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| Review Summary |
Maya Witherspoon is an indian sorcerer struggling to control her burgeoning powers, while working as a doctor in Edwardian London. Her father's murderers have followed here and are attempting to murder her. Her best hope is to learn to use her magic to protect herself, under the instruction of Peter Scott, a handsome ship's captain and master of elemental water magic. As they struggle to thwart the murderous plot, they also fall in love.
Emily Veinglory, Resident Scholar
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The main character, Maya, leaves her homeland in India after the death of her parents. While she does not know for sure, she suspects that foul play was involved. In London, her refuge, she becomes a charity doctor and falls in with the women's sufferage movement. She soon discovers that she has an aunt who killed her parents and wants to kill her. She has an ally in a retired sea captain, who teaches her the proper use of her magical skills. This book is a subtle new take on the story of Snow White.
Brittney Anglin, Resident Scholar
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Mercedes Lackey
Daw, Feb 2001, 24.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0886779154
When the sun never set on Britannia, many disgruntled natives living in India turn to the dark side by worshipping the evil Goddess Kali-Purga. Most of the followers joined the deadly thugee cult, a group that used force to obtain their demands. Shivani is a high priestess who loathes the English. She uses her powers to kill her sister who had the audacity to marry a British doctor and to make matters worse, she had a daughter with the foreigner.
When Shivani murders her father, Maya flees India for the relative safety of London where she tends to the medical needs of the poor. Shivani follows her to London, planning to cause mass chaos, trepidation, and death in order to force the infidel English from her country. Shivani also plans to kill Maya, but that proves difficult as she is closely guarded and has own powers.
THE SERPENT'S SHADOW is a beautiful fantasy tale that leaves the audience believing in a happily ever after. Mercedes Lackey's latest novel will please romance fans as well. This adult fairy tale is brilliantly crafted just as the previous tale in this series, THE SUMMER RISE is. A secondary character deserves his story be told in a future edition. Recapture the innocence and pleasures of youth with this fabulous novel.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, 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 - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- bad magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- doctor
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- healing
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can cast all sorts of spells
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- 19th century
- 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?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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