Novel Ditmar category. All three books entered Australian top ten SF bestseller lists.
The Black Magician Trilogy reached the international market in 2004, published by HarperCollins’ EOS imprint in North America and Orbit Books in the UK. The trilogy is now rated by Nielsen BookScan as the most successful debut fantasy series of the last 10 years.
Trudi’s second trilogy, Age of the Five, has also enjoyed bestselling success. Priestess of the White reached No.3 in the Sunday Times hardback fiction bestseller list, staying in the top ten for six weeks.
In early 2006 Trudi signed a seven-figure contract with Orbit to write the prequel and sequel to the Black Magician Trilogy. The prequel, The Magician’s Apprentice was released in 2009 and won the Best Fantasy Novel category of the Aurealis Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 691 reviews
March 2, 2017
I was really disappointed in this. I've loved Canavan's previous work - she's one of my favorite authors! But something went wrong here. It was just so incredibly boring. There's not enough that's new, but instead a lot of time is spent explaining how things have changed from 20 years ago, or rediscovering the past that has already been explored in the Magician's Apprentice. I think Canavan would have been better off building a whole new world with new conflicts and magic rather than re-hashing a world and characters that I already know and love.
What is new is the character of Lorkin, but I really can't tell you much about him. I don't feel that he is well-defined enough, although I hope that improves in the next books. There is so much reminiscing about the past by return characters that we don't get a clear enough sense of the present and why we should care about it.
I mainly just felt nostalgic for the days of the Ichani invasion, and felt like I was having sumi with my old friends from the war, chatting about how times have changed and feeling sad that they haven't turned out better after all that effort. I can't believe I'm writing this - I had such hopes for this sequel!
There are really two distinct plots in the book. One is Lorkin's adventures in Sachaka. Apparently he wants to find old magic for some reason, but I don't really feel his excitement or know why it's important enough to him to risk his life going there. He just seems to want a grown-up adventure and a chance to prove himself. The unasked-for adventures that he gets should be a lot more exciting, but the gripping, engaging aspect of the previous books is missing.
The other plot sticks with Cery and Sonea in their separate spheres in Imardin. It's sort of a murder mystery, but it's hard to care because you're mainly getting the characters' inner dialogue on what's changed in the last 20 years, or speculating about how a situation could go 3 different ways. And there's not nearly enough magic to help make up for it - what there is is just incidental, like opening and closing doors, and some levitation. I think I've made my point by now - it just really dragged.
Can I also say that Sonea being an overprotective mother is not what I want to read about? That's the main addition to her character in this, other than the fact that she's been stuck in the same restrictions for the last 20 years. She really needs to move on from the past and find a way to gain the trust of the Guild so she can do more than work in the hospices. I expect (hope) that what happens in the rest of the trilogy gives her a way to do that, and to let her son be an adult. In other words, I'll have to go ahead and read the rest of the trilogy and hope it gets better. It's too late to turn back now.
Honestly, what's missing is the one person who can't make an encore appearance. No wonder it's so lackluster - all of the true mystery and the reason for everyone's existence is gone. The best character EVER leaves a gaping hole.
I am now more upset than ever that The High Lord ended the way it did. It could have had a way happier ending, everything resolved to some degree and - finished. Complete. I could have been so happy. Why? Why?
I WANT MY OLD BLACK MAGICIAN BACK!!!!
What is new is the character of Lorkin, but I really can't tell you much about him. I don't feel that he is well-defined enough, although I hope that improves in the next books. There is so much reminiscing about the past by return characters that we don't get a clear enough sense of the present and why we should care about it.
I mainly just felt nostalgic for the days of the Ichani invasion, and felt like I was having sumi with my old friends from the war, chatting about how times have changed and feeling sad that they haven't turned out better after all that effort. I can't believe I'm writing this - I had such hopes for this sequel!
There are really two distinct plots in the book. One is Lorkin's adventures in Sachaka. Apparently he wants to find old magic for some reason, but I don't really feel his excitement or know why it's important enough to him to risk his life going there. He just seems to want a grown-up adventure and a chance to prove himself. The unasked-for adventures that he gets should be a lot more exciting, but the gripping, engaging aspect of the previous books is missing.
The other plot sticks with Cery and Sonea in their separate spheres in Imardin. It's sort of a murder mystery, but it's hard to care because you're mainly getting the characters' inner dialogue on what's changed in the last 20 years, or speculating about how a situation could go 3 different ways. And there's not nearly enough magic to help make up for it - what there is is just incidental, like opening and closing doors, and some levitation. I think I've made my point by now - it just really dragged.
Can I also say that Sonea being an overprotective mother is not what I want to read about? That's the main addition to her character in this, other than the fact that she's been stuck in the same restrictions for the last 20 years. She really needs to move on from the past and find a way to gain the trust of the Guild so she can do more than work in the hospices. I expect (hope) that what happens in the rest of the trilogy gives her a way to do that, and to let her son be an adult. In other words, I'll have to go ahead and read the rest of the trilogy and hope it gets better. It's too late to turn back now.
Honestly, what's missing is the one person who can't make an encore appearance. No wonder it's so lackluster - all of the true mystery and the reason for everyone's existence is gone. The best character EVER leaves a gaping hole.
I am now more upset than ever that The High Lord ended the way it did. It could have had a way happier ending, everything resolved to some degree and - finished. Complete. I could have been so happy. Why? Why?
I WANT MY OLD BLACK MAGICIAN BACK!!!!
August 5, 2021
The Ambassador's Mission (Traitor Spy Trilogy, #1), Trudi Canavan
Twenty years after the Ichani Invasion the Guild has witnessed some major changes.
Talented children from all social ranks are now accepted into the Guild even though tensions arise between the various groups.
Upon learning the secrets of Black Magic the Rank of Black Magician was created.
However, there are some restrictions since the guild is afraid a Black Magician might abuse his or her power.
Sonea and the second Black Magician, Kallen, are thus supposed to control each other. Sonea now runs the Hospices which offer free healing to all (as seen at the end of "The High Lord").
Her son Lorkin has graduated and does not yet know what to do with his life. He is intrigued when reading Dannyl's records of old, forgotten magic.
Dannyl however wants to visit Sachaka as the Guild's Ambassador and so Lorkin decides to join him which brings tensions to the Guild, some of the members fearing that sending the son of the man who killed so many Sachakans may be seen as an insult. After long discussions Lorkin is allowed to leave with Dannyl. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز چهارم ماه آگوست سال 2020میلادی
عنوان: ماموریت سفیر کتاب نخست از سه گانه سفیر خائن؛ نویسنده: ترودی کاناوان؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان استرالیا - سده 21م
خانم «ترودی کاناوان (زادهٔ روز بیست و سوم ماه اکتبر سال 1969میلادی در ملبورن استرالیا)»، نویسنده ی سبکهای خیالپردازی هستند؛ نامداری ایشان بیش از همه، برای نگارش سهگانهٔ «جادوگر سیاه» است، که به بیشتر زبانها ترجمه شده است، «جادوگر سیاه» ایشان، بیش از یک میلیون نسخه تا کنون در سراسر جهان، به فروش رسیده است
بیست سال پس از تهاجم «ایچانی»، اتحادیه شاهد دگرگونیهایی بوده؛ کودکان توانا از همه ی رده های اجتماعی، اکنون در اتحادیه پذیرفته میشوند، حتی اگر تنش بین گروههای گوناگون ایجاد شود؛ برای کسانی که اسرار «جادوی سیاه» را بدانند، رتبه ای با عنوان «جادوگر سیاه» ایجاد شده؛ با اینحال، برخی نارسائیها هنوز هم وجود دارند، زیرا انجمن میترسد، که «جادوگر سیاه» از توانائیهایش، نادرست استفاده کند، برای همین «سونیا»، و دومین جادوگر سیاه «کالن»، قرار شده همدیگر را کنترل کنند؛ «سونیا» اکنون نوانخانه را اداره میکند، که شفای رایگان را، برای همگان ارائه میدهد؛ پسرش «لورکین» فارغ التحصیل شده، و هنوز نمیداند با زندگیش چه کند؛ او هنگام خوانش پرونده های «دانیل»، از جادوی کهن و فراموش شده بسیا�� شگفت زده گشته؛ در این بین «دانیل» میخواهد با عنوان «سفیر اتحادیه» از «ساچاکا» دیدار کند، و «لورکین» میخواهد به «دانیل» بپیوندد، این خواسته باعث ایجاد تنش در اتحادیه میشود، برخی از اعضا از این ترس دارند، که فرستادن پسر مردی که شماری از «ساچاکانی»ها را کشته، توهین تلقی شود؛ پس از گفتگوهای طولانی، «لورکین» اجازه مییابد با «دانیل» به «ساچاکا» برود؛ و ...؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Twenty years after the Ichani Invasion the Guild has witnessed some major changes.
Talented children from all social ranks are now accepted into the Guild even though tensions arise between the various groups.
Upon learning the secrets of Black Magic the Rank of Black Magician was created.
However, there are some restrictions since the guild is afraid a Black Magician might abuse his or her power.
Sonea and the second Black Magician, Kallen, are thus supposed to control each other. Sonea now runs the Hospices which offer free healing to all (as seen at the end of "The High Lord").
Her son Lorkin has graduated and does not yet know what to do with his life. He is intrigued when reading Dannyl's records of old, forgotten magic.
Dannyl however wants to visit Sachaka as the Guild's Ambassador and so Lorkin decides to join him which brings tensions to the Guild, some of the members fearing that sending the son of the man who killed so many Sachakans may be seen as an insult. After long discussions Lorkin is allowed to leave with Dannyl. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز چهارم ماه آگوست سال 2020میلادی
عنوان: ماموریت سفیر کتاب نخست از سه گانه سفیر خائن؛ نویسنده: ترودی کاناوان؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان استرالیا - سده 21م
خانم «ترودی کاناوان (زادهٔ روز بیست و سوم ماه اکتبر سال 1969میلادی در ملبورن استرالیا)»، نویسنده ی سبکهای خیالپردازی هستند؛ نامداری ایشان بیش از همه، برای نگارش سهگانهٔ «جادوگر سیاه» است، که به بیشتر زبانها ترجمه شده است، «جادوگر سیاه» ایشان، بیش از یک میلیون نسخه تا کنون در سراسر جهان، به فروش رسیده است
بیست سال پس از تهاجم «ایچانی»، اتحادیه شاهد دگرگونیهایی بوده؛ کودکان توانا از همه ی رده های اجتماعی، اکنون در اتحادیه پذیرفته میشوند، حتی اگر تنش بین گروههای گوناگون ایجاد شود؛ برای کسانی که اسرار «جادوی سیاه» را بدانند، رتبه ای با عنوان «جادوگر سیاه» ایجاد شده؛ با اینحال، برخی نارسائیها هنوز هم وجود دارند، زیرا انجمن میترسد، که «جادوگر سیاه» از توانائیهایش، نادرست استفاده کند، برای همین «سونیا»، و دومین جادوگر سیاه «کالن»، قرار شده همدیگر را کنترل کنند؛ «سونیا» اکنون نوانخانه را اداره میکند، که شفای رایگان را، برای همگان ارائه میدهد؛ پسرش «لورکین» فارغ التحصیل شده، و هنوز نمیداند با زندگیش چه کند؛ او هنگام خوانش پرونده های «دانیل»، از جادوی کهن و فراموش شده بسیا�� شگفت زده گشته؛ در این بین «دانیل» میخواهد با عنوان «سفیر اتحادیه» از «ساچاکا» دیدار کند، و «لورکین» میخواهد به «دانیل» بپیوندد، این خواسته باعث ایجاد تنش در اتحادیه میشود، برخی از اعضا از این ترس دارند، که فرستادن پسر مردی که شماری از «ساچاکانی»ها را کشته، توهین تلقی شود؛ پس از گفتگوهای طولانی، «لورکین» اجازه مییابد با «دانیل» به «ساچاکا» برود؛ و ...؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
August 6, 2016
Hmm..what can I say about this read. This book dragged and bored me several times during my read, but i soldier on. Mainly because I wanted to see what had become of some of my fave characters from the previous trilogy. The struggle to stay focus was brutal!! The one upside to my pain was that the last quarter of the book picked up and was well worth all the brain draining I incurred. I'll have to hold up a while before I continue this trilogy.
Actual Rating 2.5
Actual Rating 2.5
June 8, 2013
I hate writing poor reviews, but I was very disappointed by this book. The BMT shares joint first place in my top fantasy series, and I was so looking forward to this.
The characters are all flat and insipid - even those who were previously exciting and well fleshed-out; the constant references to the previous trilogy were irritating (I read that trilogy several times already and I read it again before I read this book, I don't need to be told every single thing that happened in it!); the quality of the language itself was poor as well, like it was written for a very young child.
All of the faults I found caused me to give up about two thirds of the way through, something I rarely do. I really wanted it to be good, because I know Canavan is capable wonderful, beautiful things - she is one of my great writing inspirations - so I'll wait for her next series. Perhaps this world is too 'lived in' now, so I'd like to see a book set in a different world; worldbuilding is something she really excels at.
The characters are all flat and insipid - even those who were previously exciting and well fleshed-out; the constant references to the previous trilogy were irritating (I read that trilogy several times already and I read it again before I read this book, I don't need to be told every single thing that happened in it!); the quality of the language itself was poor as well, like it was written for a very young child.
All of the faults I found caused me to give up about two thirds of the way through, something I rarely do. I really wanted it to be good, because I know Canavan is capable wonderful, beautiful things - she is one of my great writing inspirations - so I'll wait for her next series. Perhaps this world is too 'lived in' now, so I'd like to see a book set in a different world; worldbuilding is something she really excels at.
December 22, 2021
Kara Büyücü üçlemesini çok severek okuduğum için devam serisinin çıkmasını senelerdir bekliyordum. Ancak kitaba büyük bir hevesle başladığımda bir türlü adapte olamadım. Anladım ki benim gönlüm Akkarin ile birlikte 3.kitabın sonunda kalmış, okumaya devam etmek istemiyor 😕 Tabi bu isteksizliğe kitabın kurgusu da biraz sebep oldu. Çok ağır ilerliyor, heyecan, akıcılık pek yok. Insan nerde o eski Sonea ve Cery, kim bu sümsük kılıklılar diyor 😒 Elbette 2.kitap çıkınca alır okurum ama umarım daha akıcı bir kurgu ile karşılaşırım.
Gelelim Pegasus Yayınlarına. 480 sayfalık karton kapaklı bir kitaba 90 tl (indirimle 60 tl ki o da yüksek) gibi yüksek bir para ödeyince insan daha özenli bir basım bekliyor. Cümle içinde yanlış, eksik, fazla yazılan o kadar çok kelime vardı ki zaten durağan olan kitabı bir de kafamda cümlelerini düzelterek okumak eziyet oldu 🤬
Gelelim Pegasus Yayınlarına. 480 sayfalık karton kapaklı bir kitaba 90 tl (indirimle 60 tl ki o da yüksek) gibi yüksek bir para ödeyince insan daha özenli bir basım bekliyor. Cümle içinde yanlış, eksik, fazla yazılan o kadar çok kelime vardı ki zaten durağan olan kitabı bir de kafamda cümlelerini düzelterek okumak eziyet oldu 🤬
June 2, 2011
In reading terms, I think I owe Trudi Canavan quite a lot. I say that because the Black Magician trilogy was the first set of books that I read away from the truly mainstream series such as Harry Potter. From the Black Magician trilogy I went on to Age of Five, and from there my reading really took off. So I very much see Trudi Canavan as the first author that wasn't in some way pushed on to me by public perception (not that I resent Harry Potter for that, but the distinction is important). What's more, the Black Magician trilogy remains one of my favourite fantasy series, and as such it was with significant anticipation that I started to read the Ambassador's Mission, the first in the sequel trilogy to the Black Magician trilogy.
The Ambassador's Mission is set 20 years after the end of the Black Magician Trilogy. Sonea is a Black Magician within the Magician's Guild, but with black magic still illegal in the country, there is a further magician within the Guild who has been trained to the same level. Thankfully a lot of familiar faces return, with the likes of Dannyl, Rothen, Regin and Cery all playing significant parts in the new story. Of the new characters, the most notable is Lorkin, Sonea's son. The plot of the first book sees Dannyl and Sonea traveling to Sachaka in search of answers to questions surrounding the history of the Guild and Imardin in general. Back in the city itself, thieves are being murdered by a rogue magician, and Cery attempts to track the rogue down with the help of Skellin, the most powerful thief in the city.
The trademark characteristic of Canavan's writing is that she manages to write adult novels that are incredibly accessible to all ages, and the books set in this world have also had the added bonus of being suitable for a wide range of ages as well. I am happy to say that the Ambassador's Mission continues this trend, with interesting characters and easy flowing dialogue. It's the sort of book that you can become absorbed in and feel like you are involved in rather than simply observing from a distance.
The real joy of this book is seeing how the familiar characters have evolved in two decades, and in this regard the book certainly doesn't disappoint, but the new characters are worthy additions to the cast as well, and give the plot a sense of freshness. There is no element of repetition in terms of plot here; despite familiar characters, the book constantly feels like it is treading new ground and building on the story from the previous series.
The only criticism that can be aimed at this first book is that it is not quite as dynamic as other standout fantasy books. The magic system is simple and doesn't provide standout entertainment by itself, and whilst there are some good action sequences, set pieces and twists, the book feels a little lightweight overall. This is especially so when compared to the likes of the Black Prism, which is another first book in a trilogy that I read recently. However, it remains an accessible and enjoyable read in the classic Canavan style. It also sets things up in an intriguing fashion for the next book, so if you are a Canavan fan, this is essential reading.
The Ambassador's Mission is set 20 years after the end of the Black Magician Trilogy. Sonea is a Black Magician within the Magician's Guild, but with black magic still illegal in the country, there is a further magician within the Guild who has been trained to the same level. Thankfully a lot of familiar faces return, with the likes of Dannyl, Rothen, Regin and Cery all playing significant parts in the new story. Of the new characters, the most notable is Lorkin, Sonea's son. The plot of the first book sees Dannyl and Sonea traveling to Sachaka in search of answers to questions surrounding the history of the Guild and Imardin in general. Back in the city itself, thieves are being murdered by a rogue magician, and Cery attempts to track the rogue down with the help of Skellin, the most powerful thief in the city.
The trademark characteristic of Canavan's writing is that she manages to write adult novels that are incredibly accessible to all ages, and the books set in this world have also had the added bonus of being suitable for a wide range of ages as well. I am happy to say that the Ambassador's Mission continues this trend, with interesting characters and easy flowing dialogue. It's the sort of book that you can become absorbed in and feel like you are involved in rather than simply observing from a distance.
The real joy of this book is seeing how the familiar characters have evolved in two decades, and in this regard the book certainly doesn't disappoint, but the new characters are worthy additions to the cast as well, and give the plot a sense of freshness. There is no element of repetition in terms of plot here; despite familiar characters, the book constantly feels like it is treading new ground and building on the story from the previous series.
The only criticism that can be aimed at this first book is that it is not quite as dynamic as other standout fantasy books. The magic system is simple and doesn't provide standout entertainment by itself, and whilst there are some good action sequences, set pieces and twists, the book feels a little lightweight overall. This is especially so when compared to the likes of the Black Prism, which is another first book in a trilogy that I read recently. However, it remains an accessible and enjoyable read in the classic Canavan style. It also sets things up in an intriguing fashion for the next book, so if you are a Canavan fan, this is essential reading.
January 13, 2019
Auch dieses Buch von Trudi hat mir, trotz ihrer übertriebenen Liebe zum Detail und ihrem Drang, jeden Gedanken ausführlichst zu erklären, sehr gut gefallen.
Wie ich es von ihr kenne hat sie eine endlose Geschichte gesponnen bevor es endlich mal zur Sache ging😄 aber dafür bleiben jetzt um so mehr Fragen offen, die wir hoffentlich im nächsten Buch klären können, obwohl mich ja am meisten interessiert, ob es nun auch noch eine Liebesgeschichte geben wird oder nicht😇
Wie ich es von ihr kenne hat sie eine endlose Geschichte gesponnen bevor es endlich mal zur Sache ging😄 aber dafür bleiben jetzt um so mehr Fragen offen, die wir hoffentlich im nächsten Buch klären können, obwohl mich ja am meisten interessiert, ob es nun auch noch eine Liebesgeschichte geben wird oder nicht😇
March 24, 2012
A decade ago, when I read “The Magician’s Guild”, the first of the “Black Magician Trilogy”, I was filled with excitement. Young Sonea’s struggle with her new found powers, her attempts to understand and survive the upper-class world she was pushed into and the complex loyalties she had to navigate had immediate appeal and, although it was a long book, kept me eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next.
For me, “The Ambassador’s Mission”, the first volume in the “Traitor Spy” trilogy, has none of the magic I found in the “Magician’s Guild”.
It is well written. The ideas are thought through. The characters are as well drawn as in the previous books. Yet the book seems slow. It feels as if Trudi Canavan is thinking: “I have three thick volumes to tell this story, there’s no need to hurry.” Unfortunately, I was left thinking that, if they all go at this pace, I might never make it to the end of book two.
Perhaps it is that the Sonea is now older and more reflective, she has become part of the establishment, while Cery has become an old thief and the head of a family. Perhaps it is just the need to connect this book to the “Black Magician Trilogy” and its prequel, “The Magician’s Apprentice” but I found that I did not have the same passion for these characters and the challenges that they face.
In “The Magician’s Apprentice”, it mattered to me whether it would be Lord Rothen or the treacherous Lord Fergun who had power over Sonea. In “The Ambassador’s Mission” the death of the whole family of one of the characters barely created an emotional ripple.
As a generation-spanning, fantasy-saga, dealing with a complex world, this is still a book worth reading but set against the last trilogy, I found it disappointing.
For me, “The Ambassador’s Mission”, the first volume in the “Traitor Spy” trilogy, has none of the magic I found in the “Magician’s Guild”.
It is well written. The ideas are thought through. The characters are as well drawn as in the previous books. Yet the book seems slow. It feels as if Trudi Canavan is thinking: “I have three thick volumes to tell this story, there’s no need to hurry.” Unfortunately, I was left thinking that, if they all go at this pace, I might never make it to the end of book two.
Perhaps it is that the Sonea is now older and more reflective, she has become part of the establishment, while Cery has become an old thief and the head of a family. Perhaps it is just the need to connect this book to the “Black Magician Trilogy” and its prequel, “The Magician’s Apprentice” but I found that I did not have the same passion for these characters and the challenges that they face.
In “The Magician’s Apprentice”, it mattered to me whether it would be Lord Rothen or the treacherous Lord Fergun who had power over Sonea. In “The Ambassador’s Mission” the death of the whole family of one of the characters barely created an emotional ripple.
As a generation-spanning, fantasy-saga, dealing with a complex world, this is still a book worth reading but set against the last trilogy, I found it disappointing.
April 25, 2022
SPOILER FREE
It can happen so often that a writer returns with a sequel book or series to a previously complete fantasy story and then completely ruin it. Even bringing back a few familiar faces can’t fix it.
The Ambassador’s Mission didn’t need to fix anything. Even if she didn’t, it feels like Trudi Canavan knew where this story was going right from the beginning of the first trilogy.
There were a few unanswered questions at the end of The High Lord, which I had first believed to be for the reader to theorise about for the rest of their lives – instead we were treated to a few new answers and even more questions!
Trudi Canavan does mystery well
Throughout The Ambassador’s Mission, we are given small clues, our protagonist moves the story forwards in order to discover the answers only to find out that the questions weren’t quite the right ones, or that there’s an even bigger reveal that we first thought.
It makes for an exciting read and one that leaves you unable to put the book down!
Sonea’s son, Lorkin is our main protagonist in this trilogy
He’s so much like Sonea when it comes to his passion and drive, but having grown up in privileged, his outlook on life is subtly different to hers.
Lorkin is faced with the crimes of his father – a man he never knew – and this makes for an intriguing character-driven story arc, alongside the main plot.
This is a fantastic addition to the world Canavan realised in The Black Magician trilogy.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
It can happen so often that a writer returns with a sequel book or series to a previously complete fantasy story and then completely ruin it. Even bringing back a few familiar faces can’t fix it.
The Ambassador’s Mission didn’t need to fix anything. Even if she didn’t, it feels like Trudi Canavan knew where this story was going right from the beginning of the first trilogy.
There were a few unanswered questions at the end of The High Lord, which I had first believed to be for the reader to theorise about for the rest of their lives – instead we were treated to a few new answers and even more questions!
Trudi Canavan does mystery well
Throughout The Ambassador’s Mission, we are given small clues, our protagonist moves the story forwards in order to discover the answers only to find out that the questions weren’t quite the right ones, or that there’s an even bigger reveal that we first thought.
It makes for an exciting read and one that leaves you unable to put the book down!
Sonea’s son, Lorkin is our main protagonist in this trilogy
He’s so much like Sonea when it comes to his passion and drive, but having grown up in privileged, his outlook on life is subtly different to hers.
Lorkin is faced with the crimes of his father – a man he never knew – and this makes for an intriguing character-driven story arc, alongside the main plot.
This is a fantastic addition to the world Canavan realised in The Black Magician trilogy.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
January 12, 2011
The Ambassador's Mission is much better than The Magician's Apprentice, but no where near as entertaining as The Black Magician Trilogy. The plot can be summed up as follows: someone is killing thieves, and Lorkin goes for a long walk in Sachaka. The characters are no where near as dynamic and interesting as they were in The Black Magician Trilogy. Cery is old and worn out, Sonea is tepid and uninteresting. Lorkin isn't any more exciting than anyone else. If this book was written by anyone else I don't think I would have finished it, but Trudi Canavan has something that I like. It may be the large amount of dialogue, the magic, or the guild environment that kept me interested in this novel, but I'm not sure if I will be continuing. There isn't much reason to really. There are power gems that may be important, and some foreigners that are dangerous, but it's just not enough. There is no sense of urgency or danger, everything is just blah. If you are a fan of The Black Magician Trilogy give this a try to brush up on your favorite characters and revisit the world, but don't expect it to be as exciting as the original trilogy.
March 31, 2020
Endlich wieder in Kyralia verweilen, endlich wieder in Imardin Sonea begegnen.
Leider spielt Sonea hier nur eine Nebenrolle.
Es fiel mir anfangs auch schwer in die Geschichte zu finden, liegt die Lektüre der Trilogie "Die Gilde der schwarzen Magier" schon sehr lange zurück. (Wahrscheinlich wäre ein reread vorteilhafter gewesen)
Ich habe die Magier Trilogie mehr als geliebt und weiß, dass ich damals echt traurig war, als die letzte Seite gelesen war.
Leider kann "Die Saga von Sonea" an diesem Erfolg nicht so recht anknüpfen. Es gibt kaum Spannung in der neuen Geschichte. Mich hat eigentlich nur die Liebe zur ersten Trilogie am Lesen gehalten und am Ende der Cliffhanger mit der Aussicht darauf, dass es eventuell im zweiten Teil spannender wird.
Leider spielt Sonea hier nur eine Nebenrolle.
Es fiel mir anfangs auch schwer in die Geschichte zu finden, liegt die Lektüre der Trilogie "Die Gilde der schwarzen Magier" schon sehr lange zurück. (Wahrscheinlich wäre ein reread vorteilhafter gewesen)
Ich habe die Magier Trilogie mehr als geliebt und weiß, dass ich damals echt traurig war, als die letzte Seite gelesen war.
Leider kann "Die Saga von Sonea" an diesem Erfolg nicht so recht anknüpfen. Es gibt kaum Spannung in der neuen Geschichte. Mich hat eigentlich nur die Liebe zur ersten Trilogie am Lesen gehalten und am Ende der Cliffhanger mit der Aussicht darauf, dass es eventuell im zweiten Teil spannender wird.
November 1, 2023
Como con el resto de la autora, se trata de una lectura ligera que se lee con agrado e interés. Conocemos personajes y grupos nuevos, Vemos una Sonea y su amigo ladrón, ya adultos y con hijos. Se hacen algunos avances en la política del gremio de los magos (tampoco tan grandes), una amenaza nueva y se siguen las peripecias del hijo de Sonea que, ese sí, parece haberse metido en tremendo lío. Sin ser absorbente, me ha resultado una lectura divertida. Goodreads lectores (Autores)
May 13, 2013
I enjoyed reading the continuing story of Sonea and company, but this book had major problems. The first and foremost being that it started in the wrong place. The Ambassador's Mission dealt with two plotlines: the tale of the new Ambassador (Dannyl) and his assistant--Sonea's and Akkarin's son, Lorkin--to the neighboring country that caused all the problems in the first trilogy. The second plot is the insidious corruption at home, of an irresistable drug that turns people to mindless addicts in a single dose, and a rogue magician hunting Thieves. The book should have opened with Lorkin arriving in Sachaka. Then tedious arguements over whether or not he should go, the persuading of his mother, and viewing of his friends' dangerous habits could be dealt with in a couple of memories. Ditto with Dannyl's flagging relationship with his beloved. Cery's story should have started when he asked Sonea for help, again avoiding chapters of useless buildup that wasn't aided by our witnessing it since Cery didn't either. Basically, half the book was wasted in minutia. Once it got going, Cery's story was very a leads to b, without many surprises or real suspense; Lorkin's story was much more interesting but unfortunately he is not. He has none of his mother's fortitude or his father's passion and mystery, he's just sort of there: immature and obnoxious, a typical guy. This could change, I suppose. So all in all, I was disappointed but am still planning to read further.
June 5, 2017
Zwanzig Jahre sind seit den Ereignissen in der Trilogie „Die Gilde der Schwarzen Magier” vergangen. Auf Wunsch der Gilde hat Sonea nur einem einzigen Magier das Geheimnis der Schwarzen Magie offenbart. Doch sie ist nicht glücklich mit der Wahl, die die Gilde dafür getroffen hat. Kallen ist zwar ein ehrenhafter, aber auch ein harter und zu schnell urteilender Mann. Vielmehr sorgt Sonea sich allerdings um ihren Sohn. Lorkin hat gerade die Abschlussprüfung hinter sich gebracht und brennt jetzt darauf, sich zu beweisen. Daher begleitet er den Botschafter der Gilde nach Sachaka, wo den Magiern Kyralias immer noch unzählige Gefahren drohen. Und tatsächlich verschwindet Lorkin eines Tages ohne ein Wort der Erklärung. Sonea ist beunruhigt, doch sie kann sich nicht einmal an der Suche nach Lorkin beteiligen. Denn in Kyralias Unterwelt tobt ein Krieg, in den auch Magier verwickelt zu sein scheinen – und der alles, was in den Jahren des Friedens aufgebaut wurde, gefährdet ...
Ein schönes Wiedersehen mit Sonea, Cery und Rothen und Dannyl, wobei auch neue Charaktere eingeführt werden. Nicht ganz so stark wie die Vorgängerreihe hat es trotzdem Spaß gemacht, wieder in diese magische Welt einzutauchen.
Ein schönes Wiedersehen mit Sonea, Cery und Rothen und Dannyl, wobei auch neue Charaktere eingeführt werden. Nicht ganz so stark wie die Vorgängerreihe hat es trotzdem Spaß gemacht, wieder in diese magische Welt einzutauchen.
February 9, 2011
I am totaly devistated by the amaturish feel of the book... the characters were boring and not well thought out and Sonea's grudge against Regin after twenty years of probably staring him in the face and only now begins to soothe is just plain unrealistic; Trudi writes it as if they had never seen each other and only now lets their feeling out. There was now gripping plot and I struggled to get through the whole book. I fell in love with writing and reading when I read the Black Magician Trilogy... this was utterly a dreadful read and it saddens me to say that Trudi are no longer my favorite writer...
March 12, 2020
4/5 estrellas.
Tenía muchas ganas de empezar esta trilogía y no me ha defraudado . Aunque hubo algunas partes que se me hicieron algo pesadas por lo general me mantuvo enganchada y cada vez que empezaba a leer me costaba dejar la lectura. De momento la trilogía empieza bien y me hace tener más ganas de leer el segundo.
Tenía muchas ganas de empezar esta trilogía y no me ha defraudado . Aunque hubo algunas partes que se me hicieron algo pesadas por lo general me mantuvo enganchada y cada vez que empezaba a leer me costaba dejar la lectura. De momento la trilogía empieza bien y me hace tener más ganas de leer el segundo.
September 17, 2014
You can also read this review at Another World, (The Fantasy & Science Fiction Book Blog).
There is an adage which teaches us that, “you should never go back”. This saying is usually used in reference to romantic relationships, but perhaps it should also serve as a warning to authors wanting to revisit past glories. Though the temptation to do so is, of course, perfectly understandable. Returning to the scene of a previous triumph no doubt seems like the safe and easy path to take; but how often does it turn out not to be the case? Certainly, The Ambassador’s Mission, provides a perfect illustration as to the wisdom of the words, “you should never go back”.
I cannot fault author, Trudi Canavan, for believing a sequel trilogy to her most successful work would be a win-win proposition. The Black Magician Trilogy was well received by critics, and loved by many readers; earning her a legion of fans. A return to the Allied Lands, twenty years after the events of the previous trilogy, to revisit an adult Sonea in a new adventure, sounds like an exciting prospect. Though I had certain misgivings (which I’ll address later) about the book before I began reading, nothing could prepare me for the disappointment that awaited in this first instalment of The Traitor Spy Trilogy. I am not someone who is prone to indulging in hyperbole, but The Ambassador’s Mission is a failure in every conceivable way.
So what went so drastically wrong? Well let’s start with the most glaringly notable problem first. At no point during the book is the narrative in any way engaging; a criticism I never thought I would ever level at Canavan’s writing. Though actual boredom didn’t quite settle in, the story is so ponderous that extra effort was required to keep turning the pages; all in the vain hope that something of significance would happen. (But it didn’t.)
Perhaps some of the lack of engagement can be attributed to the plot; or should I say the plots? As there are two distinct, and apparently unconnected, plots running throughout; each one with its own sub-plots. This goes some way to explaining the lack of focus in the narrative, as Canavan tries to give both storylines equal time, hence the constant jumping back and forth between them. But the book would have been better served if the plot involving Sonea’s son Lorkin, was relegated to minor sub-plot status, if not completely excised from the story completely. Focussing on Sonea’s story; assisting Cery track down the rogue magician responsible for the assassinations of several leading figures among the criminal underground known as The Thieves, would have made for a more compelling read.
Much of my dissatisfaction with the narrative could have been mitigated to some extent, if I felt invested in any of the main characters, which brings me to the most disappointing aspect of the book; poor characterisation. This was very surprising because Canavan is usually so adept at creating such distinct and memorable characters for her stories. On this occasion, however, the exact opposite is the case. The newly introduced characters, who hadn’t featured in The Black Magician Trilogy, are so nondescript that (with the exception of Lorkin) I was never able to remember their names, let alone anything else of consequence about them.
Even the returning characters, whom I was already familiar with, were shadows of their former selves. In particular, I was less than impressed with the depiction of Sonea. You would assume that a character would have undergone a significant amount of development over a period of two decades, yet Sonea seems very much like the teenage girl that she was in the previous trilogy, not the forty year old mother of an adult son that she is supposed to be in this book.
I suspect that a lot of the problems present within this book are the result of the author’s decision to write a trilogy at all cost, even if the story she had in mind doesn’t warrant three books. It certainly seems as though the main culprit for the lack of any truly significant moments during the story, was the desire to save everything of interest for the third book. Which explains why The Ambassador’s Mission feels very much like an overly long prologue. And never in my life have I ever encountered such an abrupt ending to a book. Upon reaching the end of the final chapter, only to turn the page and be greeted by an epilogue, I was utterly convinced that my copy of the book must be missing at least a hundred pages. It actually took several minutes to accept that this was not the case.
It’s hard to believe that all these issues I had with the book, are in no way related to the one thing I had misgivings about before I began reading. With half the story taking place in the land of Sachaka, I was concerned that learning too much about its people and culture would have the effect of de-mystifying the Sachakans. After all, one of the main reasons why they seemed to represent such a threat in The Black Magician Trilogy was that so little was revealed about them; they were a mystery. While The Ambassador’s Mission does indeed de-mystify the Sachakan people, it proves not to be as detrimental as I had feared, given how flawed the rest of the book is.
In summation, book one of The Traitor Spy Trilogy is a very disappointing affair. For readers who are not pre-existing fans of Trudi Canavan, there is little here to warrant reading the rest of the trilogy. But she has earned enough good will from me that I shall finish reading the next two instalments. Although I am now beginning to wonder if Canavan will prove to be a one trick pony, if not an actual one hit wonder.
There is an adage which teaches us that, “you should never go back”. This saying is usually used in reference to romantic relationships, but perhaps it should also serve as a warning to authors wanting to revisit past glories. Though the temptation to do so is, of course, perfectly understandable. Returning to the scene of a previous triumph no doubt seems like the safe and easy path to take; but how often does it turn out not to be the case? Certainly, The Ambassador’s Mission, provides a perfect illustration as to the wisdom of the words, “you should never go back”.
I cannot fault author, Trudi Canavan, for believing a sequel trilogy to her most successful work would be a win-win proposition. The Black Magician Trilogy was well received by critics, and loved by many readers; earning her a legion of fans. A return to the Allied Lands, twenty years after the events of the previous trilogy, to revisit an adult Sonea in a new adventure, sounds like an exciting prospect. Though I had certain misgivings (which I’ll address later) about the book before I began reading, nothing could prepare me for the disappointment that awaited in this first instalment of The Traitor Spy Trilogy. I am not someone who is prone to indulging in hyperbole, but The Ambassador’s Mission is a failure in every conceivable way.
So what went so drastically wrong? Well let’s start with the most glaringly notable problem first. At no point during the book is the narrative in any way engaging; a criticism I never thought I would ever level at Canavan’s writing. Though actual boredom didn’t quite settle in, the story is so ponderous that extra effort was required to keep turning the pages; all in the vain hope that something of significance would happen. (But it didn’t.)
Perhaps some of the lack of engagement can be attributed to the plot; or should I say the plots? As there are two distinct, and apparently unconnected, plots running throughout; each one with its own sub-plots. This goes some way to explaining the lack of focus in the narrative, as Canavan tries to give both storylines equal time, hence the constant jumping back and forth between them. But the book would have been better served if the plot involving Sonea’s son Lorkin, was relegated to minor sub-plot status, if not completely excised from the story completely. Focussing on Sonea’s story; assisting Cery track down the rogue magician responsible for the assassinations of several leading figures among the criminal underground known as The Thieves, would have made for a more compelling read.
Much of my dissatisfaction with the narrative could have been mitigated to some extent, if I felt invested in any of the main characters, which brings me to the most disappointing aspect of the book; poor characterisation. This was very surprising because Canavan is usually so adept at creating such distinct and memorable characters for her stories. On this occasion, however, the exact opposite is the case. The newly introduced characters, who hadn’t featured in The Black Magician Trilogy, are so nondescript that (with the exception of Lorkin) I was never able to remember their names, let alone anything else of consequence about them.
Even the returning characters, whom I was already familiar with, were shadows of their former selves. In particular, I was less than impressed with the depiction of Sonea. You would assume that a character would have undergone a significant amount of development over a period of two decades, yet Sonea seems very much like the teenage girl that she was in the previous trilogy, not the forty year old mother of an adult son that she is supposed to be in this book.
I suspect that a lot of the problems present within this book are the result of the author’s decision to write a trilogy at all cost, even if the story she had in mind doesn’t warrant three books. It certainly seems as though the main culprit for the lack of any truly significant moments during the story, was the desire to save everything of interest for the third book. Which explains why The Ambassador’s Mission feels very much like an overly long prologue. And never in my life have I ever encountered such an abrupt ending to a book. Upon reaching the end of the final chapter, only to turn the page and be greeted by an epilogue, I was utterly convinced that my copy of the book must be missing at least a hundred pages. It actually took several minutes to accept that this was not the case.
It’s hard to believe that all these issues I had with the book, are in no way related to the one thing I had misgivings about before I began reading. With half the story taking place in the land of Sachaka, I was concerned that learning too much about its people and culture would have the effect of de-mystifying the Sachakans. After all, one of the main reasons why they seemed to represent such a threat in The Black Magician Trilogy was that so little was revealed about them; they were a mystery. While The Ambassador’s Mission does indeed de-mystify the Sachakan people, it proves not to be as detrimental as I had feared, given how flawed the rest of the book is.
In summation, book one of The Traitor Spy Trilogy is a very disappointing affair. For readers who are not pre-existing fans of Trudi Canavan, there is little here to warrant reading the rest of the trilogy. But she has earned enough good will from me that I shall finish reading the next two instalments. Although I am now beginning to wonder if Canavan will prove to be a one trick pony, if not an actual one hit wonder.
June 23, 2012
Ambassador's Mission is the first book in Trudi Canavan's Traitor Spy Trilogy, and it takes place about two decades after her previous trilogy, the Black Magician. A lot of the characters are carried over between the two series, but if you haven't read the first one (or you're just very forgetful, like me), it's fairly easy to establish who's who. The plot quickly splits in two, with Sonea becoming embroiled in uncovering a plot to kill the city's head thieves while her son gets into diplomatic intrigue in a neighboring country. There's a lot to like here. Canavan pulls off the dual plots rather well, and manages to transition her protagonist from the single young woman in the first series to a middle-aged (or close to) mother in this series without losing the core of what made Sonea an appealing character to begin with. On the downside, one of the plots takes a turn where the reader is all but screaming at the protagonists to stop being idiots. And, more importantly, it's hard to shake the feeling that very little has happened by the book's end. Rather than resolve any of the major issues, it's more like everyone's been moved into their places for the next book. It's understandable, given this is the first book in a trilogy, but a little disappointing.
February 3, 2019
Not bad, but the ending could have been more... suspenseful. It was very anticlimactic. But I suppose this is more like an introduction to the trilogy, so I'll be generous for the moment and wait until I finish the other books :)
edit: Future me liked the following two books and recommends reading them! It's more like one long story separated into three books, so the first one is indeed rather like an introduction. It get's more suspenseful, I promise! :D
edit: Future me liked the following two books and recommends reading them! It's more like one long story separated into three books, so the first one is indeed rather like an introduction. It get's more suspenseful, I promise! :D
February 5, 2020
Enjoyable but a bit slow to start with the pace picKing up further in. This trilogy is set 20 years after the last and, obviously, there was a lot to fill in, hence the laborious feel. But now the story is really set in motion I think the trilogy will only get stronger and I'm looking forward to carrying on with book 2. Only slight irritation- I was surprised by Sonea's somewhat wishy-washy character until nearly the end; I remember her as a lot stronger and more pro-active in the 1st trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2019
Vielleicht liegt es daran dass ich die erste Trilogie nicht gelesen habe, aber das Buch war so langweilig. Vielleicht fangen alle Bücher von Trudi Canavan so an, keine Ahnung. Ich habe es nach ca. 50 Seiten abgebrochen. Ich kann allerdings auch verstehen dass so viele dads Buch gut finden ... weil es definitiv High-Fantasy ist. Trotzdem war es leider nichts für mich.
March 3, 2021
Hmm...
Mam pewien problem z książkami tej autorki, albowiem końcówki są raczej nijakie. Muszę przestać się łudzić o coś bombowego. Ale liczę za to na coś niesamowitego w ostatniej części tej serii, tak jak to było z "Czarnym magiem", który złamał mi serce. I było to wybitne zakończenie. ❤️ Tak, uwielbiam płakać 🤣
Ale wracając do "Misji Ambasadora", mamy tu 4 perspektywy, z których tylko 2 mnie interesowały w 100%, a była to część Sonei oraz Lorkina. Cóż, niestety nie jestm fanką Cerego, jego rozdziały były raczej średnie. No i nasz Ambasador, u którego nic absolutnie się nie działo. 😔
Ale muszę przyznać, że książka mi się podobała, bo trzymała taki sam poziom od początku do końca. Dokładnie tak jak poprzednia trylogia. Muszę przyznać, że bardzo lubię ten świat. Jest bardzo dobrze przemyślany i przedstawiony, książki się bardzo przyjemnie czyta.
A teraz chciałabym przejść już konkretnie do fabuły.
Soneo moja droga, uwielbiam twój charakter i to, iż jako 40 latka zachowujesz się czasami jak uparty nastolatek. 🤣 Jednak jak tak można siedzieć na tyłku przez tyle lat i nie móc wyjść na miasto. Ehhh.. Jest ona super grzeczną dziewczynką, ale z drugiej strony jest najpotężniejszym magiem w tej cholernej gildi. Dobrze że złamała to prawo i troche narozrabiała, ten końcowy pościg był niezły, ale zbyt mało efektowny, jak na finał. 🙄 Wątek z Reginem to cuuudoo ❤️❤️ To MUSI skończyć się czymś głębszym 😎
No i tak samo na jej miejscu to z taką potężną magią znalazłabym jakąś kukłę, nadała jej ludzkie cechy i spierdzielała do Sachaki szukać syna. 🤣🤣 Ale wiem ona uwielbia uzdrawianie, a ja jestem fanką wojowników, więc w tej kwiesti się nie dogadamy.
Podoba mi się też wątek Lorkina. Chociaż czemu zawsze tu musi chodzić o jakąś kobietę. 😑 Zabujał się i teraz jest w stanie poświęcić całe swoje życie dla jakieś kobity. Oczywiście pozostanie w Azylu otwiera bardzo dużo ścieżek następnym częścią. Spodziewam się, że rozwalą one system i nie będę mogła się od nich oderwać. Zapewne szykuje się jakaś wojna i zastanawiam się po której stronie stanie Lorkin, czy sama Gildia. Może Zdrajcy będą chcieli obalić Sachakańskiego króla? Przeczytamy, zobaczymy.
Szybko jeszcze wspomnę o tych dwóch pozostałych wątkach. Cery jako sama postać nie przekonała mnie od samego początku. Chociaż no nie powiem smutno mi się zrobiło na wieść o jego rodzinie. Za to Anyi wydaje się ciekawą postacią i mam nadzieję, że będzie jej więcej w drugiej części. No i Dannyl, dlaczego on zawsze musi na swojej drodze spotykać gejów. Chociaż w sumie gość jest żądny przygód, więc niech się trochę zabawi. 😊 Choć uważałabym z tymi zbiegami przypadków.
Podsumowując książka mi się podobała, jednak oczekuję czegoś więcej i mam nadzieję, że tak jak to było w przypadku poprzednich części, im dalej tym lepiej. A Trudi Canavan dowiodła, że potrafi rozlać krew ukochanych bohaterów. 💔💔
3,5 ⭐ / 5 ⭐
Mam pewien problem z książkami tej autorki, albowiem końcówki są raczej nijakie. Muszę przestać się łudzić o coś bombowego. Ale liczę za to na coś niesamowitego w ostatniej części tej serii, tak jak to było z "Czarnym magiem", który złamał mi serce. I było to wybitne zakończenie. ❤️ Tak, uwielbiam płakać 🤣
Ale wracając do "Misji Ambasadora", mamy tu 4 perspektywy, z których tylko 2 mnie interesowały w 100%, a była to część Sonei oraz Lorkina. Cóż, niestety nie jestm fanką Cerego, jego rozdziały były raczej średnie. No i nasz Ambasador, u którego nic absolutnie się nie działo. 😔
Ale muszę przyznać, że książka mi się podobała, bo trzymała taki sam poziom od początku do końca. Dokładnie tak jak poprzednia trylogia. Muszę przyznać, że bardzo lubię ten świat. Jest bardzo dobrze przemyślany i przedstawiony, książki się bardzo przyjemnie czyta.
A teraz chciałabym przejść już konkretnie do fabuły.
Soneo moja droga, uwielbiam twój charakter i to, iż jako 40 latka zachowujesz się czasami jak uparty nastolatek. 🤣 Jednak jak tak można siedzieć na tyłku przez tyle lat i nie móc wyjść na miasto. Ehhh.. Jest ona super grzeczną dziewczynką, ale z drugiej strony jest najpotężniejszym magiem w tej cholernej gildi. Dobrze że złamała to prawo i troche narozrabiała, ten końcowy pościg był niezły, ale zbyt mało efektowny, jak na finał. 🙄 Wątek z Reginem to cuuudoo ❤️❤️ To MUSI skończyć się czymś głębszym 😎
No i tak samo na jej miejscu to z taką potężną magią znalazłabym jakąś kukłę, nadała jej ludzkie cechy i spierdzielała do Sachaki szukać syna. 🤣🤣 Ale wiem ona uwielbia uzdrawianie, a ja jestem fanką wojowników, więc w tej kwiesti się nie dogadamy.
Podoba mi się też wątek Lorkina. Chociaż czemu zawsze tu musi chodzić o jakąś kobietę. 😑 Zabujał się i teraz jest w stanie poświęcić całe swoje życie dla jakieś kobity. Oczywiście pozostanie w Azylu otwiera bardzo dużo ścieżek następnym częścią. Spodziewam się, że rozwalą one system i nie będę mogła się od nich oderwać. Zapewne szykuje się jakaś wojna i zastanawiam się po której stronie stanie Lorkin, czy sama Gildia. Może Zdrajcy będą chcieli obalić Sachakańskiego króla? Przeczytamy, zobaczymy.
Szybko jeszcze wspomnę o tych dwóch pozostałych wątkach. Cery jako sama postać nie przekonała mnie od samego początku. Chociaż no nie powiem smutno mi się zrobiło na wieść o jego rodzinie. Za to Anyi wydaje się ciekawą postacią i mam nadzieję, że będzie jej więcej w drugiej części. No i Dannyl, dlaczego on zawsze musi na swojej drodze spotykać gejów. Chociaż w sumie gość jest żądny przygód, więc niech się trochę zabawi. 😊 Choć uważałabym z tymi zbiegami przypadków.
Podsumowując książka mi się podobała, jednak oczekuję czegoś więcej i mam nadzieję, że tak jak to było w przypadku poprzednich części, im dalej tym lepiej. A Trudi Canavan dowiodła, że potrafi rozlać krew ukochanych bohaterów. 💔💔
3,5 ⭐ / 5 ⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
I overall enjoyed this one, but I think I would have prefered for this series to center around new characters (still in the same world) rather than charcaters from the Black Magician Trilogy.
We still need to be kind of reintroduced to them since 20 years have passed since the end of the first trilogy. However, I feel like a lot of the first trilogy is refered to and it is assumed everyone has read the first trilogy, which is fine, but that also results in a little bit of a lack in worldbuilding.
As a result, I mainly enjoyed the Lorkin parts as he's a new character and we get to explore a new setting.
I found the story to go in directions I wasn't (fully) expecting, however, I also found the ending quite anticlimatic, but obviously there are two more books to come, so hopefully the final ending won't disappoint.
I am quite conflicted about the loyalties of one character so that will definitely keep me intrigued for the following book(s).
FInal complaint: the internal monologue is so cringy. COuld've done without those ;-)
We still need to be kind of reintroduced to them since 20 years have passed since the end of the first trilogy. However, I feel like a lot of the first trilogy is refered to and it is assumed everyone has read the first trilogy, which is fine, but that also results in a little bit of a lack in worldbuilding.
As a result, I mainly enjoyed the Lorkin parts as he's a new character and we get to explore a new setting.
I found the story to go in directions I wasn't (fully) expecting, however, I also found the ending quite anticlimatic, but obviously there are two more books to come, so hopefully the final ending won't disappoint.
I am quite conflicted about the loyalties of one character so that will definitely keep me intrigued for the following book(s).
FInal complaint: the internal monologue is so cringy. COuld've done without those ;-)
October 13, 2022
Ending left you with questions, but not a cliffhanger which was a nice change
July 15, 2020
Das Cover ist schön geheimnisvoll und hat mich einfach sofort angesprochen.
Ich hab schon viel Gutes von Trudis Bücher gehört und wollte mich nun auch an eins wagen.
Ich habe Sonea gelesen ohne die vorherigen Bücher zu kennen, die Reihe kann man auch unabhängig voneinander lesen.
Doch ich denke es macht fast mehr Sinn mit ihrer ersten Reihe zu beginnen.
Ich habe etwas Zeit beim Einstieg benötigt, ich mochte die Welt auf Anhieb nur war konnte ich die einzelnen Charaktere oder Geschehnisse nicht gleich zuordnen.
Nachdem ich durchgestiegen bin hat das Buch einfach so viel Spaß gemacht.
Die Magie ist allgegenwärtig und wirklich großartig.
Ich mag die Magier sowie auch die Diebe.
Sonea ist ein toller, starker Charakter und auch ihr Freund der Dieb ist wirklich fesselnd.
Mit Vorwissen wäre die Reihe bestimmt einfach unglaublich und hätte auch 5 Sterne bekommen.
Die Welt steht kurz vor einem Wandel und dieser ist nahe zu greifbar beschrieben.
Man fällt total in die Umgebung und will dort einfach verweilen.
Eine fesselnde, magische Fantasygeschichte mit spannenden, vielseitigen Charakteren.
Ich hab schon viel Gutes von Trudis Bücher gehört und wollte mich nun auch an eins wagen.
Ich habe Sonea gelesen ohne die vorherigen Bücher zu kennen, die Reihe kann man auch unabhängig voneinander lesen.
Doch ich denke es macht fast mehr Sinn mit ihrer ersten Reihe zu beginnen.
Ich habe etwas Zeit beim Einstieg benötigt, ich mochte die Welt auf Anhieb nur war konnte ich die einzelnen Charaktere oder Geschehnisse nicht gleich zuordnen.
Nachdem ich durchgestiegen bin hat das Buch einfach so viel Spaß gemacht.
Die Magie ist allgegenwärtig und wirklich großartig.
Ich mag die Magier sowie auch die Diebe.
Sonea ist ein toller, starker Charakter und auch ihr Freund der Dieb ist wirklich fesselnd.
Mit Vorwissen wäre die Reihe bestimmt einfach unglaublich und hätte auch 5 Sterne bekommen.
Die Welt steht kurz vor einem Wandel und dieser ist nahe zu greifbar beschrieben.
Man fällt total in die Umgebung und will dort einfach verweilen.
Eine fesselnde, magische Fantasygeschichte mit spannenden, vielseitigen Charakteren.
December 30, 2010
http://www.rantingdragon.com/the-amba...
Trudi Canavan is an Australian author best known for her Black Magician trilogy starring Sonea, a slum child hunted for using magic reserved for the higher classes. The Traitor Spy Trilogy is set 20 years later with Sonea as one of two Black Magicians in the Magicians Guild and is limited to Guild grounds and the Hospices that offer free healing throughout the city. When the Magicians Guild is opens to all magic-users, tensions arise because of old prejudices between the classes. Meanwhile a drug that is so addictive that it can’t seem to be healed away even from Magicians whose bodies normally fight any kind of disease.
Without reading previous novels Canavan drops enough of the history that you won’t feel lost or confused at any point in the novel.
Assassins in the Night
Lorkin, Sonea’s son, has graduated and is unsure of what he wants to do with his talents. An opportunity comes up to travel as an assistant with Ambassador Dannyl to Sachaka, a land where those who are Magicians are only Black Magicians and the culture is strongly tied to slavery unlike his homeland. Lorkin wants to research the history of magic in order to find something that will help Kyralia, during which he wakes up to an assassination attempt and flees with the slave that saves him.
Murder Most Foul
Cery is a Thief from the previous novels who now has a wife, two sons and an estranged daughter. He attends a meeting with the new head of the Thieves Guild, a man he doesn’t know much about except that his name is Skellin, who asks him to find the notorious Thief Hunter who has been killing off Thieves. When he returns home he discovers his family has been murdered and he suspects it’s the Thief Hunter who may be a magician. He enlists the help of a former friend, Sonea, and together they try to find the Thief Hunter.
Flat-lining
While I feel like the novel was solid, it felt a bit average. It was neither bad nor was it really good. The worldbuilding was strong and I’d like to see more of the world. I found the hunt for the Thief Hunter to be engaging and the mystery of it was the best part of the novel. Cery and his companions were the most interesting and fleshed out, on the other hand, Lorkin’s escape lacked suspense and his romance with his fellow escapee lacked substance. He seemed to fall in love with the woman for no real reason and she with him. It may have felt differently if I’d read the previous trilogy but I felt Sonea’s characterization was weak as if the author relied on the previous novels to supply most of her characterization. She always seemed to be reacting to the circumstances she was in rather than taking charge. Overall The Ambassador’s Mission was a fun, light read that felt like a set-up for later events in the story.
Sequal-ity
The book has a strong ending that brings some closure in the Thief Hunter being discovered, but also creates questions that make me interested in the sequel. The “end” of Lorkin’s storyline also had a strong resolution, but his future, both with the romantic interest and with The Traitors is unclear. It definitely creates more interest in the sequel and is one of the best parts of the book. I think the next book is going to be even better because it doesn’t suffer from being the first novel in the series with all of the set-up.
Why you should read this book?
If you’re looking for a traditional light fantasy I think you’ll enjoy The Ambassador’s Mission. Beginner fantasy readers or readers who’ve read The Black Magician trilogy will also enjoy the book. If you’re looking for something different or deep though, I think you’ll be a bit bored.
Trudi Canavan is an Australian author best known for her Black Magician trilogy starring Sonea, a slum child hunted for using magic reserved for the higher classes. The Traitor Spy Trilogy is set 20 years later with Sonea as one of two Black Magicians in the Magicians Guild and is limited to Guild grounds and the Hospices that offer free healing throughout the city. When the Magicians Guild is opens to all magic-users, tensions arise because of old prejudices between the classes. Meanwhile a drug that is so addictive that it can’t seem to be healed away even from Magicians whose bodies normally fight any kind of disease.
Without reading previous novels Canavan drops enough of the history that you won’t feel lost or confused at any point in the novel.
Assassins in the Night
Lorkin, Sonea’s son, has graduated and is unsure of what he wants to do with his talents. An opportunity comes up to travel as an assistant with Ambassador Dannyl to Sachaka, a land where those who are Magicians are only Black Magicians and the culture is strongly tied to slavery unlike his homeland. Lorkin wants to research the history of magic in order to find something that will help Kyralia, during which he wakes up to an assassination attempt and flees with the slave that saves him.
Murder Most Foul
Cery is a Thief from the previous novels who now has a wife, two sons and an estranged daughter. He attends a meeting with the new head of the Thieves Guild, a man he doesn’t know much about except that his name is Skellin, who asks him to find the notorious Thief Hunter who has been killing off Thieves. When he returns home he discovers his family has been murdered and he suspects it’s the Thief Hunter who may be a magician. He enlists the help of a former friend, Sonea, and together they try to find the Thief Hunter.
Flat-lining
While I feel like the novel was solid, it felt a bit average. It was neither bad nor was it really good. The worldbuilding was strong and I’d like to see more of the world. I found the hunt for the Thief Hunter to be engaging and the mystery of it was the best part of the novel. Cery and his companions were the most interesting and fleshed out, on the other hand, Lorkin’s escape lacked suspense and his romance with his fellow escapee lacked substance. He seemed to fall in love with the woman for no real reason and she with him. It may have felt differently if I’d read the previous trilogy but I felt Sonea’s characterization was weak as if the author relied on the previous novels to supply most of her characterization. She always seemed to be reacting to the circumstances she was in rather than taking charge. Overall The Ambassador’s Mission was a fun, light read that felt like a set-up for later events in the story.
Sequal-ity
The book has a strong ending that brings some closure in the Thief Hunter being discovered, but also creates questions that make me interested in the sequel. The “end” of Lorkin’s storyline also had a strong resolution, but his future, both with the romantic interest and with The Traitors is unclear. It definitely creates more interest in the sequel and is one of the best parts of the book. I think the next book is going to be even better because it doesn’t suffer from being the first novel in the series with all of the set-up.
Why you should read this book?
If you’re looking for a traditional light fantasy I think you’ll enjoy The Ambassador’s Mission. Beginner fantasy readers or readers who’ve read The Black Magician trilogy will also enjoy the book. If you’re looking for something different or deep though, I think you’ll be a bit bored.
May 11, 2011
Quello che mi piace, dei romanzi della Canavan, è che, pur facendo parte di una saga, sono tutti più o meno autoconclusivi. Era così per i tre libri della Black Magician trilogy, ed è vero anche per questo primo capitolo della sua nuova trilogia.
Ciò, in un panorama che ormai impone come la norma le trilogie -o anche saghe più lunghe-, in un rincorrersi di "arrivederci alla prossima puntata, è un bene. Ogni tanto può far piacere leggere un libro, e al momento di svoltare l'ultima pagina, poter dire: bene, è finito. Non trovarsi interrotti nel bel mezzo della narrazione, con ancora la parte migliore a venire.
Oh, certo, non è completamente autoconclusivo, alla fine la Canavan ci apre a nuove prospettive, che andranno a svilupparsi nel prossimo libro, ma le trame aperte all'inizio del libro alla sua fine raggiungono una conclusione, piaccia essa o meno.
Trame che potremmo riassumere a due: Da una parte la caccia al Mago fuorilegge, il cacciatore, tra le stadie di Imardin, che vede protagonista Sonea; dall'altra tutta la parte ambientata a Sachaka, con il rapimento/fuga di Lorkin -il figlio di Sonea- ed il conseguente tentativo di salvarlo da parte di Dannly.
La Canavan sceglie quindi di seguire due strade, Con Sonea si rifugia nel porto sicuro dei vecchi, collaudati personaggi, che opera nell'altrettanto familiare capitale Kyraliana. Mentre Lorkin rappresenta la novità, sia perché è un personaggio effettivamente nuovo, sia perché le trame che lo coinvolgono si svolgono tutte a Sachaka, terra finora poco esplorata (se non nel prequel alla saga, dato alla stampe -in Italia- lo scorso anno, ma in misura marginale rispetto al qui presente tomo).
Devo dire di aver apprezzato maggiormente la parte con Lorkin protagonista. Non che Sonea sia divenuta un brutto personaggio, ma la sua avventura sapeva di già visto, quasi l'autrice avesse voluto inserire quella parte come un "porto sicuro" nel quale rifugiarsi nel caso Lorkin non fosse piaciuto...
In effetti, se invece di dedicare tanto spazio ai vecchi personaggi avesse dedicato quelle pagine ad approfondire la società Sachakana, sarebbe stato meglio.
Secondo me, infine, avrebbe dovuto curare meglio la caratterizzazione dei personaggi. A volte i loro comportamenti stridevano con quanto mostratoci di loro fino a quel momento.
Ad esempio Sonea, all'inizio sembra voler muovere mari e monti, per salvare suo figlio; per poi contraddirsi alla fine, quando accetta la decisione del figlio di rimanere con le sue "rapitrici" troppo facilmente, quasi con stanca rassegnazione. Non è da lei questo, e stride in maniera netta con tutto quanto ha fatto e detto in precedenza, riguardo suo figlio.
Ciò, in un panorama che ormai impone come la norma le trilogie -o anche saghe più lunghe-, in un rincorrersi di "arrivederci alla prossima puntata, è un bene. Ogni tanto può far piacere leggere un libro, e al momento di svoltare l'ultima pagina, poter dire: bene, è finito. Non trovarsi interrotti nel bel mezzo della narrazione, con ancora la parte migliore a venire.
Oh, certo, non è completamente autoconclusivo, alla fine la Canavan ci apre a nuove prospettive, che andranno a svilupparsi nel prossimo libro, ma le trame aperte all'inizio del libro alla sua fine raggiungono una conclusione, piaccia essa o meno.
Trame che potremmo riassumere a due: Da una parte la caccia al Mago fuorilegge, il cacciatore, tra le stadie di Imardin, che vede protagonista Sonea; dall'altra tutta la parte ambientata a Sachaka, con il rapimento/fuga di Lorkin -il figlio di Sonea- ed il conseguente tentativo di salvarlo da parte di Dannly.
La Canavan sceglie quindi di seguire due strade, Con Sonea si rifugia nel porto sicuro dei vecchi, collaudati personaggi, che opera nell'altrettanto familiare capitale Kyraliana. Mentre Lorkin rappresenta la novità, sia perché è un personaggio effettivamente nuovo, sia perché le trame che lo coinvolgono si svolgono tutte a Sachaka, terra finora poco esplorata (se non nel prequel alla saga, dato alla stampe -in Italia- lo scorso anno, ma in misura marginale rispetto al qui presente tomo).
Devo dire di aver apprezzato maggiormente la parte con Lorkin protagonista. Non che Sonea sia divenuta un brutto personaggio, ma la sua avventura sapeva di già visto, quasi l'autrice avesse voluto inserire quella parte come un "porto sicuro" nel quale rifugiarsi nel caso Lorkin non fosse piaciuto...
In effetti, se invece di dedicare tanto spazio ai vecchi personaggi avesse dedicato quelle pagine ad approfondire la società Sachakana, sarebbe stato meglio.
Secondo me, infine, avrebbe dovuto curare meglio la caratterizzazione dei personaggi. A volte i loro comportamenti stridevano con quanto mostratoci di loro fino a quel momento.
Ad esempio Sonea, all'inizio sembra voler muovere mari e monti, per salvare suo figlio; per poi contraddirsi alla fine, quando accetta la decisione del figlio di rimanere con le sue "rapitrici" troppo facilmente, quasi con stanca rassegnazione. Non è da lei questo, e stride in maniera netta con tutto quanto ha fatto e detto in precedenza, riguardo suo figlio.
April 7, 2015
That world Building!
This book was huge, like nearly 600 pages...and for 600 pages it was non-stop action!
I loved this world building, I loved the idea of it too.
what I wasn't a ginormous fan of is the large amount of POVs.
That may be more of a personal issue but usually when there are more than a three person POV, I just get tired, but I'll go more into that in a moment.
LET'S TALK PLOT!
In this land is where magicians rule in guilds but those who are practitioners of 'black' magic are feared and nearly chained to their rooms.
Where Thieves rule and kill one another.
Where a boy seeks to live up to his father's hero status.
There is plotting in the darkness of that land.
Cery is a thief who rules the North, his family was assassinated, and suddenly no one is able to live without looking over their shoulders.
A thief-hunter wants to destroy them all and has killed many.
who is it or what is it?
Cery seeks the aid of Black magician Sonea and the two find themselves in a lot more trouble than they originally anticipated.
Sonea's son wants to live up to his father's heroic status as the one who saved the land.
He promptly decides to become the Ambassador's assistant to a turbulent land but finds himself a murder target instead.
He is rescued by a girl.
He discovers a wild magic unlike any he has ever seen.
what more will he discover?
okay so as a Fantasy this one was pretty good. However, I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
It's extremely inventive and really ingenious, but the way it started made me feel like i was reading the second or third book rather than the first. I had to constantly remind myself what was what, therefore, the back of the book with the index page became my best friend.
The romance wasn't swoon- worthy to me. It's actually pretty minimal.
Not in the ways i usually liked but maybe that's because i didn't really feel invested in these characters.
Overall pretty good. The writing was good but I didn't have that Alice feeling of just falling into that world.
Have a go at it, you may enjoy it loads more than i did! :)
Stay awesome!
-The Book Herald
This book was huge, like nearly 600 pages...and for 600 pages it was non-stop action!
I loved this world building, I loved the idea of it too.
what I wasn't a ginormous fan of is the large amount of POVs.
That may be more of a personal issue but usually when there are more than a three person POV, I just get tired, but I'll go more into that in a moment.
LET'S TALK PLOT!
In this land is where magicians rule in guilds but those who are practitioners of 'black' magic are feared and nearly chained to their rooms.
Where Thieves rule and kill one another.
Where a boy seeks to live up to his father's hero status.
There is plotting in the darkness of that land.
Cery is a thief who rules the North, his family was assassinated, and suddenly no one is able to live without looking over their shoulders.
A thief-hunter wants to destroy them all and has killed many.
who is it or what is it?
Cery seeks the aid of Black magician Sonea and the two find themselves in a lot more trouble than they originally anticipated.
Sonea's son wants to live up to his father's heroic status as the one who saved the land.
He promptly decides to become the Ambassador's assistant to a turbulent land but finds himself a murder target instead.
He is rescued by a girl.
He discovers a wild magic unlike any he has ever seen.
what more will he discover?
okay so as a Fantasy this one was pretty good. However, I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
It's extremely inventive and really ingenious, but the way it started made me feel like i was reading the second or third book rather than the first. I had to constantly remind myself what was what, therefore, the back of the book with the index page became my best friend.
The romance wasn't swoon- worthy to me. It's actually pretty minimal.
Not in the ways i usually liked but maybe that's because i didn't really feel invested in these characters.
Overall pretty good. The writing was good but I didn't have that Alice feeling of just falling into that world.
Have a go at it, you may enjoy it loads more than i did! :)
Stay awesome!
-The Book Herald
January 23, 2011
I was surprised to find myself struggling though this book. I have read seven other of Trudi Canavan's books and got through most of them within two or three days. This time it took me over a week.
I think the two main problems are that I read The Magician's Apprentice before this one and that Canavan placed this story twenty years after the Black Magician Trilogy.
Due to the circumstance that I knew a lot of the historical aspects of the story world from TMA it was very unnerving and almost boring to have Lorkin and Dannyl slowly stumble upon bits and pieces of the same throughout the plot. It wouldn't have hurt the book to loose a good 100 pages in the beginning - that would have quickened the pace and given room to actual, new information.
The second, for me much bigger, problem was the time difference between The Black Magician Trilogy and The Ambassador's Mission. Before, most of the main characters were more or less my age - now they are suddenly twenty years older and they didn't exactly develop the way I would have liked them.
Sonea has grown timid and scared to do a misstep. I would have loved to see her explode and do what SHE thinks is right. She is still grieving over the loss of Akkarin and yet she lets the Guild decide to let Lorkin go without putting up fight. Where has all her fight gone?
Regin has turned nice. NICE? Hello?
And Cerry is old. Even he keeps pointing that out. Following a twenty-something around town chasing a murderer is fun and exciting - following a forty-something is just painful. It says a lot that still his plot arch was the one that I enjoyed the most.
Dannyl hasn't actually changed that much, it's just that his quest for more research is rather boring to the facts mentioned above.
And newcomer Lorkin, I don't see much of either of his parents in him. Canavan had to actually point it out to her readers. All in all he seems shallowly written and I can't follow his decision making process at all. His behaviour just seems irrational.
I can only hope that The Rogue is going to be MUCH better.
I think the two main problems are that I read The Magician's Apprentice before this one and that Canavan placed this story twenty years after the Black Magician Trilogy.
Due to the circumstance that I knew a lot of the historical aspects of the story world from TMA it was very unnerving and almost boring to have Lorkin and Dannyl slowly stumble upon bits and pieces of the same throughout the plot. It wouldn't have hurt the book to loose a good 100 pages in the beginning - that would have quickened the pace and given room to actual, new information.
The second, for me much bigger, problem was the time difference between The Black Magician Trilogy and The Ambassador's Mission. Before, most of the main characters were more or less my age - now they are suddenly twenty years older and they didn't exactly develop the way I would have liked them.
Sonea has grown timid and scared to do a misstep. I would have loved to see her explode and do what SHE thinks is right. She is still grieving over the loss of Akkarin and yet she lets the Guild decide to let Lorkin go without putting up fight. Where has all her fight gone?
Regin has turned nice. NICE? Hello?
And Cerry is old. Even he keeps pointing that out. Following a twenty-something around town chasing a murderer is fun and exciting - following a forty-something is just painful. It says a lot that still his plot arch was the one that I enjoyed the most.
Dannyl hasn't actually changed that much, it's just that his quest for more research is rather boring to the facts mentioned above.
And newcomer Lorkin, I don't see much of either of his parents in him. Canavan had to actually point it out to her readers. All in all he seems shallowly written and I can't follow his decision making process at all. His behaviour just seems irrational.
I can only hope that The Rogue is going to be MUCH better.
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