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Tor, Apr 2002, 27.95, 528 pp. ISBN: 0312874413 In 1899 Bridget Lederle tends the Sand Island, Wisconsin lighthouse when she rescues Kalami from Lake Superior. Kalami claims to be a sorcerer from Isavalta, home of Bridget's sire and a place that the lighthouse keeper has envisioned in her dreams. The foreigner also informs his host that his liege the Dowager Empress Medeoan Nacheradavosh sent him to bring her back to their kingdom. He eventually convinces the lonely Bridget to accompany him to his realm where he serves as the royal sorcerer. However, the Empress has bucked tradition by refusing to give the throne over to the true emperor, her ailing son and his new bride. Meanwhile Bridget learns about her mystical heritage as she starts using her magical abilities in a court filled with political and sorcery intrigues that threaten to engulf the lass. She must learn to follow her instincts in order to decide what is best for her new country, but depend on no one, as a heavy dose of paranoia would help. Though the names are difficult to read let alone pronounce unless you happen to be Russian, SORCERER'S TREASON is an exciting epic fantasy that young readers (and some of us geriatric boomers) will enjoy. Bridget is a wonderful heroine as she runs the gamut of emotions while threats abound everywhere she goes from dastardly villains who want her dead or be gone, but never cross a sexual line (hence targeted for the youth). Fans of action-packed fantasy starring a strong, courageous female will relish Sarah Zettel's first Isavalta tale. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - a powerful magician Political power play Yes Political plotlets - factions fight within govt for control Mental/magical powers focus Yes magical powers: - - clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy) Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Has magical/special powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main character: - fire/lightning/weather cntrl - mind reading - can see into the future - can cast many different spells How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - - Smarter than most other characters Physique - average physique Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Physique - average physique Setting Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth? Yes Style Person? - mostly 3rd Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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