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Plot Summary of Offspring
"

Roc, Nov 2004, 6.99, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0451460014

Most of the Silent can no longer enter the Dream, a telepathic place of existence that allows instantaneous communication between worlds spread all over the universe. On the planet Bellerophon, Kendri and his life mate Ben are regarded as heroes because they saved part of the Dream and can enter at will. Bellerophon is electing its first governor in centuries because without the Dream, the Confederation that saw to Bellerophon's safety no longer exists. Ben and Kendri's grandmother is a candidate, who advocates a strong military to prevent pirates from raiding the planet.

During the campaign, Kendri actively supports his grandmother, but someone tries to kill him. While trying to figure out who in their inner circle wants him dead, someone kidnaps the Silent and the Silenced (those who cannot enter the Dream any longer). Although Kendri and Ben do not know it, there is a link between the murder attempts and the abductions.

Readers who have followed the previous adventures of Kendri and Ben will see they prepare for parenthood using surrogate mothers and frozen embryos, which are genetic siblings of Ben.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Offspring
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? - science fiction story
Romance Yes
Romance plotlets: - gay guys/gay aliens/gay monsters doing it
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - election campaign
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - 40's-50'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: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Offspring
The Rebel Worlds by Poul Anderson
The Maquisarde by Louise Marley
Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
When the Past Meets the Present by John Orizon
Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey


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