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The Saga of Recluce #13
Ordermaster
Ordermaster is the 13th book in the Saga of Recluce and the direct sequel to Wellspring of Chaos . The cooper Kharl has no sooner taken possession of the estate bestowed upon him by Lord Ghrant of Austra for his aid in quelling the revolt of Ghrant's dispossessed brother, when he is summoned back to the capital. Hagen, his friend the lord-chancellor, needs help in dealing with rebellious nobles. After a bloody campaign, in which Kharl discovers and is forced to use even more deadly order magery, civil order is restored and Ghrant's throne firmly secured. But Kharl is now a famous and feared public figure, the Lord's Mage, and his notoriety makes him uncomfortable.
To his surprise, Kharl is soon called upon again by Lords Ghrant and Hagen, this time to return to his homeland of Nordla as envoy, because Nordla has become the next target of Hamorian expansion. Back in his hometown of Brysta, he discovers that his old enemy Egen is engaged in a plot with the Hamorians to take the throne from his father and open Nordla to the enemy. Kharl has to find a solution, for the sake of both the land of his birth and his adopted new country.
To his surprise, Kharl is soon called upon again by Lords Ghrant and Hagen, this time to return to his homeland of Nordla as envoy, because Nordla has become the next target of Hamorian expansion. Back in his hometown of Brysta, he discovers that his old enemy Egen is engaged in a plot with the Hamorians to take the throne from his father and open Nordla to the enemy. Kharl has to find a solution, for the sake of both the land of his birth and his adopted new country.
494 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
82 people are currently reading
1594 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 56 reviews
September 1, 2022
Poor old Kharl, he's about as boring as one of the barrels he used to make. He plods methodically through this whole novel, never seeming to think about how his actions will effect the people around him. I guess there are people out there who don't consider how others will react, but I can't imagine being one of them. At the beginning of the book, he sets up a building on his new estate as a cooperage and starts building barrels again. Before I could gouge out my eyes from frustration, he is sent off to be Lord Ghrant's envoy to troublesome Brysta, Kharl's old stomping grounds, to stop a takeover by the empire of Hamor.
There, Kharl gets an education in making the most of the lesser of evils. Lord Ghrant had encouraged him to study the law, where he learned what those who work in the system know: law is not justice. Judges can only work within the strictures of the law and cannot decide punishments that aren't established penalties. Then he learns about dealing with a whole ruling family of shitweasels. But all of this is pretty standard fare for these books by Modesitt. He follows this pattern in every book.
Kharl gets to revisit his past and, being the ultra honest sort, he is determined to make right any of the past wrongs than he can. In several cases he is a day late and a dollar short, but he does manage to help a few former neighbours. And he does it while using such stilted terms, like eight-day as opposed to week, glass instead of hour, kay not kilometre, etc. Modesitt still insists on calling horses ‘mounts’ and spouses are consorts, all awkward, klunky terms that serve no obvious purpose but to bore the reader half to death.
Always even-handed, the next volume will apparently take place in Hamor, which was the evil empire in this novel. Modesitt has been very assiduous in giving us both the Black and White mage viewpoints in this series, letting his readers know that everything is relative.
Book number 472 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
There, Kharl gets an education in making the most of the lesser of evils. Lord Ghrant had encouraged him to study the law, where he learned what those who work in the system know: law is not justice. Judges can only work within the strictures of the law and cannot decide punishments that aren't established penalties. Then he learns about dealing with a whole ruling family of shitweasels. But all of this is pretty standard fare for these books by Modesitt. He follows this pattern in every book.
Kharl gets to revisit his past and, being the ultra honest sort, he is determined to make right any of the past wrongs than he can. In several cases he is a day late and a dollar short, but he does manage to help a few former neighbours. And he does it while using such stilted terms, like eight-day as opposed to week, glass instead of hour, kay not kilometre, etc. Modesitt still insists on calling horses ‘mounts’ and spouses are consorts, all awkward, klunky terms that serve no obvious purpose but to bore the reader half to death.
Always even-handed, the next volume will apparently take place in Hamor, which was the evil empire in this novel. Modesitt has been very assiduous in giving us both the Black and White mage viewpoints in this series, letting his readers know that everything is relative.
Book number 472 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
June 16, 2021
The follow-up of Wellspring of Chaos featuring the fall and rise of Kharl the Cooper was quite the ride. I've enjoyed all these novels from the start and have gotten to know lots of different times, peoples, and aspects of magic, social positions, and so on, but this is the first time we got into the rather interesting and complicated distinctions between law and justice.
And it's not even the simple spirit of the law versus the application of the law kind of distinction. Indeed, there's a lot of feeling and fumbling about for the true balance and that is a very nice thing to see in a series that basically rides the question of balance all the way through, leaving no stone unturned.
Other than all this theme stuff, however, I just had a great time with the adventure. It was nice seeing Kharl get his just deserts. And since he's a genuinely decent guy, I really enjoyed how unironic that statement was.
And it's not even the simple spirit of the law versus the application of the law kind of distinction. Indeed, there's a lot of feeling and fumbling about for the true balance and that is a very nice thing to see in a series that basically rides the question of balance all the way through, leaving no stone unturned.
Other than all this theme stuff, however, I just had a great time with the adventure. It was nice seeing Kharl get his just deserts. And since he's a genuinely decent guy, I really enjoyed how unironic that statement was.
September 24, 2017
This is the second book & last book about Kharl & I highly suggest reading Wellspring of Chaos before this one. This is currently the 16th chronologically & was the 13th published (C16, P13). We get to see more of Nordla & Austra & while neither place seems that different than any part of Candar, the machinations of Hamor are more pronounced since they are just large islands.
There's more on the difference between law & justice, but it focuses more on how the law is administered & how easily it can be suborned by the powers that be. There's still a lot of action, though.
For a list of the current chronology of this series, see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There's more on the difference between law & justice, but it focuses more on how the law is administered & how easily it can be suborned by the powers that be. There's still a lot of action, though.
For a list of the current chronology of this series, see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 12, 2024
Kharl wraps up the rebellion in Austra and shortly afterword returns to Nordla to rescue his sons and repay people for helping him in the past. It gets pretty ugly with the Hamorians and Egen being the super evil types. A good, but dark revenge novel.
December 16, 2014
the second and final part of cooper Kharl storyline; the first part is much better than the second which is quite repetitive, while the hero is still not that believable, though in this one, he reads better than in the earlier book
January 6, 2021
I enjoyed (as always) reading another one of the recluse books. This was the second book following the character Kharl. Kharl's journey and character progression felt vary similar to Modesitt's imager portfolio despite it being a different series. So if you liked the imager series, Kharl's story will be a lovely treat.
April 14, 2014
I have read most of the books in Modesitt’s ‘Saga of Recluse’ novels, beginning with “The Magic of Recluse”. At first, I used to eagerly await each new novel, grabbing it as soon as it was available. I couldn’t wait to see what new details about this complex world that Modesitt has created. However, along the way, I found that the stories were becoming repetitive, and my interest lagged. When I read “Wellspring of Chaos”, I found it refreshing that it wasn’t a coming of age story, as so many of the earlier novels had been, and it gave me hope for future entries in the series.
This novel is a rarity in this series, in that it is an actual sequel to an earlier novel, continuing the story that was started in “Wellspring of Chaos”. While both books probably can stand on their own, together, the tell a more complete story, as our hero, Kharl, evolves from an established cooper who loses everything in “Wellspring of Chaos” to a powerful mage and landholder who has become an important supporter of the ruler of Austra in this book. Kharl continues to adapt to his new found powers and to learn how to navigate the treacherous world of politics and diplomacy that he has landed in. Along the way, he come full circle, returning to his roots, to confront the evil that changed the course of his life.
As is typical of the books in this series, we continue to learn more about Modesitt’s world. The international politics are becoming better developed, and it is clear that the world and its technology are evolving, creating new challenges and issues that will likely provide fodder for future installments in the series. Fans of this series are certainly going to enjoy this book, and it should appeal to most readers of fantasy novels.
This novel is a rarity in this series, in that it is an actual sequel to an earlier novel, continuing the story that was started in “Wellspring of Chaos”. While both books probably can stand on their own, together, the tell a more complete story, as our hero, Kharl, evolves from an established cooper who loses everything in “Wellspring of Chaos” to a powerful mage and landholder who has become an important supporter of the ruler of Austra in this book. Kharl continues to adapt to his new found powers and to learn how to navigate the treacherous world of politics and diplomacy that he has landed in. Along the way, he come full circle, returning to his roots, to confront the evil that changed the course of his life.
As is typical of the books in this series, we continue to learn more about Modesitt’s world. The international politics are becoming better developed, and it is clear that the world and its technology are evolving, creating new challenges and issues that will likely provide fodder for future installments in the series. Fans of this series are certainly going to enjoy this book, and it should appeal to most readers of fantasy novels.
May 5, 2020
As this sequel to "Wellspring of Chaos" opens, the former cooper (now sorcerer) Kharl is familiarizing himself with his new estate and duties. His friend Hagen, the Austran Lord Chancellor, calls him to the capital, where Lord Ghrant's disaffected nobles, backed by the ruthless expanding empire of Hamor, are revolting. During the devastating civil war, as the reluctant mage develops his skill in manipulating order, his older son is killed by Hamorian chaos wizardry. At conflict’s end, now notorious, Kharl returns home to Cantyl. Hamor’s expansionist ambitions cause Lord Ghrant to send Kharl to his old homeland of Nordla as ambassador. Kharl’s nemesis, Egen, backed by Hamor, is plotting against his aging father, Lord West. Although worried about his remaining son, Kharl must prepare for his mission by reviewing both Austran and Nordlan law. Once in Nordla, he discovers that Egen has murdered Kharl’s younger son and in-laws, as well as his own brothers’ wives and children. Kharl must defeat this threat, for the sake of both his native land and his new homeland. In this 13th novel of Recluse, Modesitt’s subtext is power and responsibility, explored both through the action-packed main plot and through Kharl’s legal studies. As Kharl, a middle-aged craftsman once oblivious to the workings of the world around him, develops awareness of his society’s historic underpinnings and present operation, so does the reader. As Kharl sees the results of acts not performed or half-completed, the reader recognizes that every action or non-action has consequences (often, in Kharl’s case, the death of friends and family). This thoughtful work should appeal to all readers of fantasy.
July 25, 2016
Strong second half of Kharl's story. Some of the loose ends from the last book were rounded off well. Some interesting thoughts about the nature of war in among the story as well.
August 9, 2022
Ordermaster is the sequel to Wellspring of Chaos. Obvious spoilers for the prior book in this review, just a heads up.
I really enjoyed this book, but mostly I enjoy the two as a whole, and they have a different feel to the other books in the Recluce series. I really liked Jeka(t) as a character in the first book as a wily street urchin/beggar, but I did not enjoy seeing her sidelined into more of a "damsel in distress" role in the latter part of the book. She was practically the hero in the first book, very smart and savvy, and ended up nearly fridged for sake of the story.
It was good to see her return in this book, with a bit more agency, but still kinda left as a stand-in love interest and drive for Kharl. It left a bit of a bad taste.
That said, I thought Kharl was an interesting character and it was neat to see order magery employed in the way it was this story, both with the use of it to release chaos (instead of just reinforcing craft or ties), and the way Kharl ended up in the believable role as a potential assassin with his skills.
The realms of Nordla and Austra haven't been much explored in the series either, so it was nice to get a glimpse of more of the world in which these stories take place. All told this was a good book (or two books, with some small hang-ups) in a series I've enjoyed for many years.
I really enjoyed this book, but mostly I enjoy the two as a whole, and they have a different feel to the other books in the Recluce series. I really liked Jeka(t) as a character in the first book as a wily street urchin/beggar, but I did not enjoy seeing her sidelined into more of a "damsel in distress" role in the latter part of the book. She was practically the hero in the first book, very smart and savvy, and ended up nearly fridged for sake of the story.
It was good to see her return in this book, with a bit more agency, but still kinda left as a stand-in love interest and drive for Kharl. It left a bit of a bad taste.
That said, I thought Kharl was an interesting character and it was neat to see order magery employed in the way it was this story, both with the use of it to release chaos (instead of just reinforcing craft or ties), and the way Kharl ended up in the believable role as a potential assassin with his skills.
The realms of Nordla and Austra haven't been much explored in the series either, so it was nice to get a glimpse of more of the world in which these stories take place. All told this was a good book (or two books, with some small hang-ups) in a series I've enjoyed for many years.
June 15, 2017
6/10
This book acts as the second half of the story of Kharl the cooper. There was a lot of death and destruction that became a bit repetitive and almost routine. The deaths that should have impacted Kharl more deeply didn't seem to, and that is either the fault of the author or of the character, and I can't quite decide which. Kharl's difficulties with close personal relationships are certainly implied by Modesitt, so it could that Kharl's almost-callous attitudes are a deliberate part of the character's make-up.
Sometimes there are no good choices, only options that do less damage in the long run. Kharl seemed to learn that lesson well, if reluctantly. Hammering that lesson home made for a book that was mildly depressing.
Favorite characters were Kharl's secretary Erdyl, Undercaptain Demyst, and Luryessa, the envoy from Sarronnyn.
This book acts as the second half of the story of Kharl the cooper. There was a lot of death and destruction that became a bit repetitive and almost routine. The deaths that should have impacted Kharl more deeply didn't seem to, and that is either the fault of the author or of the character, and I can't quite decide which. Kharl's difficulties with close personal relationships are certainly implied by Modesitt, so it could that Kharl's almost-callous attitudes are a deliberate part of the character's make-up.
Sometimes there are no good choices, only options that do less damage in the long run. Kharl seemed to learn that lesson well, if reluctantly. Hammering that lesson home made for a book that was mildly depressing.
Favorite characters were Kharl's secretary Erdyl, Undercaptain Demyst, and Luryessa, the envoy from Sarronnyn.
April 28, 2024
Thirteen wasn't necessarily good luck for The Saga of Recluce as it might be the weakest in the series -- a 3.5 would be a better rating. That said, the second volume with Kharl as the protagonist was a decent read, though much like a Liam Neeson revenge movie.
My issues were that it was too heavy on action, and that the final resolution didn't really make sense (or work out if you did the math). I prefer a little more cogitation than physical confrontation, but L. E. Modesitt, Jr., did finally make the dates clear (or at least clear to me) so that readers can place the books chronologically as well as geographically.
And note that another continent was explored, and that the story appears to have finally moved down the timeline from the first book.
Still, I hoping for better with volume 14.
My issues were that it was too heavy on action, and that the final resolution didn't really make sense (or work out if you did the math). I prefer a little more cogitation than physical confrontation, but L. E. Modesitt, Jr., did finally make the dates clear (or at least clear to me) so that readers can place the books chronologically as well as geographically.
And note that another continent was explored, and that the story appears to have finally moved down the timeline from the first book.
Still, I hoping for better with volume 14.
August 18, 2018
One of the best duologies in the Recluce saga!
Whilst still a very familiar style of book, this and it’s prequel, ‘Wellspring of Chaos’, feel somehow different to the others in the series. The two books together (and you really can’t just read this one on its own) are also two of the best, and possibly my favorite of the whole lot.
I found myself, more than any of the other Recluce books, shaking with frustration at the injustices, laughing at the awkward moments between characters, and tearing up at more than a few emotional scenes.
As with all the Recluce books, if you’ve enjoyed the previous volumes, don’t hesitate to grab this one.
Whilst still a very familiar style of book, this and it’s prequel, ‘Wellspring of Chaos’, feel somehow different to the others in the series. The two books together (and you really can’t just read this one on its own) are also two of the best, and possibly my favorite of the whole lot.
I found myself, more than any of the other Recluce books, shaking with frustration at the injustices, laughing at the awkward moments between characters, and tearing up at more than a few emotional scenes.
As with all the Recluce books, if you’ve enjoyed the previous volumes, don’t hesitate to grab this one.
September 27, 2020
A continuation of Kharl's story, from "Wellspring of Chaos," this is an unsatisfying tale of revenge against the man who destroyed his family. I wish I had a nickel for every time the word "lager" is used; I'd get back the money I spent on this book.
That said, will I read another tale of Recluse? Yeah, I will. But I'm not proud of that.
That said, will I read another tale of Recluse? Yeah, I will. But I'm not proud of that.
October 30, 2017
Occassionly a couple of these books follow the same main character, but generally the next book jumps forward or backwards to a different place in history, of if close in time to another main character completely. The Bad guys in one book, are the good guys in another. Really enjoying these
November 27, 2017
This could be my favorite so far. Kharl is a fantastic character and you feel for him. His honesty and willingness to help others gets him into so much trouble, but in the end he perseveres. After everything he goes through, you wonder if he will ever find happiness.
April 8, 2019
Modesitt delivers again! Not as good as his last mini-series in which we find the protagonist is a lawyer essentially instead of a soldier but still very solid.
It's the 13th book and it's nothing new. I'll just say I liked it quite a bit, 4.5 stars.
It's the 13th book and it's nothing new. I'll just say I liked it quite a bit, 4.5 stars.
October 26, 2019
Diplomatic Magery
Kharl finishes becoming an extremely strong order mage, but finds this less arduous than becoming an envoy. But more importantly, he gets to return to his previous homeland, to try to right at least some of the many wrongs that drove him out.
Kharl finishes becoming an extremely strong order mage, but finds this less arduous than becoming an envoy. But more importantly, he gets to return to his previous homeland, to try to right at least some of the many wrongs that drove him out.
February 24, 2020
Continuing to reread my way through the Recluce saga. Kharl is not the typical Recluce hero in that he is an adult rather than a young adult when he grew into his powers. And that added different dimensions to his choices that he makes during the course of this tale.
November 21, 2017
An interest take on the justice and mercy debate with the known world of Recluce.
December 20, 2017
Alot of it was like the last as if it was written by someone else but then the verbal sound effects came back *sigh* but it was a good book even with them
June 14, 2018
Concludes another satisfying adventure with interesting insights into human nature and a very interesting sort of magic use.
May 18, 2019
I expected more of an ending.
November 28, 2019
Excellent follow up to the first installment of the Kharl's storyline, and one of my favorite arcs within the overall saga.
October 31, 2021
Enjoyable.
Different for the series as the mage is a crafter who falls into order by accident. Not a reject as many in other books of the series.
Different for the series as the mage is a crafter who falls into order by accident. Not a reject as many in other books of the series.
February 17, 2022
Deliberate: Pacing. Protagonist.
Romance: Awkward. Unconvincing.
Romance: Awkward. Unconvincing.
July 20, 2022
When a middle aged man takes to "rescuing" young pretty women, you can be assured there is a primal urge at work. No matter how many words the character or author uses.
December 8, 2023
very good
July 12, 2025
The story in this book is more complex and interesting than the previous volume. More things happening.
December 31, 2016
Modesitt delivers what his readers expect in this new eddition to the Recluce Saga. While following the same basic story outline as his past books, of a humble man discovering his talent for magery and then being forced to use it to influence world events in huge ways, L.E. is also able to continue adding much detail to his rich world of Recluce.
In this sequel to The Wellspring of Chaos, Kharl the cooper/beggar/sailor/carpenter/mage/lord continues his adventures on the island nations of Nordla and Austra. Fighting (and killing) mage after mage throughout the book makes for an exciting read and having the story take place in another part of the world besides Candar and Recluce helps in expanding the reader's understanding of the lands and their people. By some accounts, Kharl could be the most powerful order mage we've encountered up till now, able to withstand the effects of death and chaos better than other powerful mages. He surely faced and defeated more white wizards in one on one combat than any yet written about. Even if he isn't the most powerful per se, he has undoubtably discovered one of the most powerful uses of order in unlinking bound order and thus creating a chaos explosion. Regardless, Kharl is one of my favorite characters of the entire series. Powerful and imposing, he stands up to every challenge boldly (no matter how uncomfortable or unfamiliar) and prevails.
If you've become tired of Modesitt's world of Recluce, stop reading these books for a while. I find that if I space them out by a couple of months or more I am not turned off by the seemingly repetitive story lines. Each character and story is different in large and small ways and all are enjoyable.
In this sequel to The Wellspring of Chaos, Kharl the cooper/beggar/sailor/carpenter/mage/lord continues his adventures on the island nations of Nordla and Austra. Fighting (and killing) mage after mage throughout the book makes for an exciting read and having the story take place in another part of the world besides Candar and Recluce helps in expanding the reader's understanding of the lands and their people. By some accounts, Kharl could be the most powerful order mage we've encountered up till now, able to withstand the effects of death and chaos better than other powerful mages. He surely faced and defeated more white wizards in one on one combat than any yet written about. Even if he isn't the most powerful per se, he has undoubtably discovered one of the most powerful uses of order in unlinking bound order and thus creating a chaos explosion. Regardless, Kharl is one of my favorite characters of the entire series. Powerful and imposing, he stands up to every challenge boldly (no matter how uncomfortable or unfamiliar) and prevails.
If you've become tired of Modesitt's world of Recluce, stop reading these books for a while. I find that if I space them out by a couple of months or more I am not turned off by the seemingly repetitive story lines. Each character and story is different in large and small ways and all are enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews