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Book Review By David Pearce
Fugitive Prince: War of Light and Shadow 4 by Janny Wurts

Prince Arithon, anointed heir and mage, has used guile, cunning and desperation to thwart all attempts by his half brother Lysaer to kill him. But Lysaer is driven by a curse and pursues the war despite mounting death and destruction. Now the town mayors plot to proclaim Lysaer king.

The aging Koriani prime sorceress Morriel has had a vision showing Arithon as the greatest threat to her order and she too determines to kill him. She and first senior Lirenda use the great Waystone to search out Arithon. Morriel casts a great spell intending to trap and kill Arithon, but Morriel herself is trapped within the spell until it completes.

Lysaer has locked his wife away because she no longer unreservedly supports his war. He orders that she be killed should she try to escape, and she is.

Arithon comes to Riverton disguised as a bard to steal new ships. Morriel's spell warns Lysaer and compels Arithon's men to betray him. Arithon escapes the city injured, but his captain of arms Caolle is captured. Lirenda sets sail with a fleet to intercept Arithon, taking Caolle as a hostage despite Moriell's instructions to kill him. Caolle escapes, and Moriell's spell is broken.

Arithon is hunted by Lysaer's soldiers and forced to travel through the grimward. He becomes trapped by the dreams of the sleeping dragon held captive inside. Morriel is free of her failed spell but greatly weakened. She punishes Lirenda by giving her the task of personally capturing Arithon, or being disgraced.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
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
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: - 20's-30's
If magical mental powers: - fire/lightning/weather cntrl - can see into the future

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - fire/thunder/weather cntrl
Eccentric: Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Terrain
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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