| Holly is a lonely man, working at the University of Cambridge. He has but one friend, who is dying and makes him guardian of his only son, Leo. Holly has to promise him that when Leo turns twenty, he'll show him the contents of a metal box which will be delivered to him if he excepts the guardianship.
Leo grows up under the care of Holly and when he turns twenty, they open the box. It contains Leo's family history, which starts in Ancient Greece. He discovers that one of his ancestors got killed by a powerful sorceress, and the box also contains a calling for revenge. So he and Holly travel to Africa where, according to the directions in the box, they should find this sorceress. There, they are captured by a local tribe, who serve a queen they call She-who-must-be-obeyed or She. They discover this is actually the immortal and beautiful sorceress. They both fall in love with her, but she falls only for Leo. She wants them to become immortal too and takes them to the source of her magic. There, they have to escape or remain in the service of this cruel queen. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Romance Yes Romance plotlets: - destined love (dream or prediction) Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes magical powers: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Human/magical couple? Yes Type of couple: - Both human, she has magical powers Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Really unusual traits? Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - clairvoyant Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a lot How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor Intelligence - Genius (really!) Setting Terrain Earth setting: - 19th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths How much dialogue? - little dialog |
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