science fiction

Storyteller - Amy Thomson Book Review

Enter a review
of your own!
Other books by
author Amy Thomson

"Storyteller"
Message Board

Click here for free online dating advice!

Review Summary


Ace, Dec. 2003, 14.00, 384 pp.
ISBN 0441010946

The planet of Thalassa is mostly a water world with two million inhabitants spread out on numerous islands. The first person who lived on that world was the pilot who burned out on her last Jump and was stranded. Jumping is so addictive that the pilot wanted to die but the harsel (a sea creature similar to a whale) bonded with her and refused to let her pass away. Together they explored The Pilot's new world and when the colonists came, she was able to hide herself in plain sight.

Centuries later in a small village, the Guild storyteller Teller notices the street child Samad and informally adopts him. He learns to love her harsel Abeha, who encourages the closeness Teller feels for Samad for soon she will become a female and have her eggs fertilized. After she gives birth she will die and Abeha wants to make sure her human will not follow her by giving her someone else to love. The plan works better than anyone, especially Samad, expected.

This is a rich, in depth cultural look at a society that is not technologically advanced. Those humans that can bond with harsels form a communication web that allows an island society to stay in touch with another. It is gratifyng to watch Samad change from a frightened street kid to an adult who bears his losses and responsibilities with dignity and honor. STORYTELLER is a unique, amazing reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar


Detailed literary breakdown of Storyteller
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.

New movie search (click here) New book search (click here)
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? - science fiction story
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Animal Story Yes
Kind of animal - fish/flipper

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - champion of justice
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: - none

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society - humans in a contemporary society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Storyteller
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore
The Trouble with Cephae by Julien Glazer
Choice of the Cat by E.E. Knight
Beastmaster's Circus by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie
Watchers by Dean Koontz




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Try our new Star Wars & Star Trek puzzle pictures! Click here

Advertise with us
Feedback
Star Wars Revenge of the Sith plot spoilers
Hobbits
The politics game
The lawyer game

3 Movie search options!
1) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
2) Detailed movie search
(click here)
or

3) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion


Games:
Trivia Masters!

Rescue your favorite
scifi characters from
slavery!


Talk to your favorite
scifi characters!


Eating New Yorkers
Computer Game


Pomeranians

Most recent TV & Movie discussions:

A Boy and His Dog: A Boy and His Dog 7/17/2008 5:17:27 PM

Blade Runner: Blade Runner 7/16/2008 3:22:19 PM

Charmed: If Piper Halliwell gets pregnant, can Leo give her an abortion? 7/11/2008 11:16:14 AM

Charmed: What's wrong with Rose McGowan's chin? 7/8/2008 9:56:13 PM

Battlestar Galactica: What's with the ladders in Cylon base ships? 7/8/2008 5:43:06 PM

Star Wars: Why AT-AT's are retarded 7/8/2008 2:58:31 PM

Charmed: Is Piper really a Halliwell? 7/5/2008 11:48:59 AM

Doctor Who: Who was the best Doctor? 7/5/2008 4:23:13 AM

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 7/5/2008 2:40:59 AM

Doctor Who: Who was the best companion? 6/30/2008 7:37:52 AM


Newest slaves:
Willow (Alyson Hannigan) 2:29:58 AM
Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) 2:25:55 AM
Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) 2:08:17 AM
Hillary Rodham Clinton 1:56:07 AM
Luke Skywalker 1:51:55 AM
Heather Graham 1:48:55 AM
Michael Samuelle 1:47:10 AM
Nikita (Peta Wilson) 1:43:47 AM
Major Samantha Carter (Butchie) 1:39:08 AM
Prue Halliwell (Shannen Doherty) 1:36:26 AM
All slaves
(click here)


Celebrity interviews:
President George W. Bush 6:32:00 PM
Jan-Michael Vincent 2:16:51 PM
Captain Kathryn Janeway 3:47:46 PM
Jack ONeill (Richard Dean Anderson) 1:39:22 PM
Jennifer Aniston (Friends) 5:01:07 PM
All celebrities
(click here)