Scepters

Corean Chronicles: 3

ISBN: 0-765-31042-2 Order from: Amazon.com

This rather lengthy concluding part of a fantasy trilogy is full of action, and brings the plot to a satisfactory conclusion, in a novel is superficial world.

Reviewed by David on July 04, 2004

Genre: Fantasy (Politics, War)

Synopsis: Alucius is a young herder of the Iron Valley. The herders are a small group of people specially attuned to the starkly beautiful and dangerous plains near the looming and unexplored Aerlean Plateau. A few years ago, Alucius skills and Talents served him in good stead as a conscript trooper, then an officer of the Iron Valleys in an increasingly war-torn world.

Now, his retirement from military on his beloved plains with his young wife is once again is interrupted as his country is pressed by magic-wielding neighbors and insurgents. Alucius is once again asked to perform miracles. But he knows that the armies he faces on the battlefield are mearly the symptoms of the true enemy—the deadly ifrits that once held his world in their grasp and are determined to do it again.

Full Review: Modesitt painted an interesting, if generally superficial world. The world with traces and memories of a golden age of soaring towers and perfect roads, flying steeds and remarkable art. Few now remember that the golden age was also the age of slavery and decay.

Now, the true masters of the golden age, and those who once opposed them, are gearing for battle again. Both sides are increasingly desperate, and the hero, and unusually his wife, are the critical players in the end game.

The magic, or rather magical techology, are rather novel. Much of the book contains politics and mundane battles. Despite the book's great length, much of the background is rather superficial, and most of surrounding characters are two-dimensional at best. Still, Alucius and his wife Wendra are appealing, and the action is fast enough to keep the reader's attention.

The ending neatly wraps up the threads, and bring a satifactory conclusion to the trilogy. The book is enjoyable, although though not deep or subtle, and the magical system is refreshingly novel.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-765-31042-2 Order from: Amazon.com