Outcast in Pelt

Fletcher, a poor orphan in the remote village of Pelt, survives by hunting and working as a blacksmith's apprentice under Berdon, his gruff but caring foster father. He is an outsider, bullied by Didric, the privileged son of the local powerbroker, Caspar Cavell. The village is tense, caught between the threat of orcs, the politics of the Hominum Empire, and the looming war. Fletcher's isolation is deepened by his mysterious origins—abandoned as a baby, he has always wondered about his parentage and place in the world. His only solace is Berdon's quiet support and the skills he learns in the forge and the wild.

The Summoner's Gift

During a bustling market day, Fletcher meets a grizzled soldier, Rotherham, who sells him a strange, leather-bound book once owned by a battlemage. The Summoner's Book is filled with cryptic notes and summoning instructions, hinting at forbidden knowledge. Fletcher, literate and curious, is drawn to the book's secrets, despite warnings and the disdain of Didric and the villagers. The book's presence marks the beginning of Fletcher's journey into a world of magic, demons, and ancient power struggles.

Market Day Intrigues

The arrival of traders and Pinkerton lawmen brings tension to Pelt. Didric's bullying escalates, culminating in a public humiliation and theft of Fletcher's hard-earned kill. The market is a microcosm of the wider world: class divides, corruption, and the looming threat of war. Fletcher's sense of injustice grows, especially as he witnesses the exploitation of the poor by the powerful, and the casual cruelty of those in authority.

The Soldier's Tale

Rotherham regales the villagers with tales from the front lines—of orc shamans, summoners, and the brutal realities of war. He describes a battlemage's tragic end and the mysterious book he left behind. The crowd is skeptical, but Fletcher is captivated. Didric tries to discredit the soldier, but Fletcher's empathy and curiosity set him apart. The seeds of rebellion and ambition are sown as Fletcher realizes there is more to the world than Pelt's narrow confines.

The Forbidden Book

Alone, Fletcher pores over the summoner's book, deciphering its runes and rituals. Driven by a mix of desperation and hope, he attempts a forbidden summoning in the graveyard. To his shock, he succeeds, calling forth a rare Salamander demon, Ignatius. The bond is immediate and overwhelming, granting Fletcher a taste of power but also marking him as different—and in danger. The act sets off a chain of events that will force him to flee for his life.

Awakening the Demon

Fletcher's summoning does not go unnoticed. Didric and his cronies pursue him, intent on revenge and perhaps murder. In a tense confrontation in the graveyard, Ignatius's powers are unleashed, injuring Didric and allowing Fletcher to escape through ancient catacombs. Realizing he is now a fugitive, Fletcher seeks help from Berdon, who gives him supplies, a weapon, and a father's blessing. Fletcher flees Pelt, leaving behind the only home he has ever known.

Fugitives and Farewells

On the run, Fletcher survives in the wild, evading search parties and reflecting on his new reality. He is sustained by Berdon's gifts and the growing bond with Ignatius. The journey is perilous, marked by hunger, cold, and the ever-present threat of capture. Fletcher's sense of loss is profound, but so is his determination to make a new life. He heads south, toward the city of Corcillum, and the unknown.

Arrival in Corcillum

Corcillum is a bustling, diverse city, but prejudice and danger lurk beneath the surface. Fletcher encounters dwarves, faces attempted robbery, and is saved by Arcturus, a scarred officer and summoner. Arcturus recognizes Fletcher's potential and arranges for him to attend Vocans Academy, the legendary school for battlemages. Fletcher's journey from outcast to novice begins, but he quickly learns that the city's politics are as treacherous as Pelt's.

Dwarves and Prejudice

At Vocans, Fletcher befriends Othello, a pioneering dwarf cadet, and other commoners. The academy is a microcosm of the empire's divisions: nobles, commoners, dwarves, and, soon, an elven ambassador's daughter, Sylva. Prejudice is rampant, and the commoners are given weaker demons and fewer resources. Fletcher's empathy and sense of justice draw him to the marginalized, forging bonds that will be tested by rivalry and betrayal.

Vocans Academy Unveiled

Fletcher and his friends endure grueling lessons in spellcraft, demonology, and combat. The nobles, led by the arrogant twins Tarquin and Isadora Forsyth, look down on the commoners and plot to maintain their dominance. The teachers—Arcturus, Captain Lovett, and the sinister Inquisitor Rook—have their own agendas. Fletcher struggles with self-doubt, the limits of his power, and the mystery of his origins, but his ingenuity and determination set him apart.

Rivalries and Alliances

As the year progresses, alliances form and rivalries intensify. Fletcher, Othello, Sylva, and Seraph train in secret, determined to prove themselves in the upcoming tournament. Betrayals by former friends and the machinations of the Forsyths threaten to undermine them. Meanwhile, Fletcher uncovers hints of a dwarven conspiracy and the Forsyths' willingness to incite war for profit. The stakes are raised as personal and political conflicts intertwine.

Lessons in Power

Fletcher's struggles with spellcraft lead him to innovate, tattooing summoning glyphs on his hand to bypass traditional etching. He learns the value of fighting smart, not just hard, and the importance of alliances. The group faces prejudice, sabotage, and the ever-present threat of expulsion. The lessons of the academy are as much about character as they are about magic and combat.

The Dwarven Conspiracy

Fletcher and Sylva uncover a secret dwarven war council, where Othello argues against rebellion. The Forsyths, seeking to profit from chaos, attempt to incite violence and frame the dwarves. Fletcher, Sylva, and Othello narrowly avert disaster, exposing the Forsyths' duplicity and strengthening their own bonds. The episode cements Fletcher's loyalty to his friends and his commitment to justice.

Night of Betrayal

A night of violence and betrayal sees Fletcher and his friends fighting for their lives against Forsyth-hired thugs. They survive through courage, ingenuity, and the help of their demons. The experience hardens them, and they vow to train harder, determined to defeat the Forsyths in the tournament and secure a future for themselves and their peoples.

The Tournament Begins

The annual tournament pits commoners against nobles in a series of magical and martial challenges. Rook and the Forsyths manipulate the rules to favor the nobles, but Fletcher and his friends persevere. The challenges test their skill, creativity, and resolve. Fletcher's innovations—his tattooed glyphs and scrying eyeglass—give him an edge, but the cost is high, including the near-death of a friend's demon.

Trials of Strength

As the tournament progresses, Fletcher faces Malik, a skilled noble swordsman, and barely survives through cunning and grit. Othello sacrifices his own chance at victory to give Fletcher a better shot at the final. Sylva is gravely injured by the Forsyths' underhanded tactics. The cost of ambition and the pain of loss weigh heavily, but the group's unity and determination remain unbroken.

The Final Duel

In the climactic duel, Fletcher faces Tarquin Forsyth, the embodiment of noble arrogance and power. Using every trick he has learned—including his tattooed glyphs, scrying eyeglass, and the full power of his bond with Ignatius—Fletcher overcomes Tarquin in a spectacular display of magic and will. The victory is not just personal, but symbolic: a triumph of ingenuity, friendship, and justice over privilege and corruption.

Victory and Arrest

Fletcher, Othello, and their friends are celebrated, offered commissions, and recognized as pioneers for their peoples. But just as Fletcher is about to claim his hard-won future, Pinkertons and Inquisitor Rook arrive, arresting him for the attempted murder of Didric. The story ends on a cliffhanger, with Fletcher's fate uncertain, but his courage and the loyalty of his friends undiminished.

Characters

Fletcher Wulf

Fletcher is a resourceful, compassionate orphan whose sense of justice and empathy set him apart. Marked by abandonment and poverty, he is driven by a desire for belonging and fairness. His accidental summoning of Ignatius thrusts him into a world of magic and danger. Fletcher's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to harness his power, challenge prejudice, and forge deep bonds of friendship. His psychological arc is defined by resilience, ingenuity, and a growing sense of responsibility—not just for himself, but for the marginalized and oppressed.

Ignatius

Ignatius is more than a magical creature; he is Fletcher's confidant, protector, and emotional anchor. Their bond is deep and symbiotic, with Ignatius reflecting Fletcher's emotions and amplifying his strengths. Ignatius's rarity and power make Fletcher a target, but also symbolize his uniqueness and potential. The demon's memories and instincts provide Fletcher with insight into the ancient conflicts that shape their world.

Berdon

Berdon is the blacksmith who raises Fletcher with gruff affection and unwavering support. He embodies the virtues of hard work, loyalty, and quiet strength. Berdon's willingness to sacrifice for Fletcher, and his parting gifts, are pivotal in shaping Fletcher's identity and values. He represents the family Fletcher never had, and his influence endures throughout Fletcher's journey.

Othello Thorsager

Othello is the first dwarf cadet at Vocans, facing prejudice with dignity and resolve. His intelligence, loyalty, and sense of justice mirror Fletcher's own, and their friendship is a cornerstone of the story. Othello's internal struggle—between anger at injustice and hope for reconciliation—reflects the broader themes of the book. His willingness to sacrifice for his friends and his people marks him as a true leader.

Sylva Arkenia

Sylva is the daughter of an elven chieftain, sent to Vocans as a gesture of peace. She is proud, intelligent, and initially aloof, but her experiences forge empathy and humility. Sylva's journey is one of bridging worlds—between elves and humans, privilege and marginalization. Her alliance with Fletcher and Othello is both political and deeply personal, and her courage in the face of betrayal and violence is a testament to her strength.

Seraph Pasha

Seraph is ambitious, witty, and adaptable, navigating the treacherous social hierarchies of Vocans with charm and intelligence. His family's business ties to the dwarves and his own adept status position him as a bridge between worlds. Seraph's psychological arc is one of self-assertion and loyalty, as he chooses friendship and justice over personal advancement.

Tarquin and Isadora Forsyth

Tarquin and Isadora are the scions of the powerful Forsyth family, embodying the arrogance, entitlement, and ruthlessness of the nobility. Their rivalry with Fletcher and his friends is both personal and symbolic, representing the entrenched power structures of Hominum. Their willingness to incite war and betray allies for profit reveals the moral rot at the heart of the elite.

Inquisitor Rook

Rook is a manipulative, prejudiced figure who wields his power to maintain the status quo and suppress commoners and non-humans. His psychological makeup is defined by insecurity, resentment, and a need for control. Rook's machinations drive much of the conflict at Vocans, and his final act of arresting Fletcher is a testament to the dangers of unchecked authority.

Captain Lovett

Lovett is a rare example of a noble who values merit and innovation over tradition. Her encouragement of Fletcher's creativity and her own pioneering spirit make her a key influence. Her injury and subsequent paralysis are a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in the world of summoners, and her continued guidance through her demon, Valens, is a testament to her resilience.

Arcturus

Arcturus is a complex figure, marked by his own outsider status as a noble bastard. He recognizes Fletcher's potential and sponsors him at Vocans, offering guidance and hard-won wisdom. Arcturus's own struggles with identity, loyalty, and the burdens of leadership mirror Fletcher's journey. His advice to "fight smart" is a central lesson of the book.

Plot Devices

The Summoner's Book

The forbidden book is the key that unlocks Fletcher's potential and sets the plot in motion. It symbolizes forbidden knowledge, the dangers of curiosity, and the possibility of change. The book's secrets are both a blessing and a curse, drawing Fletcher into a world of power, prejudice, and peril.

Demon Summoning and Bonding

The act of summoning and bonding with a demon is both literal and symbolic. It represents the forging of identity, the struggle for control, and the potential for transformation. The rarity and nature of one's demon reflect social status, prejudice, and the possibility of transcending one's origins.

Social Hierarchy and Prejudice

The rigid class system—nobles, commoners, dwarves, elves—shapes every aspect of the story. Prejudice, privilege, and the struggle for equality are central themes, explored through the characters' relationships, the structure of Vocans, and the machinations of the Forsyths and Rook. The tournament is both a literal and symbolic battleground for these conflicts.

The Tournament

The tournament is the narrative's crucible, where personal and political conflicts converge. It tests not just magical and martial prowess, but ingenuity, resilience, and the strength of alliances. The manipulation of the rules by the Forsyths and Rook heightens the stakes, making victory a matter of justice as well as survival.

Foreshadowing and Flashbacks

Fletcher's flashbacks—memories from Ignatius and hints from the summoner's book—provide insight into the ancient conflicts that shape the present. These devices foreshadow the larger battles to come and hint at the cyclical nature of power, prejudice, and rebellion.

Analysis

The Novice is a rousing, fast-paced fantasy that uses the familiar tropes of the "chosen one" and magical academy to explore deeper themes of prejudice, power, and the struggle for justice. Taran Matharu crafts a world where social hierarchy is both explicit and insidious, and where the bonds of friendship and loyalty are the only antidote to corruption and cruelty. Fletcher's journey—from outcast to innovator, from hunted fugitive to champion—is a testament to the power of resilience, ingenuity, and empathy. The book's central lesson is that true strength lies not in privilege or birth, but in the courage to challenge injustice, the creativity to adapt, and the loyalty to stand by one's friends. In a world where the old order is crumbling and new alliances are possible, The Novice offers a hopeful vision: that the marginalized can rise, that innovation can disrupt entrenched power, and that the future belongs to those who dare to fight for it.

Last updated: May 4, 2025