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The Outstretched Shadow Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Outstretched Shadow


Kellen Tavadon, the son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon of Armethalieh is forced to flee from the Outlaw Hunt, a pack of stone mastiffs after he is found to be practicing the forbidden art of Wild Magic. He is helped in his flight by a unicorn that comes to his aid when he asks the Wild Magic for help, unfortunely this isn't enough and he still has to make a stand and fight. With the help of his unicorn companion Shalkan he is able to fight off not one but two packs of mastiffs; yet in the fight he is badly injured and has to be taken to a local wildmage for healing. This wildmage turns out to be his sister that was banished years before and who's memory has been erased from his mind by their father. When he is healed sufficiently they make their way to the elven capitol city where they realized that their help is desperately needed. They learn that the ancient enemy of the elves, the Endarkened(a race of demons), has diverted the seasonal rain from elven lands and only Wild Magic can counter the dark magic that the endarkened are using to cause the drought. Idalia creates an item of sufficient power using Wild Magic to right the forces of nature, but it will take her brother and the elven knight Jermayan to take the item of power to the source of the dark magic. Along the journey it become apparent that Kellen is a rare knight-mage that only shows up in the times of greatest crisis and they will need all the help that they can get if their mission to Shadow Mountain is to be a success.
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The review of this Book prepared by Steven Vanzant






Tor, Oct 2003, 25.95, 608 pp.
ISBN: 0765302195

Though only seventeen, the expectations for Kellen Tavadon, as the son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, are extraordinary. He has spent his life training in the High Magic trying to live up to what everyone anticipates he will achieve. Still his studies makes him wonder if that is all there is though Kellen is proud of his father and the other members of the sage Council of Mages as they guide the lives of the occupants of the Golden City of the Bells, Armethalieh.

While skipping his lessons, Kellen finds three forbidden books. These are the Books of Wild Magic. Unable to resist though he knows Wild Magic extracts a high personal payment from its user, Kellen begins studying his find. However, his sire learns what Kellen has done and exiles his son but after Kellen leaves, Lycaelon sends the Golems to kill him. As the teen discover a world of magic in which females even partake and centaurs and unicorns live, he also struggles to survive while wondering if the myth of the evil ones is true too.

Though the first of a sword and sorcery trilogy, THE OUTSTRETCHED SHADOW may be the fantasy novel of the year. Besides a tremendous opening gamut, this epic fantasy novel provides a strong conclusion (not the typical salami slice ending), but leaves enough threads to tease readers anticipating the next novel. Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory chronicle a great tale that will provide the duo much acclaim.

Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of The Outstretched Shadow

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 30% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age    -   Yes Youngster becomes    -   a powerful magician Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers    -   Yes magical powers:    -   magical powers (general) Inner Struggle    -   Yes Plotlet:    -   coping with mental/magical powers Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Family relations    -   Yes

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   mage/magician    -   warrior/knight Age:    -   a teen

Setting

Terrain    -   Forests Earth setting:    -   during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment    -   moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue?    -   significantly more dialog than descript    -   little dialog

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Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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