Animist — Eve Forward

Alex, a recent graduate of the College of Animism, is talented but naive in the ways of the world. He embarks on a quest to acquire his Anim: the animal with which he will bond for life; an animal with which he'll share an empathic link that will allow him to detect and resist the use of magic.

But his search takes him to the island of Miraposa where Alex finds himself in the middle of a war, first helping one side, then the other, doing his best to end it with as little bloodshed as possible. And in his way stands Chernan, at mage of vast power, who cares little for the lives he destroys. And if he wins, it means the destruction of an entire race.

Only young Alex stands in his way.