Earth Logic - Laurie J. Marks Book Review

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Review Summary

Tor, March 2003, 25.95, 400 pp.
ISBN 0765309521

When the Sainnites left their homeland and marched into Shaftal, they came as conquerors, believing that the barren, mostly cold kingdom would be easily taken since it had no standing army. Battles were fought, lives were lost and after thirty five years the Sainnites believed they were in control of the land. The Palladin force consists mostly of Shaftal farmers that are not strong enough to destroy their enemy especially since at heart they are a peace loving people.

Although the Sainnites believe they have destroyed the mages and it no longer exists, it has just been hidden waiting for the right time to surface. Karis the new G'deon is an earth witch who has the power to heal the land but she chooses to stay in the background, helping her people in small ways until the right moment comes to make a stand. Even then the Sainnites must be willing to live in peace with the Shaftal and that will take a miracle since they see no need to lay down their arms to a conquered people.

Aside from the talking ravens that let Karis and her group spy on the Sainnites, the magic in EARTH LOGIC is muted because it would just get in the way of trying to find a way to peace. Karis is a good leader, a smart technician who is approachable to those close to her but keeps others at a distance so readers don't really feel like they know her. Laurie J. Mark's fantasy novel is exciting because of the clash between two different cultures and this differentiation makes this book a fascinating look at a world in flux.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of Earth Logic

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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 - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - overthrowing govt/kingdom
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one culture tries to impose its culture on another group
Intense exploration of society's culture? Yes

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 - 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: - an average 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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