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Imager Portfolio #11
Assassin's Price
Assassin's Price is the eleventh book in the bestselling, epic fantasy series the Imager Portfolio by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. and the third book in a story arc which began with Madness in Solidar and Treachery's Tools.
Six years have passed since the failed uprising of the High Holders, and the man behind the conspiracy is where the rex and Maitre Alastar can keep an eye on him.
Charyn has come of age and desperately wants to learn more so he can become an effective rex after his father but he s kept at a distance by the rex. So Charyn sets out to educate himself circumspectly.
When Jarolian privateers disrupt Solidar s shipping, someone attempts to kill Charyn s younger brother as an act of protest. Threatening notes following in the wake of acts of violence against the rex and his family, demanding action build more ships or expect someone to die.
Six years have passed since the failed uprising of the High Holders, and the man behind the conspiracy is where the rex and Maitre Alastar can keep an eye on him.
Charyn has come of age and desperately wants to learn more so he can become an effective rex after his father but he s kept at a distance by the rex. So Charyn sets out to educate himself circumspectly.
When Jarolian privateers disrupt Solidar s shipping, someone attempts to kill Charyn s younger brother as an act of protest. Threatening notes following in the wake of acts of violence against the rex and his family, demanding action build more ships or expect someone to die.
526 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2017
162 people are currently reading
693 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 99 reviews
February 7, 2022
Always enjoyable, if rarely unpredictable, this latest Imager Portfolio moves away from the Imager PoVs and instead gives us an in-depth look at the son of a Rex and his rise as a new Rex, himself.
This isn't a problem. At all. It moves us along with political and romantic themes, assassination plots, the problems of laws and taxes. The fish out of water feel is strong with this one.
At no point did I get bored. That's the great thing about this author. His writing is comforting even when it's in the middle of battle, assassination, or a lengthy discourse on taxes. I can and continue to read these without getting tired, so that says something.
This isn't a problem. At all. It moves us along with political and romantic themes, assassination plots, the problems of laws and taxes. The fish out of water feel is strong with this one.
At no point did I get bored. That's the great thing about this author. His writing is comforting even when it's in the middle of battle, assassination, or a lengthy discourse on taxes. I can and continue to read these without getting tired, so that says something.
May 2, 2017
Assassin's Price L.E. Modesitt, jr
This book is part of the Imagers series but imagers are only peripherally involved. Modesitt's stories are character centric and philosophically laden. He takes you into the mind of his central character, Charyn, and allows you to see how his decisions are made and where he is planning of going. Charyn is the heir to the Rex and determined to be his own person. Lorien is the Rex and seems demanding and short sighted.
The story line includes a mistress musician who educates Charyn in music and far more than mere coital positions. Palenya illustrates the fate that lies in store for young, single women in a closed, male dominated society. This ironically appears to be carried through even in the character list in the preface of the book as she doesn't even appear to be in it. (I went over the list several times, sure I missed her name, but apparently not.)
As many of Modesitt's books there isn't non-stop action but there is action amidst the soul searching and philosophizing. There is the requisite foul treachery and rule bending justice.
I look forward to the next book with the possibility of seeing the development of a viable steam ship to provide Solidar with a more powerful navy.
I highly recommend.
Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/
This book is part of the Imagers series but imagers are only peripherally involved. Modesitt's stories are character centric and philosophically laden. He takes you into the mind of his central character, Charyn, and allows you to see how his decisions are made and where he is planning of going. Charyn is the heir to the Rex and determined to be his own person. Lorien is the Rex and seems demanding and short sighted.
The story line includes a mistress musician who educates Charyn in music and far more than mere coital positions. Palenya illustrates the fate that lies in store for young, single women in a closed, male dominated society. This ironically appears to be carried through even in the character list in the preface of the book as she doesn't even appear to be in it. (I went over the list several times, sure I missed her name, but apparently not.)
As many of Modesitt's books there isn't non-stop action but there is action amidst the soul searching and philosophizing. There is the requisite foul treachery and rule bending justice.
I look forward to the next book with the possibility of seeing the development of a viable steam ship to provide Solidar with a more powerful navy.
I highly recommend.
Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/
October 29, 2022
While this book continues the story arc about Alastar, he is a minor character. Several imagers play minor but crucial roles, but the main character is not an imager at all. There is no need to have read the other books, as just enough backstory is included, however those who have read at least the immediately previous book can have fun playing spot the incognito imager during the first third of the book.
The first third is slow, but the action picks up after that. There is quite a bit of politics, treachery, and a lot of the main character having to make decisions where it is impossible to please even a bare majority of those around him.
I liked it. I stayed up until 2am before I managed to force myself to stop reading because I had to be at work in five hours. I'm looking forward to the next book!
The first third is slow, but the action picks up after that. There is quite a bit of politics, treachery, and a lot of the main character having to make decisions where it is impossible to please even a bare majority of those around him.
I liked it. I stayed up until 2am before I managed to force myself to stop reading because I had to be at work in five hours. I'm looking forward to the next book!
August 1, 2017
I read just about everything L. E. Mondesitt writes and have been following the Imager stories for years but this book almost lost me about 2/3 of the way through. L. E. is known to deal extensively in details but this book took it too far. It seemed that the story basically stopped and treaded water for far too many pages. (spoiler) The constant dithering about who was behind the assassination attempts went on too long and too repetitiously. We well understood that the characters were obsessed with finding out who was behind the plot without beating us to death with the same questions over and over. Other than that I enjoyed the story very much but wondered why the Imagers were never asked to do any public works like repairing roads or dikes. In previous stories it was common for them to put in some occasional work on public lands and, in this case, such work would have saved the Rex some much needed golds. Some minor nitpicks but otherwise an engrossing read.
July 28, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
After two book failures, I gave into temptation and picked up Assassin’s Price about a month before I’m scheduled to review it. And I’m very glad I did. Just like all of the books in the Imager Portfolio (starting points are Imager, Scholar or Madness in Solidar) this one sucked me in and didn’t let go until the very end.
And now, as usual, I’m stuck waiting a year until the next one comes out. Because this story definitely isn’t over. Thank goodness.
Assassin’s Price takes place six years after the equally marvelous Treachery's Tools, but this entry in the series switches perspectives, and that’s part of what makes it work so well.
At the end of Treachery’s Tools, Maitre Alastar had decisively ended the threat to the Collegium and to the rule of Rex Lorien. But six years is a long time, especially in politics, and people forget. Sometimes willfully.
But this isn’t Alastar’s story. Nor is it Rex Lorien’s. Just as with all of the previous books in this series, this is a story about coming into power, and specifically about the coming into power of someone who has already come of age.
Rex Lorien’s oldest son Charyn will be Rex someday, but that day is not supposed to be yet. He’s a young man in waiting for an event that he hopes will not come soon, because they only way he becomes Rex is when his father dies. And in spite of Rex Lorien’s authoritarian grip on the Regial household, he is doing the very best he can in surprisingly limited circumstances, and he really does love his family – and vice versa. This just isn’t a family where those emotions get expressed all that often.
But Charyn is old enough that playing the self-indulgent and over-indulged prince has begun to pall. He needs purpose. And as much as he doesn’t want to be Rex anytime soon, he is tired of being left out of all decisions and barred from any information about the state of the kingdom he will someday inherit.
So he starts cultivating his own sources, and in a direction from which his somewhat paranoid father is unlikely to feel threatened. And he hopes to learn things that seem to be outside the grasp of entirely too many people. One of the realities of life in Solidar is that the world is changing, not that that isn’t true everywhere all the time. But Charyn lives at a time when the power of the nobility, the major landholders, is slowly fading, while the power of the factors, the merchants and business interests, is very much on the rise.
Charyn gets himself a seat on the Solidaran equivalent of the Mercantile Exchange. It gives him the perfect opportunity to learn what factors do, and what they don’t. This knowledge becomes critical when an anonymous assassin begins threatening the Regial family and their holdings in protest of the Rex’ slow build up of a naval fleet to protect shipping interests. The anonymous assassin represents himself (herself, itself) as being one of the factors.
But as the outer tendrils of the plot come to light, it becomes clear that whoever or whatever is behind the threats has been planning their campaign for months if not years – and that they have sources within the Regial palace itself.
The Rex is dead, long live the Rex. Suddenly Charyn is the one on the very hot Regial seat, trying to work with councilors and advisers who seem to be certain that they don’t have to pay any attention to what he says or does, because they believe he’s not going to live all that long.
Charyn races to uncover the plot by any means necessary, before it takes his life and plunges his country into chaos.
Escape Rating A-: The first quarter of this book, while interesting, was not the stuff of high drama. In the beginning, we see Charyn learning, trying to discover a purpose and a way of keeping himself intellectually engaged. Also his father, Rex Lorien, doesn’t exactly show himself in the best light. He’s paranoid and very authoritarian in ways that grate. But like the old joke, you’re not paranoid if someone really is out to get you, and someone really was out to get him. It turns out that he’s not a bad man, just frustrated and overwhelmed. And then dead.
The pace really picks up when Charyn unexpectedly becomes Rex. Once he takes center stage, the story clips along at breakneck pace. Although relatively little time elapses, Charyn is under siege and under threat from the moment he becomes Rex. His realization that his councilors don’t care what concessions they grant him is because they are all certain he will be assassinated in short order is chilling.
And yet, he builds allies and keeps trying, not necessarily to win them over to his side, but to convince them that he’s going to live more than long enough for being on his side to matter. It’s an uphill battle, but a fascinating one.
Although this is part of the Imager Portfolio, the imagers themselves do not feature greatly in it. In this story, the imagers are doing what their founder, Quaeryt envisioned, not being a power themselves but keeping the balance between all the factions, between the Rex, the high holders and the factors. And as Quaeryt envisioned and Alastar exemplified, the way they do that best is by keeping good Rexes alive and functioning.
But speaking of Quaeryt (and I believe that the character pictured on the cover of Rex Regis IS Quaeryt and not the Rex), the hero of the middle five books in this series from Scholar to Rex Regis, it was good to hear him spoken of again, and to have his legacy recognized. Tying this present story back to some of his (and his redoubtable wife Vaelora’s) actions was a very nice touch and a way of setting this piece of the story into proper sequence. For readers who start with Madness in Solidar, knowing who Quaeryt was and what he did isn’t necessary to enjoy this part of the story, but the books are marvelous for anyone who loves politically charged epic fantasy.
This is a series that, as a whole, manages to do an excellent job of making political machinations endlessly fascinating. In this world, politics is always war conducted by other means, and it’s always a race to see if the hero, in this case Charyn, can manage to outmaneuver his enemies before that always impending war breaks out.
But speaking of the war, once things get settled within Solidar, it looks like Charyn will have some external enemies to deal with. And I can hardly wait.
After two book failures, I gave into temptation and picked up Assassin’s Price about a month before I’m scheduled to review it. And I’m very glad I did. Just like all of the books in the Imager Portfolio (starting points are Imager, Scholar or Madness in Solidar) this one sucked me in and didn’t let go until the very end.
And now, as usual, I’m stuck waiting a year until the next one comes out. Because this story definitely isn’t over. Thank goodness.
Assassin’s Price takes place six years after the equally marvelous Treachery's Tools, but this entry in the series switches perspectives, and that’s part of what makes it work so well.
At the end of Treachery’s Tools, Maitre Alastar had decisively ended the threat to the Collegium and to the rule of Rex Lorien. But six years is a long time, especially in politics, and people forget. Sometimes willfully.
But this isn’t Alastar’s story. Nor is it Rex Lorien’s. Just as with all of the previous books in this series, this is a story about coming into power, and specifically about the coming into power of someone who has already come of age.
Rex Lorien’s oldest son Charyn will be Rex someday, but that day is not supposed to be yet. He’s a young man in waiting for an event that he hopes will not come soon, because they only way he becomes Rex is when his father dies. And in spite of Rex Lorien’s authoritarian grip on the Regial household, he is doing the very best he can in surprisingly limited circumstances, and he really does love his family – and vice versa. This just isn’t a family where those emotions get expressed all that often.
But Charyn is old enough that playing the self-indulgent and over-indulged prince has begun to pall. He needs purpose. And as much as he doesn’t want to be Rex anytime soon, he is tired of being left out of all decisions and barred from any information about the state of the kingdom he will someday inherit.
So he starts cultivating his own sources, and in a direction from which his somewhat paranoid father is unlikely to feel threatened. And he hopes to learn things that seem to be outside the grasp of entirely too many people. One of the realities of life in Solidar is that the world is changing, not that that isn’t true everywhere all the time. But Charyn lives at a time when the power of the nobility, the major landholders, is slowly fading, while the power of the factors, the merchants and business interests, is very much on the rise.
Charyn gets himself a seat on the Solidaran equivalent of the Mercantile Exchange. It gives him the perfect opportunity to learn what factors do, and what they don’t. This knowledge becomes critical when an anonymous assassin begins threatening the Regial family and their holdings in protest of the Rex’ slow build up of a naval fleet to protect shipping interests. The anonymous assassin represents himself (herself, itself) as being one of the factors.
But as the outer tendrils of the plot come to light, it becomes clear that whoever or whatever is behind the threats has been planning their campaign for months if not years – and that they have sources within the Regial palace itself.
The Rex is dead, long live the Rex. Suddenly Charyn is the one on the very hot Regial seat, trying to work with councilors and advisers who seem to be certain that they don’t have to pay any attention to what he says or does, because they believe he’s not going to live all that long.
Charyn races to uncover the plot by any means necessary, before it takes his life and plunges his country into chaos.
Escape Rating A-: The first quarter of this book, while interesting, was not the stuff of high drama. In the beginning, we see Charyn learning, trying to discover a purpose and a way of keeping himself intellectually engaged. Also his father, Rex Lorien, doesn’t exactly show himself in the best light. He’s paranoid and very authoritarian in ways that grate. But like the old joke, you’re not paranoid if someone really is out to get you, and someone really was out to get him. It turns out that he’s not a bad man, just frustrated and overwhelmed. And then dead.
The pace really picks up when Charyn unexpectedly becomes Rex. Once he takes center stage, the story clips along at breakneck pace. Although relatively little time elapses, Charyn is under siege and under threat from the moment he becomes Rex. His realization that his councilors don’t care what concessions they grant him is because they are all certain he will be assassinated in short order is chilling.
And yet, he builds allies and keeps trying, not necessarily to win them over to his side, but to convince them that he’s going to live more than long enough for being on his side to matter. It’s an uphill battle, but a fascinating one.
Although this is part of the Imager Portfolio, the imagers themselves do not feature greatly in it. In this story, the imagers are doing what their founder, Quaeryt envisioned, not being a power themselves but keeping the balance between all the factions, between the Rex, the high holders and the factors. And as Quaeryt envisioned and Alastar exemplified, the way they do that best is by keeping good Rexes alive and functioning.
But speaking of Quaeryt (and I believe that the character pictured on the cover of Rex Regis IS Quaeryt and not the Rex), the hero of the middle five books in this series from Scholar to Rex Regis, it was good to hear him spoken of again, and to have his legacy recognized. Tying this present story back to some of his (and his redoubtable wife Vaelora’s) actions was a very nice touch and a way of setting this piece of the story into proper sequence. For readers who start with Madness in Solidar, knowing who Quaeryt was and what he did isn’t necessary to enjoy this part of the story, but the books are marvelous for anyone who loves politically charged epic fantasy.
This is a series that, as a whole, manages to do an excellent job of making political machinations endlessly fascinating. In this world, politics is always war conducted by other means, and it’s always a race to see if the hero, in this case Charyn, can manage to outmaneuver his enemies before that always impending war breaks out.
But speaking of the war, once things get settled within Solidar, it looks like Charyn will have some external enemies to deal with. And I can hardly wait.
September 26, 2018
OK, we all know that L.E. Modesitt writes stories about a young man growing up in a complex world and learning to use his powers, usually for good. I've bought I don't know how many Imager and Recluse novels he has written and I expect that and obviously enjoy it.
In Assassin's Price, though, I learned something about that story line I didn't realize before. If the power that the young man is coming into is not magical but political I was super bored by it. The hero (who's name I never really figure out how to say, which is not uncommon for Modesett stories) of the story becomes the Rex (i.e. king) when his father was assassinated. There continues numerous attempts on his life as he tries to learn enough to be a good ruler. He interacts primarily with other members of the royal household including a pseudo love interest (really a puppy love interest that was somewhat bitter sweet), a sister, a brother, his parents and the royal ministers. There wasn't a vizier in the whole place so the reader is left to figure out which of the characters is good and which is not.
As the king he is the absolute ruler over the army and navy, as well as the final legal authority of the land. He can change laws, and order forces around, but he has no direct control over the factors (the merchants) and the High Holders (the historical royalty and land holders) or the overall economy and prosperity of the land. There is skullduggery, and piano playing, and descriptions of food and uniforms all very comfortable to Modesitt readers. But what there wasn't was very much imaging (i.e. the magic of this world).
Our hero is an ally of the imagers and even has family members that are imagers themselves, but he has none himself. The imaging in Assassin's Price is a minor side story at best. His only power is literally that of being the king, and while he does learn to use the power, if somewhat ruthlessly, the machinations made him seem more and more unlikable as the story went along.
This is the first imager novel I have had to force myself to finish. So, I'm only going to give it two stars. Maybe the next one will have more mystical powers instead of political.
In Assassin's Price, though, I learned something about that story line I didn't realize before. If the power that the young man is coming into is not magical but political I was super bored by it. The hero (who's name I never really figure out how to say, which is not uncommon for Modesett stories) of the story becomes the Rex (i.e. king) when his father was assassinated. There continues numerous attempts on his life as he tries to learn enough to be a good ruler. He interacts primarily with other members of the royal household including a pseudo love interest (really a puppy love interest that was somewhat bitter sweet), a sister, a brother, his parents and the royal ministers. There wasn't a vizier in the whole place so the reader is left to figure out which of the characters is good and which is not.
As the king he is the absolute ruler over the army and navy, as well as the final legal authority of the land. He can change laws, and order forces around, but he has no direct control over the factors (the merchants) and the High Holders (the historical royalty and land holders) or the overall economy and prosperity of the land. There is skullduggery, and piano playing, and descriptions of food and uniforms all very comfortable to Modesitt readers. But what there wasn't was very much imaging (i.e. the magic of this world).
Our hero is an ally of the imagers and even has family members that are imagers themselves, but he has none himself. The imaging in Assassin's Price is a minor side story at best. His only power is literally that of being the king, and while he does learn to use the power, if somewhat ruthlessly, the machinations made him seem more and more unlikable as the story went along.
This is the first imager novel I have had to force myself to finish. So, I'm only going to give it two stars. Maybe the next one will have more mystical powers instead of political.
July 27, 2017
Another amazing masterpiece
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. produces the most intelligent and complex works, and Assassin's Price is no exception. I simply cannot recommend his works enough. When a new work of his is produced, everything else in my life grinds to a halt as I'm unable to do anything else but read. Thank you sir for always putting so much thought, effort, and talent into what you do.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. produces the most intelligent and complex works, and Assassin's Price is no exception. I simply cannot recommend his works enough. When a new work of his is produced, everything else in my life grinds to a halt as I'm unable to do anything else but read. Thank you sir for always putting so much thought, effort, and talent into what you do.
January 10, 2019
“If we cannot change the times, then it may be that the only way to survive and prosper is to change ourselves.”
Excellent addition to the imager stories. A protagonist who isn’t an imager. Nice change. To tell this story in first person, Modesitt couldn’t have chosen better. Have no fear, imagers abound, but it’s refreshing to see them from the point of view of someone outside that tiny circle.
“Everyone has some meaningful choices,” returned Chelia. “The fewer you have, the more important they are.”
Our earnest young hero tries to make the best of a terrible situation, which only get worse as time goes on. Luckily, he has the same attitude toward truth and honesty as the imagers--that ethics are malleable to fit one’s purposes.
“I don’t think you can buy loyalty, but you can certainly buy disloyalty from those who only work for coin.”
Quibbles: as usual needed another proof reading. “…and then a third time. He stood back and waited…. He was about to hammer the knocker a third time when …” “The clouds seemed to be darkening, but the snow did not seem to be falling.”
“Friends do what they can. Because we can’t doesn’t mean we don’t care.”
Excellent addition to the imager stories. A protagonist who isn’t an imager. Nice change. To tell this story in first person, Modesitt couldn’t have chosen better. Have no fear, imagers abound, but it’s refreshing to see them from the point of view of someone outside that tiny circle.
“Everyone has some meaningful choices,” returned Chelia. “The fewer you have, the more important they are.”
Our earnest young hero tries to make the best of a terrible situation, which only get worse as time goes on. Luckily, he has the same attitude toward truth and honesty as the imagers--that ethics are malleable to fit one’s purposes.
“I don’t think you can buy loyalty, but you can certainly buy disloyalty from those who only work for coin.”
Quibbles: as usual needed another proof reading. “…and then a third time. He stood back and waited…. He was about to hammer the knocker a third time when …” “The clouds seemed to be darkening, but the snow did not seem to be falling.”
“Friends do what they can. Because we can’t doesn’t mean we don’t care.”
July 28, 2017
Good, if somewhat delayed resolution to the previous book.
All was not well when the previous book ended. This one ties up those dissatisfactions and lays the groundwork for more treachery over the next several years of this arc.
All was not well when the previous book ended. This one ties up those dissatisfactions and lays the groundwork for more treachery over the next several years of this arc.
December 25, 2019
Modesitt's "Assassin's Price" was an interesting surprise. I found the book cheap at my local bookstore and randomly picked it up. I realized later that this was book eleven. Thankfully (as overly long series can be tedious) it did not matter and the book could easily be read as a stand alone.
"Assassin's Price" is not your typical fantasy fare. While it does have some fantastical elements, such as the magic using Imagers, the vast majority of the book is about political intrigue and governance.
When the story begins, Lorien is Rex of Solidar. Lorien isn't stupid, but neither is he nearly as bright as he seems. More apt to call him stubborn, arrogant, deeply suspicious and somewhat ignorant of normal affairs. His inherent distrust makes him barely train his successor, Charyn, to the position.
After Lorien's assassination, Charyn becomes the Rex. Charyn also comes under the threat of repeated assassinations. The book really reloves around the development of Charyn as a Rex and his attempts to figure out who is behind this, as well as him learning to balance the various centers of power from Factors to High Holders.
I was pleasantly surprised as to the deep political and economic emphasis of this story. The standard fantasy fare of set-piece battles, magic weilding beings and fairy creatures is almost non-existent. This is a story about intrigue, politics and what it takes to become, and stay, Rex.
So while it was the 11th book, I didn't care. I enjoyed it anyways and whatever few minor issues I had in terms of background knowledge didn't hamper my understanding and appreciation of this book.
So if you like politics and intrigue this is a great book. If you're looking for magic and fights, I'd try elsewhere. For myself? I'll be interested in reading some of the other books in this series.
"Assassin's Price" is not your typical fantasy fare. While it does have some fantastical elements, such as the magic using Imagers, the vast majority of the book is about political intrigue and governance.
When the story begins, Lorien is Rex of Solidar. Lorien isn't stupid, but neither is he nearly as bright as he seems. More apt to call him stubborn, arrogant, deeply suspicious and somewhat ignorant of normal affairs. His inherent distrust makes him barely train his successor, Charyn, to the position.
After Lorien's assassination, Charyn becomes the Rex. Charyn also comes under the threat of repeated assassinations. The book really reloves around the development of Charyn as a Rex and his attempts to figure out who is behind this, as well as him learning to balance the various centers of power from Factors to High Holders.
I was pleasantly surprised as to the deep political and economic emphasis of this story. The standard fantasy fare of set-piece battles, magic weilding beings and fairy creatures is almost non-existent. This is a story about intrigue, politics and what it takes to become, and stay, Rex.
So while it was the 11th book, I didn't care. I enjoyed it anyways and whatever few minor issues I had in terms of background knowledge didn't hamper my understanding and appreciation of this book.
So if you like politics and intrigue this is a great book. If you're looking for magic and fights, I'd try elsewhere. For myself? I'll be interested in reading some of the other books in this series.
December 14, 2018
review on reread 2018 - reread this as I got a copy of Endgames and I actually liked it a lot this time - I guess the first time I expected a different book and was somewhat disappointed, but now actually knowing the structure and pace, I got immersed in the details of this wonderful universe created by the author and enjoyed the book for what it was and not what I thought it would be
(original read 2017)
ok but such a let down considering how much I have enjoyed the previous imager books; while the seeds of Solidar's present system in Rhenn's times (council, Imager guards, steamships etc) are planted here and the main character (the heir and then rex who transitioned Solidar to the Council when he abdicated in its favor and took the Suyrien high holder name and presidency of the Council for life) is entertaining to a large degree, the book is really slow - at the pace of this one it will take 3-4 books to get to the main events
(original read 2017)
ok but such a let down considering how much I have enjoyed the previous imager books; while the seeds of Solidar's present system in Rhenn's times (council, Imager guards, steamships etc) are planted here and the main character (the heir and then rex who transitioned Solidar to the Council when he abdicated in its favor and took the Suyrien high holder name and presidency of the Council for life) is entertaining to a large degree, the book is really slow - at the pace of this one it will take 3-4 books to get to the main events
October 8, 2017
I never fail to be amazed by Modesitt's world building abilities. The political complexities, the things left unsaid, all contribute to the brilliance of his works. In Assassin's Price, Charyn's respect for women, his relationship with his musician mistress are well done. His role as the heir to the Rex, his ways of discovering things about the kingdom he is to inherit are unobtrusive, decorous and respectful of those he looks to learn from. I look forward to the next episode in Charyn's life, as I look forward to any Modesitt publication.
March 12, 2025
Plodding and disappointing. I think he's getting tired of the series, though this one might just be a place holder to set up the next one. I kept waiting for the plot to get interesting, but it was completely transparent and procedural.
August 4, 2017
If you know this series, all you need to know is that this is a good addition; it is a bit slower moving than some, does not go where I thought it might, and looks like a set up for another volume or three. It is, for the first time, told from the point of view of someone not an imager, which was initially disappointing but got more and more interesting as it went along.
If you do not know the series, read on to see if it is something you might like, because if you like exciting stories that make you think, this is a good place to try.
This is the latest in Modessitt's Imager Portfolio, a series I have enjoyed very much to date. The world of this series is one where a few people have, to varying degrees, the ability to alter matter by act of will. Essentially, elements are extracted from their surroundings and shaped as the 'imager' wishes. Obviously, to make something like a coin, it helps if the appropriate metal ore is nearby, or the element might come from the Imager's own body...
The series begins late in the history of Solidar, when there is a roughly Victorian level of technology. The fourth volume moved back to a vaguely Renaissance-ish time, when large scale conquests are made possible by early fire-arms. The latest three volumes fill in a time in the middle, when the monarchy established in the historically earliest books is moving towards the republic of the first-written but historically latest books. All the books focus on treachery and intrigue and political realities, often with a large dose of political theory as explanation. The writing is fluent and enjoyable (though there is an annoying habit of replacing common words like days of the week with made up ones, apparently just so you know you're not in Kansas any more), the characters vivid and believable, and there is a healthy leaven of humour. Plotting is taut and intricate, and the books are long enough to lose oneself in for a satisfying length of time. Highly recommended, overall. Could you start with this one? Yes, but certainly starting with either the first or the fourth will be easier.
If you do not know the series, read on to see if it is something you might like, because if you like exciting stories that make you think, this is a good place to try.
This is the latest in Modessitt's Imager Portfolio, a series I have enjoyed very much to date. The world of this series is one where a few people have, to varying degrees, the ability to alter matter by act of will. Essentially, elements are extracted from their surroundings and shaped as the 'imager' wishes. Obviously, to make something like a coin, it helps if the appropriate metal ore is nearby, or the element might come from the Imager's own body...
The series begins late in the history of Solidar, when there is a roughly Victorian level of technology. The fourth volume moved back to a vaguely Renaissance-ish time, when large scale conquests are made possible by early fire-arms. The latest three volumes fill in a time in the middle, when the monarchy established in the historically earliest books is moving towards the republic of the first-written but historically latest books. All the books focus on treachery and intrigue and political realities, often with a large dose of political theory as explanation. The writing is fluent and enjoyable (though there is an annoying habit of replacing common words like days of the week with made up ones, apparently just so you know you're not in Kansas any more), the characters vivid and believable, and there is a healthy leaven of humour. Plotting is taut and intricate, and the books are long enough to lose oneself in for a satisfying length of time. Highly recommended, overall. Could you start with this one? Yes, but certainly starting with either the first or the fourth will be easier.
July 28, 2017
We usually read these stories from the point of the Imager, either surreptitiously supporting the Rex in the background, or fighting his battles; or somewhat working around the people in power. In this book, though, we get two unique POVs: from a person who's not quite in power (magically or politically) but sees the effect of imaging from his point of view; and also from the POV of a person in power, trying to make ends meet, trying to survive, trying to do the best he can, and how he perceives "imaging" as well as try to fit imaging and imager into his plans, actions and daily life.
I think this is a pretty unique book in the whole Imager's Portfolio series; maybe even in the whole set of fantasy series by Modesitt. The main character is a person who has to survive and do his best for the nation despite not having "magical" power (and somewhat logically limited political powers); he has to solve issues in his own way. While yes, in some cases Imaging is the solution, but it's not so deux ex machina that solves everything; rather it's the character's planning and deviousness that uses Imaging as a part of a whole in order to solve his problems.
The whole story runs along 3 or 4 months in total; in fact, a lot of the story is about when he woke up, had breakfast, who he met in the day, what he ate, what he needs to decide and what he thinks he may have missed out; if anyone else were to write this kind of things into a book I'd have fallen asleep within two chapters. However, Mr Modesitt writes it in such a way that i don't find it tedious, but can actually see the character development and personality traits as day goes into week.
I was hooked pretty much from the first page, and ended up not sleeping last night finishing the last few chapters. I will say that I was a bit wary at first when I first picked it up and realised it was not about an Imager, but instead about the Rex's son ("How interesting would that be?" I wondered) but towards the end of the book I'm looking forward to find out what's next for Charyn's life journey. The way the book ends somewhat promises that there WILL be a sequel. It's not a cliffhanger... but it doesn't leave him at a "happily ever after" apart from having solved the main part of his immediate problems.
Good book; I suggest new readers to the series not to start here but to start in the Imager books before this; it'll give you much more insight and the read would be more rewarding with the background laid out for you.
I think this is a pretty unique book in the whole Imager's Portfolio series; maybe even in the whole set of fantasy series by Modesitt. The main character is a person who has to survive and do his best for the nation despite not having "magical" power (and somewhat logically limited political powers); he has to solve issues in his own way. While yes, in some cases Imaging is the solution, but it's not so deux ex machina that solves everything; rather it's the character's planning and deviousness that uses Imaging as a part of a whole in order to solve his problems.
The whole story runs along 3 or 4 months in total; in fact, a lot of the story is about when he woke up, had breakfast, who he met in the day, what he ate, what he needs to decide and what he thinks he may have missed out; if anyone else were to write this kind of things into a book I'd have fallen asleep within two chapters. However, Mr Modesitt writes it in such a way that i don't find it tedious, but can actually see the character development and personality traits as day goes into week.
I was hooked pretty much from the first page, and ended up not sleeping last night finishing the last few chapters. I will say that I was a bit wary at first when I first picked it up and realised it was not about an Imager, but instead about the Rex's son ("How interesting would that be?" I wondered) but towards the end of the book I'm looking forward to find out what's next for Charyn's life journey. The way the book ends somewhat promises that there WILL be a sequel. It's not a cliffhanger... but it doesn't leave him at a "happily ever after" apart from having solved the main part of his immediate problems.
Good book; I suggest new readers to the series not to start here but to start in the Imager books before this; it'll give you much more insight and the read would be more rewarding with the background laid out for you.
August 6, 2017
Cherryh as Narrator Brought New Vitality
Modesitt using the young Rex as narrator refreshed the storytelling. He allowed us to experience the growth of a non-imager young man giving a new perspective to this world.
Modesitt using the young Rex as narrator refreshed the storytelling. He allowed us to experience the growth of a non-imager young man giving a new perspective to this world.
August 6, 2017
The best of the three books in this part of the series. It's fast paced and full of good information.
August 4, 2017
Tight, Well-crafted Story
This is a gem of a story. An absorbing and intricate plot line which is another of this author's trademarks. It kept me riveted from start to finish. Thanks!
This is a gem of a story. An absorbing and intricate plot line which is another of this author's trademarks. It kept me riveted from start to finish. Thanks!
July 30, 2017
Started a bit sluggish, but that could also have been my mood at the time I began reading. By the halfway point I was hooked.
Minor spoilers:
I liked the fact that we don't follow an Imager. I also liked the fact that the reader for once had more answers about some of the things the protagonist was struggling with. In some of the Imager books I've felt a bit at a loss when the protagonist has figured things out without it being written directly, but here, finally, I felt I knew more than him, which made it more fun to see him trying to figure it out and also felt rewarding.
Minor spoilers:
I liked the fact that we don't follow an Imager. I also liked the fact that the reader for once had more answers about some of the things the protagonist was struggling with. In some of the Imager books I've felt a bit at a loss when the protagonist has figured things out without it being written directly, but here, finally, I felt I knew more than him, which made it more fun to see him trying to figure it out and also felt rewarding.
July 27, 2017
L. E. Modesitt Jr has a quiet tale of treachery in his world of magical imagers. Charyn is the current heir to the Rex when the family is attacked again and again, followed by threats. He is a studious young man who luckily has been provided Imager guardians so that he survives the attack that kills his father. The Kingdom has plenty of problems, including pirates on the high seas and not enough money to build enough ships. But the main problem is finding who is paying for these murders, some of whom are part of the castles staff, and making the villain pay the Assassin's Price (hard from Tor) for his treachery. -Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
August 3, 2017
I was not disappointed.
There was not as much action as I am used to, but it was excellent none the less. It was interesting to see the ordinary characters in the spotlight.
There was not as much action as I am used to, but it was excellent none the less. It was interesting to see the ordinary characters in the spotlight.
July 30, 2017
A Rec dies and another is created.
Perhaps the best book of this series so far. The Rec is assassinated, his son totally unprepared takes his place with more attempt s made on his life, numerous crisis he must handle and a very few people whom he trusts to give him some assistance while performing "On the job training"
Perhaps the best book of this series so far. The Rec is assassinated, his son totally unprepared takes his place with more attempt s made on his life, numerous crisis he must handle and a very few people whom he trusts to give him some assistance while performing "On the job training"
July 31, 2017
One of the best in the series.
The book was very human without destroying thousands with magic. The solutions found were very creative. There was continuation from the last book.
The book was very human without destroying thousands with magic. The solutions found were very creative. There was continuation from the last book.
August 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. This was a story told by a non-imager which was very refreshing to see them from the outside. My takeaway from this book is that leading people is extremely hard.
July 27, 2017
I enjoyed this but it's not his best. It's quite slow which means a lot of time for character and plot development. The trouble is that the plot stays the same as in the previous two books. I know that he is working towards the foundation of modern Solidar but it is taking a long while to get there. Charon isn't his most interesting character either. Looking forward to the next Recluse book later this year
July 28, 2017
Excellent!
A great addition to the series. I really wanted Howal to stay in a more permanent position, but I loved the endiing with Palenya. Perhaps Bhayrn will Mary and have many sons, so that Pakenham can be with Charyn.
A great addition to the series. I really wanted Howal to stay in a more permanent position, but I loved the endiing with Palenya. Perhaps Bhayrn will Mary and have many sons, so that Pakenham can be with Charyn.
June 22, 2020
Another damned thick book. Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Huh, Mister Modesitt?
Like Edward Gibbon, L.E. Modesitt, Jr. writes long books, also of a historical nature except his are fantasy. ‘Assassin’s Price’ is the 11th book in ‘The Imager Portfolio’ and I’ve read every one of them. Imagers are men and women with a kind of psionic power. Using the power, they can make artefacts of paper, metal or stone as long as the raw material is to hand. They don’t create anything from nothing. They can also form invisible protective shields and even concealing shields, a personal cloaking device. The rationale for all these talents is explained in earlier books.
This one is a little different because the hero is not an Imager. Charyn is heir to the Rex of Solidar in a time of trouble. Modesitt’s history runs parallel in certain respects to that of our own world where technological and sociological change have caused unrest. In Solidar, the Factors or merchants, growing in power and wealth, are beginning to challenge the High Holders, aristocrats who are jealous of their privileged positions and intend to keep them. Caught in the middle are the Rex and the Imagers, long since formed into an organised force with their own college.
The book starts slowly. All Modesitt books start slowly because his technique is to draw you in bit by bit, day by day, into the hero’s world. He also keeps strictly to one third-person point of view character which in this case is Charyn D’Lorien, eldest son of Lorien D’Rex, who is the ruler of Solidar. French-sounding names for days and characters give the world a slightly exotic flavour. The technology is roughly that of 18th century Britain and one chap is developing a steam engine. The next book might be a sort of Steampunk fantasy.
In the early chapters of this one, we follow Charyn as he practices with weapons, goes to the markets to find out how business works and visits an army commander to check on Solidar’s military preparedness. Jarolian privateers are looting the merchant ships of Solidar and the Factors are riled at the Rex for not defending them enough. It is hinted that Charyn used to be a bit of a scallywag but is now taking on responsibility.
As revealed in previous volumes, his father, the Rex, can be a hot-tempered fool but manages with the help of Maître Alastar of the Imager Collegium. Charyn’s mother, Chelia, is a careful woman and has even arranged for a lovely lady called Palenya to teach him to play an instrument in the music room and other games in the bedroom. This to prevent a hot-blooded young man falling in with the wrong sort of female. Palenya, a barren widow and so risk-free, is a sympathetic character and Charyn is fond of her.
Modesitt’s heroes achieve by getting up early, working hard, practising their skills until they have mastered them and keeping a watchful eye on the dangerous world. This seems to be Modesitt’s own approach to life and enables him to put out two long books a year for eager fans.
The novel follows the classic pattern of increasing troubles for the hero, woe piled on woe. There are several assassination attempts and a number of traitors in the Chateau to be rooted out. The Factors and the High Holders both think the government should solve all their problems but don’t want to pay any more taxes. (Sound familiar?) Despite being fantasy, Modesitt’s books are soundly grounded when it comes to economics and politics. Several neat plot twists keep the reader interested and the hero is an engaging character, impatient with crooks and appreciative of the work of loyal underlings.
I liked it, as usual. Nevertheless, I will probably eschew further books by Modesitt. I have a feeling of saturation, that I’ve ‘done’ him, so to speak and there is lots of other stuff to read. I’ve enjoyed the ride and will continue to look at his website and blog every now and then. He’s had a rich full life. He knows about American politics and society and his blogs are informative and interesting even if you don’t read his books. If you haven’t yet tried L.E. Modesitt, Jr. both blogs and books are worth a look. He’s no fool.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
Like Edward Gibbon, L.E. Modesitt, Jr. writes long books, also of a historical nature except his are fantasy. ‘Assassin’s Price’ is the 11th book in ‘The Imager Portfolio’ and I’ve read every one of them. Imagers are men and women with a kind of psionic power. Using the power, they can make artefacts of paper, metal or stone as long as the raw material is to hand. They don’t create anything from nothing. They can also form invisible protective shields and even concealing shields, a personal cloaking device. The rationale for all these talents is explained in earlier books.
This one is a little different because the hero is not an Imager. Charyn is heir to the Rex of Solidar in a time of trouble. Modesitt’s history runs parallel in certain respects to that of our own world where technological and sociological change have caused unrest. In Solidar, the Factors or merchants, growing in power and wealth, are beginning to challenge the High Holders, aristocrats who are jealous of their privileged positions and intend to keep them. Caught in the middle are the Rex and the Imagers, long since formed into an organised force with their own college.
The book starts slowly. All Modesitt books start slowly because his technique is to draw you in bit by bit, day by day, into the hero’s world. He also keeps strictly to one third-person point of view character which in this case is Charyn D’Lorien, eldest son of Lorien D’Rex, who is the ruler of Solidar. French-sounding names for days and characters give the world a slightly exotic flavour. The technology is roughly that of 18th century Britain and one chap is developing a steam engine. The next book might be a sort of Steampunk fantasy.
In the early chapters of this one, we follow Charyn as he practices with weapons, goes to the markets to find out how business works and visits an army commander to check on Solidar’s military preparedness. Jarolian privateers are looting the merchant ships of Solidar and the Factors are riled at the Rex for not defending them enough. It is hinted that Charyn used to be a bit of a scallywag but is now taking on responsibility.
As revealed in previous volumes, his father, the Rex, can be a hot-tempered fool but manages with the help of Maître Alastar of the Imager Collegium. Charyn’s mother, Chelia, is a careful woman and has even arranged for a lovely lady called Palenya to teach him to play an instrument in the music room and other games in the bedroom. This to prevent a hot-blooded young man falling in with the wrong sort of female. Palenya, a barren widow and so risk-free, is a sympathetic character and Charyn is fond of her.
Modesitt’s heroes achieve by getting up early, working hard, practising their skills until they have mastered them and keeping a watchful eye on the dangerous world. This seems to be Modesitt’s own approach to life and enables him to put out two long books a year for eager fans.
The novel follows the classic pattern of increasing troubles for the hero, woe piled on woe. There are several assassination attempts and a number of traitors in the Chateau to be rooted out. The Factors and the High Holders both think the government should solve all their problems but don’t want to pay any more taxes. (Sound familiar?) Despite being fantasy, Modesitt’s books are soundly grounded when it comes to economics and politics. Several neat plot twists keep the reader interested and the hero is an engaging character, impatient with crooks and appreciative of the work of loyal underlings.
I liked it, as usual. Nevertheless, I will probably eschew further books by Modesitt. I have a feeling of saturation, that I’ve ‘done’ him, so to speak and there is lots of other stuff to read. I’ve enjoyed the ride and will continue to look at his website and blog every now and then. He’s had a rich full life. He knows about American politics and society and his blogs are informative and interesting even if you don’t read his books. If you haven’t yet tried L.E. Modesitt, Jr. both blogs and books are worth a look. He’s no fool.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
August 17, 2017
Modesitt shakes things up a little in this eleventh volume of the Imager series. After jumping from one imager to another over the course of the first 10 books, the 11th book doesn't follow an imager, instead the main character is Charyn, the heir to the throne of Solidar (as the eldest child of the Rex (aka king)). This position is more curse than blessing as the wealth of the Rex has faded dramatically over the years and though the position still holds considerable power, particularly in terms of legal precedent and reform, it is power that must be maintained by negotiating with the contrary councils of the High Holders and the Factors if the Rex hopes to get anything done as they control the nation's taxes. Charyn's father is a fair Rex but an abrasive and distant man with more than a little paranoia (due to the events of the last two imager books), who shows little interest in seeing Charyn learn the responsibilities he will someday face, forcing Charyn to see to his own education. It isn't a good time for Solidar, as the country is caught in a situation reminiscent (somewhat) of the lead-up to the war of 1812. Although at peace, the warships and privateers of Jariola have been preying on Solidaran merchant vessels. The Solidaran Navy is currently too small to stop the attacks and neither negotiations nor threats are very effective against the Jariolan Oligarch. Efforts to expand the navy are stymied by the fact that the merchants who are clamoring for better protection don't want to pay more taxes to get that protection and the High Holders feel that it is a waste of money expanding the Navy just to protect the factors' interests. Likewise, the limited shipyards available for new ship construction mean that even with increased taxes, the expansion of the Navy won't have any dramatic impact on the privateering for years to come. In this already tense situation, the Rex begins receiving anonymous letters demanding that he do more to protect factors or face unspecified attacks on his family. Soon thereafter the first in a series of assassination attempts occurs, putting the Rex and his family in a very uncomfortable situation with no obvious way out.
I have very mixed feelings about Assassin's Price. I thought that it was better written and edited than its predecessor (though I must note my apology for believing "bruited" was not a word, it is a word, just one that I've never encountered anywhere else and I'd say I have a fairly well-rounded lexicon, ah well) and I thought the shift in perspective was a good idea, but the story had a lot in common with its immediate predecessors and the obsession with clavecin music (a pseudonym for clavichord, I'd assume) got dull, though I understood that it was being used as a literary device representing Charyn's relationships with his family and his mistress, but it still got old. I will say that somehow Modesitt makes stories full of bureaucratic minutiae (which I actually appreciate as one of his strong points, along with his realpolitik-style plots) interesting and in spite of my feeling that the story was repetitious, I still made good time whenever I picked the book up. Given the history related in the original imager trilogy, I wouldn't be surprised if a follow-on volume . I'd say that all in all, this is a solid 7/10, it has a novel (for the series) protagonist, but it's bogged down by a plot that is far too much like that of its immediate predecessors.
I have very mixed feelings about Assassin's Price. I thought that it was better written and edited than its predecessor (though I must note my apology for believing "bruited" was not a word, it is a word, just one that I've never encountered anywhere else and I'd say I have a fairly well-rounded lexicon, ah well) and I thought the shift in perspective was a good idea, but the story had a lot in common with its immediate predecessors and the obsession with clavecin music (a pseudonym for clavichord, I'd assume) got dull, though I understood that it was being used as a literary device representing Charyn's relationships with his family and his mistress, but it still got old. I will say that somehow Modesitt makes stories full of bureaucratic minutiae (which I actually appreciate as one of his strong points, along with his realpolitik-style plots) interesting and in spite of my feeling that the story was repetitious, I still made good time whenever I picked the book up. Given the history related in the original imager trilogy, I wouldn't be surprised if a follow-on volume . I'd say that all in all, this is a solid 7/10, it has a novel (for the series) protagonist, but it's bogged down by a plot that is far too much like that of its immediate predecessors.
June 19, 2022
Six more years have passed. For the first time in the series the protagonist isn't an imager. They're still important to the narrative, but this is almost entirely about the dysfunction of the government and how it's reformed. That'll probably be the theme of the final book as well. There are several plot threads that are introduced and developed, but seem they won't have any payoff until the next and final book.
At first I didn't like Charyn, but by the end I came to think that he may be the best protagonist in the series. The love interest in this may have been the best, it was at least the most interesting. That may be because in some ways he has to struggle the most within his limitations and there aren't any easy solutions and almost none that could be solved by brute force.
I felt similarly about the book as a whole by the end, which surprised me. It's definitely one of the best of the series for me and I don't know what to think about that. This one doesn't have any large scale conflict unlike several of the books. It really is just about the government collapsing upon itself and what can be done about that.
I'm surprised the government even functioned at all considering how much corruption, incompetence, malfeasance, and unreasonableness was involved. As noted by the title, there are many assassination attempts, to point where few want to be involved with anyone who may be the leader because he may well soon be dead.
The four powers are the Rex, who has a rather weak and overall ineffective central government, the Factors' Council which demands the government do everything while wanting to pay nothing, the High Council representing the aristocracy which still resents not being 1,500+ independent fiefdoms, and the Collegium of Imagers which acts as a failsafe. The interactions between the four were quite interesting for me to read.
This is a critical juncture for every aspect of their society, which makes for a rather tumultuous time. Trade becomes every more important and there are a number of scenes involving the commodity exchange. As in the third book of the series, water rights make a return. There's even talk of standard coinage. As always, the seemingly intractable circumstances of taxation must be wrangled with, this time with the introduction of a progressive tax.
The series overall is just fun to read. This is the penultimate book, which after this eleventh book is both relieving and mildly disappointing. I would have liked one more subseries that takes place after the first trilogy, but it doesn't seem that's to be. I would have also preferred the series overall to be more like this book. I didn't enjoy the wars as much as I thought I might, though I did expect to have liked the rest more by comparison.
At first I didn't like Charyn, but by the end I came to think that he may be the best protagonist in the series. The love interest in this may have been the best, it was at least the most interesting. That may be because in some ways he has to struggle the most within his limitations and there aren't any easy solutions and almost none that could be solved by brute force.
I felt similarly about the book as a whole by the end, which surprised me. It's definitely one of the best of the series for me and I don't know what to think about that. This one doesn't have any large scale conflict unlike several of the books. It really is just about the government collapsing upon itself and what can be done about that.
I'm surprised the government even functioned at all considering how much corruption, incompetence, malfeasance, and unreasonableness was involved. As noted by the title, there are many assassination attempts, to point where few want to be involved with anyone who may be the leader because he may well soon be dead.
The four powers are the Rex, who has a rather weak and overall ineffective central government, the Factors' Council which demands the government do everything while wanting to pay nothing, the High Council representing the aristocracy which still resents not being 1,500+ independent fiefdoms, and the Collegium of Imagers which acts as a failsafe. The interactions between the four were quite interesting for me to read.
This is a critical juncture for every aspect of their society, which makes for a rather tumultuous time. Trade becomes every more important and there are a number of scenes involving the commodity exchange. As in the third book of the series, water rights make a return. There's even talk of standard coinage. As always, the seemingly intractable circumstances of taxation must be wrangled with, this time with the introduction of a progressive tax.
The series overall is just fun to read. This is the penultimate book, which after this eleventh book is both relieving and mildly disappointing. I would have liked one more subseries that takes place after the first trilogy, but it doesn't seem that's to be. I would have also preferred the series overall to be more like this book. I didn't enjoy the wars as much as I thought I might, though I did expect to have liked the rest more by comparison.
September 4, 2017
Respect.
I really enjoy reading books where the main protagonist is a magic user. I have particularly enjoyed L.E. Modisett, Jr.'s Imager Portfolio fantasy series. [Imagers are people who can create, or destroy, at need using their only their minds.]
Assassin's Price was the first book in this series which I have read where the main protagonist was NOT an imager. Instead, the main protagonist is Charyn, Heir to the Throne [the Crown Prince, as it were], later rex (the king).
But the worldbuilding is so richly detailed and the action is so character-driven that I enjoyed this book nonetheless. (The book DID contain imagers, of course, but only as secondary characters, with no POVs.) This series has been such a success because all of the books take place in the same world, only at different points in time in the history of the world.
The first book (each cast of characters has had at least a trilogy) took place in fairly modern times.
The second cast told the story of the FIRST imagers. As is not surprising, the imagers are closely linked to the ruling family. This world is medieval in that there is the king, the wizards (the imagers), and then the barons (and their fiefs). The world also has factors (the merchant class). As can be imagined, the barons get along uneasily with the merchants because the latter rise by merit, hard work, & ingenuity whereas the barons' power is strictly hereditary.
L.E. Modisett, Jr.'s Web site is quite straightforward and useful. He has a specific section where he discusses what books he is currently writing and what will be published next. I was quite pleased to see that one of the next books will be a sequel to Assassin's Price. I definitely want to see what happens next with Rex Charyn and this latest cast of characters!
I highly recommend the Imager Portfolio series to anyone who enjoys solid, extremely detailed worldbuilding, strong characters, a well-developed magic system, and lots of action!
I really enjoy reading books where the main protagonist is a magic user. I have particularly enjoyed L.E. Modisett, Jr.'s Imager Portfolio fantasy series. [Imagers are people who can create, or destroy, at need using their only their minds.]
Assassin's Price was the first book in this series which I have read where the main protagonist was NOT an imager. Instead, the main protagonist is Charyn, Heir to the Throne [the Crown Prince, as it were], later rex (the king).
But the worldbuilding is so richly detailed and the action is so character-driven that I enjoyed this book nonetheless. (The book DID contain imagers, of course, but only as secondary characters, with no POVs.) This series has been such a success because all of the books take place in the same world, only at different points in time in the history of the world.
The first book (each cast of characters has had at least a trilogy) took place in fairly modern times.
The second cast told the story of the FIRST imagers. As is not surprising, the imagers are closely linked to the ruling family. This world is medieval in that there is the king, the wizards (the imagers), and then the barons (and their fiefs). The world also has factors (the merchant class). As can be imagined, the barons get along uneasily with the merchants because the latter rise by merit, hard work, & ingenuity whereas the barons' power is strictly hereditary.
L.E. Modisett, Jr.'s Web site is quite straightforward and useful. He has a specific section where he discusses what books he is currently writing and what will be published next. I was quite pleased to see that one of the next books will be a sequel to Assassin's Price. I definitely want to see what happens next with Rex Charyn and this latest cast of characters!
I highly recommend the Imager Portfolio series to anyone who enjoys solid, extremely detailed worldbuilding, strong characters, a well-developed magic system, and lots of action!
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