This book is part of the Imagers series but imagers are only
peripherally involved. Modesitt's stories are character centric and
philosophically laden. He takes you
into the mind of his central character,
Charyn, and allows you to see how his decisions are made and where he is
planning of going. Charyn is the heir to
the Rex and determined to be his own person.
Lorien is the Rex and seems demanding and short sighted.
The story line includes a mistress musician who educates
Charyn in music and far more than mere coital positions. Palenya illustrates the fate that lies in
store for young, single women in a closed, male dominated society. This ironically appears to be carried through
even in the character list in the preface of the book as she doesn't even
appear to be in it. (I went over the list several times, sure I missed her
name, but apparently not.)
As many of Modesitt's books there isn't non-stop action but
there is action amidst the soul searching and philosophizing. There is the requisite foul treachery and
rule bending justice.
I look forward to the next book with the possibility of
seeing the development of a viable steam ship to provide Solidar with a more
powerful navy.
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