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The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump
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Plot Summary of The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump
"A very strange piece of fiction. It is set on earth, in a society very similar to the United States. The difference? Everything runs on magic, not science. So for example, there are low-flying magic carpets instead of cars. Little imps function as telephones by speaking to eachother through the ether. But these technofantasy devices have their disadvantages. Magical pollution, like industrial pollution, can be very harmful. The protagonist, a paper-pusher for the EPA (Environmental Perfection Agency), suddenly finds himself caught up in a very nasty mess when a Toxic Spell Dump in Angel City (Los Angeles) starts leaking. Is it an accident or a conspiracy? If the latter, who is behind it? He knows he'll get in trouble for asking these questions, but what's a pulp fiction detective supposed to do? It may sound strange (well, it _is_ strange), but it's also lots of fun. If you like puns and word play, look no further. After all, where else is a spell checker used for checking magic spells? "
Jeph Gord, Resident Scholar

"This book is tough to describe. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, except - this world runs by magic, not science. David Fisher, who works for the EPA (Environmental Perfection Agency), has encountered a leak at a toxic spell dump - and stumbles on a major conspiracy that endangers his life, the life of his fiance, and the world. The best part of this novel is undoubtedly the insane puns and fascinating descriptions of a modern magical world. If you live in LA, you MUST read this; you'll get some jokes the rest of the world will miss. "
Ivy, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past - part earth & part fantasy world
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - unraveling a conspiracy - rescue mission/escape from confinement - finding a spy/saboteur
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying - state secrets
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV: - subtle invasion (mind control, lookalikes)
War or Invasion Yes
Major kinds of combat: - guns
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
If enemy is a group... - drug dealers

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - government investigator - a lawyer creature
Age: - 20's-30's - 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - hard edged
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being - an organization
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - religious figure
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - super strength - can fly
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - almost none
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths - very explicit references to deaths and torture
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing - description of breasts - descript. of non-breast female anat.
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Warrior Within - Terrilian Series 1 by Sharon Green
Outlaw Sword by J. Adrian Lee
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray


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Harry Turtledove Resident Scholar Profiles

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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