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mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
"Natural Ordermage" is the fourteenth book in Modesitt's fantasy series, "The Saga of Recluce." It is similar enough to earlier installments that it could be dismissed as derivative of Modesitt's own work. Yet, for me, the differences justify the book, showing another approach to governing in the presence of order and chaos magic. Collectively, the series raises provocative questions about law, justice, fairness, the use of force, and how a country should be run.
The prose could be dismissed as pedestrian. For instance, new characters tend to be described in similar terms: hair/eye color, apparent age, whether they are fat/thin, tall/short. Yet the clear, unobtrusive prose allows me to slip into the narrative and lose myself there.
It is easy for me to recommend Scott Lynch's flamboyant fantasy novels, and easier still to recommend Guy Gavriel Kay's beautiful, wonderful prose, and his heroic, wonderful characters. It is hard for me to tell other people to try Modesitt. But Modesitt writes stories that pull me back to them, that make me want to stay up late to read just one more page, one more chapter, ten more chapters. He writes stories that I love.
The prose could be dismissed as pedestrian. For instance, new characters tend to be described in similar terms: hair/eye color, apparent age, whether they are fat/thin, tall/short. Yet the clear, unobtrusive prose allows me to slip into the narrative and lose myself there.
It is easy for me to recommend Scott Lynch's flamboyant fantasy novels, and easier still to recommend Guy Gavriel Kay's beautiful, wonderful prose, and his heroic, wonderful characters. It is hard for me to tell other people to try Modesitt. But Modesitt writes stories that pull me back to them, that make me want to stay up late to read just one more page, one more chapter, ten more chapters. He writes stories that I love.
craftingrama's review against another edition
4.0
Another one of those ones that seemed to be written by someone else, less one page chapters and sound effects. It wasn't bad a bit too much filler but better then the last ones. I'm reading this in chronological order an the repeat of scenarios has me double checking and I hate that.
sophiewilliams's review against another edition
4.0
Well thought through look at what happens when someone has a different learning style within a structured society. Enjoying the chance to understand more of Hamor's society.
Have to admit I was very glad when Rahl finally stops whinging so much!
Have to admit I was very glad when Rahl finally stops whinging so much!
katmarhan's review
2.0
5/10
Another dissatisfied, whiny main character with lessons to learn about order, mages, and himself. Rahl really grated on me. The explanation of why he had so much trouble learning to use order on Recluce and needed to be exiled--that he is a natural ordermage--made sense but came too late to rescue my opinion of the character and the book.
The best section was when he was at Luba without his memories and then his training with Taryl as those memories started to return.
Another dissatisfied, whiny main character with lessons to learn about order, mages, and himself. Rahl really grated on me. The explanation of why he had so much trouble learning to use order on Recluce and needed to be exiled--that he is a natural ordermage--made sense but came too late to rescue my opinion of the character and the book.
The best section was when he was at Luba without his memories and then his training with Taryl as those memories started to return.
vaderbird's review against another edition
4.0
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
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