Endgames

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Overview

Endgames is the stunning final volume in L. E. Modesitt, Jr's, New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series the Imager Portfolio, and the fourth book in the story arc that began with Madness in Solidar through Treachery's Tools and Assassin's Price.

Solidar is in chaos.

Charyn, the young and untested ruler of Solidar, has survived assassination, and he struggles to gain control of a realm in the grip of social upheaval, war, and rioting. Solidar cannot be allowed to slide into social and political turmoil that will leave the High Holders with their ancient power and privilege, and the common people with nothing.

But the stakes are even higher than he realizes.

The Imager Portfolio
#1 Imager / #2 Imager’s Challenge / #3 Imager’s Intrigue / #4 Scholar / #5 Princeps / #6 Imager’s Battalion / #7 Antiagon Fire / #8 Rex Regis / #9 Madness in Solidar / #10 Treachery’s Tools / #11 Assassin’s Price / #12 Endgames

Other series by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
The Saga of Recluce
The Corean Chronicles
The Spellsong Cycle
The Ghost Books
The Ecolitan Matter

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250293657
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/28/2020
Series:	Imager Portfolio, 12 , #12
Pages:	704
Sales rank:	440,458
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is the author of several science fiction and fantasy books, including the long-running, bestselling Saga of Recluce and Imager Portfolio, as well as a number of short stories, and numerous technical and economic articles.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Endgames

Locus New & Notable Books for April 2019

“Absorbing and involving—a fully satisfying conclusion to this particular story arc.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Reading [Modesitt] is always a pleasure.”—SF Crowsnest

Praise for L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

“There is something so satisfying about picking up a novel by an author who’s consistently good at his or her craft.” —RT Book Reviews

“How satisfying it is to settle down with another long, solid novel by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.” —SF Crowsnest

“The level of detail Modesitt brings to his world-building is, as always, both uncompromising and astonishing.” —Tor.com

“Modesitt writes with skill in creating a world that is believable, and the characters are so nuanced that readers will become immersed in their lives and relationships.” —Deseret News

“Modesitt produces some of the best fantasy novels published.” —SFRevu

"The author excels in creating worlds that are believable down to the last detail and characters whose vitality expresses itself in actions that have resounding consequences.” —Library Journal


“L. E. Modesitt, Jr., has long been a pillar of the fantasy genre for well over two decades.” —Guardian Liberty Voice

From the Publisher

12/24/2018

Modesitt’s 12th Imager Portfolio fantasy novel (after Outcasts of Order) takes a mix of civil unrest, romance, and assassination attempts and manages to render them rather dull. In previous volumes, Charyn D’Rex, ruler of Solidar, lost his father to violence and survived attempts on his own life. Now the young ruler seeks to balance the interests of nobles, wealthy businesspeople, and the common folk while performing his duties, including finding a consort. The populace makes its discontent known, both in the form of the True Believers religious movement and in various acts of violence against the businesses of the wealthy. Charyn responds by deliberating over reasonable courses of action, including legislative changes. His very proper romance is conducted at balls and via lengthy correspondence. A distant naval war with the Jariolans enters the story only rarely and with little effect; there are a few attempts on his life as part of a coup, but it never feels like he is in real danger. This reads more like a treatise on good government than an exciting fantasy epic. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

2018-10-28

A low-key yet climactic visit to the world of imagers (as wizards are called here), again focusing on the tribulations of the new Rex (ruler) of Solidar, young Charyn.

An undeclared naval war drags on. Vehement protests against corrupt choristers (preachers) break out. High Holders (landowning gentry) stubbornly resist change. As an emerging middle class of factors and traders pursue profits, impoverished workers resort to arson attacks on factories and warehouses. On a personal level, Charyn must choose a wife and produce an heir, the current heir, his younger brother, Bhayrn, being an opinionated numskull unwilling to learn the business of ruling. Only the armed forces and imagers (his sister, Aloryana, is one) stand solidly behind him. Assassination attempts continue, but who is responsible, and why? Nobody wants to pay more taxes even though the Rex needs revenue for ships and civil engineering works. What Modesitt (Assassin's Price, 2017, etc.) makes of all this is part character study, part power struggle, part social engineering, and part intrigue, as Charyn exercises enormous patience coupled with a reluctance to impose decisions—he willingly listens to all points of view, urges opposing groups to work together, and probes for root causes while seeming to accomplish little. Although few readers would claim to possess comparable virtues—this is a fantasy, after all—there's never a doubt where our sympathies lie. In less capable hands the unfolding drama might have turned out merely dull and didactic, but Modesitt cranks up considerable narrative tension even as the tone remains cool and calm. Some, however, may find the lack of visceral action or wizardry disappointing.

Absorbing and involving—a fully satisfying conclusion to this particular story arc.

Kirkus Reviews