Steven Barnes Resident Scholar Profiles TOP SCHOLAR: Julia Walter SCHOLARS:
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Review Summaries
"1,000 low- income pre-schoolers are given patterning, guidance, food supplements, and brainwashing based on the template of a Black Olympian born in Harlem, who is also a soldier, media giant and politician and a serial killer named Alexander Marcus. Patrick Emery is one of the now 13 year olds given this treatment without his knowledge. Then Marcus' evil followers invite 50 of the children to a summer camp in Arizona, because these children seem the most likely to follow their patterning and become killers. The bad guys who are planning to slaughter these kids don't know how very skilled these children are…"
Julia Walter, Resident Steven Barnes Scholar
"
Tor, Jul 2002, 24.95, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0312870043
The thousand plus minority children are worse than at risk with the probability of even one of them making it astronomical. Thus, the theory of copying the behavior patterns that led to the incredible success and wealth of Alexander Marcus seems a likely winner to overcome the ravages of their environment.
The sociology experiment works as the children copy the key traits of their mentor to include his ambition, focus, and determination. However, along with the so-called positive imprints, the group also learns how to use and hide Alexander's ruthlessness and even darker secrets. Now each member of this select thousand possesses the skill, ability, and inclination to turn into a serial killer.
The story line grabs the reader from the start because of Steven Barnes' uncanny talent to make each member of his cast appear different so that the world becomes relative when seen through the different characters. Psychological horror fans will have a field day with this powerful tale that reveals nothing until the final period is struck by an author that is at the head of the class in 2002.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Steven Barnes Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of 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%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Repressive society story
Yes
Repressive because:
- has game where people are hunted
Lifeform altered?
Yes
Kind of alteration:
- personality change
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
- champion of justice
Age:
- a kid
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- mind reading
- mind control
- is very quick
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- wealthy
- mastermind
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- mind reading
- mind control
- is very quick
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- obsessed
- mentally ill
- deluded
- emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- some scientific explanation
- an average amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
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