Alector’s Choice
L.E. Modesitt introduced a rich and enchanting new fantasy word, Corus, in Legacies, Darknesses, and Scepters. Now he returns to that world in the fourth book of the Corean Chronicles.
Alector's Choice takes place several thousand years before the events chronicled in the Legacies trilogy, at the time when Corus is ruled by the Talent-magic of the Duarchy. The Myrmidons of Justice command the skies riding their fearsome pteridons. All Corus seems prosperous and at peace.
As the Alector Colonel of Myrmidons, despite his limited Talent, Dainyl is the fourth-highest-ranking military officer of the Duarchy. Alectors are a race apart from the normal inhabitants of Corus, having come from another world. After the concealed murder of his immediate superior by the Marshal of Myrmidons, Dainyl is sent on an observation mission to Dramur to see how a battalion of mounted rifles handles an apparent rebellion.
Commanding one of the companies in the battalion is Captain Mykel, a young officer potentially Talented and unaware that, should he ever discover that Talent, his life if forfeit, for Mykel is not an Alector, and only Alectors are allowed to use Talent.
Both the Alector and the man are commanded by apparent incompetents, and the rebellion, which is real, spirals out of control, spurred by treachery, corruption, and greed – and aided by the reappearance of the ancient soarers, a fragile humanoid race of flying beings thought to have become extinct. Mykel and Dainyl must struggle to discover what lies behind the machinations in which they are entangled before they are destroyed by them, and neither can afford to reveal the extent of his Talent.
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L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is a name that resonates deeply in the world of science fiction and fantasy, particularly for readers who crave intricate world-building, compelling characters, and philosophical musings woven seamlessly into action-packed narratives. With a career spanning decades, Modesitt’s works explore complex themes of power, morality, and societal structure, all set against the backdrop of expansive universes where every decision ripples out with consequences.
Born in the mid-20th century, Modesitt’s early life was shaped by a love of literature, history, and the natural world. His formal education in political science and economics, coupled with his time as a writer, editor, and even a political assistant, gives his work a layer of intellectual depth rarely seen in speculative fiction. These experiences have contributed to the sharp political and ethical dilemmas that surface in his novels, particularly in his Recluce series, which explores a world governed by the struggle between order and chaos.
Corean Chronicles
The Corean Chronicles follow the fantastic adventures of reluctant hero Alucius and other Talented heroes throughout Corus' troubled history.
Corean Chronicles consists of eight books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
