Soarer's Choice

Corean Chronicles #6

by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

L.E. Modesitt, Jr. returns to the world of Corus and concludes the trilogy of the intertwined stories of Dainyl, the Alector, and Mykel, the native soldier, which began in Alector's Choice and Cadmian's Choice.

The civilization of the Alectors, which has farmed and developed all life on Corus to produce sustaining life force for their vampiric civilization, must move wholesale from one planet to another every few thousand years as it exhausts the life force of another world. This time, two worlds have been prepared, and the time is at hand for the great move. And Corus is the looking like the loser, to be abandoned by the civilizing forces of the government of Alectors, but used as a dumping ground for malcontents and others who don't make the cut to move on to a richer new world. This neither bodes well for the future of human civilization, nor for the honest Alector's such as Dainyl, trying to hold everything together, as all systems are failing. But the mysterious Ancients, the Soarers, are a force to be reckoned with, and they may hold a powerful and destructive trump card

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Military Fiction

558 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

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

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked it, but the book isn't without its flaws. Still, 4 stars for wrapping up another engaging trilogy & answering so many questions that were left hanging on from the first one. The first trilogy is set centuries in the future where they (& we!) wonder at many of the artifacts left over from the world we're now reading about, but best of all is the answer to a nursery rhyme. Machiavelli would have been right at home in this flexing of power & scheming. It made for a wild ride as more is slowly revealed & comes to a head.

The not so good: The romance sucks, as usual. One isn't too bad, but the other is ridiculous. Awful. In no way convincing in the case on which hang the next 2 books.

The battles & food are always the same, too. Bread & cheese all the time. Some items just got annoying ("table desk" & "pear apple") although sometimes this was a great strength as in the case of a "light cutter" rather than laser. The bad guys are always short sighted without redeeming features, although this last is somewhat mitigated by at least one bad 'guy' who turns out to be damn good.

I also would have liked it better if Dainyl hadn't been so much of a pioneer, especially at the end. I would have preferred another establish the herding & him to flee to it. He's just too powerful & good to be true.

The Great: Again, his economies & logical structure of the magic & world systems are excellent. The magic system(s) of life force & an alien race who uses it to take over worlds which they drain of their energy as they build their totalitarian civilization is perfect for setting up some great ethical questions. The occasional writings of the Archon lay out this philosophy, a coldly logical one that makes perfect, horrid sense in the abstract. The story shows it in practice & the gulf between these poles is enlightening. As usual, it's worthwhile drawing parallels to our own civilization. Modesitt spent quite a bit of time in Washington DC & it shows.

Highly recommended, but read in order. Perhaps start with the first of this trilogy Alector's Choice & read in order through Lady-Protector & then start on the original trilogy with Legacies. That would be chronological rather than published order. I'd only suggest that for a reread, though.

[Pickyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

L.E. Modesitt brings his characters to life in his writing. I absolutely loved this book. The struggle to live is a great incentive to act in the way you feel right and Dainyl does just that. Even with the threat of losing everything. You know a great piece of writing when the emotion is so strong that it can bring you to tears.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

As he concludes his second Corean trilogy, Modesitt discloses the background behind the problems that Alucius encountered in the first. He reveals more of the history of the parasitic Alector culture, which migrates from planet to planet via hyperspatial tube after millennia spent exhausting their previous resident world's life force. The Alectors on the planet Ifra have drained its resources, so the ruling government, in preparation for the resettlement, has developed two possible colonies. As the High Alectors on Corus recognize that the Autarch's Sceptre will not be transferred to the world that they have prepared, they begin plotting with the superfluous Ifryns to seize power. High Alector Dainyl and Major Mykel must prevent their rape of Corus to ensure their families'-and their own-survival. Working with the secretive Soarers, the indigenous inhabitants of Corus, Dainyl and Mykel both sacrifice greatly to help the settlers and the soarers live on In the aftermath of the collapse, Dainyl brings his infant daughter to the Iron Valley, as Modesitt sets the stage for the planet that Alucius, the Nightsheep herder who will fight off the next attempted Alector migration, knows millennia later. Modesitt's well-developed characters, including his typically ethical protagonists, the unraveling of the various Alector plots, and the action-packed revolt sequences will attract new readers to join Modesitt's many fans anxiously waiting this volume.

[Mary Soon Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in "The Corean Chronicles," and the third that alternates between the adventures of Dainyl and those of Mykel. As with the previous two books, I enjoyed Mykel's story considerably more than Dainyl's. These three books are set centuries before the first three books in the series. As a result, it was clear what the large-scale outcome would be, which, for me at least, reduced the impact of the book's conclusion. That said, the outcome on the level of the individual characters did surprise me, and I thought it effective. For at least one of Mykel and Dainyl, it was not the happy ending that I had anticipated.

[Steve Pillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and very satisfying conclusion to the Mykel/Dainyl trilogy within the Corean Chronicles. This is definitely now my favourite Modesitt series, possibly—but not definitely—excluding the Saga of Recluce!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the author ties the six books together in the last three chapters. It is both sad and joyful but so true to the actions, choices and feelings we have in our own lives.

In the 2 trilogies there are differences as well as similarities. Do 5hey carry over to books 7 & 8, we will see.

[Jan Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

another Good Read in the Series

In the prequel to the first three books on the series, book six explains how the story in the first three books came into being. It is an exciting series and deserves to be read in order to appreciate the fullness that the series offers the reader.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I put it aside for a long time. I finally had some concentrated reading time that didn't involve library books or girls book club books. I ended up enjoying this book at the end. I picked up the next one in the series instead of going on to other things.

[Josephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very intense. I did not like the end

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread from long ago, still really liked it.

[Debra Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this read

I couldn’t put it down. The series would have been better had I not read the more available later books in the series so I suggest you begin from the beginning.

[Jorge Desormeaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the trilogy, but each book felt weaker than the previous one. While the first two books may have merited 3.5 to 4 stars, I'm not willing to give this one more than 3. Modesitt has a knack for creating interesting worlds and supernatural frameworks, but he's just not as good at spinning a yarn about people. Concretely, the following things turned me off:

* The ending of the book will be evident to any observant reader, and should have been obvious to one of the main characters (Dainyl) as well, since he himself caused something similar. The combination of warnings from the ancients, previous events, and the glaring weak point of Ifrits on Acorus should make this all blindingly clear to anyone who takes five minutes to think on the issue.

* The characterisation of villains is almost comical. Invariably, they are petty and self-interested and succumb to misdirected rage that drives them to murder the main character. None of their enemies is shown in a virtuous light: if they initially seemed like reasonable people, they will grow an irascible, violent and utterly-selfish streak in a couple of chapters as they turn against the main characters. If they seem conniving, devious and self-interested, these traits will disappear if they align themselves with the main characters.

* Modesitt seems incapable of writing a good romance scene. Two characters are fated to be together, yet there are perhaps two or three scenes in the entire trilogy in which they show any chemistry whatsoever.

* Regarding the romance, the Soarers insist that these two characters getting together is important to the world. This is mentioned twice, yet nothing of the sort is ever shown. The next book set in Acorus takes place 200-300 years after this series, so unless the Soarers have the power of prophecy (and there is no reason whatsoever to assume that this is the case), this looks like little more than a plot device to encourage our young Majer.

* Action scenes tended to have a 'samey' feel. The campaign in Iron Stem takes place in a short time, in a landscape that is poorly described, and battles amount to Cadmian troopers setting up lines and shooting charging enemies down. This may be realistic, but the formula doesn't vary and it isn't interesting to read. Even Dainyl's battles become boring due to the way in which he mows down his opposition.

* Related to the above, one of the main characters persists in making use of a Talent which is alien to him, which others have warned him against using and towards which he himself is ambivalent, even when he has the alternative of drawing on a Talent which is native to him.

[Laurence Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the third book of this prequel, we finally learn the reasons behind the Machiavellian scheming of the various alectors high in the government. The underlying situation comes to a head, and the two sides finally sort out against each other. Dainyl has learned much in his unintended rise to power, both the knowledge and the power coming from the many attacks on him by other alectors.

Meanwhile, Mykel and his battalion are trying to put down a rebellion of "hill people" in a backwater of the nation that also happens to be close to where the surviving "ancients" are suspected to be in hiding.

Both Mykel's and Dainyl's enemies seem to be even more two-dimensional in this last book of the series. Mykel seems to have finally "connected" to the land enough to satisfy the ancients, though it's not entirely clear at what point this happened. Dainyl's necessary connection comes at the last possible moment, when the ancients unleash an attack against all alectors in the midst of open warfare between the two alector factions.

Moreso than the second book of the prequel, events seem to just happen, especially to (or at least around) Mykel. It is not particularly surprising when Mykel finally hooks up with his love interest - the only possible one - despite the fact that the two have spent very little time together since the first book. Indeed, Rachyla, the love interest, seems to have been actively pushing Mykel away from her the few times they have met face-to-face. Though Modesitt has tried to set up a rationale for conflicting public face/private desires, the final resolution still comes across as a deus ex machina.

The conclusion of this book, and of this prequel trilogy, is satisfying if largely predictable. Modesitt does, at least, manage to stick a few surprises in the denoument.

Overall, I felt the first three books in the Corean Chronicles were better, though tending towards a formulaic narrative as the series went on. These second three books, the prequel trilogy, strike me as even more formulaic. They're fine if you're just looking for some light reading to keep you entertained for awhile, provided you're not expecting great literature. But I probably won't be reading them again.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In some ways, this book is my favourite of the Corean Chronicles. I’ve read them all many times, but this time I listened to them as audiobooks.

I cried at Dainyl’s helplessness as he sees Mymirdons die and when he’s looking for his wife and daughter. Even though I knew what was going to happen from the first 3 books and from previous reads, I still can’t help but feel emotional when I read the books. While I’m still not sure if Dainyl always does the right thing despite his acclamation that he’s the most loyal to the Duarch, I still think he’s a bad ass and love when he goes hops on a pteridon. I also love how it comes full circle about him becoming the first nightsheep herder. I wonder of Modessitt had that idea from the beginning.

Mykel’s story is less interesting now, but maybe that’s only because his injuries prevent him from going off and doing what he’s good at, even though as a Major he probably shouldn’t. Or maybe because in books 1 and 2, he’s often accompanied by Dainyl, whose character I seem to like more?

I don’t enjoy the next 2 books nearly as much as the first 6, so I don’t feel compelled to read anymore this time. I feel better leaving the story with Lanachrona and herders in the works. Which begs the question, did the soarers leave the Tempre table simply because they knew Mykel was going there?

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soarer's Choice by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is book six of the Corean Chronicles. This is more like the end of the beginning of the series. The plot sets the stage for the first three books. Dainyl discovers the extent of his known powers and Mykel discovers he has talent.

Although this book appears to offer closure to the roots of the first three books, one wonders if it does. I am currently reading Lord Protector's Daughter which seems to follow Mykel's family line although generations later. If a saga is making money why not continue to expand it's nature.

The impact of differing goals is clearly illustrated. The lander's desire for gold to the exclusion of all else and the alector's obsession with power are both examples of overwhelming greed rather than two different goals.

In my repetitive closing on Modesitt's books, I am an admitted admirer of Modesitt's style and work. There is a common thread of honor and responsibility through his work. His characters struggle to maintain their core identities and to remain truly humble in spite of increasing power.

I highly recommend.

Site: http://www.lemodesittjr.com/

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I have finished this six book series, I wish that I had read books 4 to 6 first. They are prequels to books 1-3, and things would have made more sense of I had read them first.
As I have already said on other reviews, this author's characters and plots are pretty much interchangeable between series. I also feel there is too much description, too many irrelevances, and too many slow sections.
In this particular book, I felt that Michael's (or however the author spelled it) adventures were dull. I enjoyed it best when the two main characters interacted, and they didn't get a chance to do so here. It would have been especially meaningful if they had met at the end.
I also felt the ending was rushed, and tacked on hastily. Those final actions were much more interesting than the rest of the book, especially Michael's pointless battles.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always worried about not stopping with the first book in the series if it was good because I don't want to be disappointed later, but no book in this series disappointed me, and I feel best for having read them all. The story comes full circle and answers any questions and loose ends by the end of the series.

One of my favorite series ever. I loved the main character and seeing how he would outsmart his troubles. I loved a lot if the descriptions about the world, and the magic is genius and fairly original. I don't usually care for political/war issues, but they were do character-centered that I felt it added to the story considerably. The author clearly spent a long time organizing the backstory. I've had a hard time finding books I like this much except with this author.

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second trilogy in L. E. Modesitt, Jr.’s COREAN CHRONICLES closes with Soarer’s Choice. While this book is better than the previous novel, Cadmian’s Choice, that’s mostly because (1) It closes out this overly-long trilogy and (2) It gives the background that helps explain the world Alucius lives in in the first three COREAN CHRONICLES books, Legacies, Darknesses, and Scepters. (The story of that first trilogy occurs generations after the events in the second trilogy, Alector’s Choice, Cadmian’s Choice and Soarer’s Choice).

Mykel and Dainyl continue to be noble and upright and, consequently, continue to be promoted up their respective ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 3 books in this series are a prequel to the first three. It rounds out the culture, personality and motives of the "Ifrit" antagonist that use the life force of a world to fuel their magic. Humans are cattle to them but produce said life force so are a necessary evil.

The story borders on SyFy and I'm only partially engaged in the story but dogged enough that I want to finish it. The author suffers from the same "paid by the word" syndrome that too many exhibit these days. Large amounts of minutia such as food menus, clothing styles and building decor is repetitively thrown into the story to get to that 600 page quota.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the end, I think of this Corean Chronicles. We get to help Dainyl hone his Green Talent, while wondering if Mykel and his love interest will ever just break down and make out.
We get to experience Dainyl quick rise through the ranks of power.
This planet makes me wonder what our sky would look like if it were a green-silver with 2 moons, one of which is green.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would've given it 4 stars, except Mykel's whole storyline felt very unnecessary to this book. I understand why it was there (Mykel was in the other two of the series and readers would want to know where he ended up), but his actions just weren't that important to the overall story. But Dainyl's plot-line was excellently handled. Overall, an all right conclusion to the trilogy.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

While still quite good, I think this book suffers a bit on the reread. Knowing what's coming at the end, there's a bit of the playing chess on the titanic feel about it. Sure, maybe we care about the moves and what happens to the pieces, but it's all going to sink anyways . . . Still, a fun conclusion to the trilogy.

[Mark Edlund · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fantasy series
I get the impression Modesitt was eager to finish off this six book series. Yet he spends over 20 pages describing in labourious detail the shelling of a rebel stronghold with large rocks dropped by large birds. And yet the last two chapters wipes out a race, establishes a new order and plants some seeds for the other series.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.

[Cathy S]

as usual Modesitt leaves me wishing there was more and not in a good way....good premises, good characters, very flawed development, progress or action...I dont recommend to others, although I keep giving the author a try...this is my 3rd series of his....read but not recommended

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the transfer of the Master Scepter approaches things become more unsettled on Acorus and both Dainyl and Mykel face life changing events. Soarer's Choice is an action packed adventure full of magic, corruption, greed, and even loyalty.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but like many of Modesitt's books, it ends rather abruptly. It was interesting to see how the characters tie in with the protagonists in the previous trilogy.

[Steve]

Corean Chronicles

[Uriah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Recluse saga is better developed and gives many of the same plot points.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suitable conclusion to the Corean Chronicles. The ending was not my favorite, slow in parts but overall I enjoyed it.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read. The best of the second Corean trilogy. Moves right along, in fact the ending happens a little *too* quickly.

Re-read, 8/14.
Listened, 3/22 ; 1/24.