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Tor, May 2003, 27.95, 608 pp.
ISBN: 0312878087
For nine centuries since the devastation of the Qirsi Wars, the Forelands have lived in peace. However, the murder of Lady Brienne of Kentigern allegedly by her lover Lord Tavis of Curgh has stirred up emotion especially when the prime suspect escapes his incarceration. While Tavis flees for his life, the Qirsi assassins who killed Brienne cause more havoc in the Forelands as their rumored leader the Weaver seeks domination through belligerence.
Meanwhile some Qirsi mages remain loyal to the current ministers they have served as advisors for years. Although their non-sorcerer leaders now fear and distrust them, this group attempts to stop the "Conspiracy" of their peers that if successful would turn the subservient class both sides belong to into the rulers of the Forelands. While civil war brews amidst the mages, Tavis plans revenge as his way of redemption, but fighting powerful enemy magicians seem doomed from the start.
The second book in “The Winds of the Forelands Tetralogy” is a straightforward fantasy that never loses its direction even while numerous subplots abound. The story line is as action packed as a sword and sorcery tale becomes without ignoring the cast. Tavis is a wonderful character struggling to control his ire boiled further by frustration to find any solid way to enact on his obsession to avenge and consequently redeem himself. Both sides of the Qirsi mages make sorcery seem so real so that fantasy fans will want to join this journey, but for greater delectation readers should try book one first though David B. Coe's insure that the SEEDS OF BETRAYAL can stand on its own.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident David B. Coe 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 - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
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
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
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
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional 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?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript