Scholar

The Imager Portfolio Continues

Modesitt, L.E. Jr.,  ~ Scholar ~ TOR, 2011 ~ 98 chapters, 512 pages ~ cover art by Donato Giancola, map of Lydar [Solidor] in front matter ~ Audience: teens, adults, ~ Rating: very good.

Opening:

"You'd think the Tilborans would have more sense," snapped Bhayar. "Some of them anyway.” His dark blue eyes appeared almost black in the dim light of the small study that adjoined his receiving chamber."

Publication History:

This is the fourth volume in the Imager Portfolio series. It follows Imager's Intrigue and the next volume, which is a sequel to this one, will be Princeps.

Setting:

A medieval setting with lords, autarchs, governors and princeps. Landed aristocracy play an increasingly strong role and may threaten Lord Bhayar who seems to be the equivalent of a king. Weapons include swords and bows/arrows. Unexpected magical talent will play an important role as the story develops. As always, Modesitt does an excellent job with descriptions and characterizations that make the landscape and characters clear and most believable.

Most of the story takes place in Tilbor which Telaryn, under the leadership of Lord Bhayar's father, has conquered. Unhappily, the cost of occupation has become much more than expected at a time when Telaryn is threatened by its neighbor to the West. Business, trade or economics receive some attention as they relate to political disputes. 

Plot:

Quaeryt Rytersyn has been a friend of the Lord since they went to school together when both were younger. Quaeryt is intelligent, scholarly, and has a quick analytical mind. Too, he is not afraid to argue with the Lord.

After a discussion about the troubles in Tilbor and the threats from the West, Quaeryt reluctantly agrees to go to Tilbor as a scholar ambassador where he will work with the Governor [the military commander] and the Princeps [civilian head of the government] to learn more about the situation, especially the high military costs of the occupation. The major problem seems to be that the large land-holders in the hills are unwilling to cooperate with the new government and may be encouraging partisans to attack Telaryn troops.

As a scholar, Quaeryt hopes to stay at the local Scholar's House. However, it soon becomes clear that there are major and threatening problems there so he must move to safer quarters. However, for most of the story he lives with the military on a campaign that can be both boring and then life-threatening.

Besides being an excellent scholar, Quaeryt is quick to sense trouble and dishonesty. He soon finds himself attached to a military unit and placed in a series of life-threatening situatations while he attempts to learn who might be responsible for what in growing threats to his Lord and friend.

As is common in Modesitt's work, Quaeryt finds himself in a variety of life-threatening situations where only quick, thoughtful reactions will save his life from rebels in the Hill Country.

Major Characters:

1. Quaeryt is the major character and the focus of the story. He also has a secret that is carefully hidden: he is an imager and has used his imaging powers to defend himself and kill others in the past. As the story develops, he spends notable amounts of time training himself to expand his powers, particularly shielding, while maintaining reasonable health and keeping all secret. This is a demanding challenge, especially maintaining his image as just a thoughtful scholar.

2. Vaelora, the youngest sister of Bhayar, knows Quaeryt but the relationship seems distant. However, she begins to send him thoughtful letters about the nature of ruling, government, and such as if this was a thoughtful conversation between two scholars. He is surprised and cautious since he lacks the status needed to be a serious contender for a woman who is really a princess. The correspondence adds an interesting element to the story.

3. Rescalyn is the military governor of Tilbor. He is unusually good at both tactics and strategy. His growing number of troops are busy with insurgents and are wholly loyal to his thoughtful and successful approach to combat. He takes care of his men from the privates on up. He has also been quite successful in adding native Tilboreans to his forces. Although outwardly pleasant, he is certainly suspicious of Quaeryt.

4. Straeysr is the civilian in charge of Tilbor and is responsible for tax collections, improving infrastructure and the like. He too is suspicious of Quaeryt.

There are many other characters that have important but brief roles. Developing solid, believable characters is one of the author's strengths.

The Reading Experience:

The front matter map is large and easily viewed. More detail on Tilbor where most of the story takes place would be helpful. The list of major characters is quite brief, but helpful.

Recommendation keys:

Story length: The story is of reasonable length and about the same as other stories in this series. Pages turn quickly.

Themes: Determination, training, and careful thought can develop new and needed skills that really make a difference. Good men can be a threat when their good works might lead them to over-reach.

Sex: Scholarly, government-oriented "love" letters.

Violence: Both individual and military violence. Many are killed, particularly in the military campaigns. Violence is threatening and immediate but not described too graphically..

Reading difficulty: Those comfortable with longer fantasy stories will encounter no difficulties.

Summary: Strong page-turning story with an appealing, thoughtful hero. Although almost too talented and thoughtful to be true, Quaeryt quickly captures the reader's attention.

Modesitt is a dominating presence among fantasy authors. Although best known for the Recluce series, the Imager Portfolio series is excellent and should be available in almost all heroic fantasy collections.