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| Plot Summary of Through The Portal: The Strange Tale of Thomas Barclay, Book I |
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"Thomas Barclay is a student of medicine, an unwanted major he has taken only because it has been what his father, and his father before him and on down the family line has done. The fact that he does not wish to be a doctor has been a source of unending grief. So it is with no surprise, that Barclay while in the Library comes upon a book that speaks of a man whom no one wishes to talk about. A certain Dr. Lawrence Washburne, a doctor for whom Thomas Barclay has developed a keen interest and determined goal of meeting him.
They do meet, but it is not the meeting Barclay had hoped for. What is more, Dr. Washburne himself had no desire for the meeting and after doing so, tells his minions to get rid of the student and get the book that spoke of Washburne. Nothing was going to get in the Way of Washburne's burning desire for power. By fate, or trick, Barclay is chased into the catacombs and by falling and stumbling he comes upon a door most strange and glowing. Having no other place to go other than certain death, he enters.
From there he is sent to a world with cryptic instructions to meet a fisherman who will guide him. He lands upon a Beach, and is yelled to get out of the Sun! Puzzled he does not move and is nearly killed for his hesitation. For where he arrives, the Sun kills and burns all organic matter. Barclay severely injured by the burns and now blind must trust this fisherman and his son who both rescued him and now must heal him. As he becomes better he learns he is a Dualworlder and that portals are known on their world and visitors from other worlds used to be frequent. Until Dr. Washburne came and decided he wanted to make the world his own. In doing so, he began to kill. What is more, Barclay's arrival is a prophecy coming true. He is the Ruler and Warrior for their dying world, to bring peace and end the consent death brought by Washburne.
From a reluctant student of medicine to a bewildered Dualworlder, Barclay must come to terms with the powers of magic thrust upon him."
Nancy Louise, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Through The Portal: The Strange Tale of Thomas Barclay, Book I |
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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).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 50%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
Tone of book
- scarey (primal ax-wielding fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- great warrior
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- is very quick
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- doctor
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
- mentally ill
- deluded
- emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an above average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- general past
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- empty, or nearly empty world
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- some scientific explanation
Is this an e-book?
Yes
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
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M.J. Konevich Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Nancy Louise
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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