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Fall of Angels
(The Saga of Recluce #6)
by
In Fall of Angels, Modesitt moves deep into Recluce's past to chronicle the founding of the Empire of the Legend, the almost mythological domain ruled by women warriors on the highland plateau of the continent of Candar. He tells the story from the point of view of Nylan, the engineer and builder whose job it is to raise a great tower on the plateau known as the Roof of th
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Mass Market Paperback, 592 pages
Published
July 15th 1997
by Tor Books
(first published June 1996)
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Start your review of Fall of Angels (The Saga of Recluce, #6)
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
The Saga of Recluce is a series which has captivated readers for decades, spawning 19 books so far, and soon to include installment twenty, Outcasts of Order, which hits shelves on June 19, 2018. One of the main factors contributing to the longevity of the saga the novels’ variety, as L.E. Modesitt, Jr. has effortlessly shifted his stories from one time period to another in Recluce’s long history, focusing in on legendary characters and explaining historical facts. Fall of Angels arguabl/>The ...more
The Saga of Recluce is a series which has captivated readers for decades, spawning 19 books so far, and soon to include installment twenty, Outcasts of Order, which hits shelves on June 19, 2018. One of the main factors contributing to the longevity of the saga the novels’ variety, as L.E. Modesitt, Jr. has effortlessly shifted his stories from one time period to another in Recluce’s long history, focusing in on legendary characters and explaining historical facts. Fall of Angels arguabl/>The ...more
This is the third book of the Recluce series in chronological order. The first two dealt with Cyador, a country based on chaos most of which was left over from the original colonization effort by those of the Rational Stars (Rats). We're never told where they came from nor why they set up a colony & abandoned it, just getting hints of what happened 2 centuries before.
This book starts out with a space battle that is told from the side of the Angels (They speak Anglican.) who have ...more
This book starts out with a space battle that is told from the side of the Angels (They speak Anglican.) who have ...more
My relationship with Modesitt's "Recluce" series began several years ago with the first book, "The Magic of Recluce". It was a good read. Since then I have slogged my way through numerous sequels, prequels, spin-offs, or whatever else they might be called. None of them were read in order of publication or in order according to the stories' chronology, and I have no idea if this helped or hindered their readability. All of them seem to have a male engineer/mage/smith and a female warrior/mage/he
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This story is the first of (at least) another duo of books. This is set some 400 years after the first two (in chronological order). The first set told of a master of the white power of chaos. This story is about the black power of order. It is the story of the crew of a starship involved in some sort of interstellar war. The vast energies involved in fighting their white enemies in space have somehow translocated their starship to the orbit of an unknown but populated planet.
They discover they ...more
They discover they ...more
I had one of those weeks where I cracked open 4 indie books, and shut them after getting a third of the way into them. No plot? No problem--No way. So I was looking around my dusty shelves and came across my beloved Saga of Recluce collection and picked up "Fall of Angels." Written in 1997 by L.E. Modesitt Jr., this is one of the most enduring fantasy series of modern times. I think its longevity has to do with the way the saga takes place over many generations, and takes you into both sides of ...more
If you're reading this 6th book of the Recluse Saga, you probably know what to expect from this series by now. For many, however, this is the first book read of the series because, chronologically, it is the first. (By the way, I have read that the author would prefer us to read them in the order they were published). Regardless, I found it to be quite a good story, quite capable of standing on its own. Modesitt has flirted with blending science and fantasy elements together with his magic engin
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Fall of Angels is the only explicitly sci-fi book in the series (although, granted, the magic system may as well be sci-fi throughout, as rigorous as it is) and it's definitely more interesting for it. It sets up the female-dominated societies portrayed in later books as well as the background behind Westwind, which is critical later (earlier?) on.
That said, I'm only mildly fond of it. The lasers and spaceships don't really take up enough of the story to differentiate it, and while i ...more
That said, I'm only mildly fond of it. The lasers and spaceships don't really take up enough of the story to differentiate it, and while i ...more
9/10
A thoroughly satisfying get entry in the Saga of Recluce, taking the reader back to the time when Westwind was settled by the survivors of an intergalactic battle. Here we get the apparent facts behind the Legend and the start of the Black Order.
A thoroughly satisfying get entry in the Saga of Recluce, taking the reader back to the time when Westwind was settled by the survivors of an intergalactic battle. Here we get the apparent facts behind the Legend and the start of the Black Order.
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If reading this book in publication order, this is the sixth book in the Recluse Saga. I've read these early books a few times, and in this re-read, I find that I like "Fall of Angels" the best. It fills in the back story of some of how the legendary (in Recluse) figures arrived on the world, and how their legends began. Nylan is the primary character - a man who finds this new world exerts new abilities and insights on him.
The world already has a patriarchal and feudal population, a ...more
The world already has a patriarchal and feudal population, a ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Having read up to this book in the series a couple times, I have concluded that while an interesting book for the back story, this is one of the slower books in the series. Definitely not where I would suggest someone start even though it is fairly early in the time line (but not in the order they were written, for those unfamiliar with this series). But at the end of the day I still really like Modesitt's writing, so I enjoyed this book (but I'm also clear that's a somewhat personal opinion).
In places a little boring, but the writing is so clear and the characters are so well-envisioned that it keeps on moving, even at it's most boring parts. The idea of having to build a home from scratch, even with partial use of advanced technology, makes my shoulders ache just thinking about it, and Modesitt's descriptions of the setting make me want to visit. The challenges the characters face, both with the construction and the petty intregues, are really what makes the book shine. Recommended
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This is probably one of my favorite Recluse book. That said, it's typical L.E. Modesitt fair: lots of detail, lots of technical info, a male protagonist, and a solid magic/science base.
Explains the female warriors that live on the roof of the world and how they are able to survive there where no one else can. And seeing as I've read the first books and the later books, I find it interesting to discover just how the world of Recluse has changed and adapted over the course of years.
Explains the female warriors that live on the roof of the world and how they are able to survive there where no one else can. And seeing as I've read the first books and the later books, I find it interesting to discover just how the world of Recluse has changed and adapted over the course of years.
The sixth of this fantastic series, and perhaps as good as the first.
How many lost battles does it take before armchair bravado is finally slapped across the face and told to hush? The ambitions of a needle wielding old woman and her "honorable" intentions lead to the utter ruin of a once great kingdom.
This volume lays down the history of Ryba, Nylan, and the Roof of the World, Westwind. A great story.
How many lost battles does it take before armchair bravado is finally slapped across the face and told to hush? The ambitions of a needle wielding old woman and her "honorable" intentions lead to the utter ruin of a once great kingdom.
This volume lays down the history of Ryba, Nylan, and the Roof of the World, Westwind. A great story.
The second Recluce sub-series in chronological order, this one starts about 400 yeras later after the Cyador books and presents the story of the opponents of the White wizards who are marooned to recluce and have to build a society; the first book is again somewhat slower and Nylan does not get into its own until later in the story but the second again picks up and is excellent
Sep 26, 2013
Gordon
added it
This is my favorite so far. Nylan is amazing and gets the job done not nearly as whiney as the other main characters and since you know the world now makes this a roller coaster of action without the long buildups of previous books.
I liked most of the Recluse novels. This one (oddly I suppose)I find made very little impression on me and can barely place it in the series (in my memory that is). I recall it as the weakest of the ones I read.
Volume 6 in the Saga of Recluse is actually the beginning of the story of the conflict between the White Brotherhood (the bad guys) and the Black Brotherhood (the Good guys).
I wish I could give half stars. You see my rule for a 5 stay review versus a 4 star is to say I couldn't put the book down, this was definitely true at points during this book. This book took elements of Dune and flipped the Recluce plot on it's head, it was definitely a compelling read. Ok ok it did drag a bit in certain areas which is typical for epic fantasies I find. The characters have to whine a bit about their tragic situations and just sorta feel bad about the unfairness of the universe,
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Summary: I was sort of expecting a nother in the series, but this goes back to the beginning and gives the story of the arrival of the angels. Very interesting read anf fits beautifully into the premise while explaining some things that were by no means clear before. Other than that its a classic chaos vs order book but set on the roof of the world
Plotline: After the surprise beginning this settles down into a classic Modesitt tale, with many clashes each more extreme than the last.< ...more
Plotline: After the surprise beginning this settles down into a classic Modesitt tale, with many clashes each more extreme than the last.< ...more
This book, #3 in chronological order in the Saga of Recluce, is full of polarized conflict. Order vs. chaos. Violence vs. building. Men vs. women. Change vs. the status quo. Cold vs. hot.
In many ways, it goes as the story one would expect when a spaceship full of heavily armed women from a technologically advanced culture lands on a low-technology world and tries to survive. But, I found the story engrossing, and while telling it from the perspective of one of the very few men on the ...more
In many ways, it goes as the story one would expect when a spaceship full of heavily armed women from a technologically advanced culture lands on a low-technology world and tries to survive. But, I found the story engrossing, and while telling it from the perspective of one of the very few men on the ...more
I am really liking this series.
Was put off at first when each book jumps to a different place
in the time line. But so far each book is a complete story.
The next book explores the history behind this place
or jumps to the future and you see the outcome of prior events.
The author is doing a great job of tying the pieces together
tying in previous (or hinting at future events) without
beating it to death. Been reading these like other people
watch netflix. Bin ...more
Was put off at first when each book jumps to a different place
in the time line. But so far each book is a complete story.
The next book explores the history behind this place
or jumps to the future and you see the outcome of prior events.
The author is doing a great job of tying the pieces together
tying in previous (or hinting at future events) without
beating it to death. Been reading these like other people
watch netflix. Bin ...more
By now the Recluce novels are getting pretty formulaic. Reluctant mages find themselves in situations where only hard work and sacrifice can get them through the difficulties presented to them by the world and by the forces of Chaos.
It's a good history lesson and adds to the lore of the world, and that I liked.
I do get a little tired of the constant inner turmoil about seemingly irrefutable decisions.
It's a good history lesson and adds to the lore of the world, and that I liked.
I do get a little tired of the constant inner turmoil about seemingly irrefutable decisions.
Well, it is a refreshing and surprising setup for the series, and I really do like the premise. It is perhaps the most interesting book in the series so far, but at the same time, I'm struggling with Modesitt's tendency to laboriously describe every little uninteresting detail and action. I understand that it is probably a conscious choice about telling a believable story without just "reciting the highlights", but for me it becomes somewhat of a struggle to plow through a lot of the time.
Book 6 takes the reader back for an origin story, and this is a very engaging novel. Reading this one makes me want to flip back to the previous novels, when they quote the religious texts. I enjoyed the way Modesitt developed his characters, though I wish some of the secondary characters had more depth.
I would have given it 5 stars, but one problem this series has is that each novel generally follows a similar plot between order and chaos.
I would have given it 5 stars, but one problem this series has is that each novel generally follows a similar plot between order and chaos.
More early Recluce history
Against Mr. Modesitt's recommendations, I'm continuing his excellent series chronologically, rather than in publication order. This book starts a series about a race from another world forced to crash-land on Recluce. Struggling to build an encampment with their failing technology, they also have to fight surrounding natives who are opposed to their beliefs of a women-led society.
Against Mr. Modesitt's recommendations, I'm continuing his excellent series chronologically, rather than in publication order. This book starts a series about a race from another world forced to crash-land on Recluce. Struggling to build an encampment with their failing technology, they also have to fight surrounding natives who are opposed to their beliefs of a women-led society.
Quite pleased to read the story of the founding of Westwind and the story behind the Legend that is a character in and of itself throughout the preceding novels. Still enjoying this gloriously detailed saga of stories.
A wonderful introduction to the world while blending science fiction with the fantasy elements.
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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, del ...more
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, del ...more
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