Freedom's Gate - Naomi Kritzer Book Review

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Review Summary

Bantam, July 2004, 6.99, 359 pp.
ISBN 05535867434

The Macedonian Empire wanes after Alexander dies until Penelope, the founder of the Sisterhood of the Weavers, learned how to control the aeriika (djinn). The empire took back what it had lost. Most countries accepted that the Greeks were their overlords but the Danibeki fought for their freedom. As a result, the rivers Janarles and Oxus were dried up by the aeriika leaving the population to value water more than gold or jewels because it is much rarer in the occupied land.

Lauria, a free woman in service to military commander Kyros, is asked to infiltrate the Alashi, a warrior group made up of runaway slaves and free men and women unable to live under Greek rule. As part of the plan, she is to remain in Sophos' harem and after two weeks escape to find the Alashi. Before she is set free, Sophos rapes her and another harem slave takes care of her and accompanies her when she leaves because she hates her master. They find the camp but the more time Lauria stays there, the less she wants to go back because she sees the truth about the Greeks like Kyros who has not punished Sophos for his attack on her.

The magical culture of the Greek Empire revolves around the djinn, how to bind and use them to further their own political and military goals. FREEDOM'S GATE is a magical fantasy set in a powerful Greek Empire where magic and sorcery are everyday events.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of Freedom's Gate

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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
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - overthrowing govt/kingdom
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - warrior/knight
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: - an entire race
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

Setting
Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
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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