Irene Radford Resident Scholar Profiles TOP SCHOLAR: Harriet Klausner SCHOLARS:
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Review Summaries
"
Daw, April 2003, 24.95, 544 pp.
ISBN 0756400783
Griffin Kirkwood was supposed to be this generation's Pendragon but he turned his back on his magical heritage. His twin brother Donovan was too weak to pick up the mantle so the Pendragon skips a generation. Griffin's daughter Deidre and Donovan's son Hal journey to France with familiars to prevent the massacres that are imminent. While working the spell, Hal is captured by El Lobison and turned into a werewolf.
He escapes and keeps his distance from the family for many years while Deidre becomes a spy for Queen Elizabeth I. Time after time Deidre helps prevent the plots of Mary, Queen of Scots to oust Elizabeth. Mary eventually goes too far and forces Elizabeth to act. Knowing that if Mary is executed, Philip of Spain's armada will launch, Deidre begs Elizabeth to stay her hand. When her efforts fail, Deidre is willing to use powerful magic that may end up killing her to keep England safe but Hal refuses to see the love of his life die.
The Merlin's Descendants series uses magic to explain pivotal historical events that played a key role in the history of Great Britain. Although never formally invested with the title, Deidre is her generation's Pendragon because she puts England's need above her own, willing to give her life to see her country stay free. Hal is more of a tragic heroic figure who doesn't succumb to his werewolf nature and is a proper mate for Deidre even if they are first cousins. Irene Radford's latest novel is a magnificent fantasy epic using real historic events and people to make the story line seems believable.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Irene Radford 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 - 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Romance
Yes
Romance plotlets:
- destined love (dream or prediction)
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- factions fight within govt for control
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Animal Story
Yes
Kind of animal
- wolf
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can talk to animals
- mind reading
- can see into the future
- can cast many different spells
- can read emotions
- healing
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- general past
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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