The Magic of Recluce is a fantasy novel written by L.E. Modesitt Jr. that takes place in the fictional world of Recluce. This book is the first in a long series known as the "Saga of Recluce" and is highly regarded by fans of the fantasy genre. The world of Recluce is unique in that it is divided between two opposing forces, chaos and order.
"Extremely interesting. unique. a refreshing use of the traditional fantasy elements." --Andre Norton
1 The Magic of Recluce 2 The Towers of Sunset 3 The Magic Engineer 4 The Order War 5 The Death of Chaos 6 Fall of Angels 7 The Chaos Balance 8 The White Order 9 Colors of Chaos 10 Magi i of Cyador 11 Scion of Cyador 12 Wellspring of Chaos 13 Ordermaster 14 Natural Order Mage 15 Mage-Guard of Hamor 16 Arms-Commander 17 Cyador s Heirs 18 Heritage of Cyador 19 The Mongrel Mage 20 Outcasts of Order 21 The Mage-Fire War forthcoming. He is given the standard two options permanent exile from Recluce or the dangergeld, a complex, rule-laden wanderjahr in the lands beyond Recluce with the aim of learning how the world works and what his place in it might be.
The world of Recluce is unique in that it is divided between two opposing forces, chaos and order. The people of Recluce are born with a natural affinity for one of these forces, and this affinity shapes their entire lives. Those who are aligned with chaos are often viewed as troublemakers, while those aligned with order are seen as productive members of society.
Review: The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
The Magic of Recluce (The Saga of Recluce #1) by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed from library
Formats available: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook
Genres: epic fantasy
Series: Saga of Recluce #1
Pages: 501
Published by Tor Books on May 15, 1992
Purchasing Info: Author's Website, Publisher's Website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Bookshop.org
Goodreads
Young Lerris is dissatisfied with his life and trade, and yearns to find a place in the world better suited to his skills and temperament. But in Recluce a change in circumstances means taking one of two options: permanent exile from Recluce or the dangergeld, a complex, rule-laden wanderjahr in the lands beyond Recluce, with the aim of learning how the world works and what his place in it might be. Many do not survive. Lerris chooses dangergeld. When Lerris is sent into intensive training for his quest, it soon becomes clear that he has a natural talent for magic. And he will need magic in the lands beyond, where the power of the Chaos Wizards reigns unchecked. Though it goes against all of his instincts, Lerris must learn to use his powers in an orderly way before his wanderjahr, or fall prey to Chaos.
My Review:
“The burned hand teaches best. After that, advice about fire goes to the heart.”
The above quote is from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, but it could equally apply to the way that all of Lerris’ teachers operate in The Magic of Recluce. They all want him to think for himself and learn for himself, and not expect answers to be handed to him. At the same time, it is all too easy to sympathize with his position that they all already know, and why won’t they just tell him already!
And on my hidden third hand, it is clear that while their desire for him to learn things for himself is reasonable, they don’t exactly give him the building blocks from which to start. He’s 15, he’s exiled from the only home he’s ever known, and no one has bothered to really explain why.
All that he knows is that the endless striving for absolute ORDER bores him to exasperation. And that no one can be bothered to help him make sense of it all. There are always secrets within secrets, and cryptic answers within enigmas. He doesn’t even know that his own father is a High Master of Order until long after he has left the boring, orderly paradise that is Recluce.
But speaking of order, this is also a story about order vs. chaos, and the need to maintain the balance between the two. Lerris is actually kind of right in that pure order can be boring. Recluce is the bastion of order, and seems to be needed to balance the untrammeled chaos outside its borders.
However, while in this world it seems to be easier to create evil through chaos than through order, the fact is that both order and chaos, taken to their extremes, are bad. If that sounds familiar, it is also one of the premises of the Invisible Library series and of the Shadow War that was so much a part of Babylon 5. Unchecked chaos is ultimately destructive, but unchecked order leads to tyranny. Neither is particularly good for humans.
It’s up to Lerris, in his journey of training and discovery, to figure out where he belongs on that spectrum between order and chaos. The moral and ethical dilemmas that he faces illustrate the fine lines that separate the two, and show just how easy it is to fall down what turns out to be an extremely slippery slope – in either direction.
Escape Rating A+: The Magic of Recluce was the first book published in the author’s long-running Saga of Recluce. As such, it carries the weight of the initial worldbuilding that is needed for all of its prequels and sequels. However you may feel about reading series in publication order vs. the internal chronological order, this feels like the place to start.
And I fell right into it. I didn’t so much read this book as get absorbed by it. I started one night at dinner and finished the next afternoon. All 500-plus pages later. It’s a good story that keeps twisting and turning until the very end – and, I think, beyond.
Lerris’ story is both a coming-of-age story and a coming-into-power story. At the beginning, he doesn’t know who he is or what he is. He doesn’t even know there is a who or a what to be discovered – and that’s his journey. His internal doubts and fears, his constant questioning of what his purpose is, along with all of his very human frustrations, make him a fascinating character to follow.
What he does eventually realize, after fits and starts and mistakes and catastrophes, is just how equal, opposed and opposite chaos and order are – and how necessary the one is to the other. And that both sides are more than capable of deciding that the ends justify the means.
In the end, Lerris strikes his own path – by doing the best he can with what he has and what he knows – and often by ignoring what he doesn’t – occasionally with disastrous results. But in the end, he discovers or embodies that necessary balance even if it hurts. Because the person who is usually the most wounded is himself – every single time.
His journey is the making of him, and it’s the making of an utterly marvelous story as well as a terrific beginning to a fantastic series.
In celebration of the release of Outcasts of Order, the OMG 20th book in the series, The Magic of Recluce and the following two books in the series are being re-released with new covers this fall. (The panorama view of the three covers is below, and it is gorgeous!) After falling in love with this series, I have a lot of catching up to do. And I can’t wait!
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The above quote is from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, but it could equally apply to the way that all of Lerris’ teachers operate in The Magic of Recluce. They all want him to think for himself and learn for himself, and not expect answers to be handed to him. At the same time, it is all too easy to sympathize with his position that they all already know, and why won’t they just tell him already!
The protagonist of The Magic of Recluce is a young man named Lerris, who finds himself struggling to find his place in the world and understand his own magical abilities. He believes that he is aligned with chaos, but as he embarks on a journey to discover his true potential, he begins to question this belief. Throughout the book, Lerris encounters various challenges and adventures that test his strength, intelligence, and resilience. He learns important lessons about responsibility, sacrifice, and the consequences of his actions. Along the way, he develops friendships, falls in love, and is forced to confront his own fears and insecurities. L.E. Modesitt Jr. is known for his detailed and intricate world-building, and The Magic of Recluce is no exception. The book offers a rich and immersive reading experience, with vivid descriptions of landscapes, cultures, and magical systems. Modesitt's writing style is often praised for its realism and attention to detail, which brings the world of Recluce to life. In addition to the compelling story and world-building, The Magic of Recluce also explores deeper themes such as the balance between order and chaos, the nature of power, and the importance of self-discovery. It raises thought-provoking questions about the role of individuals in society and the choices we make that shape our own destinies. Overall, The Magic of Recluce is a captivating and thought-provoking fantasy novel that has captivated readers for decades. Its richly developed world, complex characters, and exploration of deeper themes make it a must-read for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "The Magical Creatures of Recluce: Unveiling the Fantasy Menagerie"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "The Magic of Recluce" to be quite underwhelming. The story was slow-paced and lacked depth in its character development. The protagonist, Lerris, was a bland and uninteresting character, making it difficult for me to invest in his journey. The world-building also left much to be desired, as the author failed to fully immerse me in the unique fantastical world of Recluce. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star
"The Magic of Recluce" was a huge disappointment for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The writing style was dull and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I also found it difficult to connect with the characters, as they lacked depth and complexity. The magic system and world-building were poorly explained and left me feeling confused and disinterested. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Magic of Recluce," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot seemed to drag on without any significant developments. The main character, Lerris, was unrelatable and lacked personality, making it hard for me to care about his journey. The world-building was also lacking, with minimal descriptions and little explanation of the magical elements. Overall, this book failed to engage me and I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for an exciting fantasy read.