Book reviews

Path of Fate
Diana Pharaoh Francis Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
Diana Pharaoh Francis Books
New book search
Diana Pharaoh Francis Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Path of Fate
"

Roc, November 2003, 6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN 0451459504

Ever since she was a baby, abandoned by her mother all Reisil ever wanted was a place to call home. Growing up in Kallas, she was fostered to different families so that nobody would have to bear the burden of another mouth to feed for any extended periods. When Reisil is old enough, the village pays for her training as a healer and she hopes that they will want her to stay with them permanently.

Just when it looks like her dream will come true; the goshawk comes to bond with Reisil, choosing her to be one of the Lady's soldiers in the fight against evil. Reisil tries to avoid this dubious honor but when a noble woman from another country is kidnapped in Kallas and spirited away, Reisil accepts her destiny to find her. If she fails, the realm of Kudas will be plunged into war against an army that can use magic to cause terrible harm.

Very rarely does a writer's first novel come along that is so realistic and emotionally moving that it achieves total acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. PATH OF FATE will because of the strong protagonist who grows and changes to meet each situation that comes her way. She charms her way into the readers' hearts and the audience will adore the special relationship she has with Saljane the goshawk who has a winning and loveable personality of her own.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Path of Fate
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - guardian of justice
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - unraveling a conspiracy
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
If enemy is a group... - political faction

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

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

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Path of Fate
Wish You Were Here by Vincent M. Wales
The Empire of the Stars by Alison Baird
Guardians of the Flame: Legacy by Joel Rosenberg
The Amber Spyglass - His Dark Materials 3 by Philip Pullman
Illumination by Terry McGarry


Click here for more information about this book


Diana Pharaoh Francis Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Amanda Kowalcze  

SCHOLARS:


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Science Fiction books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Norah Lofts 6:49:46 PM
Suzanne Weyn 10:35:23 PM
George W. Bush 5:33:46 PM
Kin Platt 12:58:29 AM
Anonymous 12:47:34 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:05:52 PM
Jane Rubino 10:04:38 PM
LaVyrle Spencer 10:04:00 PM
G.A. McKevett 10:03:31 PM
David Williams 10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield 10:02:30 PM
Jeanette Walls 10:00:19 PM
Darryl Ponicsan 9:59:27 PM
Ann Rinaldi 9:58:30 PM
R.L. Stine 9:57:34 PM
Geoffrey Huntington 9:57:14 PM
Betty Mahmoody 9:56:38 PM
Deric Longden 9:56:11 PM
Mary Downing Hahn 9:55:48 PM
Iris Johansen 9:55:24 PM

More message boards