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The Saga of Recluce #17
Cyador's Heirs
Decades after the fall of Cyador, its survivors have re-established themselves in Cigoerne, a fertile country coveted by hostile neighbors in less hospitable lands. Young Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron, lives in the shadow of his older brother Lephi, the heir to their father's realm. Lerial's future seems preordained: He will one day command his brother's forces in defence of Cigoerne, serving at his older sibling's pleasure, and no more. But when Lerial is sent abroad to be fostered by Major Altyrn to learn the skills and wisdom he will need to fulfil his future duties, he begins a journey into a much larger world that brings out his true potential. Lerial has talents that few, as yet, suspect: He is one of those rare beings who can harness both Order and Chaos, the competing natural forces that shape the world and define the magic that exists within it. And as war finally engulfs the fringes of Cigoerne, Lerial's growing mastery of Order and Chaos is tested to its limits, and his own.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2014
150 people are currently reading
1343 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
191 books2,591 followersL. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 4, 2021
It's almost absurdly funny how easy it is to love these Recluse books.
You pick it up, know almost immediately who will completely dominate and destroy the land, (the good guy, of course,) and you'll know that it will be a question of learning how to harness the powers of chaos and order in a very hands-on way that will lead to a lot of his enemy's deaths.
It's a formula. Well-worn by this time, now 17 books into the series, it feels like it's all just a repeat except for the fascinating placement of time/place in the entire history of Cyador, filling in the gaps of empire building and collapse. And yet, it all seems to work perfectly. I don't even CARE that I'm getting yet another recycled plot.
That's the difference between a good writer with a well-loved subject and a mediocre one rehashing abused themes.
Fortunately, L.E. Modesitt Jr. is one of the former. And it's not only comforting, it's healing.
You pick it up, know almost immediately who will completely dominate and destroy the land, (the good guy, of course,) and you'll know that it will be a question of learning how to harness the powers of chaos and order in a very hands-on way that will lead to a lot of his enemy's deaths.
It's a formula. Well-worn by this time, now 17 books into the series, it feels like it's all just a repeat except for the fascinating placement of time/place in the entire history of Cyador, filling in the gaps of empire building and collapse. And yet, it all seems to work perfectly. I don't even CARE that I'm getting yet another recycled plot.
That's the difference between a good writer with a well-loved subject and a mediocre one rehashing abused themes.
Fortunately, L.E. Modesitt Jr. is one of the former. And it's not only comforting, it's healing.
March 28, 2021
This is another excellent addition to the Recluce series, the 17th book published, but it's currently the 6th chronologically & has different characters & setting than any others. It's a coming of age & learning to use The Force story. Very enjoyable & a different way of looking at & handling the magic than others.
There is a subtle conspiracy that must be handled as well as the complicated duties & the obvious conflict. As usual, all are handled very well. I highly recommend it if you've read others in the series. If not, I'd suggest reading them in published order the first time. I've read most several times & like to reread them in chronological order. The first grows the world & magical system better, but the second works the history better for me.
I do have a couple of complaints. First, what's happened to Rahl's story? It begins in Natural Ordermage, continues in Mage-Guard of Hamor, & ... I'm hanging here. What happens?!!! Well, we know, but I'd like to read it happening. He's done 2 & 2/3 trilogies in the Corean Chronicals, too. The last (middle chronologically) trilogy still needs a book, doesn't it?
No, apparently I'm wrong on the above. I asked the question on his website, http://www.lemodesittjr.com, & he replied
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. says:
June 3, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Any additional book about either Mykella or Rahl would have to be either totally unrealistic or a definite anti-climax, since they’ve both destroyed all credible opposition. I’d prefer not to write either toally unrealistic or anticlimactic books.
I'm totally OK with that. Actually, I'm ecstatic. Modesitt is an author that doesn't want to milk a series!!! Wow. It's obvious I need to reread those books.
Secondly, on page 432, Juist follows Altyrn to meet Lerial. A few paragraphs later, on the same page, Lerial asks what happened to Juist & Altyrn tells him there has been no word. Dammit, he's standing right there. No, actually he's not. Someone else is. Grrr...
Tor, why should I buy books from you, one of the Big Six publishers, if you can't provide proper editorial support to one of your better authors? If I want crappy editing, I can get some otherwise great self-published books for free or a lot cheaper than this pre-ordered hardback. (If it's not obvious, I don't blame an author too much for such gaffs. It's a big, complicated book & the author needs other sets of eyes to find such things.)
Anyway, if you haven't read this series, you should & you should continue through this book. A follow up to it is coming in August 2014, I think.
There is a subtle conspiracy that must be handled as well as the complicated duties & the obvious conflict. As usual, all are handled very well. I highly recommend it if you've read others in the series. If not, I'd suggest reading them in published order the first time. I've read most several times & like to reread them in chronological order. The first grows the world & magical system better, but the second works the history better for me.
I do have a couple of complaints. First, what's happened to Rahl's story? It begins in Natural Ordermage, continues in Mage-Guard of Hamor, & ... I'm hanging here. What happens?!!! Well, we know, but I'd like to read it happening. He's done 2 & 2/3 trilogies in the Corean Chronicals, too. The last (middle chronologically) trilogy still needs a book, doesn't it?
No, apparently I'm wrong on the above. I asked the question on his website, http://www.lemodesittjr.com, & he replied
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. says:
June 3, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Any additional book about either Mykella or Rahl would have to be either totally unrealistic or a definite anti-climax, since they’ve both destroyed all credible opposition. I’d prefer not to write either toally unrealistic or anticlimactic books.
I'm totally OK with that. Actually, I'm ecstatic. Modesitt is an author that doesn't want to milk a series!!! Wow. It's obvious I need to reread those books.
Secondly, on page 432, Juist follows Altyrn to meet Lerial. A few paragraphs later, on the same page, Lerial asks what happened to Juist & Altyrn tells him there has been no word. Dammit, he's standing right there. No, actually he's not. Someone else is. Grrr...
Tor, why should I buy books from you, one of the Big Six publishers, if you can't provide proper editorial support to one of your better authors? If I want crappy editing, I can get some otherwise great self-published books for free or a lot cheaper than this pre-ordered hardback. (If it's not obvious, I don't blame an author too much for such gaffs. It's a big, complicated book & the author needs other sets of eyes to find such things.)
Anyway, if you haven't read this series, you should & you should continue through this book. A follow up to it is coming in August 2014, I think.
August 24, 2017
This introduces Lerial, an heir to Cyadorans who fled to Hamor after Nylan's playing with chaos & order destroyed the country in The Chaos Balance (4C, 7P). He is the grandson of the empress who led her people to purchase lands to build a new duchy. Their success means they have greedy enemies on all sides &, as the second son of the duke, Lerial gets a lot of tough jobs.
Lerial starts out as an early teen, so has a lot to learn which takes us through his world & his view of order & chaos. It's an interesting one, different than the others, yet similar. As usual, there is a tight economy & Modesitt gets more into the peasants' lives. There is plenty of action, too. Another great story in the series & amazingly fresh for all the books that come before & after.
This is the first in a duology coming after Arms-Commander (5C, 16P) & before Heritage of Cyador. Chronological & published order for these are the same, although much earlier in time. This is book 6 chronologically, but the 17th published (6C, 17P). The full list of books in chronological order is in my review here.
Lerial starts out as an early teen, so has a lot to learn which takes us through his world & his view of order & chaos. It's an interesting one, different than the others, yet similar. As usual, there is a tight economy & Modesitt gets more into the peasants' lives. There is plenty of action, too. Another great story in the series & amazingly fresh for all the books that come before & after.
This is the first in a duology coming after Arms-Commander (5C, 16P) & before Heritage of Cyador. Chronological & published order for these are the same, although much earlier in time. This is book 6 chronologically, but the 17th published (6C, 17P). The full list of books in chronological order is in my review here.
July 29, 2014
I honestly don't know why I keep reading Modesitt's Recluse series, as all the books are pretty much identical. An idealistic, hungry-for-knowledge young man (or in some cases, young woman) struggles against the expectations of their station in life (high or low) to prove themselves, usually against the dark forces of whatever realm of this imaginary world they inhabit. Usually this involves having some capacity for using "chaos" or "order" skills to heal wounds and conquer enemy armies (basically, it's an involved kind of magic). This book followed the same blueprint. And yet....Modesitt's very lengthy books are very readable, his imaginary realms are finely crafted, and, particularly in this book, his descriptions of battles and battle strategy is very engaging. I'll probably read the next one, and the review will be pretty much the same.
March 27, 2015
So far this is my least favorite of the books as I read them in internal chronological order. Partly because the hero of this book is really unlikeable. He is the grandson of the Emperor of Cyador who was defeated by Nolan the black Mage.
It does give some interesting glimpses into why the emperor there was the fool that he was, and how the once mighty and advanced civilization of Cyador had fallen to its degenerate state. After the fall of the empire, a few Cyadorans escaped to another continent (or island whatever) in the world and established a new kingdom, or duchy has it's called here. They are very small and vulnerable to their neighboring duchies. Enter our hero the youngest son of the current Duke. He turns out to be what I am calling a grey mage in the recluse worlds.
The problem I have is that our hero, Lerial, starts out super whiny, like Luke Skywalker levels of whiney and he never really grows out of it. This is combined with anger management problems makes him rather unpleasant to be around. It's clear that the author is trying to show him developing and it's further clear to me that there is a follow up novel for this character so maybe the development just isn't very far along, but in spite of the victories the hero manages he still constantly projects a woe-is-me field in his internal monologs.
Cutting to the chase, the book is worth reading if only to learn about the way women were described as treated in Arms Commander and what happened to the empire after Nolan left the world scene. But the actual story of what happens on the continent (island?) of Hamor and what our whiny hero Lerial are up to are much less interesting than in previous stories. The next one in order is his newest recluse novel called Heritage of Cyador.
It does give some interesting glimpses into why the emperor there was the fool that he was, and how the once mighty and advanced civilization of Cyador had fallen to its degenerate state. After the fall of the empire, a few Cyadorans escaped to another continent (or island whatever) in the world and established a new kingdom, or duchy has it's called here. They are very small and vulnerable to their neighboring duchies. Enter our hero the youngest son of the current Duke. He turns out to be what I am calling a grey mage in the recluse worlds.
The problem I have is that our hero, Lerial, starts out super whiny, like Luke Skywalker levels of whiney and he never really grows out of it. This is combined with anger management problems makes him rather unpleasant to be around. It's clear that the author is trying to show him developing and it's further clear to me that there is a follow up novel for this character so maybe the development just isn't very far along, but in spite of the victories the hero manages he still constantly projects a woe-is-me field in his internal monologs.
Cutting to the chase, the book is worth reading if only to learn about the way women were described as treated in Arms Commander and what happened to the empire after Nolan left the world scene. But the actual story of what happens on the continent (island?) of Hamor and what our whiny hero Lerial are up to are much less interesting than in previous stories. The next one in order is his newest recluse novel called Heritage of Cyador.
July 9, 2014
Originally published at Risingshadow.
I have to confess that L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s Saga of Recluce has been a "guilty pleasure" of mine for a long time. I've enjoyed reading this saga ever since the first novel (The Magic of Recluce) was published, and I still enjoy reading new Recluce novels.
Although Cyador's Heirs is the 17th novel of the Saga of Recluce, this series hasn't lost its freshness and hasn't gone stale like many other long-running fantasy series. It has stayed as interesting and original as it was when the first novel was published. This is quite an achievement, because it's difficult to maintain quality in a long-running fantasy series. In my opinion L. E. Modesitt Jr. is one of the few authors who genuinely seems to love his fantasy world and doesn't let the quality of the saga drop into meaningless mediocrity that many other authors are guilty of accomplishing with their long-running series.
Cyador's Heirs is proof of the fact that L. E. Modesitt Jr. is capable of writing new novels about his fantasy world without losing sight of how to entertain his readers. I'm aware that the author has been criticized for recycling certain plot elements in this series, but it has never bothered me, because this fantasy series is good entertainment on many levels. In my opinion recycling certain plot elements isn't a bad thing when it's done right (in this series it's definitely done right). I think it's nice that the author still manages to keep this series entertaining and doesn't dish new novels out for the sake of making money, but actually concentrates on writing them properly. (This is a good enough reason alone to read this fantasy novel.)
Cyador's Heirs addresses what happens to the heirs of a fallen empire in an intriguing way. It's a continuation of the storyline that was previously introduced to the readers in the Saga of Recluce. This novel is a continuation of the Cyador storyline and it brings more depth to the already well-realized fantasy world by revealing what happens to the heirs of Cyador.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
The events take place after the destruction of Cyador. The survivors fled from Cyador to Hamor and established the dukedom of Cigoerne. Lerial lives in Cigoerne with his family. Lerial's aunt, Emerya, teaches him healing (Emerya also tells him to sense order and chaos patterns in other people). Soon Lerial's father sends him to spend time with Majer Altyrn in Teilyn, because Lerial needs to learn certain things... When time passes, Lerial begins to develop his powers...
Cyador's Heirs is as much as a coming of age story as it is an epic fantasy novel. The author concentrates nicely on writing about Lerial and things around him. As Lerial grows up and learns to manipulate power in different forms (magic, political skills and military skills), things gradually begin to move forward.
Characterization is good in this novel, because L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has a talent for creating believable and three-dimensional characters. I appreciate good characterization, because it brings depth to the story.
The protagonist in Cyador's Heirs is Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron. He has an older brother called Lephi. Lerial is an intelligent young man who questions what happens around him and why something is possible and other things aren't. He is an interesting and likeable character that readers can easily relate to and care about.
The other characters are also interesting and well created characters, but not as three-dimensional as Lerial. I enjoyed reading about Lerial's father, Majer Altyrn, Lephi and other characters, because the author wrote about them and their actions in a realistic and compelling way.
In my opinion the author writes realistically about the relationship between brothers and family members. In my opinion he manages to highlight the tension and differences between Lerial and Lephi surprisingly well. Although they're brothers, they're different from each other and pay attention to different things. Lerial's difference from his brother is reflected by the way he acts around his brother.
What I like perhaps most about this novel is that everything that's connected to Lerial and his growing up feels natural and realistic. I've read many coming of age fantasy stories, so I can say that this novel is one of the few novels in which you can actually see how the protagonist grows up and what he feels as he grows up and begins to understand new things.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has written well about magic in his previous Recluce novels, and he also writes well about it in this novel. I enjoyed reading about how Lerial studied magic and how he learned to control it. The author writes believably about Lerial's attempts to understand how magic works and what he can do with order and chaos.
The author writes fluently about life in the countryside and what it means to be part of a family and what kind of responsibilities a person has when he's part of a community. When Lerian comes to stay at Majer Altyrn's house, he learns to do many new things and also gets to know Majer Altyrn's family. It was genuinely interesting to read how Lerial learned to do things and how he grew up as a person when he stayed at Majer Altyrn's house.
Such things as love and infatuation are explored realistically and without underlining in this novel. What happens between Lerial and Rojana is handled skillfully.
As readers of the Saga of Recluce know, this saga hasn't been written in chronological order. This is one of the strengths of this saga. Another strength of this series is the author's ability to add philosophical elements to the storyline. He manages to infuse his stories with philosophy without being too condescending or overbearing. There are philosophical elements in this novel and they're all handled well.
The author writes fluently about conflicts, potential enemies and threats that the survivors of the fallen empire face. The author also has a talent for writing about economical and political elements, because he writes admirably about them. He has infused his story with these elements, but never lets the story drown in them. He also writes fluently about military life and what people do to defend themselves.
One of the best things about this novel (and the other novels in this saga) is the fact that events often relate to other times and places just like in real life. I like this kind of storytelling, because it adds a touch of realism to the storyline and separates this saga from several other fantasy sagas.
It's worth mentioning that the Saga of Recluce is a surprisingly accessible fantasy series to new readers. Although it may be good to know certain things about the fantasy world, it isn't actually necessary to know anything about the world in order to enjoy the story. It's quite easy to jump into this series almost at any point. I consider this novel to be such an entry point for new readers, because it's an accessible and well written novel. (If you're a newcomer to this saga and need more information about this series, information can be easily found on the internet.)
I think it's good to mention that Cyador's Heirs is the first part of a duology. The story will continue in Heritage of Cyador, which will be published in November 2014. I look forward to reading it, because it'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Cyador's Heirs is a well written, fascinating and enjoyable fantasy novel. It can be recommended to both newcomers to the series and to readers who have been reading the Saga of Recluce for many years. It will appeal to both readerships, because it offers perfect escapism to fantasy readers. If you're looking for an entertaining epic fantasy novel that has a bit more depth in it than other fantasy novels have, you can't go wrong by buying and reading this novel.
Good and well written fantasy entertainment!
I have to confess that L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s Saga of Recluce has been a "guilty pleasure" of mine for a long time. I've enjoyed reading this saga ever since the first novel (The Magic of Recluce) was published, and I still enjoy reading new Recluce novels.
Although Cyador's Heirs is the 17th novel of the Saga of Recluce, this series hasn't lost its freshness and hasn't gone stale like many other long-running fantasy series. It has stayed as interesting and original as it was when the first novel was published. This is quite an achievement, because it's difficult to maintain quality in a long-running fantasy series. In my opinion L. E. Modesitt Jr. is one of the few authors who genuinely seems to love his fantasy world and doesn't let the quality of the saga drop into meaningless mediocrity that many other authors are guilty of accomplishing with their long-running series.
Cyador's Heirs is proof of the fact that L. E. Modesitt Jr. is capable of writing new novels about his fantasy world without losing sight of how to entertain his readers. I'm aware that the author has been criticized for recycling certain plot elements in this series, but it has never bothered me, because this fantasy series is good entertainment on many levels. In my opinion recycling certain plot elements isn't a bad thing when it's done right (in this series it's definitely done right). I think it's nice that the author still manages to keep this series entertaining and doesn't dish new novels out for the sake of making money, but actually concentrates on writing them properly. (This is a good enough reason alone to read this fantasy novel.)
Cyador's Heirs addresses what happens to the heirs of a fallen empire in an intriguing way. It's a continuation of the storyline that was previously introduced to the readers in the Saga of Recluce. This novel is a continuation of the Cyador storyline and it brings more depth to the already well-realized fantasy world by revealing what happens to the heirs of Cyador.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
The events take place after the destruction of Cyador. The survivors fled from Cyador to Hamor and established the dukedom of Cigoerne. Lerial lives in Cigoerne with his family. Lerial's aunt, Emerya, teaches him healing (Emerya also tells him to sense order and chaos patterns in other people). Soon Lerial's father sends him to spend time with Majer Altyrn in Teilyn, because Lerial needs to learn certain things... When time passes, Lerial begins to develop his powers...
Cyador's Heirs is as much as a coming of age story as it is an epic fantasy novel. The author concentrates nicely on writing about Lerial and things around him. As Lerial grows up and learns to manipulate power in different forms (magic, political skills and military skills), things gradually begin to move forward.
Characterization is good in this novel, because L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has a talent for creating believable and three-dimensional characters. I appreciate good characterization, because it brings depth to the story.
The protagonist in Cyador's Heirs is Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron. He has an older brother called Lephi. Lerial is an intelligent young man who questions what happens around him and why something is possible and other things aren't. He is an interesting and likeable character that readers can easily relate to and care about.
The other characters are also interesting and well created characters, but not as three-dimensional as Lerial. I enjoyed reading about Lerial's father, Majer Altyrn, Lephi and other characters, because the author wrote about them and their actions in a realistic and compelling way.
In my opinion the author writes realistically about the relationship between brothers and family members. In my opinion he manages to highlight the tension and differences between Lerial and Lephi surprisingly well. Although they're brothers, they're different from each other and pay attention to different things. Lerial's difference from his brother is reflected by the way he acts around his brother.
What I like perhaps most about this novel is that everything that's connected to Lerial and his growing up feels natural and realistic. I've read many coming of age fantasy stories, so I can say that this novel is one of the few novels in which you can actually see how the protagonist grows up and what he feels as he grows up and begins to understand new things.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has written well about magic in his previous Recluce novels, and he also writes well about it in this novel. I enjoyed reading about how Lerial studied magic and how he learned to control it. The author writes believably about Lerial's attempts to understand how magic works and what he can do with order and chaos.
The author writes fluently about life in the countryside and what it means to be part of a family and what kind of responsibilities a person has when he's part of a community. When Lerian comes to stay at Majer Altyrn's house, he learns to do many new things and also gets to know Majer Altyrn's family. It was genuinely interesting to read how Lerial learned to do things and how he grew up as a person when he stayed at Majer Altyrn's house.
Such things as love and infatuation are explored realistically and without underlining in this novel. What happens between Lerial and Rojana is handled skillfully.
As readers of the Saga of Recluce know, this saga hasn't been written in chronological order. This is one of the strengths of this saga. Another strength of this series is the author's ability to add philosophical elements to the storyline. He manages to infuse his stories with philosophy without being too condescending or overbearing. There are philosophical elements in this novel and they're all handled well.
The author writes fluently about conflicts, potential enemies and threats that the survivors of the fallen empire face. The author also has a talent for writing about economical and political elements, because he writes admirably about them. He has infused his story with these elements, but never lets the story drown in them. He also writes fluently about military life and what people do to defend themselves.
One of the best things about this novel (and the other novels in this saga) is the fact that events often relate to other times and places just like in real life. I like this kind of storytelling, because it adds a touch of realism to the storyline and separates this saga from several other fantasy sagas.
It's worth mentioning that the Saga of Recluce is a surprisingly accessible fantasy series to new readers. Although it may be good to know certain things about the fantasy world, it isn't actually necessary to know anything about the world in order to enjoy the story. It's quite easy to jump into this series almost at any point. I consider this novel to be such an entry point for new readers, because it's an accessible and well written novel. (If you're a newcomer to this saga and need more information about this series, information can be easily found on the internet.)
I think it's good to mention that Cyador's Heirs is the first part of a duology. The story will continue in Heritage of Cyador, which will be published in November 2014. I look forward to reading it, because it'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Cyador's Heirs is a well written, fascinating and enjoyable fantasy novel. It can be recommended to both newcomers to the series and to readers who have been reading the Saga of Recluce for many years. It will appeal to both readerships, because it offers perfect escapism to fantasy readers. If you're looking for an entertaining epic fantasy novel that has a bit more depth in it than other fantasy novels have, you can't go wrong by buying and reading this novel.
Good and well written fantasy entertainment!
January 17, 2017
Another great volume in the Saga of Recluce. Modesitt brings a completely new tale to the series, while building on the history of the previous volumes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Modesitt is a very good storyteller, with a skill for expounding intricate detail that draws the reader in as opposed to becoming boring.
July 25, 2024
6th book chronologically centers on the younger grandson of the last emperor of Cyador. Raised in the shadow of his elder brother, and intimidated by him.
This is a coming of age book for Lerial. His father apparently notices more than he realized and sends Lerial off to be trained by a legendary Major of the Mirror Knights.
This is a coming of age book for Lerial. His father apparently notices more than he realized and sends Lerial off to be trained by a legendary Major of the Mirror Knights.
September 16, 2020
Enjoyed this book like most of the books by L.E Modesitt. It started a bit slow but got better as it went on. Looking forward to continuing the story or Lerial in the next book.
December 10, 2014
excellent stuff and very much LE Modesitt in style, hero, action etc - also more similar in many ways with the Imager series (especially the Quearyt books) than with the earlier Recluce; starts a little slow and becomes a coming of age story to a great extent, though one that you cannot stop turning the pages
Lerial, 16 year old second son of Duke Kiedron of Cigoerne - small duchy where the refugees from the fall of Cyador led by Kiedron's mother and former Empress of Cyador, settled a generation ago and bought a little arid land from the neighboring Afrit, only to make it prosperous and slowly expand arousing the envy and greed of the three powerful neighboring states - feels sorry for himself as he is not as skilled or appreciated by his parents as his older brother and heir Lephi, has some magic skill that are unusual and which his aunt Emerya encourages in secret as they may conflict with his "white" magi heritage of Cyador and he is overall a somewhat spoiled teen, when the duke sends him away to the country estate of the former commander of the Mirror Lancers (the army of Cyador and now of Cigoerne), retired major Altyrn to be fostered.
Unhappy at what he perceives his faultless exile, Lerial is soon taken with the major and his happy family (mysterious wife, a refugee from neighboring Heldya and rumored to be of aristocratic background, and three daughters, the oldest close to Lerial's age) and prosperous farms and businesses, so he starts learning to do lots of stuff from digging to fighting and developing his magic skills, only for a diplomatic mission to some neighboring forest people who want admission to Cigoerne as their nominal ruler wants to enslave and destroy them, turns into a desperate fight for survival against overwhelming odds and where Altyrn's military genius and Lerial's developing magic may still not be enough...
highly recommended
Lerial, 16 year old second son of Duke Kiedron of Cigoerne - small duchy where the refugees from the fall of Cyador led by Kiedron's mother and former Empress of Cyador, settled a generation ago and bought a little arid land from the neighboring Afrit, only to make it prosperous and slowly expand arousing the envy and greed of the three powerful neighboring states - feels sorry for himself as he is not as skilled or appreciated by his parents as his older brother and heir Lephi, has some magic skill that are unusual and which his aunt Emerya encourages in secret as they may conflict with his "white" magi heritage of Cyador and he is overall a somewhat spoiled teen, when the duke sends him away to the country estate of the former commander of the Mirror Lancers (the army of Cyador and now of Cigoerne), retired major Altyrn to be fostered.
Unhappy at what he perceives his faultless exile, Lerial is soon taken with the major and his happy family (mysterious wife, a refugee from neighboring Heldya and rumored to be of aristocratic background, and three daughters, the oldest close to Lerial's age) and prosperous farms and businesses, so he starts learning to do lots of stuff from digging to fighting and developing his magic skills, only for a diplomatic mission to some neighboring forest people who want admission to Cigoerne as their nominal ruler wants to enslave and destroy them, turns into a desperate fight for survival against overwhelming odds and where Altyrn's military genius and Lerial's developing magic may still not be enough...
highly recommended
June 5, 2014
“If all works, even the greatest works, are doomed to fall and be forgotten, why does it matter for him--or anyone--to a good job, especially of digging a ditch?” Every time we are returned to the world of Order and Chaos, we know it's to see a significant event in the world, either building or destroying something (in some cases both), but even that which is built now will ultimately fall. We've seen the Tower built and destroyed, Recluce be created, rise in power, and laid low, Fairhaven conquer and melt, and Cyador overthrown. We still appreciate the work put into the stories.
A generation after the fall of Cyador, survivors of empire are established on Hamor and facing potential enemies on all sides. Once again a young protagonist, Lerial, grandson of the last Emperor, must learn to manipulate power, both in terms of Order/Chaos magic and military/political skill, while facing these threats. Unlike previous books, this one inserts many obvious references to a couple of earlier ones, specifically the two Lorn books, with frequent mentions of Lorn (though it's setting is long after his reign and a generation after The Chaos Balance). As usual with Modesitt's recent two-parters, this book feels less complete on its own, but I do look forward to the sequel.
A generation after the fall of Cyador, survivors of empire are established on Hamor and facing potential enemies on all sides. Once again a young protagonist, Lerial, grandson of the last Emperor, must learn to manipulate power, both in terms of Order/Chaos magic and military/political skill, while facing these threats. Unlike previous books, this one inserts many obvious references to a couple of earlier ones, specifically the two Lorn books, with frequent mentions of Lorn (though it's setting is long after his reign and a generation after The Chaos Balance). As usual with Modesitt's recent two-parters, this book feels less complete on its own, but I do look forward to the sequel.
July 9, 2014
I like everything LE Modesitt writes and this is no exception. His main character is not quite as engaging as some others he has created, but he still has me wondering what will happen in next book. Thank goodness that book is not too far away.
January 20, 2018
Recluce
This is yet another brilliant addition to the saga of Recluce. An engaging book with well rounded characters and plot. The story kept me reading well into the night. Highly recommended.
This is yet another brilliant addition to the saga of Recluce. An engaging book with well rounded characters and plot. The story kept me reading well into the night. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2016
300 pages of tedious battle strategy and 20 pages of actual fantasy.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
June 22, 2020
The setting is Cigoerne, a small country of decent people in the continent of Hamor. When their homeland of Cyador was destroyed, they fled to this location and were allowed to set up a small country, albeit surrounded by enemies, the sort of treacherous types who ill-treat their women. Fortunately, the leaders of Afrit, Merowey and Heldya don’t trust each other so it’s hard for them to coordinate an attack on Cigoerne. Does this situation remind anyone else of Israel?
Our teenage hero is Lerial, son of Cigoerne’s ruler Duke Kiedron but not the heir, which honour falls to his elder brother, Lephi, who is not especially nice. Like all wise young fantasy heroes, Lerial has a mentor. In this case, it’s Altyrn-Majer (stipended) – former commander of Mirror Lancers. A hard-nosed mentor who says, ‘…moral worth in itself does not win battles. What wins battles and wars is the ability to prevail and the willingness to do whatever is necessary, however distasteful that may be’ or the end justifies the means as they say in the CIA.
The war in question develops in the forest region of Verdyn which lies between Cigoerne and Merowey. Technically, it’s part of Merowey but they haven’t bothered with it much. Now they are planning to invade. When the forest people make it plain that they would like to join Cigoerne and place themselves under the protection of Duke Kiedron, he sends his son Lerial as an envoy, accompanied by a couple of squadrons of lancers. As you would expect from a world-builder of Modesitt’s talent, the ecology and economy of the forest people’s society are well realised. Anyway, the stage is set, the actors are in place, let battle commence! It does and the details of a hard-fought campaign are realistically conveyed as usual by this talented writer.
A recent discussion on BBC Radio 4 on Romanticism made me realise what makes Modesitt’s fantasy unusual. Fantasy grew out of the Romantic tradition which stretches from Arthurian legends to gothic novels but Modesitt’s fantasy is not Romantic. There is nothing dreamy, impractical, unrealistic or emotional about his heroes who all work hard and do the right thing, to borrow a catchphrase from our beloved Prime Minister. They are constantly learning new skills and have a positively Victorian approach to self-improvement. They view the world with eminent common-sense. Good stories ensue but I’m not sure if this makes for great fiction. The most interesting characters have some sort of flaw but not Modesitt’s. There are no doomed princes yearning for lost loves trapped in other dimensions and fits of melancholy, lassitude or ennui are not done. Nor do they fly into barbarian rages. His settings, too, are unique in fantasy. The trappings are mediaeval, certainly, but the ‘magic’ is really just a different set of physical laws which are followed with Newtonian rigour. Demons are not invoked, nor Gods, spirits, elves or Munchkins. The heroes are human beings coping with a different set of circumstances but their values are those of white Anglo-Saxon protestants in 1950s America. Hard work and clean living should see them through.
This may be a backhanded compliment but Modesitt’s fantasies are superb bedtime reading. When my brain is too tired to focus on something difficult, the short chapters, clear writing, steady progress, familiar characters and general lack of anything too complicated make them ideal. When your eyelids start to droop, it’s only a couple of pages to the end of the chapter and the whole story is so plainly etched in the grey matter that there’s no worry about losing track. The books are easy to pick up again. In fact, they’re quite addictive and I have read many of them, despite my reservations about some of the values therein. The good guys are good but there’s a certain self-righteous certainty about them that makes me uncomfortable.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed ‘Cyador’s Heirs’, as usual, and have the sequel to hand. Recommended for Modesitt fans, worth a look for anyone else. If you like Heinlein juveniles and John Wayne films, you will probably like the ‘Saga Of Recluce’.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
Our teenage hero is Lerial, son of Cigoerne’s ruler Duke Kiedron but not the heir, which honour falls to his elder brother, Lephi, who is not especially nice. Like all wise young fantasy heroes, Lerial has a mentor. In this case, it’s Altyrn-Majer (stipended) – former commander of Mirror Lancers. A hard-nosed mentor who says, ‘…moral worth in itself does not win battles. What wins battles and wars is the ability to prevail and the willingness to do whatever is necessary, however distasteful that may be’ or the end justifies the means as they say in the CIA.
The war in question develops in the forest region of Verdyn which lies between Cigoerne and Merowey. Technically, it’s part of Merowey but they haven’t bothered with it much. Now they are planning to invade. When the forest people make it plain that they would like to join Cigoerne and place themselves under the protection of Duke Kiedron, he sends his son Lerial as an envoy, accompanied by a couple of squadrons of lancers. As you would expect from a world-builder of Modesitt’s talent, the ecology and economy of the forest people’s society are well realised. Anyway, the stage is set, the actors are in place, let battle commence! It does and the details of a hard-fought campaign are realistically conveyed as usual by this talented writer.
A recent discussion on BBC Radio 4 on Romanticism made me realise what makes Modesitt’s fantasy unusual. Fantasy grew out of the Romantic tradition which stretches from Arthurian legends to gothic novels but Modesitt’s fantasy is not Romantic. There is nothing dreamy, impractical, unrealistic or emotional about his heroes who all work hard and do the right thing, to borrow a catchphrase from our beloved Prime Minister. They are constantly learning new skills and have a positively Victorian approach to self-improvement. They view the world with eminent common-sense. Good stories ensue but I’m not sure if this makes for great fiction. The most interesting characters have some sort of flaw but not Modesitt’s. There are no doomed princes yearning for lost loves trapped in other dimensions and fits of melancholy, lassitude or ennui are not done. Nor do they fly into barbarian rages. His settings, too, are unique in fantasy. The trappings are mediaeval, certainly, but the ‘magic’ is really just a different set of physical laws which are followed with Newtonian rigour. Demons are not invoked, nor Gods, spirits, elves or Munchkins. The heroes are human beings coping with a different set of circumstances but their values are those of white Anglo-Saxon protestants in 1950s America. Hard work and clean living should see them through.
This may be a backhanded compliment but Modesitt’s fantasies are superb bedtime reading. When my brain is too tired to focus on something difficult, the short chapters, clear writing, steady progress, familiar characters and general lack of anything too complicated make them ideal. When your eyelids start to droop, it’s only a couple of pages to the end of the chapter and the whole story is so plainly etched in the grey matter that there’s no worry about losing track. The books are easy to pick up again. In fact, they’re quite addictive and I have read many of them, despite my reservations about some of the values therein. The good guys are good but there’s a certain self-righteous certainty about them that makes me uncomfortable.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed ‘Cyador’s Heirs’, as usual, and have the sequel to hand. Recommended for Modesitt fans, worth a look for anyone else. If you like Heinlein juveniles and John Wayne films, you will probably like the ‘Saga Of Recluce’.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
January 23, 2024
I love Recluse.
But.
The Saga of Recluse is a series that I embarked on shortly after reading the Wheel of Time Series the first time (and then the second time the minute I finished the most recent one to date: Path of Daggers)
I was reading the books out of my local Barnes and Nobles collection without purchasing (anything but a LOT of Starbucks), and so they weren't always all there, and on more than one occasion, I was partly through one of the books when somebody up and bought it on me.
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend that as a money saving option for reading books.
But anyways, late last year I had the idea to reread the series and also catch up on all the ones I missed, halfway read, never got around to, etc. It was a really good idea and I am glad to have started down that road.
Except there is one small problem.
As great of a writer as Modesett is, there is really only one plot arc. A young man (or woman) is discontented with his life and wants more than it seems the world around him can give. This young man (or woman) tends to be a bit of the strong, silent type. They also are a workaholic perfectionist who, in their perfectionism become more and more of an OP order (or chaos) mage. More and more this ruffles feathers, people oppose them with ever-increasing raised stakes, and they simply become more and more OP to rise to meet each challenge. Finally, they win the last battle and everyone lives happily ever after.
Lerris, Creslin, Nylan, Lorn, and now Lerial... they are all variations of the same plot. Even with Saryn, being a woman was simply one of the variations. So although I love the Recluse series and I believe Modesett is absolutely brilliant at using technical detail as a means of world-building, I don't think I love them quite as much when I am reading them back to back. Giving the series a break over the holidays was a great way for me to enjoy the series once again but I think after reading Heritage, I will probably wait until sometime this spring before picking the books up again and continuing on in my chronological read through.
But.
The Saga of Recluse is a series that I embarked on shortly after reading the Wheel of Time Series the first time (and then the second time the minute I finished the most recent one to date: Path of Daggers)
I was reading the books out of my local Barnes and Nobles collection without purchasing (anything but a LOT of Starbucks), and so they weren't always all there, and on more than one occasion, I was partly through one of the books when somebody up and bought it on me.
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend that as a money saving option for reading books.
But anyways, late last year I had the idea to reread the series and also catch up on all the ones I missed, halfway read, never got around to, etc. It was a really good idea and I am glad to have started down that road.
Except there is one small problem.
As great of a writer as Modesett is, there is really only one plot arc. A young man (or woman) is discontented with his life and wants more than it seems the world around him can give. This young man (or woman) tends to be a bit of the strong, silent type. They also are a workaholic perfectionist who, in their perfectionism become more and more of an OP order (or chaos) mage. More and more this ruffles feathers, people oppose them with ever-increasing raised stakes, and they simply become more and more OP to rise to meet each challenge. Finally, they win the last battle and everyone lives happily ever after.
Lerris, Creslin, Nylan, Lorn, and now Lerial... they are all variations of the same plot. Even with Saryn, being a woman was simply one of the variations. So although I love the Recluse series and I believe Modesett is absolutely brilliant at using technical detail as a means of world-building, I don't think I love them quite as much when I am reading them back to back. Giving the series a break over the holidays was a great way for me to enjoy the series once again but I think after reading Heritage, I will probably wait until sometime this spring before picking the books up again and continuing on in my chronological read through.
October 24, 2017
This installment in the Saga of Recluce takes us back to the time soon after the fall of Cyador and the beginnings of the Hamorian Empire as the remnants of Cyador establish a foothold in Cigoerne. It tells the story of Lerial, younger son of the Duke of Cigoerne and his growth as a handler of Chaos and Order and undercaptain in the Cigoerne Lancers.
As in other books in the Recluce series, there is the requisite whining about one’s fate and one’s ability and inability to effectively use one’s talents. There is also plenty of detail about battle tactics and the intrigues that plague both rulers and military forces. But it’s a relatively tight story, well-paced, and sheds light on the early days of the Hamor that eventually comes into being.
It is my understanding that the next book continues Lerial’s story, and I’m looking forward to it.
As in other books in the Recluce series, there is the requisite whining about one’s fate and one’s ability and inability to effectively use one’s talents. There is also plenty of detail about battle tactics and the intrigues that plague both rulers and military forces. But it’s a relatively tight story, well-paced, and sheds light on the early days of the Hamor that eventually comes into being.
It is my understanding that the next book continues Lerial’s story, and I’m looking forward to it.
March 16, 2018
There is a set pattern to the Recluce books of L E Modesitt Jr. that is becoming more obvious with each segment of his longest ongoing series. It is something that can be traced back to the very first novel, The Magic of Recluce, when Lerris left the island of Recluce and has been prevalent ever since.
In short, a young inexperienced character with unusual or apparently weak magic powers of description begins a journey that will not only enable him to grow into a well-rounded character, but that will see him develop those seemingly insignificant abilities into powers that make him one of the most formidable beings of his time.
In some ways though, this is not what the Recluce series has become about. Rather it is Modesitt growing and expanding his world, building upon the history he has always put in place and giving us a world that is a lot larger and more expanded than originally revealed. In fact, perhaps, the series that is referred to as the Recluce series, deserves a broader title, because that small island that was so pivotal in the first five books of the series has hardly been mentioned in the later books.
It might even be worth a mention, that the similarities, the character journeys that seem so familiar, might be an important part of the ongoing world building that Modesitt employs, showing how certain characteristics and abilities surface at times of major upheaval and change, raising the question as to whether these powerful individuals are the cause of change or a reaction to it.
The mighty and powerful nation of Cyador is gone, and its survivors have to settle into a new land, where they are tolerated, if not exactly wanted. They exist amid other powers who seem them as little more than something to be conquered, and they must survive the schemes from without and within in order to strengthen their nation, to survive, grow and ultimately thrive.
The story is told through the eyes of Lerial, the son of the Duke of Cigoerne, descendants of Cyador. He is the younger son, and perhaps feels that eh has a harsher lot in life than his elder brother, who might well be a little bit of a blow hard. He has abilities in chaos, but also in order, and it is this that is encouraged. Despite being limited in what he can do, he is forced to grow up quickly as the neighbouring lands begin to try and remove the threat they see growing in their midst, and a simple diplomatic mission leads to war.
As is the case with the pattern, Lerial begins to force his powers into action, stretching them and learning how to use them as he begins to understand them more, making him more and more powerful.
His talents and insights may well lead to him becoming a central figure in the world around him.
In short, a young inexperienced character with unusual or apparently weak magic powers of description begins a journey that will not only enable him to grow into a well-rounded character, but that will see him develop those seemingly insignificant abilities into powers that make him one of the most formidable beings of his time.
In some ways though, this is not what the Recluce series has become about. Rather it is Modesitt growing and expanding his world, building upon the history he has always put in place and giving us a world that is a lot larger and more expanded than originally revealed. In fact, perhaps, the series that is referred to as the Recluce series, deserves a broader title, because that small island that was so pivotal in the first five books of the series has hardly been mentioned in the later books.
It might even be worth a mention, that the similarities, the character journeys that seem so familiar, might be an important part of the ongoing world building that Modesitt employs, showing how certain characteristics and abilities surface at times of major upheaval and change, raising the question as to whether these powerful individuals are the cause of change or a reaction to it.
The mighty and powerful nation of Cyador is gone, and its survivors have to settle into a new land, where they are tolerated, if not exactly wanted. They exist amid other powers who seem them as little more than something to be conquered, and they must survive the schemes from without and within in order to strengthen their nation, to survive, grow and ultimately thrive.
The story is told through the eyes of Lerial, the son of the Duke of Cigoerne, descendants of Cyador. He is the younger son, and perhaps feels that eh has a harsher lot in life than his elder brother, who might well be a little bit of a blow hard. He has abilities in chaos, but also in order, and it is this that is encouraged. Despite being limited in what he can do, he is forced to grow up quickly as the neighbouring lands begin to try and remove the threat they see growing in their midst, and a simple diplomatic mission leads to war.
As is the case with the pattern, Lerial begins to force his powers into action, stretching them and learning how to use them as he begins to understand them more, making him more and more powerful.
His talents and insights may well lead to him becoming a central figure in the world around him.
May 24, 2024
L.E. Modesitt, Jr, continues the Saga of Recluce, and continues to deliver books that are both familiar enough to stay in the Recluce comfort zone yet different enough to offer something new.
In "Cyador's Heirs," he returns to the early days of his saga, with the survivors of Cyador trying to establish themselves on the continent of Hamor. The protagonist is the second son of the Duke of Cigoerne, and finds himself thrust into military action in his mid-teens. Lerial is a typical Modesitt protagonist -- hard-working, gifted with a talent for mage work, and struggling with the necessity of violence and the use of force.
If you've like the previous 16, you'll like this one ...
In "Cyador's Heirs," he returns to the early days of his saga, with the survivors of Cyador trying to establish themselves on the continent of Hamor. The protagonist is the second son of the Duke of Cigoerne, and finds himself thrust into military action in his mid-teens. Lerial is a typical Modesitt protagonist -- hard-working, gifted with a talent for mage work, and struggling with the necessity of violence and the use of force.
If you've like the previous 16, you'll like this one ...
January 25, 2018
Very enjoyable. As usual Modesitt makes a big leap in the history of the Recluce planet (whatever its name may be!) and starts over with completely new characters; but they are well built-up, and one definitely feels for the somewhat downtrodden hero, Lerial. The whole book is 'preparation': preparation of Lerial for greater things to come, preparation of the various supporting characters and of the background and history of this part of the continent of Hamor.
So I look forward to seeing what all this preparation builds up to!
So I look forward to seeing what all this preparation builds up to!
February 24, 2019
Another really good addition to the series. However, this book had me on my heels a bit. You knew that at some point Lerial would “figure it out” these things called order and chaos. But this book, in my opinion, took a bit too long to get there. There are only so many stand and withdrawals you can get through and I found it dragging...which I had not encountered before in this series. I am glad I did complete the climb as in the end the view was still good.
February 2, 2017
I was a bit surprised by how the book developed, the twist seemed a bit strange, untill you reread or remember a few hints throughout the book. Well written and wonderfully researched (his books are accurate in how some jobs were done, as well as how primative culutures might have lived)
May 8, 2022
This was good. I thought maybe I was a little over Modesitt. But I really enjoyed watching Lerial grow from a naïve child to adulthood stumbling through his use of order and his diplomatic duties. I'm looking forward to reading Heritage of Cyador.
December 6, 2022
Not bad, after so many books, getting a bit tired of the formula. But i do want to read them all. Almost there. I do prefer the crafting stories over the soldiering ones, and this was certainly a soldiering one.
April 30, 2015
I've been a big fan of L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s Recluce saga since The Magic of Recluce first came out in the early 90s. Haters might find it hard to believe, but as was the case with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, it was the Darrell K. Sweet cover art that originally made me pick it up. And since then, sixteen installments later, every new Recluce novel has always managed to scratch my itch.
Once The Death of Chaos was completed, Modesitt maintained that no subsequent Recluce book would focus on future events set in that universe. Hence, every installment but The Magic of Recluce and The Death of Chaos take place at various period in the past of the Recluce timeline. This one chronicles the fate of those who survived the destruction of Cyador and further fleshes out the already rich historical past of this bestselling saga.
Here's the blurb:
Decades after the fall of Cyador, its survivors have re-established themselves in Cigoerne, a fertile country coveted by hostile neighbors in less hospitable lands. Young Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron, lives in the shadow of his older brother Lephi, the heir to their father's realm. Lerial's future seems preordained: He will one day command his brother's forces in defence of Cigoerne, serving at his older sibling's pleasure, and no more.
But when Lerial is sent abroad to be fostered by Major Altyrn to learn the skills and wisdom he will need to fulfil his future duties, he begins a journey into a much larger world that brings out his true potential. Lerial has talents that few, as yet, suspect: He is one of those rare beings who can harness both Order and Chaos, the competing natural forces that shape the world and define the magic that exists within it. And as war finally engulfs the fringes of Cigoerne, Lerial's growing mastery of Order and Chaos is tested to its limits, and his own.
The worldbuilding is always one of the most interesting aspects of these new Recluce books, for it allows readers to discover how people and events shaped history during their lifetime. In the last Recluce volume, Arms-Commander, Saryn's involvement in protecting the regency culminated in drastic changes throughout Lornth, shaping that country into what it would become in later years. And much like Nylan changed the face of Candar when he faced the might of Cyador, Saryn's coming down from Tower Black and the Roof of the World echoed down the centuries. The same can be said of young and inexperienced Lerial, who is forced to grow up before his time and whose actions as he attempts to save Cigoerne will change Hamor forever. I enjoyed how Modesitt filled in many of the blanks and elaborated on how the Empress brought the surviving Mirror Lancers, the Magi'i, and other survivors into the last fireship and fled Cyador to establish themselves in what would one eventually become Cigoerne.
As is usually his wont, the author continues to explore the relationship between Order and Chaos, one of the trademarks of this series. Being able to manipulate both Order and Chaos forces Lerial to test the limits of what he can do, often with unanticipated results. I'm already looking forward to the sequel, Heritage of Cyador, coming out later this fall, which will continue Lerial's tale.
The characterization is much better in Cyador's Heirs than it was in the previous Recluce novel. In Arms-Commander, I felt that Saryn, though she was a three-dimensional protagonist, was a bit too aloof to carry the weight of the entire story on her shoulders. On the other hand, Lerial, a teenager with an inquisitive mind, is a much more sympathetic character. We learn more about Order and Chaos as Lerial experiments, hoping that he can discover ways to help his father's forces overcome its enemies before it's too late. Majer Altyrn, even though he's not a POV protagonist, plays a large role in Lerial's character growth as the tale progresses and his knowledge of Cyador's past adds a few layers to the story.
Modesitt's novels are never fast-paced affairs and Cyador's Heirs is no exception. As was the case in most Recluce installments, the author needs time to establish the various plotlines. And then, you follow the main character as he or she must learn, experiment, and puzzle out ways to escape a number of predicaments before the finale. In that respect, Cyador's Heirs follows Modesitt's Recluce recipe like its predecessors and long-time fans end up with a satisfying read yet again. As the 17th volume in the Recluce saga, readers have come to know what to expect and Cyador's Heirs will undoubtedly please Modesitt fans, regardless of the fact that the rhythm can sometimes be an issue.
Feminism and the emancipation of women continue to be two important Recluce themes, although they are not as predominant as they were in Arms-Commander.
All in all, Cyador's Heirs is another solid effort by L. E. Modesitt, jr. Intelligent, thoughtful, and entertaining without any bells and whistles, this is adult fantasy by an author in perfect control of his craft and his universe.
For more reviews: www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Once The Death of Chaos was completed, Modesitt maintained that no subsequent Recluce book would focus on future events set in that universe. Hence, every installment but The Magic of Recluce and The Death of Chaos take place at various period in the past of the Recluce timeline. This one chronicles the fate of those who survived the destruction of Cyador and further fleshes out the already rich historical past of this bestselling saga.
Here's the blurb:
Decades after the fall of Cyador, its survivors have re-established themselves in Cigoerne, a fertile country coveted by hostile neighbors in less hospitable lands. Young Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron, lives in the shadow of his older brother Lephi, the heir to their father's realm. Lerial's future seems preordained: He will one day command his brother's forces in defence of Cigoerne, serving at his older sibling's pleasure, and no more.
But when Lerial is sent abroad to be fostered by Major Altyrn to learn the skills and wisdom he will need to fulfil his future duties, he begins a journey into a much larger world that brings out his true potential. Lerial has talents that few, as yet, suspect: He is one of those rare beings who can harness both Order and Chaos, the competing natural forces that shape the world and define the magic that exists within it. And as war finally engulfs the fringes of Cigoerne, Lerial's growing mastery of Order and Chaos is tested to its limits, and his own.
The worldbuilding is always one of the most interesting aspects of these new Recluce books, for it allows readers to discover how people and events shaped history during their lifetime. In the last Recluce volume, Arms-Commander, Saryn's involvement in protecting the regency culminated in drastic changes throughout Lornth, shaping that country into what it would become in later years. And much like Nylan changed the face of Candar when he faced the might of Cyador, Saryn's coming down from Tower Black and the Roof of the World echoed down the centuries. The same can be said of young and inexperienced Lerial, who is forced to grow up before his time and whose actions as he attempts to save Cigoerne will change Hamor forever. I enjoyed how Modesitt filled in many of the blanks and elaborated on how the Empress brought the surviving Mirror Lancers, the Magi'i, and other survivors into the last fireship and fled Cyador to establish themselves in what would one eventually become Cigoerne.
As is usually his wont, the author continues to explore the relationship between Order and Chaos, one of the trademarks of this series. Being able to manipulate both Order and Chaos forces Lerial to test the limits of what he can do, often with unanticipated results. I'm already looking forward to the sequel, Heritage of Cyador, coming out later this fall, which will continue Lerial's tale.
The characterization is much better in Cyador's Heirs than it was in the previous Recluce novel. In Arms-Commander, I felt that Saryn, though she was a three-dimensional protagonist, was a bit too aloof to carry the weight of the entire story on her shoulders. On the other hand, Lerial, a teenager with an inquisitive mind, is a much more sympathetic character. We learn more about Order and Chaos as Lerial experiments, hoping that he can discover ways to help his father's forces overcome its enemies before it's too late. Majer Altyrn, even though he's not a POV protagonist, plays a large role in Lerial's character growth as the tale progresses and his knowledge of Cyador's past adds a few layers to the story.
Modesitt's novels are never fast-paced affairs and Cyador's Heirs is no exception. As was the case in most Recluce installments, the author needs time to establish the various plotlines. And then, you follow the main character as he or she must learn, experiment, and puzzle out ways to escape a number of predicaments before the finale. In that respect, Cyador's Heirs follows Modesitt's Recluce recipe like its predecessors and long-time fans end up with a satisfying read yet again. As the 17th volume in the Recluce saga, readers have come to know what to expect and Cyador's Heirs will undoubtedly please Modesitt fans, regardless of the fact that the rhythm can sometimes be an issue.
Feminism and the emancipation of women continue to be two important Recluce themes, although they are not as predominant as they were in Arms-Commander.
All in all, Cyador's Heirs is another solid effort by L. E. Modesitt, jr. Intelligent, thoughtful, and entertaining without any bells and whistles, this is adult fantasy by an author in perfect control of his craft and his universe.
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August 4, 2017
Saga of Recluce continues.
Although maybe not my favorite book in the series I still enjoyed reading Cyador's Heirs. I already look forward to reading the next book.
Although maybe not my favorite book in the series I still enjoyed reading Cyador's Heirs. I already look forward to reading the next book.
August 26, 2017
An enjoyable read. Very much a standard Recluse series.
November 19, 2017
These coming-of-age books in the Recluce universe are all very similar. Still, a captivating read though.
November 17, 2017
Another solid book in the Recluce series. There were some thin points in the story, but I feel that these will be filled in as the future story unfolds.
November 27, 2017
it had a bit of a slow slog through parts of it but its a good series and the narrator has been better about the verbal sound effects which makes it more bareable to listen to
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