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Outlaw Sword
J. Adrian Lee Book Review

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Plot Summary of Outlaw Sword
"

Ace, July 2002, 14.00, 320 pp.
ISBN 0441009352

Once upon a time twentieth century American Dylan Matheson was transported through time by a fairy Sinnan Eire to the Scottish highlands to act as a protector for the country against the hated English. While there, Dylan met and fell in love with beautiful Highland lass Cait. He was going to marry her until the English declared him an outlaw and she was given in marriage to a Scottish lowlander.

After the Jacobite defeat at Sheffmuir, Dylan briefly returns to his own time to heal before being transported back to early eighteenth century Scotland, determined to find his Cait and their son. He goes to work for Cait's husband and through an unusual set of circumstances, finds a way to legally marry Cait. Dylan knows happiness for a brief time but when danger threatens them, he hopes that somebody from his time of birth will travel back in time to save the one he holds closest to his heart.

One of the most charming characters in this book is Sinnan, an adorable bumbling member of the fey, who tries, heart and soul, to make Dylan happy. The hero is an honorable, likable man who strives to do what he believes is right, no matter the personal cost. Based on actual historical events, OUTLAW SWORD will appeal to lovers of historical fiction, romance and fantasy. The author brings alive the Scottish Highlands just decades before Culloden.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

"Dylan Metheson is sent back to the 20th Century after being severely wounded in battle. Back home, he feels alienated from 20th Century America, and longs for his love, Cait. Dylan, after setting his life in order, goes to Scotland, and works a spell to see if Sinann can send him back...and returns to find he has a child, a son by Cait--and she is married to a deadly, abusive man. On top of that, the Scots are languishing under British rule, and he has to protect the clan from the worst of it."
Tina Loflin, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Outlaw Sword
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 15%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 25%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past - part earth & part fantasy world
Time Travel: - largely backwards/past
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - two lovers coping with tough mission
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Time Travel story? Yes
Story largely takes place in - Middle Ages-1899

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - champion of justice - teacher
Age: - a teen - 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can cast many different spells - healing
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - infantry soldier - business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount - an average amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Terrain - Mountains - Forests
Earth setting: - 18th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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