The Fathomless Caves - Kate Forsyth Book Review

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Review Summary

Roc, Nov 2002, 7.50, 400 pp.
ISBN 0451459024

The war with Tirsoilleir is over and its leader has sworn fealty to Lachlan Macquinn, the ruler of Eilenan. On May First on Beltane, the inhabitants are celebrating the pact of peace, a document ensuring that all of mankind and fairy abide by the terms of the treaty. During the merry making, the one race who didn't sign the pact infiltrates the castle and causes a bloodbath.

Lachlan swears vengeance on the sea-faery creatures, who need land and sea to live. The whole nation plans for war. Lachlan's wife Iseult travels to her father's people in the north to enlist their support for the upcoming battle and her twin sister the sorceress Isabeau councils Lachlan and gathers the forces of magic to use as a weapon against the enemy. When the battle finally takes place it's resolution takes place in the hearts of two men who see the folly of perpetrating a long held grievance.

Book Six of the Witches of Eileanan saga is every bit as good as it's predecessors. Readers will enjoy the harmonious relationships between human and fae as they work toward a common goal just as they will admire Isabeau who bears up to her many responsibilities admirably. The Fairgean, who are the antagonists of THE FATHOMLESS CAVES, are portrayed as a race who have legitimate reasons and grievance for going to war and come across as sympathetic figures. Kate Forsyth has written another rich and textured fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of The Fathomless Caves

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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 - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can change shapes - can talk to animals - can fly - can cast many different spells - can read emotions - healing
How sensitive is this character? - 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: - an entire race
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

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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