Kirkus Review
Tenth (Madness in Solidar, 2015, etc.)nbsp;nbsp;in the Imager series: think an early modern France where magic, or imaging, requires precise visualization of technique and result. We pick up the previous timeline 13 years later.Once again, storm clouds gather over LExcelsis. The aristocratic High Holders, suffering financially from poor harvests and sons who run up gambling debts theyre unable to pay and resentful of a rising merchant class, demand that Rex Lorien reduce their taxes and repeal the Codis Legis, an agreement that sharply limits their authority and, they complain, infringes their ancient privileges. Lorien, typically, deals with the problem by ignoring it. Violent incidents involving the sons of aristocrats and merchantsincluding an abduction and possible murdergo largely unremarked, but when somebody starts to kill student imagers, Alastar, Maitre of Solidar's Collegium of Imagers, must intervene. He finds the increasingly wealthy factors (merchants) in no mood to cooperate with the Holders or make concessions. Unidentified civilians secretly ordered a batch of rifles powerful enough to penetratenbsp;imager shields. Certain Holders are building private armies. Too many key army officers are sons of Holders. And one of Alastars most powerful imagers may have turned renegade. All this isnt too different from the previous book, just substitute a weak, indecisive Rex for an angry, intemperate one. Again, conversations are mostly didactic and, even between husband and wife in their most intimate moments, oddly formal. Still, readers who revel in action sequences wont be disappointed. And, more intriguingly, Modesitt gives us a hero aware of growing older and conscious of his physical limitations. Breaks little new ground, but a solid, involving entry in a worthwhile, occasionally outstanding series. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In the tenth novel in the Imager Portfolio series, which takes place 13 years after events in the previous book (Madness in Solidar, 2015), Alastar, the Maitre of the Collegium, is now married, with a daughter. He is still advising the Rex on how to run the kingdom, but he must outwardly maintain a neutral political stance, showing no favoritism to either the High Holders or the rising merchant classes in Solidar. A year of poor harvests and bad weather has led some underhanded group to commit acts of violence and murder. When the violence begins to affect the Collegium, Alastar once again finds himself needing to solve the whodunit while protecting his students and not offending either the High Holders or the merchants. Modesitt has managed yet again to write a detailed, intricate tale that draws the reader into the world of Solidar from simple beginning to satisfying ending. Readers of this series will enjoy this latest installment of the Imager Portfolio.--Gerber, Rebecca Copyright 2016 Booklist
Library Journal Review
It has been 13 years since the events of Madness in Solidar, and Alastar is now Maitre of the Collegium. Yet class issues and climate problems lead to heated tempers then violence and murder. When someone targets his students, Alastar must tread a fine political line and unravel the conspiracy that holds all of Solidar hostage.-KC © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
