The Scent of Magic - Jay Seaborg Book Review

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Review Summary

This is the story of Rolf Hynasson, a country boy visiting the city. But the city is Ponticar, a "cesspool of power and corruption," and Rolf is no ordinary country bumpkin. He has powers of special sort -- he can smell magic. With the aid of a special mentor by the name of Dark, Rolf's unique gift allows him to quickly surpass the other wannabe magicians.

Rolf has the misfortune of making a powerful enemy, and is forced to escape from Ponticar with Dark and Elena, a poor but street-wise savvy young woman. During their forced flight, Rolf gets an education -- in magic from the inscrutable Dark; in love from Elena.

Against this backdrop, Seaborg deftly weaves a tale of politics and war that pits Ponticar's mayor and magicians against the mysterious Charians, who have magical powers that dwarf the Ponticars.

By juxtaposing the personal coming of age of a magician with warfare between governments, the author keeps the pace moving, the characters growing, and the fantasy world of Ponticar evolving. You can almost smell the magic.
Paul Petrucci, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of The Scent of Magic

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - a powerful magician
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can cast many different spells
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Eccentric: Yes - emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death

Most similar books to The Scent of Magic
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Sandry's Book - Circle of Magic 1 by Tamora Pierce
Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
What Do You Say To A Naked Elf? by Cheryl Sterling

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

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