PG16- "Recluse" series

Modesitt has very different ideas in regards to magic in comparison to a lot of other authors. The magic in his books is unique, one that I have never come across before. His style of writing is also quite good, although some of the landscape descritions can occasionally be lacking.

His main characters are well thought out, and in depth, but many of his secondary ones can sometimes seem a bit shallow. The majority of his main characters are male, however when he does use a female for a main character, he does so quite well, and without making them pale in comparison.

Most of the stories are quest style. The main characters often start their adventures, trying to find their identity, or place in the world.

The Magic of Recluse: In this world, Order and Chaos are the ways of life. The white wizards, masters of Chaos, continually try to rule the world, while the Order masters, promote the use of Order and keep fairly much to themselves. The island of Recluse is the haven for the black wizards, and if you can not accept a life of Order, or show signs of Chaos in any way, you are no longer welcome on the isle.

Bored with his life on the island of Recluse, Lerris is forced to undertake dangergeld, a form of exile, until he can accept the way of life on Recluse. After a short period of training, Lerris and the others who are undertaking the dangergeld are left to fend for themselves in Candar, a country where Chaos seems to dominate.

Lerris becomes caught up in the battle between Order and Chaos when he discovers the he himself is destined to be an Order master. Unwittingly, he finds himself feeling obliged to help rid Candar of the white wizards as he journeys to find himself.

An interesting and different way of portraying the battle between good and evil, with some very unusual concepts. There's no need to worry about this story being the same old type of fiction.

The Towers of the Sunset: The Legend proclaims that the people shall not suffer any male to lead them, as that was how the Angels fell. All males in countries which follow the Legend, are seen as little more than studs. They cannot hold positions of power, nor do they have a say in the running of the land.

This book chronicles the story of the founding of the island kingdom, Recluse. Creslin, born in Westwind, were life is lived according to the Legend, rebels against an arranged marriage and escapes as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

A powerful weather-magician, Creslin sets out to search for his true identity as a man. As he travels through Candar, he finds himself in constant conflict with the white wizards. Unbeknownst to him, he is already tied to Megaera, his arranged bride. She follows him, until finally he is brought low by an illness.

Together, they are forced to flee to the barren island of Recluse were they struggle to bring life to the island, and create a living for themselves and those who follow. To do this, they must prove that they are strong enough to stand against those who would oppose them.

An interesting jump back into the history of Recluse. A complex world, with a well thought out plot and characters. Modesitt doesn't dissapoint, this book is just as interesting as the first.

The Magic Engineer: The next step forward in the history of Recluse, this book is the story of Dorrin, a young Order master who is forced into exile because he is fascinated by the workings of machines. His elders claim that machines have no place on Recluse as they create chaos, which is not allowed on their isle.

Along with two others who are also facing exile, Dorrin makes his way to Diev, where he endeavors to make a life for himself. Using his experience from before his exile, he apprentices himself to a master blacksmith, and during his free time, continues to think about machines and how he can use them to his advantage.

His two friends join the local army, and when they become endagered, Dorrin attempts to create something new which will help them against the force of the white wizards.

Finally bringing his ideas to life, and building a machine which works as he wished, Dorrin continues to try and get his point across to those who live on Recluse, and make a place for himself and his friends on the isle of his birth.

Each book brings to life new concepts, and builds on the complexity of the world created by Modesitt. Another well written book, filled with new ideas and characters.

The Order War: Fairhaven, the white city, home of the chaos masters. The place from which each encursion of chaos has occured throughout history. Another book based on the history of Recluse, but possibly the most important of the lot.

This is the story of Justen, a black engineer forced to leave Recluse to help an army against an army led by white wizards. Although he, along with his brother, are successful in defeating over half of the opposing force, it is not enough, and Justen is forced to flee for his life.

Struggling through the barren waste of the Stone Hills, Justen is found by a young druid, Dayala. After journeying into the heart of the great forest, where the druids live, Justen discovers that he is a Grey wizard. The only man in history who can successfully handle both Chaos and Order.

It lands upon his shoulders to right the Balance between Order and Chaos. To do this, he must face the combined wrath of the white wizards, and discover a way to destroy them and right the wrongs created by both Recluse and Fairhaven.

Another gripping novel, brought to life by the skills of Modesitt.

The Death of Chaos: Lerris has settled down to a quiet life of carpentry with his wife Krystal, sub-commander of the autarch's forces, in Kyphros. The rest of the world however, is in turmoil. The white wizards and Recluse are still fighting trade wars, and the distant land of Hamor has decided to take advantage of the crisis to continue their attempt to conquer the world.

With Kyphros under threat, and Lerris not wanting Krystal to be hurt, he takes it upon himself to once again try and stop the forces opposing them. Even with the immediate threat neutralized, he realizes that without taking drastic measure, the same scene will continue to play, over and over again. With the help of his uncle and parents, Lerris strives to bring about such an action, or watch his world collapse.

Fall of Angels: This story takes us back to the very beginning. The founding of the empire of legend. The building of Westwind from which the legend of the angels spreads and changes the known world.

Fighting a battle in the far reaches of space against the demons of light, the crew of the Winterlance come face to face with their own destruction, only to find themselves instead flung to some other universe. They are forced to evacuate their now useless ship and make their way to the surface of a nearby planet. Landed on what is known as the Roof of the World, they combine their unusual skills to eke out a living.

Unable to leave the mountains due to their homeworld being much colder than the low plains of the world, they start to plan out a place, and way of life. The locals however, are not happy with their new neighbours. Army after army attack the newly named Westwind, trying to force the strangers out. But even with so few people to defend, the transition between universes has caused changes within the officers from the ship and they use these changes to their advantage.

The Chaos Balance: Although those of Westwind have managed to carve out a place for themselves in the world, the engineer/black wizard Nylan finds that he has no place in Westwind. No males have any value except for stud there and this Nylan is not willing to accept.

Along with his lover, Ayrlyn, and his infant son, Nylan must travel down from the mountain tops and try and find a place to live. Tension runs high against the angels, and they find themselves set apart by their looks and talents. Their reception is less than weloming wherever they go. Escorted politely but firmly Lornth, they find that if they want a place of peace to live in, they will have to pay a high price.

Cyador. A country which allows no strangers within its borders. An ancient refuge of the demons of light. Out to conquer the land with their thousands of mirror lances, white wizards and steam engines. It falls to Nylan and Ayrlyn to stop them and destroy their country. But this task will no be easy, as Cyador has been around from many years, and has consolidated its strength.

The White Order: This story takes a very different view of the battles between Order and Chaos as we follow the tale of Cerryl, who was orphaned by the white wizards at a young age.

Raised by his aunt and uncle, apprenticed to a local miller, and taught to read, Cerryl finds that he cannot escape his heritage. From his father, he has inherited the powers of Chaos. Journeying to Fairhaven, Cerryl takes up an apprenticeship with a master scrivener, but even here, with danger all around, he can not help but call upon his powers.

This does not go unnoticed, and without being given a choice, he is installed into the White Order. Here he must overcome lack of training, money and rivalry to make something of himself, and prove that he is worth being kept alive.

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Last Updated: February 29, 2000

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