The Shadow Sorceress

Spellsong Cycle #4

by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

L.E. Modesitt, Jr. has developed a wide readership with his popular fantasy novels set in the universe of Recluce. With more than a million copies in print, he continues to build a substantial audience with each new volume. He widened that audience with the first three-volume Spellsong Cycle set in a compelling and imaginative world where music is the vehicle for the creation and wielding of magic. He now returns to that universe for a new cycle of tales starring a new heroine who must face a series of deadly political and military threats.

The Shadow Sorceress continues the story begun in the first Spellsong Cycle but focuses on the challenges facing Secca, now a young Sorceress. She is thrust into a position of power and responsibility when her mentor, Anna, the legendary Sorceress Protector of Defalk and the heroine of the original trilogy, dies unexpectedly before Secca's training as a master magic wielder is anywhere near complete.

Despite her reservations concerning the skills and strength of her ruler, Secca must immediately take command of all her magical resources to help suppress internal dissension in a neighboring province. Then she must rally potential allies to lift the naval siege laid on Nordwei by the Sea Priests, who bring with them a new kind of drumming magic that threatens the balance of power in the world, portending danger and destruction not imagined for decades.

Secca learns to fight battles effectively using sorcerous skills she has never used before, all while leading an army for the first time. She must master diplomacy in order to save her ruler and his kingdom, form alliances with unfriendly potential allies and mediate power struggles among ambitious and disparate societies. At the same time, she discovers the unexpected potential for love and companionship in a world where few men are wise enough to value women as anything more than wives, mistresses or mothers.

Coping with it all, Secca proves herself more than just a quick study, but a woman with a limitless capacity for courage, personal growth and fearless commitment to survival and fighting the good fight.

The Shadow Sorceress is the first book of the second Spellsong cycle and the fourth book set in Erde, the world of musical magic.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, High Fantasy, Ebooks

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

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, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Brandi Vawter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read

I really enjoyed this book. I had not read the summary and didn't realize that this was at a different time than the first three books. That being said, this was an easy read that kept a hood pace. The action was well thought out, along with the emotional parts that made you consider different aspects of war. I would highly recommend this series.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modesitt's "The Shadow Sorceress", the 4th book in his Spellsong Cycle, offers a new protagonist, a young woman thrust into the center of conflict when her mentor, Anna, the spellsinger of the first 3 volumes, dies unexpectedly. The deaths of Anna, former Regent of Defalk, and of the old Liedfuhr of Mansuur, leave a power vacuum which many rush to fill. The Sea-Priests, who chain their womenfolk; the Holders of Neserea, who long for the return of women to chattel status; even the weak Robero (formerly Jim-bob), now Lord of Defalk, all seek Anna's power for their own ends. Only Secca and the other sorceresses trained by Anna, and the people of Ranuak and Wei (2 kingdoms separated by a continent) will fight to preserve the ideals for which Anna strove: sexual equality, responsibility, prosperity, justice, and peace. Beset on all sides, forced into a leadership role for which she feels unprepared, Secca must turn her constructive magic to destruction, flaming opponents and collapsing fortresses with spells previously used to build bridges and roads. She must learn to judge people, in order to build her staff and forge alliances to protect the defenseless. Luckily, in a world which denies the abilities of women, Secca encounters Alcaren, a warrior of Ranuak, where women work alongside men to trade and rule. If Secca can bring herself to trust him, she may find the love and companionship she needs to grow both personally and as a warleader.

[David Zimny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Shadow Sorceress is book 4 of The Spellsong Cycle series. It takes place about twenty years after book 3, Darksong Rising. I had criticized Darksong Rising for being too repetitive and predictable; stagnant. Well, The Shadow Sorceress goes to the complete opposite end of the spectrum, having very little to do with the previous three novels. The author has killed off most of the people of book 3 in the intervening twenty years, leaving us with a bunch of new characters that we know nothing about and care nothing about. There is a glossary of character names and descriptions in the beginning of the book, but it is incomplete. Also most of the places traveled throughout the novel are not listed in the map. These new characters are wooden compared to the original ones, and the story just lacks that intangible "spark". The Spellsong Cycle has one more book- book 5, but I will not bother reading it.

[Kes · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok - we start with Anna's death, and are introduced to Secca.

With the old peacemaker of the continent dead, everyone wants to test Defalk's strength, and Secca is sent to quell the violence. The good thing is that there are more sorceresses now - and Defalk seems unrivaled in magic. The bad thing is that Jimbob (now going by Robero) isn't a strong ruler. The hope is that Secca lives up to the challenge.

This is much like the previous books, except we see the changes Anna has made to the society - women are now freer. There's still many countries and characters that scheme to take advantage (or maintain their position), and we get a sense of the forces at play.

2/5 stars - I felt it was a bit draggy. We see Secca grow (such as getting used to battle) but I'm ultimately not sure what the endpoint is.

[Darryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the 4th book in the series, I think that having the story shift from Anna to Secca was a mistake. The whole premise of the series was focusing on how Anna was still adapting and trying to understand the world around her, and it seems like Secca is a weak substitute for Anna. I don't think Secca was given enough depth and backstory to firmly establish her character as being distinct from Anna, and it felt like this novel was a rehash of previous novels. Additionally, all the politics from the various regions seemed to all blur together, so that I didn't really know who was who.

There's one novel left, but I don't have the urgency to read it immediately like I did with the 1st 3 novels.

[Jules Bertaut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book picks up about 20 years after the last one finished. I kinda felt things were a bit unfinished at the end of the last book, but apparently nothing much happened. I do like the focus on infrastructure in these books, though!

[Mr. M Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was good

Thoughrly enjoyed first three books , then main character heroine suddenly dies leaving someone I know not or care about.
Made mistake in buying 5 books on strength of all his recluse books which I do enjoy.
Disappointed

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Anna but I understand that her reign had to end. But the author could have made her disappear back to her family. Secca is a replica of Anna but lacks her maturity and internal recrimination.

[Jacqueline]

Wasn't interested in the new main character.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it better than the last one. But they are all very similar.

[Sarah Heal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book once I got into it. I did feel that there should have been a book between this one and number 3 though. It took a while to catch up with everything that had gone before.

[TK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one never jived with me when I was younger. I always read the first 3 books and then just kinda quit. Coming into book 4 and 5 fresh now, and they're pretty good.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorcerers Secca and Alcaren get together after major difficulties in the war against their enemies.

[Sam Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the world and magic system.

[Robert Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a detailed review check out

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82t...

[Keith Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

New sheriff in town

A new heroine arises or takes the reins of head sorceress of power!
Secca takes over from Anna as protector

[Angela~twistedmind~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Shadow Sorceress skips ahead several years & Secca is now a grown woman and a sorceress in her own right. Anna has retired as Defalk's acting Regent and retired to Loiseau and Jimbob (now Robero) has taken his place as king of Defalk. Anna has begun training other young girls as sorceresses & all seems well. But suddenly Defalk & all it's neighboring lands are in dire straits & are about to be overtaken by the Sturinnese who would see all women in chains. Secce & Rechina, a fledgling sorceress must travel across the lands, in hopes of defeating the Sturinnese. As with Anna years ago, some of the other countries are willing to stand with them and fight and some aren't; Secca must do what she can with the few lancers she commands.
The Shadow Sorceress is a surprising continuation of the story that has, up until now, been about Anna. It's written well and the transition to the beginning of Secca's story is almost seamless. I enjoyed this book just as well as I've enjoyed all the previous books in this series. I seesawed back and forth on whether to give it 4 stars or 3. In all actuality I would give it 3 1/2 stars, simply because I must really enjoy a book and be drawn deep into the story to give a book even 4 stars. A book has to be enthralling to receive 5. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story with quite a bit of magic, a story set in Medieval times & a story that includes many battles.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modesitt's mark on my reading world has always been the attention to detail, the repetition that makes these characters real. "The Shadow Sorceress" doesn't have a lot of that. This time around, we see how Anna has changed her world for the better, entrenching women into greater power in Defalk (and the rest of Liedwahr), the growth of sorcery in the world centered on respecting the Harmonies, and how little Secca grew to be a powerful woman in her own right.

We also see Anna die, and the fallout of that death as the world tries to gain from what they perceive as the chance to get back to the way things were. We see Secca rise to the challenge of filling her mentor's boots and struggle wiht how battle magic really works. And we see the influence of Sturinn, as they try to bring their chains of slavery and Darksong drums to continent, and bind everyone and everything in their own twisted view of society.

The book is relatively quick, and doesn't have the same suspense the others had, though it introduces using magic at sea, and we see the tragedy of love in the world where women with power scare people. Though, in the end, Secca finds love in a most unusual (and kinda obvious) place. It's good, but I miss Anna.

[Darcy Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Sorceress is somewhat interesting. I really like the characters Secca and Anna, because they are so independent. The Spellsong Cycle is a lot better than the Corean Chronicles. Some of the other characters I don't care so much about.

It's too bad Anna dies in the beginning. She really could have helped Secca keep province in chaos. It's interesting that when Anna lived in her own world, she didn't have any magic, but she does in this one. At first I thought Anna came by herself, and not someone else bringing her. The book is more about what and how Anna keeps the residents from losing control.

I really feel sorry for Secca. The poor girl is very confused. She has to deal with chaos in the province after Anna's death. She holds a lot of power and doesn't know what to do with it.

It would have been even better if I read the first book instead of the second first. So some of the book didn't make much since I never read the first. I wouldn't go again out of order with this other's books, because you become very confused.

[Kurtbg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a flat offering to follow up where the third book ended. I quickly tied up what had been built in the first three books and than shifted in another direction that was more of the same, but less.

The main character, Secca, is certainly a tragic figure bearing the weight of inherited responsibility and sacrificing self, but I felt she wasn't treated in a way to make herself completely different from her mentor, Anna.

I had always wondered if the author would bring in Anna's husband - perhaps called by a nemesis, but he didn't. The books are just one long campaign of the same thing - male leaders who want to conquer and prevent and control. The latter is all fine, but after four books, it never really goes anywhere.

[DaveA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. The original sorceress, Anna, was too strong. None of her fights in the third book were exciting, because they were over in seconds as she obliterated her opponents. This book is 20 years later. Almost all of the adults from the first three books have died, and the children are now adults and the main characters. The sorceresses that take over after Anna died are no where near as strong, and thus this story is a little more exciting because there is some tension and suspense. I think they are still a little too strong, though. A good read - I'm hoping there is a fifth book. Modesitt definitely left room for another to follow at some point.

[KenziTheRagin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason this book did not get only one star was the ending. The rest of the novel too closely follows the descriptive and narrative paradigms of the first three installments to make this new adventure any kind of new. Even the "new" protagonist is a carbon copy of the old. The introduction of something mildly interesting made me feel it was not a total loss, but I would not suggest this to anyone and I dread opening the final book.

[Kitfalbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continues a characters journey through a world created in a basic fantasy sense. The author is discovering/playing with the rules more than the people living in it, creating a disjointed though not terrible mess. I like fantasy, and will finish the book but it is painfully obvious the potential of the world is disjointed from the society.

[Gabriel De · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Anna Marshal's unexpected death after many years defending Defaulk, her successor, Secca, is placed in a position of power before her training is complete. Unrest abounds in Defalk, the possibility of war increases, and new threats from Sea Priests with their new drumming magic makes this a very interest book.

[Andrew Brumpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving on from Anna, this novel is the first involving Secca as the main character. While her problems, and that of Richina, are similar to Anna's Secca has different ways of dealing with them. With the introduction of the Southwomen and Alcaren, cousin to the Matriarch of Ranuak it rounds out the book more fully

[Jay Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth in the series. This one sets up the demise of Anna from the previous three and the rise in power of her pupil, Secca. The magic gets larger, more into the shadows (secretive and not so blatant) as well as the conflict growing larger and larger in this book. A most excellent read.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book because, in some ways, it focuses on what happens after the end of the story. In the first trilogy, the good guys win. Now, ~25 years later, what happens when the next generation has to take up the torch, and what are the longer term effects of what we saw in the previous books.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the earlier ones in the series, but still good!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new generation of spellsong sorceresses emerge as we say goodbye to a favorite character. I cried a little.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, but not the best by this author.