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Shadow Man
Melissa Scott Book Review

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Plot Summary of Shadow Man
"Humanity has developed five sexes as a side effect of a drug that allows FTL travel. Though most worlds accept this, the planet Hara insists that all people identify as either male or female. Warreven, a lawyer and an intersexed person, ends up at the center of a political battle and cultural clash. Though this book is more philosophical and idea-oriented than plot-oriented, it's still very gripping. Don't give up on it - it takes about a hundred pages to get used to the 5 different pronoun sets. "
Ivy, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Shadow Man
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Political power play Yes
Repressive society story Yes
Repressive because: - controls your sex
Inner Struggle Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one human from different culture of other humans

Main Character
Identity: - An "It".
Profession/status: - a lawyer creature
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - none

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a contemporary society - very controlled society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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