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| Review Summary |
Tor, Apr 2003, 27.95, 591 pp.
ISBN: 0312890451
Former Kazrak cavalry Captain Idres Warkannan and “high tech sorcerer” Yarl Soutan seek Jezro Khan, the exiled brother of the corrupt ruler of Kazrajistan, to lead a revolt to overthrow the worthless dangerous regime of his sibling. At about the same time, the fanatical Muslim sect The Chosen sends assassin Zayn Hassan to stop Jezro's rumored return.
To reach the isolated region where Jezro resides, the two enemy groups cross a grassy wilderness inhabited by the alien Cha'Meech and by human nomads. On his trek Zayn meets Ammadin, the Spirit Rider healer of a nomadic tribe. Not long afterward, he begins to wonder if his chosen profession and his current assignment are justified. Meanwhile the “magician” Soutan learns of the Hassan mission and his allies send out their assassins to kill their competitor. Soon the Cha'Meech encounter Ammadin, the first step towards the quartet of rivals confronting one another, but where this global conflict will lead to when the events unfold is anyone guess.
The key to this science fiction novel is that the four major societies are complex, feel genuine, and their rivalry definitely feels real. To achieve such a deep objective, segments of the plot slow down in order to introduce and develop the cast. Still the contrast between the groups and the varying ethical stands of the key players on each side of the square make for a meandering yet delightful world building tale that SNAREs the reader and never lets go until the final page.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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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 - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- finding an assassin (political)
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Intense exploration of society's culture?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Age:
- 40's-50's
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:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- killer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- very controlled society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
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