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Book Review By Raphael Katz
The Alchemist's Portrait by Simon Rose

This is about an evil alchemist who traps a boy in a painting. He has to be rescued by a robot from the present who is lured into the painting.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Descript. of chases or violence - 20 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a teen
If magical mental powers: - teleportation - can cast many different spells

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status:
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - telekinesis - can see into the future - super strength - can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric: Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Genius (really!)

Setting
Earth setting: - 17th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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