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Bantam, Oct 2003, 5.99, 424 pp.
ISBN 0553586272
In the country of Dabion, the Justices who make the laws and the Public Force militia rule the people. Certain colored jewelry and ornamentation are banned and anyone who has or uses magic is sentenced to death. Dabion has conquered its neighbors except for Sor'raia where magic is the norm and its borders are closed.
Elizith Kor is the most successful spy in the Secret Force due in part to her Sor'raian blood which allows her to enter and read people's mind. After a very difficult assignment Elizith wants to leave the espionage game but she knows too many secrets to be free of her masters. She rents a flat in Tod Redtanner's home and he becomes someone she trusts and cares about. Their relationship puts both of them in danger from an unknown enemy who wants nothing more than to see Elizith die a slow and painful death.
Over the course of CONFIDENCE GAME, the protagonist slowly reveals her history to Tod. This technique leads to readers feeling sorry for someone who felt nothing until she reaches a breaking point and suddenly feels everything. Michelle M. Welch's debut novel is a fine fantasy starring heroic characters endearing to the audience because they are scarred and don't even realize it. It is hoped that there will be a sequel to this book that explores the magical world of Sor'raia of which the author has given the audience only tantalizing glimpses.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Michelle M. Welch Scholar
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Overall Review
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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 - 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
Repressive society story
Yes
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- good magical powers being hunted by non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's a slave/repressed?
- discrim against people with mental powers
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- spy
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
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
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
