Rating: 
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: This is good stuff, there is no great epic journey with twenty charecters to follow (not that there's anything wrong w/ that), or killer dragons, or shadowspawn. Just a believable concept of a world run on chaos and order. The main charecter, Lerris, after doodling around appernticing with his uncle in woodworking, has to go on a dangergeld quest thing. Basicly he, along with i believe five or six others, are trained in various physical exersises & weapons, and educated about the world outside of Recluse. Now, Recluse is a smallish continent, run the Brotherhood, a group of Order-Masters. Since Recluse is basicly this little haven, and according to the choas/order theory, the order in recluse must be paralled by chaos elsewhere (correct me if i'm wrong). So after all his training and stuff, Lerris and the other Dangergelders are dropped off on Candar, a nearby continent, in this city called Freetown. From there, Lerris, essentialy, blunders around a few small towns, meets a Grey (nutural, you could say) wizard and learns some stuff. They part ways too soon and Lerris is left wondering. From there he crosses a mountain rage, pays to much for an Inn, and basicly freezes himself half to death. Soon, he comes to this city, and takes on a journey-man position at a lowly, not respected at all, woodwork shop, and pretty much does miracles. After hanging around there, he gets into some bad trouble with a very powerfull White (chaos) wizard. He goes on to save the day and get the girl, all told very believably. A unique, touching fantasy, destined to become a classic. Though no where near as hard on the brain as the Wheel of Time, it is still a very enjoyable, well crafted fantasy. Highly Recomended.
Rating:
Summary: Coming of Age for the hero and the reader
Review: This is one of those books you read and immediately run out for for its sequel. The sequel is good, but not nearly the book that The Magic of Recluce is. I have had this book near my bedside table for at least 6 years. I can pick it up and flip it open to any section and find entertaining, thought provoking prose that truly leads you to personal growth. It is a must-read for adolescents. Lerris is far from an every-man and yet who cannot understand the feeling that every adult is in on a Secret that they will not share? Who does not understand what it is to feel like an outsider everywhere, but most of all at home? Thrown out of his home for reasons determined before he was ever born; told that if he would only change who he is he could stay, Lerris must go to a place unlike anything he's experienced in his short life. We follow him and his fellow exiles through civil war, personal struggle, and the throes of young love. I like best that the story is in the first person -truly. Lerris practices self-deception and so the reader must read between the lines and decipher for herself, or himself what the truth of his narration is. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I freely recommend it to men and women and teenagers equally. You will enjoy it. The hometown boy makes good, but satisfyingly realizes that you can't ever go home again.
Rating: 
Summary: Creative, engaging, and thoughtful novel
Review: There are plenty of books that pull you in with epic plots, searing action, scores of characters, and thousands of pages. I found Modesitt's book to be a refreshing change from the standard fantasy novel. Instead of a running pace driven by fear, "The Magic of Recluce" allows itself to move as fast as it needs, allowing the characters explore themselves, eachother, and the forces around them. The study of "Order vs. Chaos" is enlightening, giving real-life applications to benefit the reader (which leaves the reader with something other than eye strain). Modesitt sets up plenty of other reasons to read the other books, which is frustrating and exciting at the same time. The book does comes to enough of a conclusion that was satisfying. I didn't throw the book across the room (as I normally do with Fantasy epics); instead I set the book down quietly, got online and quickly purchased "The Towers of Sunset".
Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece
Review: Modesitt has done a superb job with this series. All the books keep getting better and better. This book is told from the point of view of a man named Lerris. Lerris used to live on the Island of Recluce. An island steeped in order and not tolerant to those who are not happy with the circumstances they live in. The ruling council instead banishs all who are unhappy or are trouble makers. Thus the Dangergeld. This is a course that instructs all who will be banished in the arts of self defense and the history of the land they will be sent to. Lerris, being bored with how life is going is forced to take the Dangergeld. From there he is whisked away into problem after problem that makes this book a must read. If you haven't read this book, go out and get because you'll kick yourself if you don't.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasing, uneven fantasy.
Review: There is much to like about "The Magic of Recluce", and much to frustrate the reader. It begins slowly, plodding along through all the details of our hero's early training, but becomes more driven and interesting once it transports him to Candor. If you enjoy thoughtful fantasies that are more character focused rather than run-of-the-mill action/adventure stories, then you will enjoy this one. There are some nice pay-offs at the end, and some interesting twists along the way. Recommended, but not one of the best of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing sometimes
Review: This book had an interesting plot and storyline. Modesitt's unique study of the relationships between good/evil and order/chaos set the book apart from other fantasy books. One of the major problems I had with this book was that some stuff didn't make sense. I mean, characters kept talking about "blackstaffs", but it was never explained what they were. Also, how did Lerris, the main character, figure out some of the feats of magic that he performed without anyone teaching him? I can't possibly be intuitive based on how the magic system was being explained. Lerris also seemed arrive at conclusions that, to me, seemed impossible to reach. For example, all of a sudden he "realizes" that Justen is his uncle. WHAT! How in the heck did he come to that conclusion! There were no hints or anything. He just thought to himself, "Oh yeah, he must be my uncle." Whatever. Finally, Modesitt's system of measurement was kind of strange. He used cubits as the main measurement of length. The way he defined this was by saying that a tall person is about 2 cubits tall. However, later on, Lerris is looking at a wall that he thinks is insignificant, but is 40 cubits high. Okay, if a tall person is, say, six feet tall and that's 2 cubits, then a 40 cubit wall would be 120 feet tall. How is that insignificant? Anyway, aside from these inconsistencies, this is still an entertaining book. Lerris is a very down to earth character who is passionate and caring. His struggle on his "dangergeld" is a rousing tale of good versus evil, even if the good guy doesn't always know what he's doing :) Not on par with Goodkind or Jordan, but a rousing tale nontheless.
Rating:
Summary: A good start, too bad the next books aren't
Review: The magic of recluce was a good series start, interesting ideas, a sensible hero and a lot more real life than usual. The problem really begins with the rest of the series(a lot of books) which are basically the same exactly! every hero along the series(justen,dorrin,creslin,nylan) sounds and thinks EXACTLY like lerris and the badguys are also alike. So, enjoy the first book, don't raise your expectations about the rest
Rating:
Summary: Magic
Review: I enjoyed the differemce. The word Redberry started to get annoying. Especially in subsequent novels. Took me a while to understand the series. Very innovative. Progressing plot with different veiws from different people. Enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: ....well...
Review: I didnt think the book was too bad. It was a little boring at points but it was also gripping and I found myself reading into the night. The sound fx were annoying at first (wheeee eeee especially) but I got used to them and actually enjoyed the book. I recommend it because its a fresh new look to the science of magic. Its a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Ok, but not great
Review: This book was alright, although not the wonderful journey that some of these reviews make it out to be. I thought that Modesitt's new, more scientific approach to magic was interesting, as were the small mysteries about the Dangergeld and what it meant, and why people went there. I only give it three stars because, first of all, I found that there were some inconsistancies throughout the book. The plot kind of jumped around in places. Like when Lerris realizes that Justern is his uncle. Where did that come from? And how Tamra(and everyone else) seemed to know that Lerris's father was a master, and yet he didnt have any clue about anything having to do with tht Masters at all. How did the rest know so much, even to the point of names and identities, when the masters were supposed to be so mysterious and secretive. I also didnt like the fact that characters whom i though would be a major part of the story, such as Tamra, disappeared after 5 chapters or so, and actually had no real effect on the story. When did Lerris figure out what happened to her? Did I miss that part? I did however, like the way Lerris was portrayed. He was an honest character, in the sense that he seemd real, and was easy to realate to. His thoughts and feelings, whether about himself or others, seemed genuine, not just one demensional superman macho type heroes frequently portrayed in fantasy books. All in all, this is a good book, and I would recommend it to someone who likes fantasy, and is looking for a new start, but if you're used to reading series like Goodkind, Jordan, Tolkien or other high-powered, bestselling saga's be prepared for a let down. This would be good for an in-between book,(while we all suffer and wait for the next WoT and Sword of Truth enstallments)but not if you're expecting a completely enthralling, all encompassing, think about it 24/7 type of series.
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