For today’s guest post, I’m very proud and happy to welcome L.E. Modesitt Jr., the author of over 60 (!) fantasy and science fiction novels, including his bestselling Saga of Recluce. I’ve been a life-long fan of Mr. Modesitt – as a matter of fact, I believe I have read more novels by him than any other author with the exception of Terry Pratchett and, possibly, C.J. Cherryh.
The latest Recluce novel, Cyador’s Heirs, is out today from Tor:
Decades after the fall of Cyador, its survivors have reestablished themselves in Cigoerne, a fertile country coveted by hostile neighbors in less hospitable lands. Young Lerial, the second son of Duke Kiedron, lives in the shadow of his older brother Lephi, the heir to their father’s realm. Lerial’s future seems preordained: He will one day command his brother’s forces in defense of Cigoerne, serving at his older sibling’s pleasure, and no more.
But when Lerial is sent abroad to be fostered by Major Altyrn to learn the skills and wisdom he will need to fulfill his future duties, he begins a journey into a much larger world that brings out his true potential. Lerial has talents that few, as yet, suspect: He is one of those rare beings who can harness both Order and Chaos, the competing natural forces that shape the world and define the magic that exists within it. And as war finally engulfs the fringes of Cigoerne, Lerial’s growing mastery of Order and Chaos is tested to its limits, and his own.
To celebrate the release of the seventeenth Recluce novel, Cyador’s Heirs, here’s a guest post by Mr. Modesitt about the challenges and benefits of long series – a topic he is certainly an expert on!
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It’s 2029, and things aren’t looking good for the human race. Ever since the alien race known as the Luyten invaded Earth a few years ago, humanity has been fighting a losing war. Billions of people have died. The scattered survivors try to fight back, but their efforts are doomed from the start because the Luyten are telepathic: they always know when, where and how the next attack will happen. They use their electrocution and heating weapons with ruthless, impassive efficiency. The giant, starfish-shaped mind-readers appear to be an unstoppable foe.
Far Beyond Reality 