Ordermaster (Saga of Recluce)
Modesitt's new Recluce novel continues the adventures of Lord Kharl, erstwhile cooper of Brysta, fromWellspring of Chaos[BKL Mr 1 04]. Just settling in on the estate he received from Lord Ghrant of Austra in thanks for helping crush a rebellion, Kharl is summoned to the capital to help Ghrant deal with disloyal nobles. After another revolt is quashed, Ghrant and his lord chancellor ask Kharl to return to Nordla, his original home, as the Austran envoy, for the empire of Hamor has designs on Nordla. Kharl discovers that his consort's murderer, an heir to Nordla, is plotting with Hamor's emperor to supplant his father and rule Nordla as a Hamorian satrap. Kharl must find a way--diplomatically--to stop him. Modesitt's portrayal of a man who prefers honesty and consideration for others to expedience--even when honesty brings ill-fortune on his own head and those of others he cares for--and retains that honesty in good times and bad, is done without any authorial preaching: plot and characters speak for themselves.Frieda MurrayCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved