science fiction

The Lute and the Liar - Rie Sheridan Book Review

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Review Summary


Novel Books, Sept 2002, 178 pp.
ISBN 1931696654

Once upon a time a princess fell in love with an apprentice bard although she never told him what was in her heart. Mordigan Bryre never knew that princess Allysian loved him for he was too involved with his music. He is only two weeks away from getting his journeyman's certificate when his path crosses that of the witch FreiFanya causing him to be late for his music lesson with the princess.

His master kicks him out of the guild house. Dian decides to follow through on the deal he made with the witch and journeys to the Azure City to ask the wizard Talthos to make a magic flute for him. The wizard agrees if he can persuade the griffin to part with some teeth and the unicorn to give him some hair from her tail. He accomplishes the feats but the wizard reneges on the bargain. Dian travels to another city and is unfairly tossed in jail next to the cell where the Princess Allysian is kept. Together they free themselves and journey back home where Dian is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

THE LUTE AND THE LIAR is a moving and beautiful fairy tale for adults. The hero goes from being a vain and cocky liar to a honorable and trustworthy man willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves. The princess is a feisty and strong willed young woman determined to get what she wants and doesn't let anyone in her way. Rie Sheridan is a refreshing new voice in the fantasy genre.

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar


Detailed literary breakdown of The Lute and the Liar
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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 - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
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 - an adult (general)
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying - magical artifact
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - musician
Age: - a teen
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

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? - significantly more dialog than descript
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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