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Imager's Challenge: The Second Book of the Imager Portfolio
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| List Price: | $27.99 |
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Product Description
Imager’s Challenge takes up immediately after the conclusion of Imager. Still recovering from injuries received in foiling the plots of the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is preparing to take up his new duties as imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L’Excelsis. No sooner has he assumed his new position than he discovers two things. First, the Commander of the Civic Patrol doesn’t want a liaison from the infamous Collegium, and soon has Rhenn patrolling the streets of the worst district in the city. Second, Rhenn receives formal notice that one of the High Holders, the father of a man Rhenn partly blinded in self-defense, has declared his intention to destroy Rhenn and his family.
Rhenn’s only allies are the family of the girl he loves, successful merchants with underworld connections. In the end, Rhenn must literally stand off against gang lords, naval marines, Tiempran terrorist priests, the most powerful High Holder in all of Solidar, and his own Collegium—and find a way to prevail without making further enemies and endangering those he loves.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #5826 in Books
- Published on: 2009-10-13
- Released on: 2009-10-13
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 464 pages
Features
- ISBN13: 9780765321268
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"* "The author's skill in portraying the humanity of characters who possess the power to destroy others with a thought adds a level of verisimilitude and immediacy rarely found in grand-scale fantasy." - Library Journal"
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Imager and Imager's Challenge are interesting and have potential.
Both Imager and Imager's Challenge are very wordy books which seem much longer than they really are. The pages are larger than the usual paperback and I'm pretty sure they somehow squeeze in more words per sentence.
It's an interesting storyline. Our hero, Rhenn, lives in an 18th century environment, and finds out relatively late in life (in his 20's) that he has Imaging abilities and is given a crash course in Imaging. Imaging is being able to make and manipulate objects with thought.
One aspect which didnt make any sense was how his supposed mentor constantly berates him for making the College look bad, but gives little practical advice on how Rhenn could try to rectify his situation. This leaves him to solve his problems on the run, having to survive a dozen or so assassination attempts, fend off one of the region's most powerful High Holders, take action against corrupt patrol officers, become acquainted with the poorer and rougher parts of the city, and sadly, lose his brother to a High Holder.
The ending was, I must say, anticlimatic to say the least, given that he solves all his problems in an explosive manner and proposes to his girlfriend. There is a lot of potential in this series, given the sheer scope of Imaging seems to be limited by an Imager's imagination. But there seems to be more intrigue than Imaging per se. His main trick is forming shields.
It will be interesting to see what the third book is like.
Another Outstanding Fantasy Novel
Modesitt has an outstanding talent to write a fantasy novel that is enjoyable in itself but also leaves you hoping for a sequel. Most of the better known, contemporary authors of fantasy novels, such as Jordan, Martin, and Goodkind, end their novels like daily segments of a TV soap opera. Apparently, that is the only way they can create reader interest in a sequel. I look forward to reading all of Modesitt's future fantasy novels.
Simply Amazing
The Imagers are what I would expect the 'Jedi' Knights were meant to be, but George Lucas failed miserably, and then some.
My first experience with L.E. Modesitt Jr. writing was with the Eternity Artifact. I was expecting a flashy space opera, instead fell in love with the political ramifications and intrigue that occurred in the book. After that book, I found the Imager's Portfolio and could not stop reading until I completed it.
This second book has yet to disappoint and for me is one of my top fantasy books. I've read the likes of J.R.R Tolkin (who hasen't) David Eddings, R.A. Salavdore, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind etc, all the popular fantasy authors from the 80's and 90's. I put this series as well written as some of these authors, and well above on some of the others. Well worth the read if you are looking for a new aspect in the world of "Political" Fantasy.
