The Apprentice Storyteller

When I first saw the intriguing cover of The Apprentice Storyteller, I had to read the book.

This beautifully written first book of the Wishmaster series is a blend of sci-fi and fantasy, and Astrid V.J. weaves an unusual tale of a travelling storyteller with a secret, namely Viola Alerion, and an eleven-year-old boy Jo, on the run from his own reality, who installs himself as her apprentice.

The ill-matched twosome embark on a perilous journey across wasted worlds, encounter scary meercats and a mythical beast, weave their magic and storytelling whilst hiding from the Imperial family, and escape by means of an interplanetary space ship.

Astrid has a wonderful, unique and rather dark imagination which expresses itself through the story and within the tales told by Viola and Jo. However, after the initial excitement of their journey, I found that as the story progressed the philosophy became a bit heavy and I found myself skipping bits to get back into the adventure.

I have questions which remain unanswered, for now – this is the first book so all is likely to be revealed in the books to follow, and I imagine great things for Jo and Viola. The ending of The Apprentice Storyteller wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for, but then Astrid’s epilogue did its magic and hooked me straight back in.

This eBook is available on Amazon and includes access to "Viola's Guide to Achieving the Impossible" a self-achievement workbook which is embedded as a link in a concealed place in the book. Don’t ask…I haven’t looked yet.

I’ve rated The Apprentice Storyteller four stars.

Review appears on Amazon UK and Goodreads