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Corean Chronicles #8
Lady-Protector
A new novel of Mykella, the young woman introduced in The Lord-Protector€™s Daughter. Though a bloody coup has made Mykella ruler of her land, it has left her and her two sisters bereft of family and uncertain of their friends. Worse, an examination of the nation€™s accounts reveals that their country is almost destitute. Plus, there are rumblings of war along the borders. With no money and few allies, Mykella is faced with the difficult prospect of rebuilding her nation while trying to hold off a potentially devastating invasion.Fortunately for Mykella, an old magic has awakened in her; a power that gives her the ability to read the emotions of others and to spy on the movements of her enemies. But the resurgence of this power might herald the return of an ancient enemy, one that Mykella isn€™t sure how to face.L.E. Modesitt, Jr. returns to the world of The Corean Chronicles with a novel filled with politics, adventure, magic, and romance.
462 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2011
35 people are currently reading
696 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 58 reviews
November 28, 2017
This is the second & final part of Mykella's story, so don't start with this book. Overall, I enjoyed it, but was disappointed in the ending. Her BFMI (Brute Force & Massive Ignorance) approach got old. It made sense at first, but she was a smart gal & never seemed to get much smarter in the ways of the magic, just more powerful. All the books suffered from this to some extent, so some of my disappointment may be cumulative.
One of the neat things about the way this was written is that the first trilogy comes last, so Alucius finds things & places that Dainyl, Mykel, & Mykella have left behind or seen at other times. Picking those out is part of the fun & adds to the mystery, but Mykella wound up leaving weapons laying around that shouldn't have been, if I'm recalling things correctly.
The story wrapped up well, if predictably. Well narrated by Kyle McCarley, again. I like his different voices & accents, even if they're occasionally a bit weird.
One of the neat things about the way this was written is that the first trilogy comes last, so Alucius finds things & places that Dainyl, Mykel, & Mykella have left behind or seen at other times. Picking those out is part of the fun & adds to the mystery, but Mykella wound up leaving weapons laying around that shouldn't have been, if I'm recalling things correctly.
The story wrapped up well, if predictably. Well narrated by Kyle McCarley, again. I like his different voices & accents, even if they're occasionally a bit weird.
December 6, 2017
Really loved this one - Mikella, now the title character in a land where only men had power in the recent centuries (and memories of powerful women few centuries back were deliberately left to fade), and her two sisters have to deal with many problems - some inherited from the weakness of their father, the previous Lord protector and the ambition of her (currently dead) uncle and his young second wife now in exile and plotting revenge), some structural deriving from the power of the local lords and their habit to loot the land in the absence of a strong ruler (here a sort of merchant princes called Seltyrs and the dislike of many such for having a strong ruler who can stop their abuses and her being a woman adding insult to injury so to speak), some magical (the powerful beings who created the magnificent civilization of centuries ago - of which the indestructible highways linking the world are the clear proof, while their hidden magical artifacts are also scattered around and who were thrown out by the locals in the original trilogy set in this world, want the world back)
And so it goes building to a crescendo when Mikella has to confront both magical and mundane enemies in a tumultuous and very fast paced finale
Highly recommended as one of the best Modesitt duologies - great characters and setting and a lot to think too
And so it goes building to a crescendo when Mikella has to confront both magical and mundane enemies in a tumultuous and very fast paced finale
Highly recommended as one of the best Modesitt duologies - great characters and setting and a lot to think too
July 2, 2015
Lady-Protector was a pretty standard Modesitt work. I enjoyed it better then Lord Protector's Daughter since the heroine had more options. Overall I think it's awesome how much the author can get me enthralled by meetings.
June 30, 2017
This is the eighth and final book in The Corean Chronicles, and the second from the perspective of Mykella, now the Lady-Protector (i.e. ruler) of her land. As with the previous volume, I found this enjoyably diverting, but neither gripping nor striking.
The series as a whole has some interesting world-building, integrating science fiction elements into a primarily fantasy world. I liked the opening three books best, because I cared more about their main character, Alucius, than the protagonists of the final five books. I have now read all the existing books in three of Modesitt's fantasy series. Of the three series, the Imager Portfolio is my personal favorite, and I am very glad that the eleventh book is due out in a month's time. I found the Saga of Recluce somewhat uneven, but enjoyed most of the books in it very much. For me, the Corean Chronicles, though entertaining, is the weakest of the three series.
The series as a whole has some interesting world-building, integrating science fiction elements into a primarily fantasy world. I liked the opening three books best, because I cared more about their main character, Alucius, than the protagonists of the final five books. I have now read all the existing books in three of Modesitt's fantasy series. Of the three series, the Imager Portfolio is my personal favorite, and I am very glad that the eleventh book is due out in a month's time. I found the Saga of Recluce somewhat uneven, but enjoyed most of the books in it very much. For me, the Corean Chronicles, though entertaining, is the weakest of the three series.
October 23, 2014
Another good addition to the Corean series, but I can't say there were any surprises. A great escape from the mundane world & I liked the heroine. Nothing much else to say, except don't start with this one. You could get into the series by starting with the previous one or with the 4th, but this is the middle of a trilogy, the second chronologically, the 8th by published date.
June 2, 2020
Mikel the Great would be proud of his Grand Daughters. The ending is touching but the book is full of action, a touch of romance and some anger.
It all comes together in the end and the anticipation is, at times, stressful. Greed still is present as is arrogance but these make the story believable.
Women’s lib in action facing all those who chose a different way, ot trod by all.
To the author, my thanks for many exciting evenings of great reads. I did find out too what a quint is, but how long is a glass, how many in a day, how many months in a year that has 5 seasons?
It all comes together in the end and the anticipation is, at times, stressful. Greed still is present as is arrogance but these make the story believable.
Women’s lib in action facing all those who chose a different way, ot trod by all.
To the author, my thanks for many exciting evenings of great reads. I did find out too what a quint is, but how long is a glass, how many in a day, how many months in a year that has 5 seasons?
October 8, 2018
A entertaining continuing story
I enjoyed the continued saga. The attempted return of the Ifrits and combined greed of the royal houses play a double role of destructive behavior. Well done!
I enjoyed the continued saga. The attempted return of the Ifrits and combined greed of the royal houses play a double role of destructive behavior. Well done!
November 26, 2017
Not his best but I do love the Corean Chronicles even though many people don't.
December 27, 2017
I really loved it , in fact loved the whole series this was my second time through it.
Thanks Don Hicks
Thanks Don Hicks
February 22, 2019
I loved the adventure, romance, intrigue and conclusion.
March 13, 2019
Gripping tale, outstanding!
May 22, 2024
It was mostly good, but I did not really like the ending. Felt rushed.
September 1, 2025
DNF 30%. normally don't rate books i don't finish but i wasted too much time on this bullshit. mykella has the personality of a piece of plywood. at least this is feminist i guess
August 8, 2011
The second story focused on Mykella (the first being Lord-Protector's Daughter). The previous book on her seemed to be the same Modesitt formula of learning about your powers and needing them as fast as you can develop them, 'or else', but from a female point of view. This book goes in a bit of a different direction. Mykella is the ruler of her country, and a female ruler in a male-dominated society. So in addition to developing her powers, saving the world, and saving her land, she has to deal with gender biases.
This book is extremely well done. The action flows, the characters change and grow, the viewpoint is interesting. This book is not a good first entry into the series. Some of the details especially about the history of Corus and the magic system may only make sense because of reading all the previous Corean Chronicles. Moreover, this book starts off exactly where the previous book ends. Lord-Protector's Daughter needs to be read first.
But if you're read LPD, then this novel really shines. In my opinion its better than the first, because the first was setting the scene for this and presumably later books. The main reason why it ends with 4 stars instead of 5 is that the love story in it progresses in a less-than-believable way. The depth of love grows while the two aren't around each other much. When questioned, the guy talks about things he's seen or noticed, but he wasn't around for most of what we've seen as the reader. That one scene seemed a bit contrived as a method of justifying where it was going. That said, the remainder of the relationship after that point was fine.
With those caveats (read LPD first if not all of the prior Corean Chronicles, and suspend some disbelief about the start of the relationship), it is well worth reading.
This book is extremely well done. The action flows, the characters change and grow, the viewpoint is interesting. This book is not a good first entry into the series. Some of the details especially about the history of Corus and the magic system may only make sense because of reading all the previous Corean Chronicles. Moreover, this book starts off exactly where the previous book ends. Lord-Protector's Daughter needs to be read first.
But if you're read LPD, then this novel really shines. In my opinion its better than the first, because the first was setting the scene for this and presumably later books. The main reason why it ends with 4 stars instead of 5 is that the love story in it progresses in a less-than-believable way. The depth of love grows while the two aren't around each other much. When questioned, the guy talks about things he's seen or noticed, but he wasn't around for most of what we've seen as the reader. That one scene seemed a bit contrived as a method of justifying where it was going. That said, the remainder of the relationship after that point was fine.
With those caveats (read LPD first if not all of the prior Corean Chronicles, and suspend some disbelief about the start of the relationship), it is well worth reading.
March 24, 2011
Not the best Modesitt ever, I'm afraid, but still a solid entry from one of my favorite authors. He spends a lot of time going throughout the challenges inherent in running a government in a semi-medieval culture. The day to day business of fixing a government hobbled by years of weak leadership and endemic corruption were just the sort of writing I expect from Modesitt. The MC was pleasant enough and dealt with the challenges of being a young female ruler in a male dominated society fairly well, but she didn't quite gel for me as a character (though, I can't quite put my finger on why).
From a technical standpoint, I had some issues with the beginning of the book, it just starts right up, assuming that you've read the short story that started this tale. It's a bit abrupt, and a touch more exposition near the front would have smoothed out a few of the rough edges. I've also noticed a few turns of phrase that he uses quite a lot that start to feel a bit stale (e.g. x was anything but y).
More broadly, Corus has never felt quite as solid, as real, as his other worlds, like Recluse or Defalk. This is something of a problem, because at least a third of the reason I enjoy Modesitt is because of his strong world building. His magic systems are usually very consistent and rigorous, but Talent has never really seemed distinct enough, and feels a bit like it's been sloshed together with elements from other systems.
This is still an enjoyable read, but fans may feel a bit like they've been here before, and newcomers will be a bit lost. Recommended provisionally
From a technical standpoint, I had some issues with the beginning of the book, it just starts right up, assuming that you've read the short story that started this tale. It's a bit abrupt, and a touch more exposition near the front would have smoothed out a few of the rough edges. I've also noticed a few turns of phrase that he uses quite a lot that start to feel a bit stale (e.g. x was anything but y).
More broadly, Corus has never felt quite as solid, as real, as his other worlds, like Recluse or Defalk. This is something of a problem, because at least a third of the reason I enjoy Modesitt is because of his strong world building. His magic systems are usually very consistent and rigorous, but Talent has never really seemed distinct enough, and feels a bit like it's been sloshed together with elements from other systems.
This is still an enjoyable read, but fans may feel a bit like they've been here before, and newcomers will be a bit lost. Recommended provisionally
February 1, 2015
Enjoyable and well constructed from start to finish.
After reading the mostly lackluster preceding book, I had my reservations coming into Lady-Protector. But I had my hopes and it truly lived up its fancy smancy title. Upon picking it up, I found myself eager and interested enough to keep reading from start to finish quickly.
There are only two things hindering it from getting 5 stars from me. But that's not important.. You can read this great book without seeing anything below.
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You're still here? Okay, then. Here are the two things.
1. Many characters and occurrences with great potential were mostly untouched, leaving many details to be desired and the world less potent and frightening than it could be as a result. The book centers on Mykella and Mykella alone, which delivers this effect. Exciting military action, terrifying spying by others, and other things are skipped entirely. Considering their potential, this is a negative point for me.
2. Certain powerful tools which were available to be used to gain power and protect life were ignored completely. They could have been included to create greater excitement without changing the course or outcome of the story at. They would have achieved an effect of illustrating the enemies and trials as harsher and worthier, making it a better story overall but were most bizarrely neglected instead.
Sorry if I'm too vague. I'm avoiding spoilers as best as I can while I rant.
After reading the mostly lackluster preceding book, I had my reservations coming into Lady-Protector. But I had my hopes and it truly lived up its fancy smancy title. Upon picking it up, I found myself eager and interested enough to keep reading from start to finish quickly.
There are only two things hindering it from getting 5 stars from me. But that's not important.. You can read this great book without seeing anything below.
-
-
-
-
You're still here? Okay, then. Here are the two things.
1. Many characters and occurrences with great potential were mostly untouched, leaving many details to be desired and the world less potent and frightening than it could be as a result. The book centers on Mykella and Mykella alone, which delivers this effect. Exciting military action, terrifying spying by others, and other things are skipped entirely. Considering their potential, this is a negative point for me.
2. Certain powerful tools which were available to be used to gain power and protect life were ignored completely. They could have been included to create greater excitement without changing the course or outcome of the story at. They would have achieved an effect of illustrating the enemies and trials as harsher and worthier, making it a better story overall but were most bizarrely neglected instead.
Sorry if I'm too vague. I'm avoiding spoilers as best as I can while I rant.
March 31, 2015
Lady-Protector by L.E. Modesitt, jr
This book follows the Lord Protector's Daughter of the Corean Chronicles. The weight of the crown is clearly illustrated in this book. Mykella finds she is a true descendant of Michael the Great.
Once again I will admit to being a major Modesitt fan. He does a great job on a series but allows each book to come to a reasonable conclusion and thusly stand alone. I have also mentioned in other reviews how fond I am of strong female protagonists. Sci-fi and fantasy have seemed to have had a male centric leaning for years and that would possibly explain why more males than females seem to be fans. I think that strong female roles will encourage not only superior social development for girls, it will attract more readers. Perhaps sci-fi and fantasy authors can help stamp out misogyny.
Regardless of the satisfying social implications, the book has a great story line that ties in beautifully with the rest of the series. Greed and narcissistic characters are shown for what they are and Modesitt once again offers his take on socio-economics.
The common thread, as I stated in previous Modesitt reviews is the lone soul fighting for self identity in a harsh world. Modesitt makes social commentary entertaining as well as illuminating.
I highly recommend.
Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/
This book follows the Lord Protector's Daughter of the Corean Chronicles. The weight of the crown is clearly illustrated in this book. Mykella finds she is a true descendant of Michael the Great.
Once again I will admit to being a major Modesitt fan. He does a great job on a series but allows each book to come to a reasonable conclusion and thusly stand alone. I have also mentioned in other reviews how fond I am of strong female protagonists. Sci-fi and fantasy have seemed to have had a male centric leaning for years and that would possibly explain why more males than females seem to be fans. I think that strong female roles will encourage not only superior social development for girls, it will attract more readers. Perhaps sci-fi and fantasy authors can help stamp out misogyny.
Regardless of the satisfying social implications, the book has a great story line that ties in beautifully with the rest of the series. Greed and narcissistic characters are shown for what they are and Modesitt once again offers his take on socio-economics.
The common thread, as I stated in previous Modesitt reviews is the lone soul fighting for self identity in a harsh world. Modesitt makes social commentary entertaining as well as illuminating.
I highly recommend.
Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/
December 9, 2011
Ok. Not an incredible amount of action, but the series continues from another perspective. Really annoying however, is the consistent usage of the same 'filler', over and over again.
- Meals. Really, who cares about what they have to eat and how it's prepared. EVERY FRICKING MEAL. Even the absense of eating a meal, and the subsequent feelings of hunger are detailed. EVEN THOUGH said pangs have no impact on the story!
- Floors and Wall Coverings. Every Table Room, every palace floor, every building seems to merit some sort of description about the coloring, pattern, texture, lighting, etc.
- Clothing. I don't mind some descriptions but the repetitive characterizations of what characters wear is truly tiring.
Taking these elements out would take at least 50 pages out of each book in the series. I blame the editor, of course.
- Meals. Really, who cares about what they have to eat and how it's prepared. EVERY FRICKING MEAL. Even the absense of eating a meal, and the subsequent feelings of hunger are detailed. EVEN THOUGH said pangs have no impact on the story!
- Floors and Wall Coverings. Every Table Room, every palace floor, every building seems to merit some sort of description about the coloring, pattern, texture, lighting, etc.
- Clothing. I don't mind some descriptions but the repetitive characterizations of what characters wear is truly tiring.
Taking these elements out would take at least 50 pages out of each book in the series. I blame the editor, of course.
November 18, 2012
Okay, so I give this author a lot of 5 stars...but I really enjoy his depth of detail. Many people find it tedious, I enjoy the fact that he put THAT much effort into his books. Mykella and her sisters developed as characters, thank you Jesus, and that was important. More then just figureheads or bartering chips, each of the three women actually contributed something overall. I can't say the book wasn't predictable, because it was....but it wasn't completely able to be forseen. I love curveballs and L.E. threw some my way.
I'm glad he continues to bring out books in the Corean landscape and bring more details into play about what happened before Alucius did what had to be done. I look forward to, and hope for, more books of this world.
I'm glad he continues to bring out books in the Corean landscape and bring more details into play about what happened before Alucius did what had to be done. I look forward to, and hope for, more books of this world.
January 14, 2016
Lady-Protector is the last (so far) book in L.E. Modesitt’s COREAN CHRONICLES and a direct sequel to The Lord-Protector’s Daughter. You can read this duology without having read the first six COREAN CHRONICLES books, but you do need to read The Lord-Protector’s Daughter before picking up Lady-Protector. This review will necessarily spoil some of the plot for that earlier novel.
In The Lord-Protector’s Daughter, Mykella (the titular character) discovered that her father’s brother was stealing money from the treasury and planning a coup. Thanks to the magical powers that Mykella recently acquired, she was able to kill him and her schemi... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
In The Lord-Protector’s Daughter, Mykella (the titular character) discovered that her father’s brother was stealing money from the treasury and planning a coup. Thanks to the magical powers that Mykella recently acquired, she was able to kill him and her schemi... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
March 28, 2013
Modesitt has a way of introducing details that seem superfluous to the story, yet they are so enriching to the feeling of life that he gives to his characters. His books are for the thinking person instead of mass produced filler that fans of Hollywood action movies are apt to read.
I have to admit that this story has a bit of tediousness to it, intrigue and details drive this book instead of action, yet is very much worth the effort in the end. There is a strong female lead having to deal with ruling and corruption in a male-dominated society. Not only is she effective but she is also very believable as a character without being too perfect.
I have to admit that this story has a bit of tediousness to it, intrigue and details drive this book instead of action, yet is very much worth the effort in the end. There is a strong female lead having to deal with ruling and corruption in a male-dominated society. Not only is she effective but she is also very believable as a character without being too perfect.
June 19, 2015
The buildup of the story was very detailed leading up to a potential resolution of all the Lady Protector's problems. At which point the word limit for the story is reached, and everything is brought to a neat happy conclusion with magic battle followed by a battle between armies all within the blink of an eye. Ends with a happy parade with the land having a surprisingly bright future with all problems solved. Great lead up for the story, and then in such a rush to finish that it felt like the author had lost interest in going any farther, and just wanted to be done with it all as quickly as possible.
June 20, 2024
Better than The Lord-Protector's Daughter, in fact they really should have been published as one book, since the first was pretty weak on its own and quite short. Even then, it wouldn't really be up to the standard of the first few in the Corean series. But still, 3 stars.
Re-read, 8/14. I'll leave it at 3 stars, but only because much of it is pretty good. The handling of the romance is just horribly, terribly awful and almost makes me want to drop it to 1 star.
Again, 4/22.
Listened, 6/24.
Re-read, 8/14. I'll leave it at 3 stars, but only because much of it is pretty good. The handling of the romance is just horribly, terribly awful and almost makes me want to drop it to 1 star.
Again, 4/22.
Listened, 6/24.
January 3, 2021
As the first Lady-Protector of Lanachrona, Mykella faces a culture unaccustomed to being ruled by a woman; the corrupt nobles, who aided her usurping uncle to strip the country of its gold and severely damage its infrastructure; invasion from neighboring lands; and an alien Ifrit incursion from two other worlds. On Mykella's side are a few faithful retainers, her sisters, her indomitable will and integrity, and her powerful, not entirely understood, psi Talent, which can both sift truth from falsehood and kill the enemies she detects thereby.
March 22, 2011
I've always thought that L.E. does a wonderful job with characters. They never are perfect, which makes them easy to relate with. The book could have done more with backstory on Arm's Commander Areyst but other wise all the characters are well developed. The story is wonderful because every time Mykella seems to be on top of things, more things pop up that were either thought to be trivial or were totally unexpected.
This book is going to be in my re-read collection for sure.
This book is going to be in my re-read collection for sure.
May 26, 2015
Another good story in the history of Acorus. Fitting between the two main trilogies it concludes the story of the Lady Protector begun in Lord Protector's Daughter. Like many of Modesitt's novels the hero not only faces the traditional challenges of fantasy but also the practical concerns of economics and social expectation. Again good to see a story with a female lead that isn't entirely focused upon their love life!
August 2, 2012
Standard reading from L.E.Modesitt Jr. A woman's perspective was different this time, but still kept it in the outward struggles with only a little bit on the internal problems. The most of the internal thought processes were based upon the outward struggles. The fights were almost anti-climatic and almost ninja like. She sneaks in and separates their life-thread from concealment--ninja
May 16, 2011
I really liked this book. It helped to have read the earlier book (Lord Protector's Daughter) and/or others in the Corean Chronicles series in order to better understand what was going on in this book.
The action was fast paced and kept me interested. I liked the character development of the main players in this book.
The action was fast paced and kept me interested. I liked the character development of the main players in this book.
July 28, 2011
It was okay. The ending seemed a bit rushed and again, I think the main character learned how to use her Talent much too quickly. I bought the other 6 books in the series (not including The Lord-Protector's Daughter) this past weekend and am looking forward to rereading them as soon as I get through the 5 books I already have at home that I took out from the library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews