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Review Summaries
"
Tor, Apr 2004
ISBN: 0765304384
The great Derlavaian world war is nearly over with major offensives along several fronts that will ultimately determine the victor. Magical weapons of mass destruction have caused havoc on land and at sea. The allies seem poised for a final triumph, but the aftermath may prove costly as they are divided between Unkerlant and its former “friends” now that neither side needs the other.
Regardless of the fruits of victory, humans try to cope with the aftermath whether they are amongst the victors or the losers. Pride is no longer an option for anyone as even the winning side has to deal with the turmoil like nothing ever recorded in the history of the planet. The weapons such as dragons threaten to be used again but this time with ally vs. ally. In this post word war environs, survival is all most hope for as the war winds down, and victims sustain one meal at a time unable to mourn their beloved dead ones.
The final novel of Harry Turtledove's alternative historical fantasy series is the best of a powerful six set collection. The story line starts with the countdown towards the end of Turtledove's interpretation of World War II as fighting magical and mundane is furious on several fronts. The tale then switches to a more personalized account as readers see the impact of the devastating war on a series of characters before that perceptive perspective merges into a climatic world still on the brink as the victors argue over the spoils. OUT OF THE DARKNESS is a terrific alternate history that displays the author's skills to make salient points inside an entertaining military fantasy as few, if any, authors can perform.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Harry Turtledove Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- alternate history
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV:
- fighting overt invasion (attacking aliens)
War or Invasion
Yes
Major kinds of combat:
- magical battles
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Age:
- 40's-50'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:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
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
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- some scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
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