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Book Review By Deby Fredericks
The Magister's Mask by Deby Fredericks

Shenza Waik of Tresmeer is a young woman who has just completed her training as a magister, a school of sorcery with a specialty in criminal investigations. Then the person who owns her home is shockingly murdered. News of this is brought by Juss Battour of Reiloon, a local police officers. Together, Shenza and Juss begin the investigation.

Because of the case's importance, Shenza tries to be very careful about following the rules. However, she encounters a succession of characters who want to influence the outcome. Innoshyra wants to be declared the dead man's widow, inheritor of his power. Borleek, the police chief, wants her to convict the first suspect she finds, to preserve public order. Nurune, a powerful coven leader, wants to increase his own influence. The enigmatic nature spirits just want revenge. Meanwhile, Shenza can't find any clues about who actually committed the crime.

To prove her worthiness to become a magister, Shenza must discover who murdered the ruler and how, while resisting pressures to convict the innocent man. Meanwhile, the killer remains free. He twice attempts to kill Shenza. With help from Juss, Shenza captures a magical tool called a semblage, which the killer used to commit the murder.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - finding a killer (criminal)
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 - 50 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 %

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
If magical mental powers: - can cast many different spells

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 - telekinesis - can cast all sorts of spells - Invisibility
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Terrain
Not Earth, in Solar System? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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