Rating: 
Summary: here we go again...
Review: P>Modesitt continues to fill in the history of Candar and Recluce, this time reaching back before "Fall of Angels" to show how the ancient empire of Cyador wasn't always a horrible place, even though it was based on chaos."Scion of Cyador" continues the story of Lorn and Ryalth, the couple introduced in "Magi'i of Cyador." Lorn, an officer in Cyador's army, has mysterious plans and some magical abilities, as well as many mysterious enemies. Ryalth, his wife, is the founder of Ryalor House, a successful trading house; Modesitt is obviously not afraid of women. In this book, Lorn returns to Ryalth in Cyad, the capitol of Cyador, and faces deadly intrigues as the Emperor lies dying, without an heir. To understand "Scion of Cyador," you almost have to read "Magi'i of Cyador;" this is less a sequel than a continuation of an unfinished story. Familiarity with the other Recluce books is not necessary, but it is helpful. However, familiarity with the other books makes perfectly clear how thin and tired the series has become. As I started "Scion of Cyador," I was afraid I knew exactly where the story was going, and I was right. There were a few brief moments where I thought Modesitt might actually break out of his foreordained plot, and send Lorn and Ryalth off to found Lornth, the nation that figures prominently in "Fall of Angels" and "The Chaos Balance," but if that ever happens, it'll take yet another sequel. Modesitt has hit a formula for the Recluce Saga, and his formula is choking the life from his stories. I still like his protagonists, though they are all variations on one character (a young man learning that the world forces good people to make hard choices, who agonizes over his actions and inactions), but I find I no longer care enough to overlook the deadening plots. I stopped buying Recluce books after "Fall of Angels," and I have yet to see any reason not to simply borrow them from libraries. If Modesitt continues the series, but doesn't improve, I will stop reading them altogether. Also, Modesitt's poetry is distinctively mediocre, which is awkward, because he links Lorn's realizations about the way of the world to Lorn's interpretation of poems "written" by one of the founders of Cyador. I dislike mediocre poetry, and Modesitt's tendency to treat it as deep and meaningful irritates me.
Rating: 
Summary: A strong Modesitt hit.
Review: The Scion of Cyador is another hit for Modesitt. I was unable to put it down. Modesitt continues the tale of Lorn in this sequel to Magi'i of Cyador. Modesitt fills in more of the history of Candor and deals again with the themes of power and action. I would strongly recommend this book to those following the Saga of Recluce or who have not. This pair of books even stands well by themselves for the 10th and 11th books in a series. All the elements of an excellent novel are present well rounded characters, solid descriptions, good dialog and a strong plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This follow up to Magi'i of Cyador is simply outstanding. The poetry and logic which coexist harmoniously throughout this book are a constant source of inspiration that offers the reader a chance for thoughtful meditation on larger issues which this story addresses. For me, this speaks to the superb quality of the author's skill and his intelligence that simply pours off the pages and into one's consciousness. The stilted style of speaking by the characters is so necessary to the overall meaning of the cold, logical thinking by these descendents of the "rational stars" and the omnipresence of the magi'i who colonized this fictional world. Part of the chilling power of this tale is that which is exercised by the magi'i who control everyone through their occult chaos power and the threat of chaos screeing glasses that offer little if any freedom or privacy throughout Cyad and Candar. It gives a real clear picture of what a "big brother" looking over one's shoulder might be and it is scary. The softer side of the hero Lorn is almost too good to be true, and yet, he is a cold blooded killer and defender of the land and its people. His trials and tribulations are immense and he is able to survive through his intellect and tactical cleverness as an officer of the Mirror Lancers. His consort Ryalth has a much more active presence in this book which is a welcome shift from the blood and gore battles although there are plenty of those too. The addition of an infant son adds a very nice human dimension that one can relate to even during the heat of the power struggles between the merchant factions, the Lancers on the make for promotion and the magi'i who seek even greater control as the chaos towers begin to fail one after another. After all he has been through as a Mirror Lancer, Lorn receives a well deserved reward, and I hope that Modesitt continues this series wherein he tells about Lorn's reign and the machinations of those who would challenge his power and I for one would like to see how he develops as a mage, man, husband, father and emperor. All in all for this reviewer it was a terrifically rewarding read.
Rating:
Summary: Scion of Cyador
Review: This latest instalment of the Recluse series is facinating. However, while Modesitt is able to keep interest in his books by delving into the history of his fantasy world, they all seem to follow a basic formula and that formula is begining to wear a little thin. I personally would continue to read any new books in the Recluse series, Modesitt has been able to keep my attention with a long running series without sacrificing quality like Goodkind, or even Jordan(face it, Jordans last 2 haven't been all that great, just filler). But I think that in order to keep the interest of other people he needs to change the formula, give us something unexpected, suprise us. Out.
Rating:
Summary: Scion of Cyador
Review: This latest instalment of the Recluse series is facinating. However, while Modesitt is able to keep interest in his books by delving into the history of his fantasy world, they all seem to follow a basic formula and that formula is begining to wear a little thin. I personally would continue to read any new books in the Recluse series, Modesitt has been able to keep my attention with a long running series without sacrificing quality like Goodkind, or even Jordan(face it, Jordans last 2 haven't been all that great, just filler). But I think that in order to keep the interest of other people he needs to change the formula, give us something unexpected, suprise us. Out.
Rating:
Summary: wow!
Review: Well i have read a few reviews by a few readers who think the series of recluce is "confusing and hard to follow" but its really not.
the series is about the struggle that went on between order mages and white mages (also grey) . But this book was excelent.
modesitt still finds just the right way to build up his main characters to where you dont want to put the book down. The struggle between a magus born soldier and the world is very intriguing. i would suggest that you read " the magi of cyador" because thats the first part of the mini-sequel.
Rating:
Summary: wow!
Review: Well i have read a few reviews by a few readers who think the series of recluce is "confusing and hard to follow" but its really not.
the series is about the struggle that went on between order mages and white mages (also grey) . But this book was excelent.
modesitt still finds just the right way to build up his main characters to where you dont want to put the book down. The struggle between a magus born soldier and the world is very intriguing. i would suggest that you read " the magi of cyador" because thats the first part of the mini-sequel.
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