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The Saga of Recluce #15
Mage-Guard of Hamor
Acclaimed bestselling author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. continues his saga of Recluce in Mage-Guard of Hamor. This is the second, after Natural Ordermage, of two volumes set mostly on the continent of Hamor, far across the sea from Recluce, where the saga began.
As young apprentice on the island of Recluce, Rahl was sent to the mages training school for testing before he was banished to Hamor. Now, Rahl is a powerful mage and still just as dangerous to himself and to others. His education continues, but Rahl soon finds that as his powers have increased, so has the amount of trouble he attracts.
As young apprentice on the island of Recluce, Rahl was sent to the mages training school for testing before he was banished to Hamor. Now, Rahl is a powerful mage and still just as dangerous to himself and to others. His education continues, but Rahl soon finds that as his powers have increased, so has the amount of trouble he attracts.
716 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
117 people are currently reading
1561 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
197 books2,577 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 70 reviews
July 11, 2021
This is proof that predictable, repeatable stories are NOT a bad thing. Yes, sure, this is something of a duplicate of many of the prior tales that came before, but the fact that I'm ENJOYING it is quite undeniable.
The entire read was engrossing and familiar and exciting. Epic fantasy with heart, violence with balance, a deep respect for order even when the entire nation is thrown into civil war. It's really hard to describe so as to do the writing justice.
Unlike the first one in the duo of books, this one is mostly military campaigns. L.E. Modesitt Jr. does them very well. It's all fantasy, big magics, tactics and battle heat, and above all, balance. There's even a minor romance subplot that is rather sweet.
His full series, if you've gotten this far, is unique for its worldbuilding and span of interlocked history, thousands of years and even some altered landscapes (thanks to huge battles) and budding fantasy historians will have a great time placing all of these books in their proper place.
The entire read was engrossing and familiar and exciting. Epic fantasy with heart, violence with balance, a deep respect for order even when the entire nation is thrown into civil war. It's really hard to describe so as to do the writing justice.
Unlike the first one in the duo of books, this one is mostly military campaigns. L.E. Modesitt Jr. does them very well. It's all fantasy, big magics, tactics and battle heat, and above all, balance. There's even a minor romance subplot that is rather sweet.
His full series, if you've gotten this far, is unique for its worldbuilding and span of interlocked history, thousands of years and even some altered landscapes (thanks to huge battles) and budding fantasy historians will have a great time placing all of these books in their proper place.
September 16, 2017
This finishes up Rahl's story & is the 13th book chronologically, the 15th published. It should be read immediately after Natural Ordermage in any reading order though since it starts just 3 years (1503) afterward.
There are plenty of twists & turns as Rahl fights a civil war in Hamor, a setting that allows for a lot of discussion on politics & economics of the country. It never gets boring since he's constantly pushed to learn how to use his powers to keep himself & his men alive while remembering that many of the people involved really don't care who rules so long as they're left alone to live their lives.
I really enjoy how Modesit drops bits of this world's history throughout as he does in all the books which makes reading them in chronological order so neat. We often know what really happened so comparing that to what & how the stories survived is thought provoking, especially if compared to our own history. Legends weren't always so & unintended consequences abound. At the end, he drops a really neat Easter egg when
For a list of the current chronology of this series, see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There are plenty of twists & turns as Rahl fights a civil war in Hamor, a setting that allows for a lot of discussion on politics & economics of the country. It never gets boring since he's constantly pushed to learn how to use his powers to keep himself & his men alive while remembering that many of the people involved really don't care who rules so long as they're left alone to live their lives.
I really enjoy how Modesit drops bits of this world's history throughout as he does in all the books which makes reading them in chronological order so neat. We often know what really happened so comparing that to what & how the stories survived is thought provoking, especially if compared to our own history. Legends weren't always so & unintended consequences abound. At the end, he drops a really neat Easter egg when
For a list of the current chronology of this series, see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 13, 2015
This story concludes the adventures of Rahl. Overall it was a fun read especially the last half of the book which is largely concerned with a military campaign which is some of what Modesitt Jr does best. My major complaint is with the very minor romance subplot, and a few quibbles with consistency from the first half.
Rahl does continue to grow in this story which is very nice to see. He still struggles with anger problems but as his powers grow he runs into less situations where his power can't simply overwhelm whatever would have made him angry. This defeats his growth in a few situations, and he never ever learned how to recognize what it was in himself that was the source of the anger. With this unresolved I find it very hard to believe in his happily ever after. Especially, since the love interest is a healer and extremely sensitive to emotions of others. She outright told him in the first story that until he knew himself they couldn't be together. I guess she changed her mind when the story needed a happily ever after which feels like a cheat on the arc of both the characters.
I loved seeing the current state of the nation of Hamor. When we last left it was a mash of several competing kingdoms, one of which was founded by the refuges from ancient Cyad. Now we see that the Cyadorans did consolidate the land and became the emperors of Hamor. They recreated a triad type of government similar to Cyad but reflecting the lower power of the mage classes. There are very few who would be powerful enough to be Magi'i so the triad is based on military power, police (including the mages) power, and the emperors power. Each of those three triads further supported by their own allies, primarily traders.
It was also fun to see a reference in the happily ever after section to Lorn, the long ago Emperor of Cyad.
The minor quibble mentioned above is that after being obsessed with money during the first book Rahl seems to become oblivious to it in the second. I know he gains access to more and more, but it's absence is noticeable especially when attention is randomly called to it again at the ONE payday mentioned in the book.
I am conflicted on how to rate this book. I'm tempted to go with three because I liked the story and enjoyed reading it, but also tempted to go with two because I feel that the love interest was betrayed when she magically changed her mind after Rahl failed to reach any sort of inner peace but only outer peace by resolving the military conflict.
The next story takes place 150 years later so we will see what happens to the Blacks of recluse, the Whites of Fairhaven, and the both-of-them of Hamor.
Rahl does continue to grow in this story which is very nice to see. He still struggles with anger problems but as his powers grow he runs into less situations where his power can't simply overwhelm whatever would have made him angry. This defeats his growth in a few situations, and he never ever learned how to recognize what it was in himself that was the source of the anger. With this unresolved I find it very hard to believe in his happily ever after. Especially, since the love interest is a healer and extremely sensitive to emotions of others. She outright told him in the first story that until he knew himself they couldn't be together. I guess she changed her mind when the story needed a happily ever after which feels like a cheat on the arc of both the characters.
I loved seeing the current state of the nation of Hamor. When we last left it was a mash of several competing kingdoms, one of which was founded by the refuges from ancient Cyad. Now we see that the Cyadorans did consolidate the land and became the emperors of Hamor. They recreated a triad type of government similar to Cyad but reflecting the lower power of the mage classes. There are very few who would be powerful enough to be Magi'i so the triad is based on military power, police (including the mages) power, and the emperors power. Each of those three triads further supported by their own allies, primarily traders.
It was also fun to see a reference in the happily ever after section to Lorn, the long ago Emperor of Cyad.
The minor quibble mentioned above is that after being obsessed with money during the first book Rahl seems to become oblivious to it in the second. I know he gains access to more and more, but it's absence is noticeable especially when attention is randomly called to it again at the ONE payday mentioned in the book.
I am conflicted on how to rate this book. I'm tempted to go with three because I liked the story and enjoyed reading it, but also tempted to go with two because I feel that the love interest was betrayed when she magically changed her mind after Rahl failed to reach any sort of inner peace but only outer peace by resolving the military conflict.
The next story takes place 150 years later so we will see what happens to the Blacks of recluse, the Whites of Fairhaven, and the both-of-them of Hamor.
October 7, 2008
This was an enjoyable read. However, Modesitt's stories in this world are starting to repeat themselves.
Boy kicked out of recluse
boy learns great control of his powers. Boy becomes central to events on other part of world.
Boy aquires a position of power and is happy forever.
Enjoyable but predictable. I like these books but the story line is complete
Boy kicked out of recluse
boy learns great control of his powers. Boy becomes central to events on other part of world.
Boy aquires a position of power and is happy forever.
Enjoyable but predictable. I like these books but the story line is complete
August 3, 2025
More enjoyable than the first book in this 2 book storyline. Rahl, the protagonist still has a tendency to blame others for his shortcomings, but it's much less than in the first book which made him quite unlikable.
After one short mission to Recluse as Taryl's assistant Rahl goes to war. There are many battles, a bunch of politics and growth in the case of Rahl. Taryl continues to place more responsibilities on Rahl to help his personal and magical growth.
So overall a very enjoyable fantasy novel, following Modesitt's formula of taking a fledgling mage and training him up.
After one short mission to Recluse as Taryl's assistant Rahl goes to war. There are many battles, a bunch of politics and growth in the case of Rahl. Taryl continues to place more responsibilities on Rahl to help his personal and magical growth.
So overall a very enjoyable fantasy novel, following Modesitt's formula of taking a fledgling mage and training him up.
December 13, 2014
the conclusion to Rahl story (see below for more about the duology in my rv of Natural Ordermage
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )
excellent stuff with everything as expected, the only annoyance was the name of the protagonist (as it kept reminding me of you know what series, one that I grew to detest profoundly), but that was a pretty major one that bothered me intermittently till the end
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )
excellent stuff with everything as expected, the only annoyance was the name of the protagonist (as it kept reminding me of you know what series, one that I grew to detest profoundly), but that was a pretty major one that bothered me intermittently till the end
April 10, 2020
After killing corrupt merchants and pirates, Rahl is designated assistant envoy to Recluse to explain his actions and avoid war. Upon his return he is the assistant to the mage overcommander as they set out to help quell a rebellion in Hamor. There are many traitors within both the army and government and Rahl must constantly be on his guard gaining mage powers along the way. As in many of Modesitt's novels an underlying theme is the relationship between a young man and an older woman.
December 31, 2019
What about the baby left behind?
The only problem with this excellent book is the left behind child which is completely ignored not really consistent with the other behaviours the characters show.
The only problem with this excellent book is the left behind child which is completely ignored not really consistent with the other behaviours the characters show.
February 24, 2014
A direct continuation of Natural Ordermage; do read this one if you liked the previous, but I'm not sure how it'd read without full knowledge of Rahl's journey.
Rahl is considerably more mature now, although he does still exasperate poor Taryl from time to time. And although Hamor's a refreshingly balanced nation compared to the order-obsessed Recluce, Modesitt's not one to let any nation escape the ills of bureaucracy or ambition, and Rahl is soon busy with a military campaign to subdue a rebellion.
Victories definitely feel hard-earned; resource constraints come up, and Rahl continues his training even between battles, so even as powerful as he is, it's not of the presto-add-water-instant-hero variety. Nor are there easy answers to the moral questions raised by war. Still, this volume deals more with his accomplishments than his growth, and the end brings solid closure, making it feel like the last part of an arc than a complete tale in itself.
There's a lot of room left in Hamor for Modesitt to explore, and although he tends to focus most on the personal journey (with lots of details about the environment, which I think are fantastic, but which could conceivably bore others), there were lots of undercurrents about the politics and entire mage-guard organization that I wouldn't mind seeing more of.
Rahl is considerably more mature now, although he does still exasperate poor Taryl from time to time. And although Hamor's a refreshingly balanced nation compared to the order-obsessed Recluce, Modesitt's not one to let any nation escape the ills of bureaucracy or ambition, and Rahl is soon busy with a military campaign to subdue a rebellion.
Victories definitely feel hard-earned; resource constraints come up, and Rahl continues his training even between battles, so even as powerful as he is, it's not of the presto-add-water-instant-hero variety. Nor are there easy answers to the moral questions raised by war. Still, this volume deals more with his accomplishments than his growth, and the end brings solid closure, making it feel like the last part of an arc than a complete tale in itself.
There's a lot of room left in Hamor for Modesitt to explore, and although he tends to focus most on the personal journey (with lots of details about the environment, which I think are fantastic, but which could conceivably bore others), there were lots of undercurrents about the politics and entire mage-guard organization that I wouldn't mind seeing more of.
February 12, 2018
This was another amazing book from L.E. Modesitt Jr. It kept me reading till the very end which I loved. This duology has to be at the top of my favorites.
June 22, 2020
‘Mage-Guard Of Hamor’ is the fifteenth novel in ‘The Recluce Saga’ and a follow up to ‘Natural Ordermage’ which was the fourteenth. Although the saga is multi-volume, many of them can be read independently or in pairs, like these two, as they feature different time periods in the history of this fantasy world. It would be best to read ‘Natural Ordermage’ before this one.
In ‘The Recluce Saga’, order and chaos are not the two states of a teenager’s bedroom but balanced magical forces. In ‘Natural Ordermage’, young Rahl was exiled from Recluce because his talent as a powerful natural ordermage was deemed unsuitable for that orderly isle. He was given a job at a trading post in Hamor. After some trials, he rose to the rank of Mage-Guard in Hamor, a sort of policeman keeping order and apprehending lawbreakers.
As this book starts, he is on a trip to Recluce with his mentor, Taryl, a mage of great ability, to report to the authorities there on recent events in Hamor. While back home, Rahl has dinner with the healer Deybri with whom he may be in love. Unlike some other fantasies, Modesitt’s books are very old-fashioned about love and marriage with the hero liking one girl and chasing her until they get respectably married. In this, they are suitable for young readers. In general, they promote old-fashioned values with right and wrong clearly defined. The author’s moral certainty seems to be based on ‘Starship Troopers’: hard-headed and practical but perhaps a little ruthless to those with softer hearts or weaker heads. At one point, Rahl kills a man for lying to him.
On returning to Hamor, Taryl and Rahl become involved in crushing a rebellion against the emperor by his evil brother, Golyat, who is assisted by powerful chaos mages. Rahl has no military experience, so he’s put with a company of soldiers and a competent commander to scout ahead of the main army for any trouble. They encounter a lot. Rahl’s trials in learning to ride a horse, learning to fight battles, cope with the death of comrades and so forth were very reminiscent of Quaeryt’s similar experiences in the author’s ‘Imager Portfolio’ stories. Modesitt seems to have some expertise on military matters – strategy, tactics, supply chains and other practicalities – but also shows the camaraderie of men in war and the pain of seeing your fellow soldiers killed and wounded.
The world-building is meticulous. Vulcrows and pearapples are neat touches to let you know it isn’t Earth. Also on Recluce, you really can have nothing but love babe eight days a week because there are eight days in a week. They are called Oneday, Twoday and so on. This is useful because Modesitt follows the hero’s actions day by day and as well as a strong sense of place – aided by maps at the front and back of the book, there is a real sense of time passing. All this contributes to that aura of reality that the best fantasy needs.
Whenever I pick up a Modesitt book, I find it hard to put down. He has a way of making you want to know what happens next, a sure sign of a good storyteller. I enjoyed this one, too, but, when you’ve read quite a few as I have now, there is a sense that he’s treading the same ground. He isn’t because his vast output includes Science Fiction novels as well as other fantasy series. In any case, I suspect that many fantasy fans want more of the same from their multi-volume chronicles and I confess to a warm, comfortable feeling when immersed in the familiar world of Recluce. As long as a reader peruses other stuff, too, and doesn’t stick to an exclusive diet of the cosily familiar, it’s not the worst indulgence in life and you don’t get a hangover. Recommended to fans and worth a look by new readers who want a change from all that sex and gore currently doing the rounds.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
In ‘The Recluce Saga’, order and chaos are not the two states of a teenager’s bedroom but balanced magical forces. In ‘Natural Ordermage’, young Rahl was exiled from Recluce because his talent as a powerful natural ordermage was deemed unsuitable for that orderly isle. He was given a job at a trading post in Hamor. After some trials, he rose to the rank of Mage-Guard in Hamor, a sort of policeman keeping order and apprehending lawbreakers.
As this book starts, he is on a trip to Recluce with his mentor, Taryl, a mage of great ability, to report to the authorities there on recent events in Hamor. While back home, Rahl has dinner with the healer Deybri with whom he may be in love. Unlike some other fantasies, Modesitt’s books are very old-fashioned about love and marriage with the hero liking one girl and chasing her until they get respectably married. In this, they are suitable for young readers. In general, they promote old-fashioned values with right and wrong clearly defined. The author’s moral certainty seems to be based on ‘Starship Troopers’: hard-headed and practical but perhaps a little ruthless to those with softer hearts or weaker heads. At one point, Rahl kills a man for lying to him.
On returning to Hamor, Taryl and Rahl become involved in crushing a rebellion against the emperor by his evil brother, Golyat, who is assisted by powerful chaos mages. Rahl has no military experience, so he’s put with a company of soldiers and a competent commander to scout ahead of the main army for any trouble. They encounter a lot. Rahl’s trials in learning to ride a horse, learning to fight battles, cope with the death of comrades and so forth were very reminiscent of Quaeryt’s similar experiences in the author’s ‘Imager Portfolio’ stories. Modesitt seems to have some expertise on military matters – strategy, tactics, supply chains and other practicalities – but also shows the camaraderie of men in war and the pain of seeing your fellow soldiers killed and wounded.
The world-building is meticulous. Vulcrows and pearapples are neat touches to let you know it isn’t Earth. Also on Recluce, you really can have nothing but love babe eight days a week because there are eight days in a week. They are called Oneday, Twoday and so on. This is useful because Modesitt follows the hero’s actions day by day and as well as a strong sense of place – aided by maps at the front and back of the book, there is a real sense of time passing. All this contributes to that aura of reality that the best fantasy needs.
Whenever I pick up a Modesitt book, I find it hard to put down. He has a way of making you want to know what happens next, a sure sign of a good storyteller. I enjoyed this one, too, but, when you’ve read quite a few as I have now, there is a sense that he’s treading the same ground. He isn’t because his vast output includes Science Fiction novels as well as other fantasy series. In any case, I suspect that many fantasy fans want more of the same from their multi-volume chronicles and I confess to a warm, comfortable feeling when immersed in the familiar world of Recluce. As long as a reader peruses other stuff, too, and doesn’t stick to an exclusive diet of the cosily familiar, it’s not the worst indulgence in life and you don’t get a hangover. Recommended to fans and worth a look by new readers who want a change from all that sex and gore currently doing the rounds.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
December 20, 2020
Good book; enjoyed this and it's direct predecessor, 'Natural Order Mage.'
The main dude has a decent character arc across the duology. I was initially tempted to stop reading the first novel because I was like, "this guy's Rahl's a twit," but then I remembered that I too was a twit who made terrible decisions as a young man, it's called life, right? Though I concede that Rahl got his act together a lot quicker than myself.
Anyway, good books, good characters, decent story; the sequel (this) does have an extensive military campaign that some would say could be condensed, but these stories are full of minutiae that develops characters and allows the reader to exist in this world.
I also finally get why people say good magic system in Modesitt's, it's sort of like the Force, but it manifests more tangibly, and much less exclusively.
These were my first Modesitt Jr novels, and though I won't read any more for now, (way too many other authors) I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through this world.
The main dude has a decent character arc across the duology. I was initially tempted to stop reading the first novel because I was like, "this guy's Rahl's a twit," but then I remembered that I too was a twit who made terrible decisions as a young man, it's called life, right? Though I concede that Rahl got his act together a lot quicker than myself.
Anyway, good books, good characters, decent story; the sequel (this) does have an extensive military campaign that some would say could be condensed, but these stories are full of minutiae that develops characters and allows the reader to exist in this world.
I also finally get why people say good magic system in Modesitt's, it's sort of like the Force, but it manifests more tangibly, and much less exclusively.
These were my first Modesitt Jr novels, and though I won't read any more for now, (way too many other authors) I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through this world.
July 6, 2019
I couldn't put this one down. I love it when this series goes to military fantasy even if it has a few flaws. Some of the tropes like the main character being unable to please his superiors and wisdom being an overtly apprised virtue are a bit underwhelming. Moments where the character and his magic overwhelming everyone around him and the main characters naivety never get old to me. (The main character is a bad ass but he has no idea in other words).
Yeah another Saga of Recluce book but this one was one of my favorites. Nothing more needs to be said, this series is like AC/DC all the books are the same but you really like it anyway.
Yeah another Saga of Recluce book but this one was one of my favorites. Nothing more needs to be said, this series is like AC/DC all the books are the same but you really like it anyway.
June 27, 2020
Rahl has come a long way from the self-centered young man who demanded that the world always be fair to him, but he still feels overwhelmed by the work and thinking that Taryl demands. How, he wonders as the two leave to help subdue a rebellion, can he think ahead and plan for events about which he knows nothing? Yet Taryl expects that. Through Rahl's eyes, Modesitt gives a lucid picture of responsibility, of what it means to have others' lives in your hands, and of learning to know your limits, even when you have power. Tempered by war, heartened by love and friendship, Rahl emerges a strong, honest man and mage, a credit to Hamor (and a loss to Recluce).
July 31, 2021
Modesitt has his oddities but boy can he create an epic fantasy world! Some have complained about his attention to detail but I think describing the daily tasks and talking about the food, the clothes, the conversations and just the normal rhythm of life add to the slow build of tension in the story. It also adds to the enjoyment of being in the life of the characters. By the time they get to a conflict you feel how terrifying it is and how it's a defining moment. He creates an immersive experience. I keep coming back. In fact I re-read the entire imager series! Still working on the Saga of Recluce books and not entirely in either order of publication or chronological! It's impressive and fun to read a book that refers to legends from 1,000 years before and you think Oh yeah I remember that guy!
December 24, 2017
Verbal sound effects again *sigh* but the book was ok, . Am glad I've reached the end of this series that I have and have now deleted them all. I recommend not listening to this series but to get the print form. its not a bad series but the narrator destroyed it quite a bit as well as far too often there was like one page chapters which drives me nuts. Most of this series could have been written in half the amount of books with proper editing and putting a few of them together as well as getting rid of the filler and then it would have a chance to be a good series IMHO.
August 28, 2022
This book continues the story of Rahl and the civil war in Hamor. I enjoyed this much more than the previous book. Rahl has grown tremendously and while he still occasionally struggles with his anger, he's learned to think more and keep it in check. That's wonderful, because he was a whiny little brat in the first book.
Modesitt's books all tend to follow a formula, but they're comfortable, familiar reading and if you like one, you'll probably like them all. I've been enjoying his Recluce novels for some 20+ years and this one was no exception.
Modesitt's books all tend to follow a formula, but they're comfortable, familiar reading and if you like one, you'll probably like them all. I've been enjoying his Recluce novels for some 20+ years and this one was no exception.
May 13, 2024
In the long Saga of Recluce, not only does L. E. Modesitt, Jr., dance around chronologically, he sometimes strings two books together about the same character -- and "Mage-Guard of Hamor" is the sequel to "Natural Ordermage."
This one is very heavy on battle scenes, though there's plenty of political machinations and a nicely done romance. I enjoyed this one -- set in Hamor late in the Saga's timeline -- as much or more than the previous 14, so there's no stopping now.
This one is very heavy on battle scenes, though there's plenty of political machinations and a nicely done romance. I enjoyed this one -- set in Hamor late in the Saga's timeline -- as much or more than the previous 14, so there's no stopping now.
August 28, 2017
Overall, a good story" parts of it took too long to develop and some of the scenes that were "building blocks" could have been consolidated or eliminated, but the author gave us a more complete and honest view of both Recluce and Hamor. Many of the supporting characters were as or more interesting as the main character.
August 14, 2022
I’m a fair way into the saga now. I don’t know if the formula is getting old now, or i just didn’t enjoy the story of Rahl as much as i have others.
I thought it was an improvement on Natural Ordermage, which featured Rahl as an entirely unlikeable character. I’m glad there wasn’t a third book in this mini series.
I thought it was an improvement on Natural Ordermage, which featured Rahl as an entirely unlikeable character. I’m glad there wasn’t a third book in this mini series.
July 4, 2018
Shares many similarities between other Modesitt books, an ordinary man who rises eventually rises to great power and prestige, but was very well written and great detail was provided in the campaign against the rebel forces. One of Modesitt's best books yet, in my opinion.
May 21, 2019
The previous book depicting Rahls' life irritated me as the author captured the youthful mindset. This one is a continuation of growing pains. It is not one of my favorites, but it is an interesting perspective.
April 16, 2020
Continuing to read/reread my way through the Recluce saga. Several years back, I had bought this title, but had just not got around to reading it. Now I have. And it clarifies a some things that show up in other tales. A satisfying end to this story arc.
January 30, 2022
For me, Taryl practically stole the show.
Rahl continues to grow, although he has plenty of room left by the end of the book. Powers get greater, although he's not the strongest in the story at any point, and at the end needs help to finally put away the bad guys.
Rahl continues to grow, although he has plenty of room left by the end of the book. Powers get greater, although he's not the strongest in the story at any point, and at the end needs help to finally put away the bad guys.
May 12, 2017
Great read
This was a great ending of the mage-guard series. A nice link to the past and I look forward to new adventures.
This was a great ending of the mage-guard series. A nice link to the past and I look forward to new adventures.
April 19, 2018
My first DNF in the recluce series, this was painfully slow and becomes predictable and uninteresting as the novel continues. Dommage
December 8, 2019
Another excellent entry into the series.
September 26, 2025
So far, for all the Recluce stories, Rahl’s story is the weakest. 1. There isn’t too much twist. 2. The main character can not take any initiative in the big picture and was kept in the dark.
September 30, 2025
Definitely page-turning.
December 30, 2016
Another well-written and entertaining novel set in Modesitt's world of Recluce, this one picks up where Natural Ordermage leaves off, following Rahl as he continues to make a life for himself in Hamor. This book tracks along a very similar pattern to many of the other books in the series, both in content and in writing style. We once again have the privilege of following a young and inexperienced mage through trials and difficulties that force him to grow, learn, and reflect on his role in life. Once again, he becomes incredibly powerful and finds himself in a position to shape history. Modesitt's writing style is very distinct, being almost overly detailed and leaving much of the emotion to the reader's imagination. Very enjoyable and certainly having improved over the course of his writings, Modesitt's writing style is a major reason his books continue to be successful.
Parts of this book felt a bit repetitious to me, with Rahl and company fighting battle after battle with similar results, and the characters struggling with the same issues throughout most of the 600-something pages. One good aspect of the book is the expansion of the world Modesitt has created. We finally learn all about Hamor in this book and the previous, something that has been a long time in coming. The character of Rahl remains imperfect, generally acting rather melancholy, but growing in confidence and bearing during the course of the book. Taryl may be my favorite supporting character in the whole series. Both mysterious and undeniably likable, Taryl plays a big part in making this book enjoyable. I'm not sure if this wraps up the story of Rahl, but this book ended with a solid conclusion that doesn't demand a sequel. Modesitt did leave the option viable, however, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Very good addition to the series. Recommended. You can read these books as stand-alones, but to get the full enjoyment, start at the beginning with The Magic of Recluce (Recluce series, Book 1).
Parts of this book felt a bit repetitious to me, with Rahl and company fighting battle after battle with similar results, and the characters struggling with the same issues throughout most of the 600-something pages. One good aspect of the book is the expansion of the world Modesitt has created. We finally learn all about Hamor in this book and the previous, something that has been a long time in coming. The character of Rahl remains imperfect, generally acting rather melancholy, but growing in confidence and bearing during the course of the book. Taryl may be my favorite supporting character in the whole series. Both mysterious and undeniably likable, Taryl plays a big part in making this book enjoyable. I'm not sure if this wraps up the story of Rahl, but this book ended with a solid conclusion that doesn't demand a sequel. Modesitt did leave the option viable, however, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Very good addition to the series. Recommended. You can read these books as stand-alones, but to get the full enjoyment, start at the beginning with The Magic of Recluce (Recluce series, Book 1).
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