Ed Greenwood Resident Scholar Profiles TOP SCHOLAR: Vanda De'lore SCHOLARS:
Would you like to be a scholar and make five dollars per review?
Click here to submit a review!
Review Summaries
"
Ed Greenwood
Tor, Apr 2001, 25.95, 332 pp.
ISBN: 0312867220
The King's Curse kept Aglirta in a constant state of civil war as barons fought their friends and foes without a central monarch to rein them in. However, the chaos seems over because the “Band of Four” (Hawrdil the warrior, Craer the thief, Sarasper the healer, and Embra the sorceress) combined their talents with that of the magical Dwaerindim Stones to remove the curse and awakens the long time sleeping monarch King Kelgrael.
The initial success of the Band of Four does not mean the restoration of the King. The barons refuse to give up their autonomy to Kelgrael. However, that threat pales when compared to the malevolent beings who plot to bring Kelgrael back under their control with only the Band of Four between them and a repeat of their earlier success of putting the King to sleep.
Ed Greenwood escorts his fans back to the Land of the Band of Four with an exciting fantasy tale. The story line stands alone while adding to the mythos established by the previous novel (see THE KINGLESS LAND). The tale works because of the deep characterizations of the Band of Four and their interrelationships, often amusing and competitive yet supportive when needed. The personalities shine through the entertaining plot so fantasy fans will enjoy THE VACANT THRONE; a realm filled with the unbelievable that it feels like Mr. Greenwood cast a believable spell on his audience.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Ed Greenwood Scholar
Click above for the new Obama Girl Parody video!
Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
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 - 30% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- finding an assassin (political)
- rescue mission/escape from confinement
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- factions fight within govt for control
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- long lived adults
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:
- magical being
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can change shapes
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- mind reading
- super strength
- can cast all sorts of spells
- is very quick
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- 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