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The Charnel Prince
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Plot Summary of The Charnel Prince
"

Del Rey, August 2004, 23.95, 487 pp.
ISBN 0345440676

The Briar king has awakened from his long sleep and intends to reclaim the forests he regards as his own. It makes no difference to the old god that humans have cleared much of the woods and inhabit the cities where his forest once stood. Creatures from myth and legend walk the land, killing the humans that get in their way and a desperate people are fearful fear each day may be their last.

While magic is let loose on the land, assassins kill the king of Crotheny and his two daughters. Queen Muriele sent Princess Anne into hiding while her simpleton brother Charles rules in name only. The queen has many enemies who would like to topple her from the throne, including the Praifec and the church who wants to rule in place of the king. Neighboring kingdoms are preparing for war with Crotheny while Princess Anne eludes her enemies as she daringly makes her way back to her homeland to take her rightful place on the throne.

Readers who enjoyed THE BRIAR KING will love the sequel as the real enemies of the monarchy show their true colors. The action is fast paced and filled with damsels in distress, heroic knights and vile villains. The characters that fight on the sides of justice well endear themselves to the audience. THE CHARNEL PRINCE is epic fantasy in the traditions of Terry Brooks and Tolkien.

Harriet Klausner"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Charnel Prince
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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 - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - ruler
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Mental/magical powers focus Yes
magical powers: - bad magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
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: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
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 The Charnel Prince
The King by David Feintuch
Royal Assassin - Farseer Trilogy 2 by Robin Hobb
Wind-Witch - The Warhorse of Esdragon 2 by Susan Dexter
Wild Magic by Jude Fisher
The Dragon's Doom by Ed Greenwood


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