Shadowsinger by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

The Climax of The Spellsong Cycle Secca, foster daughter of the Soprano Sorceress, and now her successor as Sorceress Protector of Defalk, must deal carefully with her willful master and wield her power to save his kingdom from the armies, fleets and master sorcerers of the Maitre of Sturinn. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, she is forced to test her own powers over and over again, while teaching her new husband and her inexperienced apprentice the skills they will need to aid her in creating spells powerful enough to shake the foundations of the world. Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly In this fifth and final novel in the author's popular Spellsong Cycle, an immediate sequel to The Shadow Sorceress (2001), Modesitt has penned a competent but pedestrian political-military fantasy thriller. There are few surprises in a world with wonders and limitations so well defined in previous volumes, but new readers may become confused unless they pay careful attention. Occasional hints suggest that the magic inherent in such artifacts as the scrying glass may have a basis in ancient technology, though it's doubtful that after the collapse of a technological civilization people would forget so basic an invention as the stirrup. Newlywed Secca and her sorcerer husband, Alcaren, in an attempt to end the military threat to DeFalk of the Sturinnese, carry war to their opponents' own island turf. As much as anything the book describes a war of the sexes, with the female spellsongs vs. the male sorcerers' magical drumming. Secca seemingly learns the true extent of her powers when she manages to vanquish the Sturinnese. Doubts about her stamina and abilities continue to plague her, however, when she next finds herself pitted against the world's most powerful wizard, who commands both conventional and magical armies. Secca faces her greatest challenge yet in a hard-hitting climax sure to delight established fans of the series. (Feb. 28)Ghost of the White Nights (Forecasts, Sept. 17). Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Newly married to Alcaren, a political ally and fellow sorcerer, Secca, Sorceress Protector of the East, faces her greatest challenge as she attempts to thwart the invasion of the Sturrinese fleet under the command of the Sea Priests. The fifth and final novel in Modesitt's popular Spellsong Cycle features a resilient and courageous heroine whose songs contain powerful magic and whose heart refuses to flinch from difficult decisions. The author once again demonstrates a unique ability to blend large-scale storytelling with the intimate minutiae of everyday life. Recommended, along with other series titles, for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Booklist *Starred Review* In the fifth volume of the Spellsong Cycle, Secca has finished off an invasion fleet and is now the heir to Anna, the Soprano Sorceress. She and the sorcerer who saved her life during the battle with the invaders are now consorts, but they face a fearful amount of unfinished business, including civil war and the army that got safely ashore before the invading fleet sank. Secca must travel to the invaders' homeland and cause a volcano to erupt and destroy it, then return to eliminate, at great personal risk, the invading army by means of spells Anna left in the Armageddon file for just such dire situations. In a coda to these strategic movements, Secca must dispose of an increasingly inept and dangerous young ruler, thereby taking power in law as well as in fact. Supposedly, this book ends the Spellsong Cycle, though it doesn't end Secca's problems. The book shows no falling off from its predecessors in any way, but particularly in its intelligent system of magic and in addressing the questions of the responsibilities of power, which Modesitt handles as magisterially well as Lois McMaster Bujold. Like its predecessors, it merits the highest recommendation, which will surprise Spellsong devotees not at all. Roland Green Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved Review It merits the highest recommendation, which will surprise Spellsong devotees not at all. -Booklist (starred review) Modesitt's characters and settings are so well developed they become enshrined in our imaginations. It will be hard to say farewell to this magical land where music and song are the medium of spells.-Romantic Times About the Author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. lives in Cedar City, Utah. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. 1 ....................... Mansuus, Mansuur Heavy wet flakes drift past the windows of the Liedfuhr's study, each window hung with maroon velvet drawn back to reveal an early-spring snow that has already dropped more than half a yard of whiteness on the city, and on the ice that still covers the River Toksul. The man who stands before the windows, looking out, wears a sky-blue tunic with a silver chain bearing the amulet-seal of the Liedfuhr of Mansuur around his neck and a mourning band of black and maroon upon his left arm. For a moment, his hard green eyes flick to the ice-and-snow-covered river that cuts through the city, if well below and beyond the hill on which the palace rests. Then, he turns, standing beside the polished wooden desk that has graced the study for three generations, and asks, You think Neserea will fall before harvest? As matters now proceed, it is most likely, replies the trim overcaptain in the maroon uniform of the Mansuuran Lancers. There are but a few streaks of raven black amid the silver-gray of the lancer's short hair. His thin eyebrows are silvered as well, but the dark eyes are deep and intent. Despite the efforts of the Sorceress of Defalk, Aerlya and Annalyal hold but an area little more than a hundred desks around Esaria. If we dispatch the fifty companies of lancers from Unduval? Then what, Bassil? Kestrin runs his right hand through short-cropped brown hair that is already half-gray, although he will not reach his full second score of years until the turn of the following spring. Are you willing to risk all fifty companies? And to slaughter all those who do not support your sister and her daughter? Kestrin tilts his head slightly as he studies Bassil. If I must. You must. You must also avoid facing the sorcerer Lord Belmar. He is strong enough to dispatch all your lancers with his spells. Unless we can catch him in a snowstorm or the rain. Kestrin laughs. You risk much if you send your lancers into Neserea, cautions the older man. I risk more if I do not. Your seers report that the Sea-Priests are readying a fleet to sail from the Ostisles, reports Bassil. They are doubtless sailing eastward, but not to Mansuur. Bassil raises his eyebrows, but does not speak. Outside the private study of the Liedfuhr, the wind moans. The snowflakes are smaller, and falling faster, and the light dims as the clouds overhead darken, as if winter is returning to Mansuus. This Secca-Lord Robero's new Sorceress Protector of the East-she has destroyed all the Sturinnese vessels that had threatened Liedwahr. Do you think that the Maitre of Sturinn will decide to invade us while he has forces in Dumar that are threatened by the sorceress? She remains in Encora for the moment. Bassil pauses. Yet it is most likely that she will travel to Dumar and use her sorcery against the Sea-Priests there before the Maitre can reinforce them. That will not be easy for her. The Maitre can use the sea to land more sorcerers and lancers, but it will be weeks, if not longer, before the snows melt enough for Lord Robero to send reinforcements to Lady Secca. He will not send them even then, predicts Kestrin. He fears Belmar as much as the Sturinnese. Lady Secca has been successful without further aid. Lady Clayre is slowly losing in Neserea, as you have pointed out, and Aerlya and Annayal may have to flee before long. Where? Kestrin sighs. Perhaps to Nordwei. It is yet winter there. And you question that I should send lancers into Neserea? I cannot see how you could do otherwise-when you can. They cannot cross the snows of the Mittpass yet. Bassil shakes his head. If you do not dispatch them, once the snows melt, Belmar will take all of Neserea by midsummer. But...if he is as bright as he seems, he will turn to face your lancers, in order to destroy them. They must not face him. Their task is to destroy those who rebelled against Aerlya. Kerstrin's voice is hard. If he turns, then the Sorceress of Defalk may be able to strengthen Aerlya's hold on the north and east. That is possible, Bassil concedes, his voice neutral. Not likely, but possible, Kestrin replies with a grim laugh. Better that than we do nothing. The lady Secca may yet retake Dumar from the Sturinnese, but this Belmar is their tool, and even she will be hard-pressed if Neserea falls and the Sturinnese reinforcements land in Narial. Because she will be caught between him and the Sturinnese? The Liedfuhr nods slowly. Because we will then face the Sea-Priests alone. Outside the study, in the growing darkness, the moaning of the returning winter wind rises with the night. Copyright 2002 by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.