science fiction

The Dragonbone Chair - Tad Williams Book Review

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Review Summaries
"Shortly after the death of the great King John, his son Elias, whom many say is a pawn of the evil cleric Pryrates, takes the throne, shortly afterwhich the new king's brother mysteriously disappears. Against this political backdrop, Simon, a servant in the great castle called Hayholt, finds himself apprenticed to the good doctor Morgenes, and alternates his time between menial chores and learning reading and writing from Morgenes. When Simon accidentaly stumbles into the castle dungeons, he discovers that Crown Prince Josua, the brother of King Elias, is being kept there, so he and Morgenes rescue Josua, who flees the castle, but soon Elias' soldiers, led by Pryrates, storm Morgenes' office. Simon flees through a secret passage as Morgenes is killed by black magic. Simon travels through the woods, where he encounters the troll Binabik, who travels with him to Naglimund, where they meet Prince Josua, and the sorceror Jarnauga. They join a company of soldiers to go to the far north to recover a special blade. They are aided by the fairy-folk, the ancient Sithi, in their quest, during which they reach their destination and encounter a fierce black iceworm."
Steve Arthur, Resident Tad Williams Scholar

"A naive, young scullion boy, Seoman, is caught up in political intrigue between two royal brothers. He escapes from the castle where he lives only to discover more evil. Plans are underfoot to tear his world apart. Seoman has many adventures and strange encounters as he helps in the struggle to save the land from sinister powers building in the north."
Jess, Resident Tad Williams Scholar

"A young boy grows up as a kitchen scullion in a great castle. When the king dies, a personal feud between his two sons escalates to murder and betrayal. Young Simon witnesses these events and is forced to flee the castle on his own. During his flight he witnesses a possible evil, supernatural influence behind the feud and he discovers the fate of the younger prince, for whom the new King is searching..."
james carns, Resident Tad Williams 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 - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%




Tone of book - depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - overthrowing govt/kingdom
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - servant
Age: - a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - mind control
Eccentric: Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
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

Setting
Terrain - 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? - explicit references to deaths
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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