Outcasts of Order by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

This will be the 31^st Modesitt I have reviewed.   I don’t doubt that I read some before I started by blog.   I have to say I am never disappointed.   This is another novel  set in the Recluce environment.   Beltur, identified as a mongrel, in the Mongrel Mage is the focus of this book.  After serving his nation, perhaps too well, in the war, Beltur finds his success and strength engender fear and jealousy in his community.   Beltur is forced to make a change.

Modesitt is a philosopher.   I don’t know that he has ever identified himself as such but his topics and musings certainly indicate that he writes far more than entertainment.   This book deals with discrimination in many forms.  Fear and a climate of intolerance provide some of the settings.   The plight of the poor and uneducated is addressed and society’s obligation to an under-represented segment of the populace is highlighted.  Sound familiar?  Picked up a newspaper recently? You know the paper version of the digital newsfeed.

If you can handle deeply intricate character studies, Modesitt is not for you.   He provides insight to the character’s motivation as well as their insecurities and fears.  

Another excellent, thought provoking book by Modesitt which I highly recommend.  

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.