Arms-Commander (The Saga of Recluce, #16)

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Arms-Commander (The Saga of Recluce #16)

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

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 741 ratings · 33 reviews

Arms-Commander takes place ten years after the end of The Chaos Balance and tells the story of the legendary Saryn. The keep of Westwind, in the cold mountainous heights called the Roof of the World, is facing attack by the adjoining land of Gallos. Arthanos, son and heir to the ailing Prefect of Gallos, wishes to destroy Westwind because the idea of a land where women rul...more

ebook, 528 pages

Published January 5th 2010 by Tor Books

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Feb 21, 2010 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, read-in-my-40s

More of a 3.5-3.75 stars then 4.0

Arms-Commander is the sixteenth Recluce saga installment and takes us back to the time following The Fall of Angels, about ten or twelve years after the arrival of the Winterlance's crew to the Roof of the World. Ryba is the Marshall of Westwind and Saryn is her Arms-Commander.

The first half of the book deals with an incursion from Gallos intent on destroying Westwind. Saryn pushes gently but firmly for Ryba to allow some men into Westwind, for progeny and for c...more

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Jun 04, 2010 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It’s important to keep key milestones straight as you read the Recluce series. The order in which the series has been written and published does not match the chronological order of events throughout the series.

It was in The Fall of Angels where we were introduced to the characters of Nylan and Ryba. Chronologically, Arms-Commander takes place after The Chaos Balance in which Nylan leaves Westwind. (The book states Nylan has been gone for 10 years.) Recluce has not yet been established as Cresli...more

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Jan 25, 2010 Jeffrey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Recluce fans. Can be read as a standalone if you have not read recluce books in a while

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2010

In many ways a typical Recluce book. Saryn is an Angel, the Arms Commander of the Winterfane, a starship that suffered damage in a space battle and is now circling the world of Recluce below. Along with Ryba, the Marshall at the Roof of the World, Naryn, the Ship's Engineer she has gone to the planet below.

In a prior volume in this series, Naryn and Ryba clashed as to the leadership of the Roof of the World, with Naryn leaving after destroying Cyador.

The Rood of the World is a haven for women, r...more

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Apr 02, 2010 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This may be a slightly higher rating than the book deserves as a stand alone, but as the 15th (or so) book in a series, it's great. It is so rare to find a series that continues to deliver the same quality, but the Recluse series has been a favorite of mine for 15 years or more.

On the downside, there is some repetitiveness. The entire theme of men goofed it all up & women are fixing it got old. It was hammered in until finally it relented towards the end. There is a reason for this because -...more

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Jan 25, 2010 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First Line: In the late afternoon on the Roof of the World, the guards stood silent on the practice ground, their eyes fixed on the blackness rising just above the western horizon as Istril stepped out of the main door of Tower Black and crossed the causeway.

As I mentioned when I first wrote about reading Arms-Commander this is my first Recluce novel since I read The Magic of Recluce some time after having plowed through the first couple of Wheel of Time novels. I had forgotten precisely how odd...more First Line: In the late afternoon on the Roof of the World, the guards stood silent on the practice ground, their eyes fixed on the blackness rising just above the western horizon as Istril stepped out of the main door of Tower Black and crossed the causeway.

As I mentioned when I first wrote about reading Arms-Commander this is my first Recluce novel since I read The Magic of Recluce some time after having plowed through the first couple of Wheel of Time novels. I had forgotten precisely how odd the chronology of the series is where the first novel written is, in essence, is the penultimate tale in the series with the fifth novel written The Death of Chaos is actually the conclusion of the saga at large. Needless to see for someone used a distinct beginning to end chronology in his fantasy Modesitt stands amongst a bare handful of fantasy authors whose series’ internal chronology leave me scratching my head in confusion (Katerine Kerr’s Deverry novels, and Steven Brust’s Draegaran novels, being two of the other that I struggle a bit with). You read it hear first folks, non-linear story-telling confuses the hell out of me.

Despite my confusion as to the chronology of the Saga of Recluce the blurb for Arms-Commander had me a bit excited:

Arms-Commander takes place ten years after the end of The Chaos Balance and tells the story of the legendary Saryn. The keep of Westwind, in the cold mountainous heights called the Roof of the World, is facing attack by the adjoining land of Gallos. Arthanos, son and heir to the ailing Prefect of Gallos, wishes to destroy Westwind because the idea of a land where women rule is total anathema to him.

Saryn, Arms-Commander of Westwind, is dispatched to a neighboring land, Lornth, to seek support against the Gallosians. In the background, the trading council of Suthya is secretly and informally allied with Gallos against Westwind and begins to bribe lord-holders in Lornth to foment rebellion and civil war. They hope to create such turmoil in Lornth that the weakened land will fall to Suthya. But Zeldyan, regent of Lornth, has problems in her family. To secure Zeldyan’s aid, Saryn must pledge her personal support—and any Westwind guard forces she can raise—to the defense of Zeldyan and her son. The fate of four lands, including Westwind, rests on Saryn’s actions.

There are a number of points that jumped out at me in that little blurb, particularly the role of gender politics in the novel (not something every fantasy novel explores) and the hint of a blend of military action and politics. Unfortunately while the novel certainly succeeds in delivering the latter it is on the former that I’m less certain.

My main concern with how Arms-Commander handles the female-empowering goals behind the all-female Westwind guards is the presupposition of the state and treatment of women in the novel. While we get hints as to the near-enslavement of women by the now toppled Cyador, and constant comments by Saryn and other that the influx of fresh recruits indicates solid proof of poor conditions for women it is all, or almost inferred. While further comments from men in the ruling class reinforce the typical views on the role of women in the novel we are never really given a perspective that illustrates what the women of the novel are truly experience. While we get a glimpse of the trials, tribulations, and prejudice that women in the ruling class must face through there is no clear example of what challenges and pain the working class woman faces. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed by this aspect of the novel. While evidence in Arms-Commander certainly points towards women as second-class citizens it is never something we really witness outright and thus only serves as means to examine how the social changes that Westwind, and Saryn’s actions in Lornth, is forcing on the land effect the nations of the land. It is entirely possible that the sub-series that Arms-Commander concludes (starting with The Fall of Angels and continuing in the The Chaos Balance) showed more evidence regarding the treatment of women but that, having not read anything else in the series, is not something I’d be privy to.

From what I understand of the blurb, and implied in some epitaphs over the course of the novel, is that Saryn is something of a legend in later years and presumable appears, or is mentioned, in previous volumes of the Saga of Recluce. As such Arms-Commander stands as a means of attempting to humanize a historic/legendary figure in the mythology of Modesitt’s world and attempt to examine how her actions affected future generations. Given that long-time series readers have knowledge of how the world post-Saryn turns out Modesitt is then able to use Saryn’s perspective to serve as a means to examine and question the moral underpinnings beneath the decisions and actions that Saryn takes. Was she a tyrant? Or a benevolent catalyst of sweeping social change? Or was she just a soldier? Do the ends really justify the means? There is a fascinating implication in asking these questions. A lot of the novel and Saryn’s exploration with the nature of chaos and order magic center around the idea of balance (as I suspect much of this series does). The novel is rife with bipolar oppositions capped particularly by the conflict between male and female, as well as the white and black associated with chaos and order respectively. As Saryn’s knowledge of magic increase however there is a shift in her own magical aura (indicated by several healer’s gifted in order magic) and eyes towards the color gray. Saryn is then both an agent of change and an agent of balance. Pardon my deconstructionist tendencies but Saryn is in many ways the pharmakon of Arms-Commander. She destroys in order to build, creates chaos out of the need for a new order. Then again maybe I’m imagining things. But I think that Saryn’s role in the conflicts that abound in the novel provides some fascinating food for thought and fit nicely with the philosophical underpinnings that Modesitt uses to create fantasy.

I’ve gone on quite long enough I think. Arms-Commander is a entertaining, if flawed, read. It is perhaps best suited for individuals who are already deep into the Saga of Recluce. That isn’t to say that new readers won’t find anything of value here, I definitely did, only that I think more experience with Recluse likely lends greater insight into the preceding. This is well-crafted, thought provoking high fantasy that is certainly worth a look if you have the time and patience.(less)

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Apr 14, 2012 Louisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Even although I liked this book - it is written by Modesitt after all, and I am a huge fan - I thought that the female lead in this book was a carbon-copy of male leads in some of his other books. I would have liked to see other/deeper layers to her character. From the start of the book, I really enjoyed reading about the characters I got to know in "Fall of Angels"

Fall of Angels (The Saga of Recluce, #6)

and the references to Nylan but eventually I became a bit bored by the social issue of women's rights and found it a bit repetitiv...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of my favorite authors, I know what I’m getting when I read a Saga of Recluce novel. I just wish I knew how to introduce this series to people, as the “first” book in the series is confusing, and in general, it’s hard to find a starting book to give people. I have the feeling no matter which book I give people, they’d say “I don’t get it”, give up and quit reading this series. I love his technical, detailed writing, even if sometimes his sentence syntax is a little strange. I like learning m...more

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May 23, 2011 Michell Plested rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have long been a fan of L.E. Modesitt Jr, but I'm afraid this entry in to the Recluce Saga is one of his weaker efforts.

I have long loved his telling of the everyman's (or woman's in this case) story of how the protagonist pulls himself or herself up from their bootstraps and overcomes massive odds to win the day. Mr. Modesitt does a fine job focusing on the minute' of that person's life and he gives us a great view of how the sum of the parts in a person makes a greater whole.

That is very muc...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Nick Duretta rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This most recent in the Recluse saga follows the pattern established by its predecessors -- a brave, resourceful and almost godlike protagonist battling evil in a land of chaos and order. This book brings back the women of Westwind, and the arms-commander of the title, Saryn. It's refreshing to see women taking center stage in a fantasy that involves mostly battles and war. So there's a feminist angle here that sets it up above the other titles in this series. However, the negatives of Modesitt'...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Doug B. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The latest volume in the Recluce saga takes place after the events of The Fall of Angels and The Chaos Balance. Not the best jumping on point for new readers, but the events of the novel are self contained and complete. Modesitt's strengths are on display in the portrayal of the costs (both economic and otherwise) of epic fantasy based warfare and magic. Modesitt also adds strong feminist themes to this work, in places a bit clumsy. It is refreshing to see a strong heroine at the lead of a fanta...more

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Mar 01, 2010 Rob rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: random-comments-review

...Arms-Commander is the first book in the series where the main character is female and it is the third book in that particular era of the world of Recluce, something he has only done once before, so there was some reason to believe this might not be a very typical Recluce book. For those of you who like their fantasy familiar there is no need to worry. Arms-Commander is a solid entry in the series but will not surprise those who have read the other Recluce books...

Full Random Comments review.

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Jul 23, 2010 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: semw, fantasy, saga, of, recluce, le, modesitt, jr

In Arms-Commander Modesitt finally returns to the Legend. I have been greatly anticipating that he would return to The Roof of the World and the Angels to tell the rest of their story. Arms-Commander doesn't do that. While it starts off in Westwind and Ryba, leader of the Angels, does figure prominently in the beginning portion of the story, Arms-Commander instead tells the story of the founding of Sarronnynn, born from the ashes of Lornth.

When Suthyan traders visit Westwind they first try to w...more In Arms-Commander Modesitt finally returns to the Legend. I have been greatly anticipating that he would return to The Roof of the World and the Angels to tell the rest of their story. Arms-Commander doesn't do that. While it starts off in Westwind and Ryba, leader of the Angels, does figure prominently in the beginning portion of the story, Arms-Commander instead tells the story of the founding of Sarronnynn, born from the ashes of Lornth.

When Suthyan traders visit Westwind they first try to warn Ryba off from trading with Lornth. When that fails to impress, they turn instead to treachery. We briefly turn then to an attempted invasion by Gallosian forces before Saryn finds herself, at the behest of the Zeldyan, mother of the child Overlord of Lornth, fighting a civil-war for another country. Through all these events, Saryn finds her skillsets and her attitude towards Ryba and Westwind in flux, while bringing changes to Lornth that will echo throughout history.

While Arms-Commander wasn't the story I was expecting, I was quite pleased with the turn it did take. Modesitt has never taken us inside Sarronnyn before, which was something I had always felt was lacking. Learning it's history really helped to answer questions that had lingered from previous installments in The Saga of Recluce.

I was, however, disappointed that we missed out on much of what has earned The Saga of Recluce the distinction of being called "the thinking man's fantasy." Modesitt's books are normally filled with knowledge of crafts and skills and philosophy on the nature of good vs evil, order vs chaos. This was sadly lacking in Arms-Commander. While it was still a very fun read, it was just that, a fun read, a typical "sword and sorcery" type fantasy. I have come to expect much more from Modesitt, so I hope future inclusions in The Saga of Recluce, return to form.

That said, I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fun romp in a fantasy world. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous books as this is a stand-alone within the larger series. (less)

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Apr 15, 2011 Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not much new in book 16 of this series. Saryn (like the nerve gas) is death on four legs (she always fights from horseback, although the horses themselves are basically ignored). Apparently she's the best trainer of troops in the world, but that's not part of this story.

Throughout the book Saryn struggles against stupid MCPs, who are always prating about honor and then attacking her dishonorably. Unfortunately she is never able to clearly articulate her rather simple position -- even to herself....more

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Dec 27, 2011 William Bentrim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wishlist

Arms-Commander by L.E. Modesitt, jr

If you have read any of my reviews you have to be aware that I am fond of strong female protagonists. I’m guessing that is the case with L.E. Modesitt as well. This story is taken from the pages of the Recluce saga. The country of Lornth discovers that being a neighbor of Westwind can be a mixed blessing.

I don’t know if this is just another excellent novel by Mr. Modesitt or a political commentary on the many nations of the real world that offer women less th...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Brett Bydairk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Another work in the Recluse saga, taking place about ten years aftr a Fall Of Angels. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the moderately-handed sub-text that the only good men are those who are submissive; few, if any, men should be in positions of power or influence, because they all want absolute power and control, especially over women. At least that's the way the main character sees things. Otherwise, Modesitt's usual good plotting/writing carries the book forward.

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Feb 19, 2012 Peter Matthews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Modesitt does not disappoint. The exploration of magical chaos and order manipulation gains new impetus as the Westwind arms-commander matures and discovers her abilities through trying to achieve survival skills. As usual the are penalties for overconfidence but rewards also. Everything sorts itself out in the good old fairy tale tradition with the quick living happily ever after. A book that demands reading from beginning to end in one sitting..Whew!

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Apr 12, 2011 Derek rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another satisfying book set in the Saga of Recluce world. The characters were for the most part enjoyable, but Modesitt's rampant use of the letter Y in every character name was a little tedious.

I'd say this is one of his weaker books concerning use of the system of magic as well. While it could have really gone somewhere interesting with the protagonists take on magic, instead it seemed to just use it as an excuse to pull magic out of thin air. If that makes any sense.

Still, a satisfying book s...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Aaron Anderson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

Very mediocre, even for a recluse book. It wasn't a "current" book, like I thought. It was a stupid book back at the very dawn of this world, with the Angels. But they removed the best character or two, and went from there. Very subpar. Maybe deserves a 2 star. The last few before this were kind of looking up, at least for Recluse. Stupid Modesitt.

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Feb 10, 2010 Craig rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, sciencefiction

One of the poorer Recluce books I think. The repetitiveness that sometimes plagues Modesitt's writing in the series is apparent in this one. How many times do we need to hear how awful the misogynism is in this world (and other similar details)?? Still, a decent enough plot and it's hard for a Recluce fan not to enjoy a new story.

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Aug 11, 2010 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This series is phenomenal! I re-read the first 15 books before reading the latest one and appreciated the history and interconnectedness of the people, times, lands, and even worlds that Modesitt crafts so beautifully even more so the second time through. I can't wait for him to write another one! :)

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May 28, 2013 Derrick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy

Another half decent book by Modesitt. I've enjoyed the Recluse books, and this one is as good as any of them.
A bit of man-hating, but considering that Modesitt has created a world of nothing but evil 'men', not surprising.
And thank goodness, we don't get bloviated descriptions of every meal :)

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Jun 27, 2011 Jaz Primo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Arms Commander was yet another EXCELLENT novel in Modesitt’s Saga of Recluce! The characters were rich and vivid, and Saryn was written so tangibly that at times I felt her strong emotions reflected on the page. While romance was not a central theme of the novel, there were romantic elements that appeared by the end, which was both charming and thoughtfully conveyed. In the end, the message that “Women can be great leaders and deserve respect” is an excellent one, and was written with conviction...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Victoria Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun read, fast paced, and had some memorable characters. This is the first book I've read in the series and I like the fact you can pick any book in the series up and enjoy it on it's own.

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Jul 08, 2011 Frode rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just like L.E. Modesitt Jr. as a writer. This one got my interest up about the prior books regarding the fall, so I went back and read two of them as well.

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Mar 24, 2011 Henning rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm a huge Modesitt fan, especially the Recluce books. This is my least favourite book in the series. It's just not very fun to read. Nothing much happens.

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Oct 05, 2012 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A solid installment in Modesitt's saga of Recluce. Fans of the series will enjoy this tale of the founding of Sarronnyn.

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Aug 10, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Enjoyed the "Angels" return and seeing what happened after the chaos of Nylan's departure.

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Mar 02, 2011 Reblua rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This volume of the Saga of Recluse was ok, sort middle of the road as far as the series goes.

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May 21, 2010 Mariana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

He wrote about how women fight to change cultural norms on their roles.

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Jul 23, 2012 Dan Kinkade rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of the problems with sequels, especially those flanked in the middle of a series, is they tend to be predictable and boring. While much of the plot in "Arms Commander" can be predicted, it is never boring. The action starts with the opening chapter and builds to a satisfying conclusion. Yet, there are a few surprises awaiting the reader, and perhaps the best explanation of the world of recluse of any in the series. Add a strong and engaging female main charactor and you end up with a differe...more

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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

More about L.E. Modesitt Jr....

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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Arms-Commander (The Saga of Recluce #16)

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