The Madness Season - C.S. Friedman Book Review

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Review Summaries

"For 300 years, the alien Tyr had ruled the Earth, imprisoning the true individualists, the geniuses, in dome colonies on poisonous worlds, forcing them to work on projects which the Try hoped would reveal all of humankinds secrets. But Daetrin's secret was one no one had ever uncovered. Taken into custody by the Tyr, he would have to confront the truth about himself at last -- and if he failed, all humans would pay the price. "
tal, Resident C.S. Friedman Scholar

"The protagonist is captured by an alien race that has conquered humanity. He is 'Different' than others, coming from a long lived race. The aliens, discovering this have placed him aboard a starship for transport to another world where he is to be studied. Our hero is in a constant struggle for survival and his need to hide the truth behind his origins. He finds another also like himself. These two start exploring their commonalities. He of Terran stock, She of totally alien make-up. While on the run from persuit they come to the conclusion that he is indeed of alien stock. But I can't give it all away. The more interesting bits will have to wait for you to read the book. MWAHAHAHAHA"
The Ranger, Resident C.S. Friedman Scholar

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Overall Review

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement
Repressive society story Yes
Repressive because: - strict rationing of freedoms/goods
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV: - fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens)
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - fighting a personal illness/handicap - search for identity/new understanding - coping with mental/magical powers
War or Invasion Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - scientist - scholar
Age: - long lived adults
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can change shapes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - healthy but a geeky weakling

Main Adversary
Identity: - An "It". - an entire race
Age: - long-lived adults
Has magical powers? Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a lot - throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - bulging muscles

Setting
Terrain - Planet surface, need spacesuit - Domed/Underground City
Spaceship setting: - alien spaceship - really, really giant spaceship/station
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society
Planet outside solar system? Yes
Takes place in spaceship? Yes

Style
Person? - rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - an average amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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