Truthsayer's Apprentice

I had accidentally bought this book from the Science Fiction Book Club as it had a description under it for a book I had wanted to buy. I was a bit disappointed when I opened it up and saw it was a book by an author I had never read, but for some reason I did not return it. It sat on my bookshelf for months after that and one rainy day I finally found pity on it and opened it up. That very first day I read through about a third of it and stayed up till one in the morning eagerly devouring each successive page as the "movie" unfolded behind my eyes. I couldn't believe the treasure I had almost let go to waste. Christian created a world rich in elves, selkie (shape-shifting seals), Norsemen, and Saami (sort of what Native Americans were before they crossed over the land bridge into the Americas; they lived in the very northern areas of Norway, Sweden and Finland) and all the amazing runic magic and shape-shifting bears that goes along with that. Although we only get Dalin and maybe the Original Truthsayer (not sure on this) that are part of the Saami peoples, I find it amazing how she merged all these things into one fantastic book. (I could go on and on about this subject since I am currently trying to write a book about old Norse and Saami life, but I wouldn't want to bore you.) :) This book is now on my favorites list, books which I periodically go back to when I don't feel like getting into any new reading. Books that calm me and remind me why I love to read and write fantasy so much. So, from one writer to another, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I do hope you write further books in this series in the future. You have at least one person here who will be first in line to buy it. :) Oh, by the way. I bought this book years ago and its still my favorite. And I'm still waiting to see what happens to those elves. They still have other things they need to find and right now they're just sitting out there in the cosmos waiting for their next task. :p

I accidentally bought the Truthsayers Apprentice one day, I thought it was a new book by Deborah Chester, it wasn't till I got home that I relized I had picked up a book by an author I had never heard of. I hesitated about reading it, but eventually I just had to pick it up (I can't resist an interesting looking book). Well, it has turned out to be one of my favorite stories. It had adventure, excitement, and all the other stuff needed for a good book. Often authors make their characters unhuman like by making them perfect, other times authors make their character too full of mistakes to the extent that you no longer like or respect the character. Christian's characters are real in the sense they make human mistakes, but they always manage to redeam themselves in some way or another, making it possible to enjoy the story without hating the characters. My one complaint about the book was that it seemed to be part of a series, yet no where on the book did it say what series it was a part of. I suppose that I will have to search out more of Christian's books and hope I happen upon more in that series (if it does happen to be part of a series).

Two comments on suspending disbelief with this book -- First, very easy to do in the reading. The story line is complex, but not overly so. Characters sympathetic, plot meaningful. For those familiar with shamanic principles and earth magic, all of those elements make perfect sense. For those unfamiliar with same, a good opportunity to learn.Second, very difficult to do in that the author is my sister. Let it be a testament to the quality of this book that I read it as avidly as I have many of my favorite authors' and was constantly shaking my head that this is my sister's work. I begrudgingly give credit to she whom I fought with constantly as a youngster. Way to go, Sis!

Werebears and rune magic and viking-like peoples, a heroic quest and suspenseful villany. I thought it was great, with sympathetic hero (Dalin) and the elves he encounters very intriguing. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

With "The Truthsayer's Apprentice", Deborah Christian truly comes into her own. An enjoyable plot, a group of complex, believable characters, and a world of shape-shifters and avatars, what more could you ask for in a fantasy novel. One of the most enjoyable new books I've read since "The Baker's Boy". I can't wait for the next one in the series.