Steven Barnes Resident Scholar Profiles TOP SCHOLAR: Julia Walter SCHOLARS:
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Review Summaries
"
Warner, Feb 2002, 24.95, 461 pp.
ISBN: 0446526681
Depending on who you are the year is either 1279 or 1863. Bilalistan is divided between Aztecs mostly to the south, Zulus and Arabs in the heartland, and some Vikings to the Northeast off the ocean. The native residents fled west towards the other ocean. To work the land, ignorant barbarians taken from the continent due east toil as slaves.
The coexistence between the three prime powers is turning uglier. Caught in the midst of the inevitably of war are two young boys. Slave Aidan O'Dere was taken from his Erin home while Kai is the youngest son of slavemaster Wikil Abu Ali. Though Dar Kush Plantation is known for its lenient treatment of the barbaric whites, going as far as allowing their pagan beliefs of worshipping the Son of Mary, the slaves hide their anger and humiliation. Soon due to dangerous circumstances caused by the increasing tension between the superpowers, slave Aidan and master son Wikil, though “friends” on the estate, must learn to trust one another if they are to survive.
Using an incredible pivot point (Socrates fleeing Athens for Alexandria), Steven Barnes provides an amazing alternate history tale that never slows down yet makes the audience ponder events. The action packed story line contains a rich background that enables the reader to accept Mr. Barnes' premise and the occurrence of the subsequent events. LION'S BLOOD is a must read for sub-genre fans, but also historical fiction readers will want to do so too.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Steven Barnes 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 - 60% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- alternate history
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Repressive society story
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- slave
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
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an entire race
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- farmer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Setting
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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