Elizabeth Lynn Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR: Debbie
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| Review Summary |
Kerris does not fit in at Tornor Keep and he never really has, but he has no where else to go. After all, who else would want a one-armed boy who has an alarming tendency to have fits at any give time or place. The only skill that Kerris has is that of a scribe. He has spent a great about of time developing this skill in the hope that one day he will be hired at a rich house and spend time writing and reading.
But all of his dreams change when his older brother, Kel, comes with the fabled Dancers of Arun to collect him. Kerris is not sure what to think of his brother and is alternately repulsed and attracted to him. As they journey to Kel's home, Kerris learns that all of the dancers have "gifts" just like Kerris does. For Kerris doesn't really have fits, he just sees life through other people's eyes and leaves his body for a time. He is what the dancers call a farspeaker, like Kel's lover, Sefer. However, even though Kel repeatedly tells Kerris that he is welcome at his home and that he belongs there, Kerris doesn't feel that he really has a place. It will take a terrible tragedy to help Kerris realize that he does have worth and that he is important in the lives of those around him...
For the first time, the second book in a series is far better than the first or the third (Watchtower & The Northern Girl, respectively)! I thought that this book was beautifully written and have owned an old tattered copy for a long time. Kerris' growth as a character is fascinating, as is the world in which he lives. I loved all of the characters in the book and could identify with all of them because they all have weaknesses and they all struggle, some more than others, but life is not easy for any of them. The only caution that I would offer is that the love between Kerris and Kel is sometimes physical and sex between brothers is not a common thread in books so if you feel this would upset you, read another fantasy (probably not by Lynn, though, as most of her books deal with homosexuality).
Debbie, 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 - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- fighting a personal illness/handicap
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Family relations
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scholar
Age:
- a teen
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- mind control
- can read emotions
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- missing body parts/abilities
Main Adversary
Identity:
- society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
- Forests
Earth setting:
- general past
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- descript of kissing
- descript of touching personal anatomy
- actual description of sex
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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