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Wednesday 27 April 2016

THE INQUISITION by Taran Matharu

More demons, epic battles, and fights to the death: introducing the unmissable next instalment in the Summoner Trilogy... 

 On trial for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must face the Inquisition who will decide his future - the process is gruelling, lead by those who will do anything to see him suffer and haunted by ghosts from the past with clues to Fletcher's tragic origins. 

But Fletcher has little time to dwell on these new revelations when the king announces a deadly challenge to the graduating students at Vocans. One that involves entering Orc territory to complete a risky mission. 

With loyal demons by their sides, commoners and nobles, dwarves and elves must overcome barriers of class and race and work together to triumph. The reward: a fortune in gold, the safety of an empire and PEACE. With the entire empire watching, Fletcher has much to prove, but there are those out to get him and it soon becomes clear that there's a traitor in their midst, trying to thwart the mission and create unrest within the Empire. 

With everything stacked against him, Fletcher must use everything in his power to fight his way to victory.


Last year I read an awesome fantasy book called The Novice. And this year, thanks to Hachette Australia, I got the chance to read the second book in this very entertaining trilogy. But first, isn't that cover gorgeous? 

A year has passed since Fletcher attended the Vocans Academy to become a battlemage. He's been imprisoned in his old town of Pelt and is awaiting trial for a crime he didn't commit. With only the company of his Salamander demon, Ignatius, and the books he's continually learning from, he's starting to wonder if he'll never leave his cramped cell.

When the time for his trial finally arrives, it becomes clear that the odds are stacked against him. The testimonies against him are damning and well rehearsed. Not to mention the Inquisitors are very keen to see him put to death. But when the surprising testimony of an old man, as well as a savage test reveal who Fletcher really is, his life is pardoned by an unlikely source.

Yet that doesn't mean he's free to enjoy life as a student back in Vocans, because he now faces a new challenge. A group of students are selected, split up into smaller groups and are sent off on a dangerous mission to rescue a noble and destroy the awful abominations the orcs are breeding. But that means trekking into the jungle, foreign territory that will make them targets.

With such a tight plan and so many people who still want him dead, how will Fletcher and his true allies make it out alive? And how will they be able to ease the mounting tension between the dwarves, elves and humans, while the whole world is watching?

Wow. This turned out to be just as captivating as the first book. And very different, which is always awesome. Not to mention that the danger levels are constantly getting higher, the twists and turns keep coming, and the revelations are so fulfilling.

This fantasy world is vivid, filled with lush places and amazing creatures. The characters cover a wide spectrum--some I absolutely adore, others I can't stand. There are many familiar faces and a few new ones, but they all add to the intrigue. This very well-written adventure not only explores a world on the edge of war, but also contains some very strong friendships and even stronger enemies.

BTW, I still want my own Salamander. Or maybe a gremlin, because I loved Blue! ;)

The Inquisition is an excellent, fast-paced, heart-stopping adventure that hardly gives you a chance to catch your breath. Just when you think things are slowing down: Pow! It picks up again and doesn't stop until you reach the amazing conclusion. An incredibly tense ending that perfectly sets the stage for what is sure to be an explosive finale.

After that final scene, I can't wait to see what happens next...


The Inquisition, May 2016, ISBN 9781444933260, Hodder Children's Books

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