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Review Summaries
"Lavan Chitward or Firestorm as he's later to be callled in the novel is a reluctant hero that Lackey uses in yet another Valdemer story. The story begins with a lonesome Lavan being forced to move to the city of New Haven by his seemingly uncaring parents and being forced to attend a trade school where the older students torture and beat the younger students if they fail to follow orders and generally just for enjoyment. This continued abuse leads to the early awakening of Laven's Heraldic firestarting gift and as a conquence several of the bullys are killed including the ring leader and Laven is hospitalized for severe burns to his hands. This brings him into contact with his Companion Kalira and his future mentor, Herald Pol. Soon after this meeting he is settled in and he begins his Heraldic training. Even though the use of his gift is emotionally straining and he is unable to use it without the help of his Companion he begins to mature into a young Herald that is able to withstand the knowledge that Valdemar is at war with the border country of Karse and he might well be their only chance at victory."
Steven Vanzant, Resident Mercedes Lackey Scholar
"A boy named Laven(firestorm) moves into a busy city from a farm and is sent to school. There he is teased by the
older kids, as everyone is. They attack him and powers come to life in him: the power to create fire/burn anything.
The kingdom of Valdamar inlists his help and ability in defeating their enemy, the Karcites. "
Ravenfield k'Treva, Resident Mercedes Lackey Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- good magical powers being hunted by non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV:
- fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens)
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- search for identity/new understanding
- coping with mental/magical powers
War or Invasion
Yes
Major kinds of combat:
- sword fights
- mental powers battles
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 teen
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- fire/lightning/weather cntrl
Eccentric:
Yes
- emotionally unstable
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- An "It".
- an organization
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
- religious figure
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
- a lot
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- bulging muscles
- very athletic
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
- rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
- explicit references to torture
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book?
Yes
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- little dialog
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