Series: The Saga Of Recluce
by Author L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Fall of Angels (1997)
My relationship with Modesitt's "Recluce" series began several years ago with the first book, "The Magic of Recluce". It was a good read. Since then I have slogged my way through numerous sequels, prequels, spin-offs, or whatever else they might be called. None of them were read in order of pu...
The Magic Engineer (1995)
I am "on a mission", if you will, to re-read the Recluce saga in order, because I most of the first eleven books when I was younger and then lost touch with the series, and now I'm "reconnecting with my fantasy roots". Note, however, that this is one series where the order—at least at first—doesn...
Ordermaster (2005)
A solid conclusion to Kharl's tale, showing him with the same reassuring solidity and sensibility despite his elevation to being a lord. Of more interest is his position as a mage, as he finds himself using his power more directly to shape the political landscape. I appreciated how he was able to...
Wellspring of Chaos (2005)
(This review was written in 2004.)I read my first L.E. Modesitt Jr. book back in the early nineties, right around the same time Robert Jordan was getting popular. My first thought, upon seeing The Magic of Recluce, was that Modesitt looked like a Jordan clone. He had the same cover artist, same p...
The Towers of the Sunset (1993)
“The Towers of the Sunset” is the second book of the Recluce saga. However, instead of depicting events that occur subsequent to the ending of the first book, it jumps back in time to before the island of Recluce was established. Overall, it's a good read if you liked Modesitt’s first novel. T...
The Death of Chaos (1996)
Reading this back-to-back with The Magic of Recluse (which it follows directly in the internal chronology, but is separated by three other books in the publication order) really both shows up how unusually weak Magic of Recluse is and how much the series developed over the course of a couple of b...
The Chaos Balance (1998)
This one isn't for everyone as it's more philosophy than adventure.I never put spoilers in my reviews.This book can be dry but it's invaluable in understanding this world Modesitt has built. The ending is a climactic as any would wish.L. E. Modesitt, Jr. writes epic fantasy with political comment...
Magi'i of Cyador (2001)
OK because I am odd I have decided to read these books in internal chronological order. The author has stated that this is not his preferred order, but I am not only odd but stubborn.This is the first of a duo of novels concerning the earliest history of the land of Candor. Set probably hundred...
The Magic of Recluce (1992)
I typically stay away from the fantasy section of the bookstore, not because of any dislike for fantasy, but because the genre is riddled with clichés and Tolkein knockoffs. However, when an intended five-day trip unexpectedly turned into a two-week stay, I picked The Magic of Recluce up from the...
Scion of Cyador (2001)
This is the second part of the duo of the earliest history of the land of Candar.Our hero from the first book is now moderately well successful in the military branch of the structured remnants of the high tech society he lives in. However, his problems are not yet over. He has learned some mod...
The Order War (1996)
The Order War is the fourth book in Modesitt's Recluce series. The events in this book take place subsequent to the events in the previous book, The Magic Engineer, but before the events in the first book, The Magic of Recluce. To sum this book up, it has a lot of good information regarding the...
The White Order (1999)
Nearly 300 years after the founding of the island nation of Recluse Cerryl a (probably) grey mage enters the scene. An orphan of a probable white mage he must find a place for himself in the world. The stalemate between the blacks of recluse, and the whites of Fairhaven has stood since the isla...
Colors of Chaos (2000)
This book concludes a sorta-trilogy of Recluse novels. The first one the White Order follows the story of Cerryl a white mage (turning grey) as he grows up and joins the White Order. The second, the Magic Engineer, follows the story of Dorrin a very black mage who is exiled from Recluse and goe...
Arms-Commander (2009)
Another satisfying book set in the Saga of Recluce world. The characters were for the most part enjoyable, but Modesitt's rampant use of the letter Y in every character name was a little tedious.I'd say this is one of his weaker books concerning use of the system of magic as well. While it could ...