Rune of the Apprentice

Readers who are Star Wars fans will find some very familiar elements in this listless epic fantasy series debut. A young man with hidden talents who must flee his home? Check. A villain who can shoot flames from his hands, and who tries to goad the protagonist into giving in to his anger? Check. Supporting characters, including a feisty aristocrat and a pirate/smuggler? Check. Aleksi, an apprentice at the Masters’ Academy, learns from his mentor, Rudra, that he holds the future of his world, Terra, in his hands. Rudra also warns Aleksi that he is the target of “dark assassins” who seek to either steal his rune or prevent it from saving Terra. The derivative plot elements and clunky prose (“The sound of his boot heels rang in the cavern of his heart”) overwhelm any interest in the story of Aleksi and his quest to master the power of the runes while evading death. (Nov.)