Medallion Press, Nov 2004, 6.99, 360 pp. ISBN 1932815104 Cardinal Richelieu's loyalty was to France but he made many enemies. Although a trusted advisor to King Louis XIII, the monarch chafed under the Cardinal's rule. At a soirée, Richelieu takes ill and his base born niece who he married to the Comte de Palais knows he was poisoned; even with all her magical powers, the Sorcerieress Francoise knows her uncle has only hours to live. He hands over the reigns of the Cardinal's Eye to his niece with the king's consent. When he dies an anguished Francoise promises to avenge her uncle's murder; as a spymaster and a powerful shapeshifting sorceress she has the power to do it. While searching through her uncle's papers she notices that a group of men, including her horrible husband and her best friend belong to a group in which the last survivor gains the valuable jewel the Heart of Flame. Needing to protect her friend, Francoise investigates the deaths and becomes romantically involved with the Comte de Traville who helps her in her quest which involves a sorcerer almost as powerful as Francoise and just as dangerous. Harriet Klausner | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Romance Yes Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission Political power play Yes Political plotlets - factions fight within govt for control Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: 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 - Smarter than most other characters Setting Earth setting: - general past Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript |