Scan barcode
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is the ninth volume in Modesitt's Saga of Recluce, and the second centered on the white mage, Cerryl. The first book about Cerryl showed us the world from the perspective of a young white chaos mage, the white mages having previously been viewed only as the enemies of the "good" black mages. It's as though Tolkien had written a sequel to "The Lord of the Rings" from the viewpoint of a likable young orc. This book takes that further, as Cerryl gains more power, witnessing and shaping more of what happens.
"Colors of Chaos" covers the same conflicts as "The Magic Engineer," and, yes, some of the villains of that book are still villainous, but Cerryl and several other white mages are quite otherwise. I very much like the depth this gives to the world. I very much like how it prompts the reader to think. What makes a good ruler? A good government? A good tax system? A city one would want to live in?
This isn't quite my favorite book so far in the series (that remains "The Magic Engineer") but it's probably my second favorite. It's thoughtful, thought-provoking fantasy.
"Colors of Chaos" covers the same conflicts as "The Magic Engineer," and, yes, some of the villains of that book are still villainous, but Cerryl and several other white mages are quite otherwise. I very much like the depth this gives to the world. I very much like how it prompts the reader to think. What makes a good ruler? A good government? A good tax system? A city one would want to live in?
This isn't quite my favorite book so far in the series (that remains "The Magic Engineer") but it's probably my second favorite. It's thoughtful, thought-provoking fantasy.
craftingrama's review against another edition
3.0
Not thrilled with all the verbal sound effects and the super short chapters but it was a good book although I would have preferred it set up differently. Feels like an outline sometimes, will be glad when I reach the end of this series
sophiewilliams's review
4.0
Enjoyed the links between this and [b:The Magic Engineer|185200|The Magic Engineer (The Saga of Recluce #3)|L.E. Modesitt Jr.|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390152205s/185200.jpg|1246810]. Good to see the amount of thought that went into discussing the complexities of trade and government. Much more to it than I remember from the first time I read it.
janettedv's review
5.0
Just love all of the Recluse books but really enjoyed these two giving the white wizards view of events told in Magic Engineer.
katmarhan's review
4.0
8/10
A bit heavy on the economics of trade and tariffs, but overall, a good read. It is interesting reading about some familiar events from another perspective, as this book continues to follow Cerryl, a White Chaos mage, while most of the Recluce series has followed the Black Order mages.
I do find that, even with the aid of the maps, I have trouble following the geography (and the various rulers) of different parts of Candar.
A bit heavy on the economics of trade and tariffs, but overall, a good read. It is interesting reading about some familiar events from another perspective, as this book continues to follow Cerryl, a White Chaos mage, while most of the Recluce series has followed the Black Order mages.
I do find that, even with the aid of the maps, I have trouble following the geography (and the various rulers) of different parts of Candar.
vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
More...