Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Starman by Sara Douglass



Tor, May 2002, 27.95, 558 pp.
ISBN: 0312878885

Already bone weary from battle Axis SunSoar knows his destiny requires he fulfill Wolfstar's prophecy, but the Icarii patriarch's words are vague and it is hard to understand what must be done. Axis realizes he needs to fight WolfStar's malevolent half-brother, Gorgrael and sacrifice the evil one's lover. However who is this woman? Is it Axis' own wife, the niece of his enemy Gorgrael, a pregnant Azhure carrying sorcery killing twins? Or perhaps Axis' former lover Faraday is the intended victim? Or is some unknown other female?

At the same time Gorgrael creates deadly gryphons who have seemingly endless litters containing nine puppies and seem constantly pregnant or giving birth. At the rate they multiply, the world is endangered.

Battle is eminent between the forces of Axis and those of Gorgrael. Axis and Gorgrael, prepare for the epic confrontation in different ways.

STARMAN closes out the Wayfarer Redemption sub-trilogy with a solid epic fantasy but not quite on a par with THE WAYFARER REDEMPTION and ENCHANTER novels because the final confrontation seems too brief and Utopian. The story line for the most part is exciting and fast-paced as the forces of good and evil ready for war though mystical pregnancies abound in this plot playing with the hormones of strong individuals. Still fans of the series will relish Sara Douglass' latest tale and want to read the remaining Tencendor tales; for those who cannot wait for the American release, go to amazon.co.uk to obtain most if not all of the remaining novels not just this sub-trilogy.

Harriet Klausner


Plot
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission - destined love (dream or prediction) -
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow - factions fight within govt for control
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 - 50 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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