| Yakoub, king of the Gypsies in a faraway future, where Gypsies are capable of space-travel and time teleportation of astral body, has retired on a lonely planet. He receives visits from the projected images of friends who urge him to return, as the Human emperor of the Galaxy (here Gypsies are thought to be an alien race who came from a Star, the Romany Star, that underwent Nova, and escaped on Earth) is dying and senile and has left no indications for succession. Human Emperor and the King of gypsies, become starship operators, have always governed in unison. Yakoub refuses until he learn that his degenerate son has taken his place, whilst civil war breaks up as the Emperor finally dies and the three pretendents fight for power. Meanwhile, we are told the story both of Yakoub's life and of the Gypsies race, whose final yearning is to return to their lost home planet. Yakoub will have to resolve his very personal political crisis and the human one, in a very unusual way. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Political power play Yes Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes magical powers: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Cultural problems, alien culture Yes Culture clash- - one person from different culture of other persons 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 % Intense exploration of society's culture? Yes Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - long lived adults If magical mental powers: - teleportation Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society - empty, or nearly empty world Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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