I am a major Modessit fan so I was thrilled to get a guest post. See my review here on November 6th 2016 or at Amazon or Goodreads.
Philosophy and Power in the Imager Portfolio
Is there a philosophical underpinning to all of my books? That
question has come up time and time again over the years, but while the
simplistic answer is “yes,” that response is more than a little misleading. All
my books wrestle with ethical and philosophical questions, but not always with
the same questions, or in the same fashion.
Certainly, the books of the Imager Portfolio explore, from
differing viewpoints, the relationship of various forms of power to both
responsibility and fame, yet that statement is overly simplistic as well,
because power exists in different forms, as does responsibility, and there’s
always the question of “responsible to whom and for what?” In Imager,
and the two succeeding books, Rhenn moves from a point where his life is
dictated by his position in society and where others determine what he can do,
when he can do it, and in what fashion to where he has great power. There are
occasions when he acts outside the law of the land because, as he sees it,
greater harm will come to others if he does not act. In one sense, he’s being
honest, because he gains nothing personally, nor do those close to him, if he
succeeds, and he stands to lose everything if he’s discovered. There is also a
case where he acts in retaliation for great harm done to his family, and he
rationalizes that act on the grounds that the individual he destroys has
already harmed others and will continue to do so, which is, in fact, true. But
despite the considerable prices Rhenn and those close to him pay, Rhenn’s acts
and success raise a troubling question. Given the limitations of any society,
is it possible to protect the innocent against the unscrupulous and those who
will stop at nothing to achieve their ends without engaging in behavior
unsanctioned or even overtly condemned by society. In Rhenn’s various
situations, that would appear to be the case, giving rise to another set of
questions. Can it be ethical to use illegal or unsanctioned means to stop a
greater evil? And, if so, where does one draw the line? If not, is it ethical
to allow evil to go unchecked because one doesn’t want to break the law or do
something immoral?
In the five Imager books featuring Quaeryt and Vaelora, beginning
with Scholar, the philosophical questions center on the use of
power by a ruler and a conqueror. Quaeryt’s abilities and skills allow him to
build a cadre of imagers who enable Lord Bhayar to unite an entire continent –
far, far from bloodlessly. Quaeryt sees what he does as the only way to keep imagers
from being persecuted and killed, as they have been throughout history and over
all the world of Terahnar. In this, he is largely successful, and he does not
do it for personal glory. He is convinced that he can only be successful if he
is NOT remembered in history. Nor does he seek wealth. But in the process of
uniting the continent, he and Bhayar slaughter more enemy troopers than have
ever been killed in a war. Then, too, there is also the “small” problem that
Bhayar himself comes from an ethnic community that has been marginalized and
denigrated in the past.
In terms of a body count, how does one balance saving a few
hundred, perhaps a few thousand imagers, against the deaths of close to 100,000
soldiers? Yet… on the other hand, can one justify allowing a fragmented
continent of five nations to fight among themselves and continue to kill and/or
enslave a minority in perpetuity if this is the only opportunity to make a
difference? But does showing that a once-despised Pharsi people can unify and rule
Solidar justify a massive war – even if it prevents the continuation of
generations of warfare?
In Madness in Solidar and the forthcoming Treachery’s
Tools, the philosophical questions again center on power, but on the
relative power of class, and the growing conflict between the aristocratic High
Holders and the rising and industrializing factors. As soon as Alastar becomes
Maitre of the Collegium Imago, he finds that the imagers are caught in the
middle of a three-way power struggle between the High Holders, the factors, and
Rex Ryen. The High Holders want their ancient privileges restored and the
factors “kept in their place.” The factors want a say in how the country is
run, while Rex Ryen, disliked by both, wants to rule like a total autocrat and
expects the imagers to support his despotism.
The High Holders are using both legal and semi-legal
stratagems to weaken the Rex and to marginalize the Collegium, while blatantly
ignoring other legal limitations on their powers. Unlike Quaeryt, his distant
and almost forgotten predecessor, Alastar does not have a strong cadre of
powerful imagers. The Collegium is weak and fragmented, and, especially at first
Alastar must resort to politicking and the skilled and hidden use of his
imaging talents, and those of his colleague and later, his wife Alyna, to
resolve the multi-faceted social and economic conflict. Some of what they do is
illegal, and unethical, at least in modern terms, as well, but they are, like
Quaeryt, trying to protect all imagers, to keep the Rex from oppressing
everyone, as well as prevent the dissolution of Solidar into High Holder
fiefdoms. And despite their efforts to minimize the carnage, they aren’t
successful. In fact, their efforts likely result in more carnage, but less
subsequent oppression and repression. To what degree, if any, does the end
justify the means? And if it doesn’t, how can Alastar and Alyna watch
everything fall apart?
In these books, I try to show the conflicts, the costs of
action and inaction, as well as how “legal” actions can be unethical in their
results, and what ramifications result from the interplay of ethics, “practical
politics,” ambition, and law. And I hope what I’ve done not only entertains,
but makes my readers think a bit more about how nothing, including ethics, even
in fiction, is as simple as it appears.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
The new novel in the New York Times bestselling Imager
Portfolio
TREACHERY’S TOOLS
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
“Modesitt again presents
a strong, engaging story. The depth of description involved is Modesitt’s
strong suit, and he does not fail to deliver in this continuation of his
popular Imager series. Attention to the specifics of military tactics and the
interesting ways Imagers could use their skills to engage in warfare are the
best bits of this novel; the engaging characters, old and new, are the close
second to that. Precise language is key to the telling of this story — well worth the hours
spent here!”
—RT
Book Reviews
“Readers who revel in action sequences
won't be disappointed … a solid, involving entry in a worthwhile, occasionally
outstanding series.”
—Kirkus Reviews
L. E.
Modesitt, Jr. has delighted and entertained fantasy and science fiction fans
for decades with his many novels and series, including the renowned Corean
Chronicles, Saga of Recluce, Spellsong Cycle, Ecolitan Matter, and most
recently the Imager Portfolio. Launched in 2009 with Imager, this New York Times
bestselling series imagines a world where magic is the literal realization of
the imagination. The latest novel, TREACHERY’S
TOOLS (A Tor Hardcover; $27.99; On-Sale: Oct. 11, 2016), picks up thirteen
years after the events of 2014’s Madness
in Solidar.
Alastar has settled into his role as the
Maitre of the Collegium. However, the rise in fortune of the merchant classes
in Solidar over the years does not sit well with the High Holders, who see the
erosion of their long-enjoyed privileges. Bad harvests and worse weather spark
acts of violence and murder. In the midst of the crisis, some High Holders call
for repeals of the Codis Legis, taking authority away from the Rex.
Once
again, Alastar must maintain a careful political balance, but he cannot avoid
the involvement of the Collegium when someone begins killing students. Trying
to protect his imagers and hold Solidar together for the good of all, Alastar
stumbles on to a plot by the High Holders involving illegal weapons,
insurrection, and conspiracy.
Modesitt’s
success may be measured not only by the number of novels he has produced, but
also by the number of fans dedicated to his stories. Known for his complex and
intriguing magical systems, Modesitt also excels at exploring the growth and
transformation of nuanced characters. New and old readers will enjoy the
thoughtful, complex adventure of TREACHERY’S
TOOLS, the latest novel in the popular Imager Portfolio.
“Madness
in Solidar is proof that the author is still at the height
of his creative
powers. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to read fantasy
novels,
Madness in Solidar is a must-read for
fans of the Imager Portfolio series.”
—Guardian Liberty Voice
"This is a book that is
an enjoyable read and provides political intrigue,
betrayal, relationship problems,
and friendship to reflect on and immerse in.”
—Deseret News
on Madness in Solidar
“With meticulously wrought characters and complex, logically developed
plotting
that towers above the fantasy norm … Modesitt once again
delivers an engrossing power
struggle negotiated by a virtuous and talented
man committed to achieving the greater good by
way of the least harm.”
—Kirkus on Madness in Solidar
L. E. MODESITT, JR., is the bestselling author of more than sixty
novels encompassing two science fiction series and three fantasy series,
including the Saga of Recluce. He lives in Cedar City, Utah. You can visit him
online at www.lemodesittjr.com.
TREACHERY’S TOOLS For
more information, please contact:
L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Desirae
Friesen, Associate Publicist
Tor Trade Hardcover T:
646-307-5411
ISBN: 9780765385406 / 0765385406 F:
212-982-2862
$27.99 | 512 pages E:
desirae.friesen@tor.com
eBook 9780765385420 W:
www.tor-forge.com
On Sale: October 11, 2016
