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Mage-Guard of Hamor (Saga of Recluce) | 
 enlarge | Author: L. E. Modesitt
Publisher: Tor Books
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $13.97
You Save: $13.98 (50%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 14486
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 624
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 2.1
ISBN: 0765319276
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780765319272
ASIN: 0765319276
Publication Date: July 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product Description
Acclaimed author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. continues his new Recluce story in Mage-Guard of Hamor, the second of two volumes set mostly on the continent of Hamor, far across the sea from Recluce, where the story began.
Rahl was a young apprentice on the island of Recluce sent to the mages training school for testing, then banished to Hamor. His education now continues under dangerous circumstances. In Hamor, his powers have increased, but so has the amount of trouble he attracts.
The whole society of Hamor is a new culture for Modesitt—and Rahl—to explore, one in which magic is a monopoly of the state. Rahl is a mage now, powerful and still just as dangerous to himself and to others. This is the story of how he gains both more knowledge and power, and more self-control.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 The tale of Rahl matures.. excellent continuation of the story. September 22, 2008
Another well-written and entertaining novel set in Modesitt's world of Recluce, this one picks up where Natural Ordermage leaves off, following Rahl as he continues to make a life for himself in Hamor. This book tracks along a very similar pattern to many of the other books in the series, both in content and in writing style. We once again have the privilege of following a young and inexperienced mage through trials and difficulties that force him to grow, learn, and reflect on his role in life. Once again, he becomes incredibly powerful and finds himself in a position to shape history. Modesitt's writing style is very distinct, being almost overly detailed and leaving much of the emotion to the reader's imagination. Very enjoyable and certainly having improved over the course of his writings, Modesitt's writing style is a major reason his books continue to be successful.
Parts of this book felt a bit repetitious to me, with Rahl and company fighting battle after battle with similar results, and the characters struggling with the same issues throughout most of the 600-something pages. One good aspect of the book is the expansion of the world Modesitt has created. We finally learn all about Hamor in this book and the previous, something that has been a long time in coming. The character of Rahl remains imperfect, generally acting rather melancholy, but growing in confidence and bearing during the course of the book. Taryl may be my favorite supporting character in the whole series. Both mysterious and undeniably likable, Taryl plays a big part in making this book enjoyable. I'm not sure if this wraps up the story of Rahl, but this book ended with a solid conclusion that doesn't demand a sequel. Modesitt did leave the option viable, however, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Very good addition to the series. Recommended. You can read these books as stand-alones, but to get the full enjoyment, start at the beginning with The Magic of Recluce (Recluce series, Book 1).
 Great Read September 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I used to read L.E. Modesitt's books and my favorite series is still the "Spellsinger Cycle", but I got tired of Recluse after the seventh or eighth book. Now I have come full circle and I loved NATURAL ORDERMAGE and MAGE-GUARD OF HAMOR. His ability to draw you into a story and keep you reading page after page is wonderful. I did not get bored. I was always looking for what happens next. This is a wonderful read and I am going to order a few of the one's I missed. My biggest peeve is long series, but he seems to have been able to solve this problem by telling the stories of numerous characters from different ages of Recluse.
Rahl is still in Hamor, but his heart is in Recluse with Deybri, although he knows he will never fit in Nylan again. He and Taryl, a former Triad, are in the middle of the fighting between the Emperor and his brother. There are traitors in their midst and Rahl is still trying to learn to use his powers as a natural Ordermage. The story moves quickly and gives you a sense of the horror of war.
The building relationships that Rahl has with Taryl and Drakeyt, the Captain of the third company, are wonderful and the growth of Rahl from a youngster with potential, but no experience, is great to watch.
Modesitt is one of the few writers who can keep you interested and entertained for 600 pages. I really enjoyed this book, it can stand alone, but I encourage you to read NATURAL ORDERMAGE first. This is one of the reasons I like his books so much, they are stand alone good. I really hate a book that leaves you hanging out there for another year. Do not miss this one.
 Been there, done that September 7, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Mage-Guard of Hamor is ok as a sequel to Natural Ordermage, but Modesitt falls into the habit of revisiting plot from pre-exisiting novels. If you haven't read any Recluce novels, it would be best to start with the Colors series and Cyador series. Mage-Guard is an ok read but a little too recycled for my taste.
Great Story September 7, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a great addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion to the natural ordermage. We'll worth the price of purchase. $20AUD dollars cheaper than nearest competitor - in Australia, as of August 2008, it would cost $50AUD to ship to me. Great keep up the wonderful service.
Great..
Fighting Against the Rebellion September 4, 2008
45 out of 49 found this review helpful
Mage-Guard of Hamor (2008) is the fifteenth fantasy novel in the Recluce Saga, following Natural Ordermage. In the previous volume, Rahl finally put together his observations within Swartheld and deduced the plot by the Jeranyi pirates. He initiated an explosion and fire to take out the pirates at the Nylan warehouses and then returned to the station looking for his captain. The undercaptain found him first and tried to kill him, but Rahl outfought the officer and left his ashes in an alley.
Rahl headed for the piers. He used the undercaptain's name to initiate countermeasures and then headed off to the Jeranyi vessels tied along the piers. He used a light shield to board one ship and arranged an explosion in a gun room. He barely survived the results.
In this novel, Rahl returns to Recluce as a junior mage-guard and envoy for the Emperor of Hamor. He is to bear witness for the events in Swartheld. He also hopes to see Deybri again.
Naturally, Taryl is the senior envoy. As a former Triad, he has the prestige and experience to head a diplomatic mission. But Rahl is the crucial person since he witnessed the whole thing and is also known to the magistrates in Nylan.
Deybri is a mage healer in Nylan. Rahl just can't get her off his mind. They manage to meet after the magistrates finish interrogating him. She still doesn't want to go to Hamor, but his presence seems to satisfy some deep feelings.
In this story, after the voyage to Nylan, Taryl and Rahl are assigned to the land forces going to Merowey to put down the rebellion. Taryl is given the rank of Mage-guard Overcommander, the equivalent of a junior Marshall. Rahl has the equivalent rank of Captain in the Imperial land forces.
Taryl and Rahl journey to Cigoerne, the Hamor capital. There Rahl meets the Emperor and his Empress and is very impressed, especially by the Empress. Rahl knows that there is some history between Taryl and the Empress, but doesn't know anything else about the relationship.
Rahl also meets the Triads and the senior commanders within the High Command. He is not greatly impressed with these personages. Only Jubyl -- the Emperor's Triad -- seems not to be overly ambitious.
The supreme commander of the Imperial expedition going to Merowey was supposed to have been Marshall Charynat, but he had an untimely and unfortunate death. Now the High Command has appointed Marshall Bryna as commander of the expedition. Rahl meets Bryna in Cigoerne and is not impressed with his competence or attitude.
In fact, none of the senior commanders in the land forces are very impressive. Apparently the sea forces are more important to Hamor and the land forces are not as attractive a career for those who want to rise to the top. Marshall Charynat had been one of the better of the land force commanders and probably had been assassinated because of his competence.
When they join the main camp in Kysha, Rahl is attached to the Third Mounted Heavy Infantry company. Rahl meets the company commander -- Captain Drakeyt -- in Kysha and grows to like him in their subsequent maneuvers. The Third company scouts ahead of the army as they travel toward Nubyat.
Overcommander Taryl imposes a difficult training schedule on Rahl. He is expected to excel in both arms and magery while others are wasting time and having fun. Rahl is still experiencing self-pity and Taryl warns him to get over it.
This tale shows Rahl growing out of his self-centered attitude and becoming more mature. Gradually he sees the faults in others and thereby realizes that he shares such faults. Part of this process is the exchange of letters between Deybri and himself. Expressing his thoughts and feelings helps him understand himself and others. Of course, Overcommander Taryl also helps him comprehend his shortcomings.
The story arrives at a satisfactory conclusion, but hopefully we will hear more about Rahl and his career. At the finale, Rahl has been exposed to the highest levels of Hamor society, but many other problems remain. He will surely undergo more difficulties as a Mage-guard of Hamor.
Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of various magics, political intrigue, and a touch of romance. For those who have not read any of the previous works, the initial volume in this series is The Magic of Recluce.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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