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The Cardinal's Heir
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Plot Summary of The Cardinal's Heir
"

Medallion Press, Nov 2004, 6.99, 360 pp.
ISBN 1932815104

Cardinal Richelieu's loyalty was to France but he made many enemies. Although a trusted advisor to King Louis XIII, the monarch chafed under the Cardinal's rule. At a soirée, Richelieu takes ill and his base born niece who he married to the Comte de Palais knows he was poisoned; even with all her magical powers, the Sorcerieress Francoise knows her uncle has only hours to live. He hands over the reigns of the Cardinal's Eye to his niece with the king's consent.

When he dies an anguished Francoise promises to avenge her uncle's murder; as a spymaster and a powerful shapeshifting sorceress she has the power to do it. While searching through her uncle's papers she notices that a group of men, including her horrible husband and her best friend belong to a group in which the last survivor gains the valuable jewel the Heart of Flame. Needing to protect her friend, Francoise investigates the deaths and becomes romantically involved with the Comte de Traville who helps her in her quest which involves a sorcerer almost as powerful as Francoise and just as dangerous.

Harriet Klausner

"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Cardinal's Heir
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 - 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
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - factions fight within govt for control

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than 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 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: - general past
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
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Jaki Demarest Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Harriet Klausner  

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