Magic's Silken Snare - Elizabeth Gilligan Book Review

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Review Summary

Daw, April 2003, 6.99, 560 pp.
ISBN 0756401275

In the mid-eighteenth century, Tyrrhia is a haven for all races and religions including the Romani, who are vested in magic and control the silk trade. Luciana, the Duchessa di Drago, is a powerful mage who knows that her beloved sister died at court before official word came. She learns that a practitioner of the dark arts stole her sister's body and Alessandra's spirit knows no peace because it is used in evil spells.

Luciana needs to find her sister's body and release her spirit so it can pass on. To do so she must locate the wizard who killed her sister and take her revenge on him. When her husband, her one and only love, joins her at the court those who want to replace the present king and queen (Stefano's sister) drag them into regal intrigues, but the plotters are the reason Alessandra was murdered. By thwarting them, Luciana avenges sister and makes sure the Romani have a home. When Luciana tries to find her sister's body on the palace grounds, she faces an enemy she never expected to exist.

The imaginary country of Tyrrhia is situated where Sicily now exists only this kingdom is much larger and stronger than Sicily ever was. The romance of the estranged Duc and Duchessa is pivotal to the story line as the two star-crossed lovers try to find their way back to each other. The religious and racial tolerance that exists in Tyrrhia is another reason for many to want a strong Roman Catholic nation like France or Spain to annex the country. Elizabeth Gilligan has created a fascinating realm that readers will want to revisit in future novels.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of Magic's Silken Snare

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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 - 40%
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
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission
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

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - 20's-30's
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: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - 19th century
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

Most similar books to Magic's Silken Snare
Forgotten Truth by Dawn Cook
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The Wizard's Wife by Becky Gauger
Sable Moon by Nancy Springer
Aphrodite's Flame by Julie Kenner

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

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