Clara’s Verdict
The second book in a trilogy is the one that earns the author’s reputation – or quietly destroys it. Taran Matharu earns his here. The Inquisition, the second volume of The Summoner Trilogy, sidesteps the classic middle-book problem entirely by raising the stakes rather than stalling for time. Fletcher is back, under serious institutional threat, and the world of Vocans feels larger and more morally complicated than in The Novice. Matharu has built something unusual in YA fantasy: a series that takes its own mythology seriously, populates it with characters who develop meaningfully between books, and manages to be genuinely exciting without sacrificing depth or moral complexity.
Narrated by Dominic Thorburn across just over 10 hours, this is exactly the kind of audiobook that will keep a teenager’s earphones in all weekend. It will also satisfy the adult fantasy reader who enjoys rigorous world-building alongside their action.
About the Audiobook
Picking up a year after the events of The Novice, the novel opens with Fletcher on trial for a crime he did not commit. The tribunal is led by those who wish him ill, and the proceedings expose uncomfortable truths about Fletcher’s origins and his place in the rigid social hierarchy of this world. But Matharu does not linger in courtrooms for long: the king soon announces a deadly challenge for Vocans graduates involving a risky mission into Orc territory, and the novel shifts into the action-driven adventure mode that Matharu handles with considerable skill.
What distinguishes the series is the summoning magic system – specific, rule-bound, internally consistent, and genuinely inventive. Fletcher and his fellow students bond with demon companions who feel like characters in their own right rather than equipment. The novel also engages substantively with themes of class prejudice and racial inequality: the forced collaboration between nobles and commoners, elves and dwarves, carries real thematic weight rather than serving as mere background colour. There is a traitor in their midst, the tension escalates steadily through the central section, and the final act delivers fully on the setup’s promise. Matharu does not shortchange his readers at the end.
The Narration
Dominic Thorburn is a reliably strong narrator for adventure fantasy, and he serves Matharu’s world with evident commitment. He maintains clear vocal distinctions across an unusually large cast – commoners, nobles, dwarves, elves, demon companions, antagonists – without resorting to caricature. The pacing is confident: Thorburn pushes through the action sequences with genuine energy while allowing the quieter, character-building moments room to breathe. At 10 hours and 11 minutes, the listen is substantial enough to feel satisfying without requiring the kind of extended commitment that adult epic fantasy typically demands. If you are coming fresh to the series, start with The Novice first – Thorburn’s voicing will feel immediately familiar when you return for this second volume.
It is also worth noting that Matharu was notably young when he began this series, and the writing has a freshness and confidence that more experienced writers sometimes lose. The magic system’s internal logic – specific runes, summoning techniques, and the hierarchical relationship between summoner and demon – has been thought through with genuine care, and Thorburn’s narration conveys that world’s coherence throughout. The series occupies an interesting and valuable space between young adult and adult fantasy that allows it to be enjoyed across a considerable age range.
What Readers Say
Rated 4.6 out of 5, the reviews for The Inquisition are notably enthusiastic – a rare case where readers broadly agree that the sequel improves on the original. One UK reviewer described it as “one of the best book series I’ve read in a long time” and noted it avoids middle-book syndrome entirely. Another appreciated the “perfect balance of excitement, adrenaline, magic, curiosity and courage” alongside the book’s engagement with themes of cultural difference. International listeners are equally convinced: one US reviewer declared themselves “desperately hoping there are about 4 more books planned.” The summoning magic system in particular draws consistent admiration for its originality and internal consistency across both books in the series.
Who Should Listen?
Readers aged twelve and upwards who enjoyed the first volume will find this a natural and rewarding continuation that surpasses their expectations. The Inquisition also works well for adult fantasy fans who enjoy their YA fiction to have genuine complexity – the world-building here is on a par with much adult epic fantasy, and Matharu does not condescend to his younger readership. If you have not started the series, begin with The Novice first; if you have, you already know you need this one. Listen on Audible UK: get The Inquisition on Audible UK. The audiobook format suits the series particularly well: Thorburn’s command of the cast and world makes returning to Vocans feel like a genuine reunion. It is also available on Kobo and Scribd for listeners who prefer those platforms, and the full trilogy is worth your time from start to finish.
