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Review Summaries
"Herald Elspeth, heir of the thrown of Valdamar, convinces her reluctant mother Queen Selenay and the governing Council that she is the only one suited to seek the very reclusive Hawkbrothers, legendary for their mage abilities and mentioned only in some of the oldest of her country's records. The Hawkbrother's help is necessary if Valdamar is going to recover the True Magic her kingdom lost with the death of the last Herald-Mage. And True Magic is the only thing that might defend them in an almost certain war with neighboring Hardorn.
Sent with her, as her guardian, is the former thief Herald Skif, for his unique skills are necessary to keep her alive as they journey through several nations and into the lawless wilds of the south. Both possess mind-magic, which allows them to communicate mind to mind with each other and more importantly, their Companions: sentient beings in the form of white horses, bonded to their Chosen Heralds with unconditional love.
After their long journey, they finally find a tribe of Hawkbrothers only to be turned away without even pleading their case. Elspeth must first earn the trust of the scout Darkwind to prove to him her country's need is urgent, then she must somehow convince him to break his vow never to do magic again, for he is the only one who can teach her the True Magic. But it might well be impossible. The Hawkbrothers have their own enemies working unseen within the tribe."
Allison Brown, Resident Mercedes Lackey Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50% 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
Romance
Yes
Romance plotlets:
- two lovers coping with tough mission
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Human/magical couple?
Yes
Type of couple:
- Both human, he has magical powers
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- mind reading
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
- mentally ill
- deluded
- emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Terrain
- Forests
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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