| This engrossing book deals with several issues at once: First of all, there's a young person who doesn't know who he really is & once shown, cannot accept the truth of it. Next, you have a villain who also cannot accept the truth of the very core of his existence. Once both accept the truth about themselves, the plot of the book resolves itself. On the journey to these truths (eventually revealed by the legendary Sword of Shannara) you have a mix of dedicated adventurers brought together by their concern over the darkness sweeping the land into chaos. Allanon, a powerful, concerned druid, (the last of his kind dedicated to good), is the glue that holds the little band together, despite their opinions, good & bad, of him & his intentions. Magic plays a large part of the backbone of the book; rather, it is the source from which all the other elements grow. A mixture of mental & physical battles permeate the ebb & flow of this powerful book. It is a book of realization of one's self & destiny, and the selflessness that comes with maturity. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - great warrior Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes Stealing/recovering/destroying Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can change shapes - mind reading - mind control - can cast all sorts of spells - can read emotions Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Terrain Earth setting: - distant future - Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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