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The Towers of the Sunset (The Saga of Recluce #2)
by
L.E. Modesitt Jr. (Goodreads Author)
Return now to the world of Recluce in The Towers of the Sunset
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.
ebook, 368 pages
Published
July 15th 1992
by Tor Books
(first published 1992)
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Dec 30, 2010
Mark
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who liked the first Recluce novel.
Shelves:
fantasy
“The Towers of the Sunset” is the second book of the Recluce saga. However, instead of depicting events that occur subsequent to the ending of the first book, it jumps back in time to before the island of Recluce was established. Overall, it's a good read if you liked Modesitt’s first novel.
The Plot
There are two kinds of societies in Modesitt's world, ones that respect "The Legend" and ones that don't. What "the Legend" exactly is isn't spelled out in the book, although some "quotes" from the a...more
The Plot
There are two kinds of societies in Modesitt's world, ones that respect "The Legend" and ones that don't. What "the Legend" exactly is isn't spelled out in the book, although some "quotes" from the a...more
It's been almost two years since I re-read The Magic of Recluce. I consider the Recluce saga among the "formative fantasy series" of my youth. I associate the word "Recluce" with memories of being curled up in a massive armchair in the living room, rain streaming down the windows outside, cradling a massive 600- or 800-page hardcover book in my hands. That was the life.
With The Towers of Sunset, Modesitt returns to the Recluce saga in prequel form: this is the founding of Recluce by Creslin and...more
With The Towers of Sunset, Modesitt returns to the Recluce saga in prequel form: this is the founding of Recluce by Creslin and...more
One of my favorite books of all time is The Towers of the Sunset by L.E. Modesitt Jr. First Published in 1992, it was for me a watershed book, introducing me to the world of Recluce. Though it is the second installment in the series, it is a stand alone book and is a prequel to the classic, The Magic of Recluce. I am a huge fan of Modesitt's style. He writes with an economy of words, and yet you are drawn into his world, to the exclusion of everything else.
The Blurb:
Okay, there is no blurb. Thi...more
The Blurb:
Okay, there is no blurb. Thi...more
Jan 29, 2012
Jayaprakash Satyamurthy
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy
This is a significant volume in the Recluce saga, going several generations back in time to witness the founding of Recluce as a bastion of Order amidst Chaotic or indifferent nations. It begins well enough with poetic language that is a step or two above anything in The Magic Of Recluce (although the cod-Biblical language we are treated to at one point is cringe-inducing as are the many song lyrics interspersed, although not as totally lacking any attempt at actual lyricism as the rather dull p...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
While many people comment on what place this book is chronologically, Anyone who is looking at this should realize that the author strongly suggest you read them in order of publication.
I liked this book for a lot of reasons, the first being that it made the world that contains Recluse seem real, it has a history and religion that can be explored later. The system for magic was expanded upon, and the events of the first book, even though they were in the future, seem more clear and epic with the...more
I liked this book for a lot of reasons, the first being that it made the world that contains Recluse seem real, it has a history and religion that can be explored later. The system for magic was expanded upon, and the events of the first book, even though they were in the future, seem more clear and epic with the...more
Creslin is eventually engaged (not his choice) to Megeara and runs away while traveling to her city. He wanders and is caught by both Chaos Magicians but is aided by Order Wizards and escapes. Eventually he is forced to band with fiancee for both of their protections.
The first half was very meandering in the journey. The lack of clear direction or aim made it seem a little slow. The second half is marked by Megaera's treatment of Creslin. Although she was mean, I can understand why she acted th...more
The first half was very meandering in the journey. The lack of clear direction or aim made it seem a little slow. The second half is marked by Megaera's treatment of Creslin. Although she was mean, I can understand why she acted th...more
A tough read for me. Although, ultimately I enjoyed the story and I did like the main character Creslin, the style of writing was very jarring. The author did not write this story with a shortage of details in regards to surroundings and the day to day movements of our characters (such as reminding us every couple of pages exactly in what manner the person walked into town that day), however the lack of flow with regard to the story line (plot) and the interactions between the characters was vag...more
Dec 04, 2009
Liviu
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
genre-fantasy,
read_2009
This is the 5th Recluce book as chronology goes and it chronicles the founding of the isle itself as a "powerhouse", the destruction of Westwind and the fulfillment of Ryba's prophecy regarding that
It is also the weakest Recluce novel I read with a telegraphed plot and un-engaging characters, though it was enough of a page turner to keep reading it, but it shows its lack of subtlety with villains being villainous, heroes being heroic and destined for greatness and one another and the whole caboo...more
It is also the weakest Recluce novel I read with a telegraphed plot and un-engaging characters, though it was enough of a page turner to keep reading it, but it shows its lack of subtlety with villains being villainous, heroes being heroic and destined for greatness and one another and the whole caboo...more
An entertaining first-half with daring escapes, solid-feeling worldbuilding and a growing sense of impending doom for an interesting and sympathetic character is tripped up by a second-half burdened with a romantic conflict that takes far too long to resolve and a hero so powerful there's never any reason to doubt he'll have his way. Readable and fun, and enough of the good stuff in the first part to justify wading through the second, even if the second half has no real surprises for the attenti...more
Its a good book but it can be hard to follow sometimes. The author tends to start chapters without letting the reader know who they are following. He jumps around so much that it can be hard to determine who you are following. the other thing about this book is that it doesn't follow the original characters at all so you have to relearn all the characters. I would still recommend this book though. Its one of those books that could be kind of boring for those who where looking to hear about the c...more
Just reread after several years. I really like this series. It's odd because the author really skipped around chronologically as he wrote the books, but it makes things interesting. The land is great. Two kinds of magic, chaos and order. Chaos is evil, order is good, but if you keep reading further in the series you see another side to both. Either way, the main character always comes slowly to recognizing their abilities and developing them, and then of course has to defeat the bad guys. I love...more
I liked this book better than the first one. This one is set generations before book 1 and explains how Recluce came to be settled. I liked reading about Creslin and his romance with Maegera (sp?) and his coming-of-age story. At least, in this one, Creslin already knows how to use his order magic. Instead, he learns about the rest of the big wide world.
I liked all the Recluce books. With each one you understand the thought process that each side has why recluce was built up and how moderation in all things is a good thing. I feel like indivudually they are good books but as a hole they are great books that make me smile when I think about them and want to read my favorites again.
Solid story. Solid characters. Very compelling, and hard to put down.
There are just a few too many idiosyncrasies in the manner of storytelling to make it a great book. Especially early on, the reader is kept in the dark about too many things. There are too many unexplained passages that, while perhaps intended to provide foreshadowing and intrigue, just add confusion and frustration.
There are just a few too many idiosyncrasies in the manner of storytelling to make it a great book. Especially early on, the reader is kept in the dark about too many things. There are too many unexplained passages that, while perhaps intended to provide foreshadowing and intrigue, just add confusion and frustration.
This book started slow for me. It seemed chopping and disconnected. After 80 pages, I was almost ready to put it down and try again later. But then it got much better. Perhaps it's because I am used to Modesitt's later works when he has more experience as a story teller. Whatever, I am glad that I kept going. This novel tells the beginnings of Recluce as the haven for the Order Magicians. Tells it well. After 80 pages, I was having trouble idenifying with the characters. By the end of the novel,...more
Another great story about the world of order & chaos. This one takes us back to before Recluce was the haven of Order.
Highly recommended for anyone that likes tales with magic, love, lots of human interaction set in a unique world with a logical system of magic.
Highly recommended for anyone that likes tales with magic, love, lots of human interaction set in a unique world with a logical system of magic.
Different than The Magic of Recluce but in a very good way. The main character was real, with real faults and real strengths. It wasn't a cut and dried, good and bad, fantasy which I liked. I like the complexity of this world and the tough decisions that Creslin faces.
It was interesting to go back to the world of Recluse but from an extreme opposite in the chaos/order power balance. Seeing the beginning of Recluse added an entirely different perspective to the first of the series as well as providing an entertaining story.
Aug 15, 2010
Caroline
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
read-before-2000
I didn't make it past the first few of this series, due to the library at the missing book 4, but I do remember really enjoying the first few and finding them more unique than a lot of the fantasy out there.
I'm pretty convinced the L.E. Modesitt sucks, despite a general liking for fantasy writing and series fiction. At least this story wasn't as bad as The SpellSong series.
I love this whole series. It's an interesting magic system, as well as a great look into what good and evil truly are. Also, some great military/action scenes.
The son of a warrior leader runs away and finds he has been uniquely trained to begin a colony of white wizards an island wilderness – predates The Magic of Recluce.
This was much better than the first book in the series. We actually get lots of character development, and the romance actually develops on screen.
Well not as good as the first book, The Magic of Recluse, the same masterful story telling and excellent writing are present.
this is one of my favorite books of the series.....the way Creslin seems to have to deal with everything and cope with his love.
Again the over all story is interesting and I think needs to be reflected on as far as the whole good/evil
how the Island of Recluce began. Characters are hard headed and asinine. Seems to be a trait Modesitt enjoys.
Overall I liked it though perhaps a tad less than The Magic Of Recluce. There were some minor irritations such as finding Creslin, the main character, to be very similar in many aspects to Lerris from the first book. The love/hate relationship between Creslin and Magaera also bordered on the melodramatic on several occasions. Nothing too serious.
Modesitt still works very slowly, spinning his tale with great attention to detail and mundane matters.
Unusually enough, The Towers of Sunset is writte...more
Modesitt still works very slowly, spinning his tale with great attention to detail and mundane matters.
Unusually enough, The Towers of Sunset is writte...more
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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....
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, u...more
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