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HarperCollins Eos, Feb 2001, 25.00, 463 pp.
ISBN: 0380974894
The King died without naming a successor. Over the next century, the two most powerful aristocratic clans, the Renne and the Wills continually argue and fight for control of Ayr. Both families will do anything including murder of one of their own or even destroy a nation to gain the throne.
Toren Renne shocks his kin when he becomes the family leader by wanting peace for the land. He can easily be sacrificed. Her clan plans to use an unwilling Elise Willis as a pawn through a forced marriage. All the Machiavellian maneuvers impact everyday people. Just ask three Valesmen who simply want to make a fortune. Instead they end up in the middle of political and otherworldly intrigue of a powerful venomous sorcerer with the only seeming winner being evil unless one or more of the trio can find a miracle or two and that seems impossible.
THE ONE KINGDOM, the first book of the “Swan's War” is a fabulous fantasy political thriller that will excite readers because everything seems genuine. The politics though nasty is intelligent and provides a mundane anchor for the paranormal elements. The characters are real, even the evil sorcerer because Sean Russell makes them complete individuals that provides the audience understanding and motives in their actions. This is a great fantasy tale that the political thriller audience would fully enjoy too.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Sean Russell Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- factions fight within govt for control
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- champion of justice
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
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate 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
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?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
