The witch garden began its journey centuries ago, in a time when magic was abundant and the supernatural world merged seamlessly with the human realm. It was said that a powerful sorceress named Morgana first conceived the idea of creating a garden exclusively for witches and other magical beings. This garden would not only serve as a place of refuge for those seeking solace and serenity, but also as a source of power and wisdom. To bring her vision to life, Morgana enlisted the help of the ancient spirits and nature itself. She performed elaborate rituals and incantations, calling upon the elements and commanding the plants and animals to cooperate. With every chant and spell, the witch garden slowly took shape, becoming a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world.
Stepping outside the series for a moment, another important note is that, while there are upwards of 20 novels in the series, no one character is the protagonist for more than three novels. As such you can chose to read a couple, and still get a full story. Actually, you can read any one novel as a standalone, although they benefit from being read together. This makes the series almost modular.
Modesitt made his impressive hardcover debut, breaking out in wide scope and grand scale with a novel in the great tradition of the war between good and evil in a wonderful fantasy world. 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.
With every chant and spell, the witch garden slowly took shape, becoming a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world. The garden was carefully designed to accommodate the unique needs of witches and magical creatures. Enchanted herbs, flowers, and trees were planted to provide healing remedies, spell ingredients, and a mystical ambiance.
The Magic of Recluce (Saga of Recluce #1) (Mass Market)
This is book number 1 in the Saga of Recluce series.
- #2: The Towers of the Sunset (Saga of Recluce #2) (Paperback): $18.99
- #3: The Magic Engineer (Saga of Recluce #3) (Paperback): $22.99
- #4: The Order War: A Novel in the Saga of Recluce (Mass Market): $9.99
- #5: The Death of Chaos (Saga of Recluce #5) (Compact Disc): $27.99
- #6: Fall of Angels (Saga of Recluce #6) (Paperback): $24.99
- #7: The Chaos Balance (Saga of Recluce #7) (Paperback): $24.99
- #8: The White Order (Saga of Recluce #8) (Compact Disc): $22.99
- #9: Colors of Chaos (Saga of Recluce #9) (Paperback): $27.99
- #10: Magi'i of Cyador (Saga of Recluce #10) (Paperback): $23.99
- #11: Scion of Cyador (Saga of Recluce #11) (Compact Disc): $27.99
- #12: Wellspring of Chaos (Saga of Recluce #12) (MP3 CD): $57.99
- #13: Ordermaster (Saga of Recluce #13) (Compact Disc): $21.49
- #14: Natural Ordermage (Saga of Recluce #14) (Paperback): $22.99
- #15: Mage-Guard of Hamor (Saga of Recluce #15) (Compact Disc): $26.99
- #16: Arms-Commander (Saga of Recluce #16) (Compact Disc): $24.99
- #17: Cyador's Heirs (Saga of Recluce #17) (Mass Market): $10.99
- #18: Recluce Tales: Stories from the World of Recluce (Saga of Recluce #18) (Compact Disc): $23.49
- #19: The Mongrel Mage (Saga of Recluce #19) (Mass Market): $9.99
- #20: Outcasts of Order (Saga of Recluce #20) (Mass Market): $9.99
- #21: The Mage-Fire War (Saga of Recluce #21) (Paperback): $23.99
- #22: Fairhaven Rising (Saga of Recluce #22) (Hardcover): $29.99
- #23: From the Forest (Saga of Recluce #23) (Hardcover): $30.99
Description
L.E. Modesitt, Jr.'s The Magic of Recluce begins his bestselling fantasy series the Saga of Recluce, which is one of the most popular in contemporary epic fantasy.
Young Lerris yearns to find a place in the world better suited to his skills and temperament. In Recluce this means taking one of two options: permanent exile from Recluce or the dangergeld, a complex, rule-laden wanderjahr in the lands beyond. Many do not survive.
Lerris chooses dangergeld.
Lerris will need magic in the lands beyond, where the power of the Chaos Wizards reigns unchecked, and he must learn to use his powers in an orderly way before his wanderjahr, or fall prey to Chaos.
Saga of Recluce
#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)
Story Collection: Recluce Tales
Other Series by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
The Imager Portfolio
The Corean Chronicles
The Spellsong Cycle
The Ghost Books
The Ecolitan Matter
About the Author
L. E. Modesitt, Jr., is the bestselling author of the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce, Corean Chronicles, and the Imager Portfolio. His science fiction includes Adiamante, the Ecolitan novels, the Forever Hero Trilogy, and Archform: Beauty. Besides a writer, Modesitt has been a U.S. Navy pilot, a director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant and staff director for a U.S. Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer. He lives in Cedar City, Utah.
Praise For…
“Extremely interesting…unique…a refreshing use of the traditional fantasy elements.” —Andre Norton
“An intriguing fantasy in a fascinating world, with characters that catch you up. Modesitt presents an interesting study of Chaos versus Order, Good versus Evil…and the attractions each of them has for all of us.” —Robert Jordan
- Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
- Fiction / Fantasy / Military
- Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
- Paperback (June 21st, 2011): $21.99
- MP3 CD (July 1st, 2013): $23.49
- Compact Disc (July 1st, 2013): $23.49
“Extremely interesting…unique…a refreshing use of the traditional fantasy elements.” —Andre Norton
Pools of shimmering water were scattered throughout the garden, offering a portal to other realms and a place for meditative reflection. As news of the witch garden spread, witches from all corners of the realm flocked to experience its power and beauty. They brought with them their vast knowledge and expertise, sharing secrets of potions, spells, and enchantments. The garden soon became a hub of magical learning and discovery, a place where witches could exchange ideas and collaborate on new endeavors. The commencement of the witch garden marked a turning point in history, forever solidifying the bond between witches and nature. It became a symbol of unity and strength, reminding witches of their inherent connection to the Earth and the infinite possibilities that lay within their grasp. Today, the witch garden stands as a testament to the power of magic and the importance of preserving the natural world. It continues to thrive, its secrets whispered through the wind and its enchantments felt by those who enter. For those who seek solace, wisdom, and a touch of the supernatural, the commencement of the witch garden is an invitation to explore the depths of their own magical potential..
Reviews for "A Witch Garden's Origins: A Blend of Folklore and Greenery"
1. Emma - 2 stars
I found "Commencement of the witch garden" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was all over the place and lacked coherence. The characters were underdeveloped and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also very choppy, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Overall, I was left feeling confused and unsatisfied after reading this book.
2. John - 1 star
I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Commencement of the witch garden." The plot was incredibly predictable and lacked any originality. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The pacing was all over the place, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. I was immensely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
While "Commencement of the witch garden" had an interesting premise, I feel like it fell short of its potential. The writing style was average at best, and the narrative felt disjointed at times. I also found some of the characters to be stereotypical and lacking depth. There were a few moments that intrigued me, but overall, I was left wanting more from this book. It had the potential to be great, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.