Ordermaster (the Recluse saga) - L.E. Modesitt

Author's product rating:   

Would you read it again?	Absolutely
Story	Good
Characters	Good
Readability	Good
How does it compare to other works by the same author?	Very good

Advantages:	The latest offering in the Recluse saga, very interesting
Disadvantages:	A fantasy that will not please everybody

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is the latest offering in the long running saga of Recluse. So far I have not seen any loss of energy or entertainment in these works.

Briefly the synopsis:

Kharl, once a humble cooper is now proved to be an Order Master Mage and has been made a Lord with his own lands by young Lord Ghrant, the ruler of Austra.

Kharl is summoned back to Valmurl, to assist Lord Hagen the lord chancellor . As an order mage Kharl can tell when somebody is not telling the truth. He acts during an audience to show the lying actions of a powerful factor and shortly after, rebellion breaks out again.

Kharl must use all of his powers against powerful Hamoriam White Wizards and others lords and Arms men. Blood is spilt and powerful magic's are performed before order is once again achieved.

Promoted, rewarded once again Kharl returns to his new lands to try to live at peace, but is still troubled by Hamorian intentions. He worries over what is left of his family in Nordla.

He is approached again by Lord Hagen. There may be troubles being stirred up by the Hamorians in Nordla. Lord Hagen would like Kharl to go there as official envoy.

This will involve learning some new skills and will give him a chance to repay some old debts. So he accepts.

What he learns and how he can repay the debts I will leave you to find out.

This is again a satisfying read in the ongoing saga of the world of Recluce. This book and its predecessor are not actually set on the Isle of Recluce and do not directly concern inhabitants of that Isle. Here we are more concerned with the lands of Nordla and Austra. The actions of the Emperor of Hamoria also play a major part.

It is nice to see the saga expanded into other lands and with other peoples. There are some hints as to events in this world's history, some you can relate to previous books.

The characters are all well drawn and the internal logic of the world works. Set as it is into an existing world frame it could hardly be otherwise, but the further development of the world is always welcome.

This is a fantasy book of a world where Chaos and Order magic work. The use of these two forces has been used to explain the technical level of the world and its peoples.

The Author, Mr Modesitt, likes to throw in a strong moral argument into his works. This is not always apparent. But its effect is that it can have you pondering certain passages and arguments long after you have put down the book. He never does this in a very heavy handed way but always uses either the musings of a major character of the discussions between characters. Speaking in general terms, you can be sure that a Modesitt Hero will be a moral person who does not use his/her powers to their own sole advantage.

Other critics will speak of Rites of passage and voyages of discovery of self. I just like a good read and I know that is what I am going to get with certain authors. I have not read everything by Mr Modesitt, most that I have I have liked, Some I did not but that is what personal taste is all about. In this saga you are going to get swords and sorcery. There will be battles but the author does not linger lovingly on the oceans of blood or acres of entrails. Battle is a savage affair and usually the soldiers who do the dying have little choice. The princes and potentates who start the war for their own reasons may not have to face any penalty.
Just like our world isn't it. Perhaps some day I will write on the philosophy of war but this review is about a book.

Copies can be found at Amazon.co.uk at £13.29
This is an American import in hardcover only. Will be found at some specialist shops at £18.99

Hardcover 494 pages (February 21, 2005)
Publisher: Tor,U.S.
ISBN: 0765312131

Paperback copy will not be available for some time to come yet so you can put this one on the list for later.