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mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is the sixth book in "The Saga of Recluce," and rather a departure from the others. The opening chapters are spacefaring science fiction, rather than fantasy. Being familiar with the earlier books, I anticipated how this would connect to the fantasy setting of Recluce, and I thought that connection well done.
I found the central character, Nylan, very likable, and, while he has commonalities with the protagonists of the other books, his background as an officer on a space frigate makes him distinct. I also liked that his primary effort was to build a sustainable base in a low-technology environment. In one pointed speech, Nylan says, "You know, heroes are supposed to slay the enemy, but no one has to worry about shelter or heat or coins or stables or whether the roads need to be paved or whether you need bridges or culverts to keep them from being impassible." That said, even though I liked what he was trying to do, and even though I was interested in how he might achieve it, at times the pacing crossed the border from steady to slow.
In a second departure from the earlier books, I found Sillek by far the most believable opponent to date, probably because he is an antagonist rather than a villain. (Although I'm enjoying this series very much, the villains have been the weakest aspect for me.)
This series is not great literature. I am not beguiled by the prose. I find the protagonists well-drawn and very likable, but the supporting cast less developed. Yet the story often moves me, almost invariably engages me, and at its best is both thoughtful and thought-provoking.
I found the central character, Nylan, very likable, and, while he has commonalities with the protagonists of the other books, his background as an officer on a space frigate makes him distinct. I also liked that his primary effort was to build a sustainable base in a low-technology environment. In one pointed speech, Nylan says, "You know, heroes are supposed to slay the enemy, but no one has to worry about shelter or heat or coins or stables or whether the roads need to be paved or whether you need bridges or culverts to keep them from being impassible." That said, even though I liked what he was trying to do, and even though I was interested in how he might achieve it, at times the pacing crossed the border from steady to slow.
In a second departure from the earlier books, I found Sillek by far the most believable opponent to date, probably because he is an antagonist rather than a villain. (Although I'm enjoying this series very much, the villains have been the weakest aspect for me.)
This series is not great literature. I am not beguiled by the prose. I find the protagonists well-drawn and very likable, but the supporting cast less developed. Yet the story often moves me, almost invariably engages me, and at its best is both thoughtful and thought-provoking.
craftingrama's review against another edition
4.0
It's getting better but still wish there was a different narrator
katmarhan's review
4.0
9/10
A thoroughly satisfying get entry in the Saga of Recluce, taking the reader back to the time when Westwind was settled by the survivors of an intergalactic battle. Here we get the apparent facts behind the Legend and the start of the Black Order.
A thoroughly satisfying get entry in the Saga of Recluce, taking the reader back to the time when Westwind was settled by the survivors of an intergalactic battle. Here we get the apparent facts behind the Legend and the start of the Black Order.
margaretann84's review
4.0
In places a little boring, but the writing is so clear and the characters are so well-envisioned that it keeps on moving, even at it's most boring parts. The idea of having to build a home from scratch, even with partial use of advanced technology, makes my shoulders ache just thinking about it, and Modesitt's descriptions of the setting make me want to visit. The challenges the characters face, both with the construction and the petty intregues, are really what makes the book shine. Recommended.
4/5 on here, 9/10 for myself
4/5 on here, 9/10 for myself
vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
conprimo's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
tk_'s review
4.0
I really enjoy Modesitt's Saga of Recluce, and this book is one of the more interesting ones. We get a bit of sci-fi before dropping down into the regular stuff. It's less plodding than some of his books, and I appreciate that it's about more established characters essentially reestablishing themselves. Many of the novels in the series are about young men and are basically coming of age stories, so this one was a nice change from the norm.
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