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Tor, Apr 2004, 24.95, 300 pp.
ISBN: 0765303086
After spending time with Kiowa Bob's Wild West Show in locales like Wyoming, sharpshooting Samuel Lambert receives a job offer to work on the Agincourt Project at Glasscastle University in England. Though he is not entirely sure why a place of magical learning would invite an expert marksman, he jumps at the offer.
After six months at the college Samuel feels he can adapt to anything though his snooty roommate Fell gives him much cause to doubt himself but not as much as whenever he sees Jane Brailsford. Sister of one of the Project sponsors, Jane teaches math at Normandy's magical Greenlaw College. Strange things begin occurring with Fell seemingly in the middle that is when you can find him, but only Samuel and Jane seem to realize that weirdness is happening. Soon they learn that Fell shirks his duty as the Warden of the West, but vanishes before they can persuade him the world needs his powerful magic performing the tasks assigned a warden. Jane and Samuel realize trouble is brewing, but have no idea how to prevent it.
The sequel to A COLLEGE OF MAGICS is a fine fantasy that leaps to and fro London as magic goes astray. Samuel and Jane make a fine couple with her being the magic practitioner and him the swordsman (with bullets instead of blades). Though the ending lacks action when compared to the sword (make that bullets) and sorcery of much of the plot, readers will relish this enchanting tale and look forward to more magic starring the lead pair.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Caroline Stevermer 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 - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
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:
- Female
Profession/status:
- teacher
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
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:
- 19th century
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
