Plotwise, The Apprentices is as unputdownable as The Apothecary, and I am eager for the third installment. Overall, though, this wasn't quite as strong as The Apothecary. It felt like a bridge novel in which characters had to be set into place before the real action of Book 3. And while I understand why certain characters had to be separated from one another, I think the story is stronger when the characters are together. Cannibalistic islanders were stereotypical to say the least. And I was surprised that the major plot point at the end of the novel left me unmoved. But still a solid 4 stars from me. And a big hurrah for the continuation of the wonderful illustrations from Ian Schoenherr. The Apprentices by Mailey Meloy is a good book that carries on the first book, The Apothecary. The book has a great way of tying in the past characters (Janie, Benjamin, Pip) by coming from all over the world . The book quickly starts off in the adventure by having a huge cat and mouse chase. It gave me a great purpose to be excited for the end of the day so I can read. This book had many new characters who played interesting parts but Mailey decides to just drop them when they could've been kept in the book. Although this book has that one flaw the book was overall good. I liked the idea of the series and am sad that there is not another book I can read.
What do You think about The Apprentices (2013)?
I love these books. Cannot get my boys to read them for some reason, but I think they're terrific.
—Aafkee
I like "The Apothecary" better but "The Apprentices" was also very good!
—Amber
A little too much reference to the first book IMHO.
—misha
