Imager's Challenge (Imager Portfolio, #2)

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Imager's Challenge (Imager Portfolio #2)

by L.E. Modesitt Jr. (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 1,615 ratings · 76 reviews

Imager’s Challenge takes up immediately after the conclusion of Imager. Still recovering from injuries received in foiling the plots of the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is preparing to take up his new duties as imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L’Excelsis. No sooner has he assumed his new position than he discovers two things. First, the Commander of the Civic Patrol doesn’t wa...more

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by Tor Books (first published October 12th 2009)

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Apr 13, 2013 D.w. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, reviewed

As with the first book in the series, LE Modesitt has become too verbose for his own good. Why do I need to know every time the main character eats what he is eating, and what fictitious wine is best paired with it?

Things take far too long to develop and in a cliched way as well. At this stage, you want to finish the series but desperately wish that Modesitt would write tight and forget the BS that he has laced the tale with.

Now his works are becoming all rather the same. Meet Hero. He has fail...more

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Sep 19, 2012 WillowBe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Now this was a good book! Lots of adventure, romance in the way that male writers write it- courtly and chivalrous. A little too repetitive re his anger at the collegium, and Mr Modesitt's feelings about PC culture, New Age beliefs, Congress, conservative religion is pretty thinly veiled, to me. I decided to find it amusing. But otherwise very intersting story and exciting. He is of course, becoming a male version of a Mary Jane. A Billy Jo? But I liked the mystical aspect of his Erion to Selior...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spec-fic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. C2009: I am afraid that I have to start with the awful cover. As with the first book, it is well drawn but IMHO does not convey the story or the character at all. In fact, if I look at the expression on the face of the man who I presume represents Rhenn – it looks kinda smug? I think the book deserves better. I enjoyed this book but in retrospect it didn’t seem to move the series on much. Rhenn’s relationship with Seliora deepens but remains chaste, he roots out some corruption in the Patrollers...more

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Mar 02, 2012 William Bentrim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Imager’s Challenge by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is the 2nd book in the Imager series. In the spirit of the terrific Recluse series, the Imager series debuts a new world of similar interest. Imagers, much like mages in the Recluse series seem both powerful and powerless. This book continues the story of a budding artist journeyman who tragically discovers he is an Imager. This story carries on from his discovery of his imaging ability and the danger and politics that surround a burgeoning power.

As i...more Imager’s Challenge by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is the 2nd book in the Imager series. In the spirit of the terrific Recluse series, the Imager series debuts a new world of similar interest. Imagers, much like mages in the Recluse series seem both powerful and powerless. This book continues the story of a budding artist journeyman who tragically discovers he is an Imager. This story carries on from his discovery of his imaging ability and the danger and politics that surround a burgeoning power.

As in the first book, Medesitt’s protagonists have a modest, self depreciating nature. They are seldom the swaggering, boastful heroes found in many fantasies. The author spends a great deal of time defining the character of the protagonist. The carefully crafted persona is generally likeable and easy to identify with. This story is no exception. Rhen is a most enjoyable character who is coming of age in the story. His new occupation as a walking, talking Xerox machine provides a wealth of story materials.

The impact of doing the right thing for the right reasons when the right thing is unacceptable to the powers that be, provide a great deal of the angst to the plot. Seliora is his love interest and her love and her supportive family infuse the story with love and loyalty.

Modesitt applies political commentary and philosophy and insures that the reader has an opportunity to ponder the relationships that fuel reality. I mentioned his books, Time Gods World, The Forever Hero and Order Master all illustrate philosophic musings in my first Imager review. There are times where the author seems to pontificate a bit but it always fits the story line. For action junkies you can breeze over the pontificating and just sit on the edge of your seat and enjoy the brisk but thought provoking action.

The common thread, as I perceive it, in Modesitt’s stories is the lone soul fighting for self identity in a harsh world. Imager was the first book and was excellent and I read Scholar out of order and it was the book that triggered my interest in reading the series.

I highly recommend.
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Dec 30, 2011 Peter Greenwell rated it 3 of 5 stars

At times I wanted to give up reading this, and just move on. Compared to the first book, it's not as cohesive as it should be and as other people have mentioned in reviews here, there's a lot of incidental filler to pad out the book, like what Rhennthyl has for dinner, or what wine goes with what, or the fact he had a shower and shave.

These little things aren't this book's biggest issues though. The big one is the comparative lack of action - or lack of anything for pages on end - except note...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Jimm Wetherbee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imager's Challenge: The Second Book of the Imager Portfolio, by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. (TOR 2009).

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has found his way into Reading EKScursions on a number occasions. Imager's Challenge is the second in the Imager Portfolio series. There is also a review of Imager, the first book in this series.

The Imager Portfolio follows the career of one Rhennthyl. Rhennthyl is the son a middle-class manufacturer who (much to his father's consternation) pursues a career as a portraiturist but wh...more Imager's Challenge: The Second Book of the Imager Portfolio, by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. (TOR 2009).

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has found his way into Reading EKScursions on a number occasions. Imager's Challenge is the second in the Imager Portfolio series. There is also a review of Imager, the first book in this series.

The Imager Portfolio follows the career of one Rhennthyl. Rhennthyl is the son a middle-class manufacturer who (much to his father's consternation) pursues a career as a portraiturist but whose career is interpreted when he discovers that he has the ability to mentally manipulate matter at its most basic level—imaging. This takes him into the world of the Imagers' Collegium where he hones his craft (and is enlisted in the Collegium's security service). Along the way he meets and falls in love with Seliora, a member of a distrusted ethnic minority called the Pharsi. Some members of the Pharsi possess something called farsight, the ability to see flashes of things yet to come. The first book, Imager, leaves off with with Rhennthyl foiling an assassination plot, though somewhat worse for ware.

Imager's Challenge picks up after Rhennthyl has mostly recovered from is foray into daring do, only to discover that he has earned the everlasting enmity with Ryel d'Alte, a High Holder. High Holders are the landed aristocracy of Rhennthyl's country, Solidar. Rhennthyl has also earned the displeasure of his superiors for being less than the covert operative that they would have expected, and so assign him to the city's Civil Patrol, where there would be no question about what he is about. Rhennthyl immediately runs into trouble. There are a number of assassination attempts upon Rhennthyl and for reasons that are not immediately apparent is instantly disliked by the commanding officers of the Civic Patrol. As a reward, Rhennthyl is assigned to patrol the roughest quarters of the city.

Rhennthyl is inserted in a game of deadly intrigue, with all knives pointed toward him and his family and aid from no quarter, save one. His Collegium will not help because imagers as a whole are distrusted by the larger world, and so policy dictates that they not draw attention to themselves. The aristocracy has its own games to play, and commanders of the Civil Patrol would rather be rid of Rhennthyl. Where Rhennthyl finds aid (aside from his growing abilities as an imager) is from Seliora and her family's connections. These more than make up for the expedient self-preservation found elsewhere, though it is touch-and-go at times.

Imager's Challenge really does build on Imager. Fans of the first will not be disappointed with second and will anticipate the next in the Imager Portfolio series. The world Modesitt paints is rich and complex, and while someone coming into this world fresh will not be lost in it, getting a feel of it from the first book can only help. The world of the Imager grows only more sophisticated and nuanced. We also get to see more of Seliora and her extended family. The Pharsi, and Seliora in particular, are a force to be reckoned with. We also get glimpses that there is likely much more to Rhennthyl than even he can guess. Imager's Challenge is not only a book of intrigue and triumph, growth and understanding. It contains a fair share of loss and sorrow, of unforeseen and terrible consequences, not only for what one has done—even if for the best—but simply being who one is within forces than not even an master imager can control.

We also get to see more of Seliora and her extended family. The Pharsi, and Seliora in particular, are a force to be reckoned with. We also get glimpses that there is likely much more to Rhennthyl than even he can guess. Imager's Challenge is not only a book of intrigue and triumph, growth and understanding. It contains a fair share of loss and sorrow, of unforeseen and terrible consequences, not only for what one has done—even if for the best—but simply being who one is within forces than not even an master imager can control.(less)

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Oct 13, 2009 Readersentertainment rated it 5 of 5 stars

Video Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myTcP...

Though he seemed destined to become a master artisan, Rhennthyl's rare ability to visualize objects and cause them to materialize has altered his life's course completely. Rhenn is an imager, one of the select few on Terahnar, and this is his story.

After recovering from injuries inflicted during his foiling of a plot masterminded by the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is appointed as the imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L'Excelsis, but this "promotio...more Video Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8myTcP...

Though he seemed destined to become a master artisan, Rhennthyl's rare ability to visualize objects and cause them to materialize has altered his life's course completely. Rhenn is an imager, one of the select few on Terahnar, and this is his story.

After recovering from injuries inflicted during his foiling of a plot masterminded by the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is appointed as the imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L'Excelsis, but this "promotion" is far from glorious, and, owing to the displeasure of the Commander of the Civic Patrol at having a liaison from the Collegium, it leaves him on patrol in the streets of the city's worst district. What is worse is that Rhenn has made powerful enemies since realizing his ability as an imager, and now one of the High Holders intends to destroy Rhenn and his entire family. His only hope is in alliances with the family of the woman whom he cherishes. Their success as merchants and underworld connections may be the only thing that can help Rhenn win against those who would destroy him and all that he holds dear, but will this be enough, and can Rhenn find a way of compromising the intentions of his foes without making more enemies? What will it take to protect the ones he loves? Find out in the next installment of the Imager Portfolio, Imager's Challenge.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is an accomplished author of more than forty science fiction novels. Imager's Challenge is the second book in what he has dubbed the Imager Portfolio. This engaging and developed fantasy series is set in L'Excelsis, the capital city of the most powerful nation on Terahnar, a world of Modesitt's ingenious contrivance where magic rules in secret. Modesitt has been treating readers to the brilliance of his magical realms in various science fiction series since the early 1970s. The Imager series bears testament to his ability as a writer to captivate readers with imaginative and exciting tales that unfold on faraway worlds, and, in his writing, Modesitt achieves a level of genuine character development that is not typical of other works in the science fiction genre. According to the Library Journal, "the author's skill in portraying the humanity of characters who possess the power to destroy others with a thought adds a level of verisimilitude and immediacy rarely found in grand-scale fantasy."

If you are a reader of science fiction and fantasy, then the likelihood that you are no stranger to the work of Modesitt seems great. Loyal fans of Modesitt will greatly enjoy this newest novel in his latest fantasy series, but if you are an avid science fiction reader and yet your familiarity with Modesitt's work is nonexistant, it is likely that you will still quickly learn to appreciate the potency of his science fiction. The Imagers Portfolio and its latest installment, Imager's Challenge, comes highly recommended for fantasy and science fiction readers everywhere.
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Nov 04, 2009 Jeffrey rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Modisett fans who like his books and do not mind his lectures on power

Shelves: read-in-2009, fantasy

In the first novel in this series, Rhenn, the Imager, and title character has learned about his powers and has been indoctrinated into the Collegium, the group of Imagers who live on Imagisle in the land of Solidar. Modesitt spent a lot of time exploring philosophy, law, and the limits of power, to my mind too much time, but the character is interesting and the magic itself of imagining a new realty or new things is pretty neat magic.

In this second book, the stakes are higher for Rhenn. He has n...more In the first novel in this series, Rhenn, the Imager, and title character has learned about his powers and has been indoctrinated into the Collegium, the group of Imagers who live on Imagisle in the land of Solidar. Modesitt spent a lot of time exploring philosophy, law, and the limits of power, to my mind too much time, but the character is interesting and the magic itself of imagining a new realty or new things is pretty neat magic.

In this second book, the stakes are higher for Rhenn. He has now been raised to a Master Imager and High Holder Ryel, one of the most powerful nobles in the land is seeking revenge against Rhenn because Rhenn caused the blinding of his oldest son. Ryel, uses his economic might and allies to attack, not only Rhenn, but also Rhenn's family, who are unknowing of the blood feud going on around them because the Collegium has told Rhenn that they cannot get involved in an individual's struggles with a High Holder. The Collegium apparently got involved once before in a power struggle and as a result many Imagers died, many High Holders died and the form of the nation was almost destroyed so there is an agreement that the Collegium will not act.

That leaves it for Rhenn to act on his own, but also secretly so that no connection can be made between his acts and those of the Collegium. And Modesitt telegraphs very early on in the story how Rhenn will accomplish his purpose.

Meanwhile, Rhenn's day job with the Civic Patrollers also presents problems. The Patrollers (which we would call the police) patrol the taudis areas, which are run by Gangs. Rhenn has befriended on of the Taudischief's Horazt, who's son is now a very young Imager. Rhenn, besides being a very powerful Imager also has flashes of foresight.

The middle of the book concerns how Rhenn uses his connections with Horazt and his foresight to aid the capture of a Taudischief, help the Tuadis with the Navy's conscription of taudis people with less bloodshed and thwart the plot of foreign agents.

This could have been interesting and exciting but basically it was humdrum and slightly boring. Modesitt starts chapters often with breakfast for Rhenn where he meets other Masters who either impart lessons on government or the use of power or fawn over his girlfriend. Modisett also has Rhenn paint pictures of two of the more powerful Imagers who also talk to Rhenn about the use of power. I do not think I have ever read a book where so much was made over what the character had for breakfast.

At times the novel reads more like a diary of the events in Rhenn's life. Modisett's point that Rhenn has to act and kill to save others is well played but the telling is long very long.

Good Character, Good Plot, Long Book(less)

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Dec 22, 2012 Peter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Most of what I mentioned in my review of Imager still holds - a great background canvas with an industrial revolution flair and the characters have a pleasing depth. One main difference was the pace which remains if not thrilling then at least quick throughout.

In this book we leave the realm of the Patrick Rothfuss-esque - no more academy learning, Rhenn has maybe not fully grown up but is certainly involved in very adult concerns, with serious responsibilities. Responsibilities are also a main...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Phearsa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The sequel definitely has more action and excitement in it, rather than just continuous shielding of bullets on Rhenn's part.
However, I have to say that the narration is a little bland. It's like a grocery list of whatever he does for the entire day.
The main reason I still rated it a 4 is the range of intriguing philosophical questions that came up in the complexity of the problems Rhenn faced.
What really struck me was the fact that people aspire for things to be easier instead of better. It f...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Gabby rated it 3 of 5 stars

A lot of similar things happen in this book, as in the first, although eventually we do see a full conclusion toward the end (no spoilers here), even though I know there's another book.

It was enjoyable enough, but I did find myself skimming through parts, just because I didn't find them very interesting.

And, I don't know what it is about this author, but I have never encountered one that consistently talked about going to eat, or eating, or what people are eating. I think I had almost every meal...more

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Aug 19, 2010 Claire rated it 2 of 5 stars

Very well plotted, very detailed account of the increasing pressure of Maitre D'Aspect Rhennethyl as his notoriety as a talented Imager builds through this second book of the Imager Portfolio. Every detail of the city and the culture is rendered in these spy/conspiracy fantasy novels. Heavy detail bogs down the action, where major events appear breifly but are discussed in large chunks of political dialogue. War looms, people die, and pressure builds for Rhenn, but the pacing is slowed by the po...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Chris Bryant rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Despite the horrendous cover, this was a pretty enjoyable book.

The book fell into a trap of repetition of format. There was a pattern to Rhen's life that was not only repetitive but redundant and then repetitive.

Book two did a good job of expanding on the open threads from book one. The story itself was well done and the conflicts handled well. Would it have been possible for the writer to interject more conflict or raise the tension level, probably. One of the potential conflicts was solved b...more

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Dec 04, 2010 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is I believe an exceptional series (for brain candy that is) and I'm enjoying it immensely. I considered going down to 4 stars on this one as it probably hit 4.5 rather than a full five in some ways... but in the end decided that for "enjoyment factor" it gets a 5.

I will mention a couple of "niggling flaws" in a moment below a spoiler warning, but they are tiny. Overall, (as said) a good book. We follow the adventures of "our hero" through the trials and tribulations of being a (now master...more

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Jan 30, 2010 Jon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction

2.75 stars

This new series by Modesitt is just not striking a chord with me, not like the Recluse Saga or the Spellsong Cycle did. I kept reading because I wanted to discover what happened, but not because I cared about Rhenn or any of the other characters. In that respect, it read more like a mystery rather than a character driven fantasy novel. And I still don't care for the magic system, which masquerades as psychic powers rather than something wondrous.

If Modesitt set out to make a social or...more

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Nov 15, 2009 Esther rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Imager's Challenge picks up directly where Imager left off; Rhenn recovering from his injuries and getting ready for his new position of imager liason to the Civic Patrol. The title of this book is extremely accurate, as he has many challenges to deal with, not only in his new job with internal corruption and gang lords, but also in his private life with the vendetta that high holder Ryel now has against him for blinding his son in the last book. Rhenn gets little help from the Collegium, who do...more

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Oct 07, 2009 Stefan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, advance-reading-copy, www-fantasyliterature-com-review

Imager's Challenge is the second book in the IMAGER PORTFOLIO, the latest fantasy series by L.E. Modesitt Jr. The author is probably best known for his ongoing SAGA OF RECLUCE, but for readers who may be daunted by the length of that series, the IMAGER PORTFOLIO is a great way to try the work of this talented and prolific writer.

Imager's Challenge picks up right where Imager left off. Rhenntyl, now a master imager at the Collegium Imago, has succeeded in foiling the plot of the Ferran envoy, but...more Imager's Challenge is the second book in the IMAGER PORTFOLIO, the latest fantasy series by L.E. Modesitt Jr. The author is probably best known for his ongoing SAGA OF RECLUCE, but for readers who may be daunted by the length of that series, the IMAGER PORTFOLIO is a great way to try the work of this talented and prolific writer.

Imager's Challenge picks up right where Imager left off. Rhenntyl, now a master imager at the Collegium Imago, has succeeded in foiling the plot of the Ferran envoy, but because the resulting explosion and deaths have made him more visible (and so less appropriate as a covert operative), he has received a new assignment: he will be the imager liaison to the l'Excelsis city patrol. In the course of this task Rhenntyl learns much more about the less well-off areas (or "taudis") of the city. He also realizes quickly that not everything in the city patrol is as it should be, and because of this, the garrison's officers aren't exactly thrilled to have the resourceful and observant imager in their ranks.

Several sub-plots are deftly interwoven in the story. First of all, High Holder Ryel, whose son was blinded by Rhenntyl in Imager, begins to plot his revenge. On the other end of the social spectrum, a young taudis boy with imaging talent is delivered to the Collegium Imago, and the contrast with the now relatively powerful and experienced Rhenntyl effectively highlights how much he has changed since the start of the series. Finally, L.E. Modesitt Jr. explores the growing romance between Rhenntyl and Seliora. These sub-plots are integrated seamlessly into the main story and lead to a thrilling conclusion.

Stylistically, Imager's Challenge is almost identical to Imager. The first person narrator, combined with L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s typically dry prose style and attention to even the most minute details, occasionally make the story sound like someone giving a deposition. More generously, you could say that the prose doesn't get in the way of plot or character development, and Modesitt does a superb job in creating a consistent and original fantasy world.

In short, Imager's Challenge is an excellent second installment in the IMAGER PORTFOLIO. If you enjoyed Imager, it's almost guaranteed that you'll like this novel too. Although calling it fast-paced would be a stretch, there's definitely less exposition and more action in Imager's Challenge, making this a more captivating read than the first book. It's not very hard to make some predictions about where the story is heading, but I'm more than sufficiently intrigued to keep reading. As a matter of fact, if book 3 (Imager's Intrigue, scheduled for November 2010) were already available, I probably would have started reading it right away. Fortunately L.E. Modesitt Jr. is not only a talented writer, but also a fast writer, so at least there won't a very long wait for his next book!

(This review was also published on www.fantasyliterature.com)(less)

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Jan 15, 2013 jD rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2_audio-book, 2013_all, fantasy_adventure_worldbuilding, fantasy_romance, paranormal-political

I am sure someone out there has written a detailed review of this series. I leave you to find that review if you want details. For me, I really, really like the magic enough to forgive the series for the level of sensory overkill. I think half the book is about food so detailed that I found myself snacking and hitting drive throughs. Regardless, the characters are a little addictive and the magic is quite unusual. Modesitt is an excellent storyteller even if it takes a couple hundred pages too m...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Diane Daniels rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this one more that the first book. I got used to Mr. Modesitt's style which is a bit tedious and pretentious at first. The religion he invents is pretty worthless. Who needs a god that you can't name, pray to, or ask for blessings. No wonder Renn's not a believer. There is much more resolution to the story, than there was in the first installment. And there is some justice and some mercy. I'm not sure this is a four star read, but it's more that three so I'm rounding up.

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Dec 11, 2010 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Finished this second book of the series. Modesitt Jr. is a stronger SyFy writer and his style shows that legacy. I'm not sure how to describe the difference but his fantasy world is more mundane maybe? More of a 'dry' scientific style of approach to magic. Expect no hobbits in his stuff and a lot of pointless filler (why do writers think repeatedly listing the characters eating habits is a form of character development?) Still the plot has me wanting to find out who lives and who suffers.

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Feb 11, 2010 Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-and-science-fiction

"Imager's Challenge" picks up directly where "Imager" left off. I like the way the characters continue to develop as well as how the plot develops. Although a fantasy, the book also contains elements of a mystery. There are lots of twists and personal challenges for the main character. The book finishes off off like it, with the first, is a completed duology. I hope not though. I really want to learn more about Rhenn, Seliora,and several other characters.

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Mar 30, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imager's Challenge continues the political intrigue started in Imager. Rhenn is learning that there is more to worry about and more to look for, even in the college that is supposed to be supporting him. As he continues to master his magical talents he must also learn the depths of the dangerous world that he lives in. The plot is becoming deeper as the books progress and I can't wait to see what the next Imager Portfolio will bring us.

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Feb 14, 2013 Sasha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The last 20 pages redeemed the book for me. Well, somewhat. There are portions that are really really confusing. Almost a dozen thoughts left unfinished; information left out that informs the action of the characters. And since the reader needs that link in the chain further down the road, comprehension is almost impossible. It's all subtext within subtext. Exasperating.

But I really like the characters and the level of intrigue, so I'll keep going.

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Dec 26, 2012 AtlantaTwin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Quite the action-packed book. Rhenn is such a strong character and I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. I didn't quite like the choices he made at the end in setting his future up for success, but it wouldn't make a superb ending without it? And now that I've listened to the 3rd book as well, realize it sets up the next one with some real depth to the plot. I could do without some of the actual politics.

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Feb 04, 2011 Mf rated it 4 of 5 stars

A much better book than the first in this series. In this second book, the characters gain more depth. Plus it is not a book teaching you about a new world of magic but one that focuses on a gripping story. I have hopes that the third book continues in this vein or is even better. I'd put this book as on par with any of the Recluce novels, whereas I found the first a little bit lacking.

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Jul 01, 2010 Aaron Anderson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-read-once-maybe, 5-fantasy

I did like this one somewhat more than the first book. Probably just because the main character comes into his own a lot more, and gets more powerful. It still feels like a Recluse novel. The one fun part of these two books were I got to see where an online friend of mine got her name, as she took the main character's love interest, and used it as her own.

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Apr 01, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Every bit as good as the first one, perhaps even better because of the greater resolution.
This book picks up right where the previous one left off, without missing a beat.

The same characters are developed even further, and our hero continues to rise.
See my review of the first book, Imager, and expect an even larger second helping.

Enjoy!

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Dec 07, 2011 Element rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

This is the second book of the series, I think this book is a lot better than the first one. Some reviews didn't give this a good review, said Modesitt Jr. was "predictable." I found there were some parts of the book that were predictable but that's ok because the parts that aren't will surprise you. I was very surprised with the ending and I can't wait to read the next one.

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Mar 28, 2013 Mitchell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, series, public-library

Pretty good second book (of bunches) in a fantasy series. A little two much talking, maybe a little too much everything - but enjoyable and better than book 1 and I already have book 3 waiting at the library. Basically it is the growth of a Chosen One-ish but it's handled well and I like the politicking and political science and economic and military policy stuff thrown in the side - there is preachiness here - but more in that there are a lot of poor choices out there and the right path isn't a...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Jacob rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was better than the first one, especially since the main character develops more personality. The cryptic advice the main character gets from his superiors is kind of irritating -- you know how some people try to say things indirectly so either you have no idea what they are talking about or they are actually not saying anything? There's a lot of that here. However, I like the politics of the city the book is set in, and the foreign countries make more sense now that there's a war going on...more

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Fantasy

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Fantasy > Magic

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Science Fiction Fantasy

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Fantasy > Epic Fantasy

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Adventure

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Fantasy > High Fantasy

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Science Fiction

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Epic

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About L.E. Modesitt Jr.

L. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.

He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, u...more

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Books by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

The Magic of Recluce (The Saga of Recluce, #1)

The Magic Engineer (The Saga of Recluce, #3)

The Death of Chaos (The Saga of Recluce, #5)

The Towers of the Sunset (The Saga of Recluce, #2)

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Imager's Challenge (Imager Portfolio #2)

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