L.E. Modesitt Jr. Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR: Randall Pursley
SCHOLARS: Artemis
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| Review Summary |
Kharl is a cooper who loses everything after preventing the rape of a neighbo'rs daughter by a prince. After obtaining a staff from an order mage who was also a victim of the prince, Kharl leaves his home and learns that he too has the makings of an order mage and learns how to use his powers to make a difference.
Randall Pursley, Resident Scholar
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Tor, April 2004, 27.95, 448 pp.
ISBN 0765309076
In the city of Brysta in the realm of Nordla, Kharl is contented with his work as a highly regarded cooper, loves his wife and two sons. When Kharl hears a cry he comes to the rescue of a neighbor's daughter who is being attacked by two men. He finds out that one of the attackers is nobleman Captain Egen of the City Guard. Egen considers Kharl an enemy so when a young woman is murdered, the captain arranges for Kharl to be arrested for the crime.
Testimony proves that Kharl couldn't have murdered anyone but his wife is convicted of the crime and he has to helplessly watch her execution. His sons flee because they know Egen is waiting to kill them. Kharl leaves the country and begins to realize that he has the powers of a mage. He learns how to harness that power which comes in handy when battling pirates or being involved in a civil war.
WELLSPRING OF CHAOS takes place in the Recluse universe but that country is hardly involved in the storyline so this is a book that can be read by people who haven't perused the other novels of L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (though they come highly recommended).. The protagonist is a hero in the true sense of the word because he does what is right no matter the personal cost and does not seek revenge for the crimes against him. Kharl grows into his powers slowly as an outgrowth of his profession so the audience believes that his mage power is real. The author once again writes a fantasy novel that is simply superb.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Detailed literary breakdown of Wellspring of Chaos |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
- blue collar worker
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can cast many different spells
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
- mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Water
- Forests
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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