Author Gush: LE Modesitt and The Saga of Recluce

Dear lord in heaven this magic system. Oh, this magic system, dear reader.

My body was not ready for the experience of this series (still isn’t, quite frankly, but it’s too late now!)

Nothing quite does the body so much good as having a hard-as-balls magic system rooted in science. Quick spoiler: turns out, chronologically, it’s really rooted in science. End of spoilers.

I know. I know. Forgive me.

The struggle between “order” and “chaos” aren’t exactly unique but goddamn if Mr. Modessitt doesn’t put a fresh spin on things by exploring the grey areas of morality. Flawed heroes on both sides struggle with the concept of balance while glimpses into the villain’s motivations add dimension to what otherwise could have been mere stock characters. The concept is cool, the system is solid, and the displays of power will have you giggling like a maniac as a toymaker somehow becomes a god of war or a musician alters the weather patterns of a continent just because he got a narc on.

Magic has a price. Balance must be maintained. Shit must get real.

So it was written, so it must be.

And Modesitt delivers, dear reader. The story spans centuries and while I won’t weigh in on what I think is the proper way to read the series (which should tell you I didn’t follow the author’s instructions…whoops) I will say that I recommend you print out a timeline to reference while reading. I don’t mean to make this series sound inaccessible. Far from it! But having a reference to which year you’re in will not only help you pick up on some amazing little Easter eggs, but will give you an appreciation for the masterful writing. Bobbing and weaving through an established narrative to seamlessly create a parallel story is a helluva thing to see.

Marvel ain’t got shit on Modessit, man, I’m telling you.

Although I wouldn’t be disappointed if a certain million dollar studio decided to make a cinematic universe out of a certain deserving IP and farmed out some fangirls/boys as a resource…