Od Magic by Patricia Mckillip

Not my favourite by her, but decent enough in it's own right. The story follows a guy who likes plants (as well as a wizard and a princess, three perspectives to tell the same story, from different angles) who is asked by the founder of a magic school to be a school gardener. He accepts and goes off, finding out that he has magical abilities himself.

Brenden, the guy, isn't the typical protagonist. He's extremely introverted and nearing the end of the novel he runs away from someone who is chasing him, which runs contrary to the usual heroes we get who 'face their fears' so to speak. And yet, though he is so timid, the author plays this off as almost a good thing. It isn't stated as such in the novel, but parallels are drawn and statements are made that commend this type of personality. We find out that Brendan is actually very powerful, and for no other reason than he takes the time to listen.

If looking at this book symbolically, magic can be associated with thought, or free will. The king keeps tight control over what magic is acceptable and what is not, and all magic must be used for the benefit of the kingdom or it is not allowed. Kind of like 1984, but not as intense.

I found the wrapping up of the story to be a bit rushed information- wise, it could have been fleshed out a bit more. But this author is one of the better ones I've come across and knows how to do what she does well, so while the information moves... quickly... the story itself is not rushed and there is a pleasant flow making the amount of information she gives acceptable from the readers perspective.

As I say, not my favourite by her, but worth the read never the less.