Product Description

In the barely recalled beginnings of recorded history, Corus enjoyed a golden era of civilization, its united peoples rich in learning, trade and the arts. A magical calamity spread a dark age across the planet, leaving its people to crawl slowly out of ignorance and savagery. Corea now stands a divided, warring world where kingdoms fight and people live amongst supernatural beings and bizarre animals. A few rare humans have Talent, the ability to use magical powers, and are thus either cursed or blessed. Alucius is one of the most Talented of all, yet came from unremarkable beginnings. Raised on an isolated ranch, he is warned never to show his Talent lest he attract attention and be condemned to a lifetime of service. He carries this warning as he comes of age, and joins the Militia as did his father before him. However, this is no routine rite of passage. Corus enters a time of flux as his country is invaded by slave armies of the immortal ruler Madrien - and Alucius himself is captured and enslaved. A palpable sense of evil hangs over the lands and those of Talent are the only defence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #229232 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Customer Reviews

A good read
This book is the first book by L E Modesitt that I have read. A fan of fantasy novels any way and in search of a new author to occupy the time I stumbled across L E Modesitt.

I enjoyed this book enough to read it in almost one sitting. The main character, Alucius was a well written character and the problems he faced in this novel were believable and allowed the reader to sympathise with the character.

However, i felt the ending was a little weak and there were points in which i wanted to skip forward a few pages for the plot to progress a little quicker, but over all it is a good novel that has left me seeking out more of his books as well as eagerly anticipating the sequel to this novel.

Very enjoyable read
Alucius is a herder of nightsheep in the Iron Valleys. He lives with his mother and grandfather who is also a herder. His father was killed during his compulsory enlistment in the Iron Valley's militia.

This sets the scene for a wonderful adventure. Herders are men and women apart in that they have Talent with a capital T. They need this special mind power to keep their flocks safe from sandwolves on the Quarosote plains. These creatures are deadly dangerous and swift, so herders have to be crack shots too. Alucius is VERY Talenented indeed, which as with all herders, he is at pains to hide. If it became known, the traders of the Iron Valley Council would stop at nothing to claim him for their use. He would never be free of them.

When it is time for his enlistment in the militia, he puts on his nightsilk underwear (bullet proof silks that are woven from the fleece of Nightsheep) takes his horse (Wildebeast) and his rifle, and walks into history.

The above is only a very sketchy description of the beginning of this excellent book. Alucius becomes first a scout, something his grandfather advised him to try for so that he could use his talent to protect himself without being obvious about it, then later after many battles, he becomes a squad leader, a prisoner, a Maitrite soldier forced to fight for his enemy, and finally a captain of escaped prisoners bent on returning to the Iron Valleys.

Wonderful book!

Mark E. Cooper

Interesting
After following the Recluse saga and the Spellsong cycle, I was really looking forward to something new from Modesitt. I like his style, not the really exciting storylines from other authors, but precise prose that really gets the story across and gives a deep understanding of the characters. Alucius really is too good to be true, even for growing up in solitude. But this all explains his actions as a grownup captive, and shows him to be quite a strategic thinker. ( he fell in love pretty quick though!) I enjoyed this book as a change from the fast paced action and emotional upheavel that is normally fantasy. I certainly will look forward to the next book in the series.