The Spellsong War
With The Soprano Sorceress L. E.Modesitt, Jr., started The Spellsong Cycle, an innovative and compelling new fantasy series set in the world of Erde, where music and song govern magic. Modesitt is already well-known for his Recluce fantasy novels, of which nearly a million copies are in print. The sequel to The Soprano Sorceress, The Spellsong War, will thrill readers of Modesitt's Recluce novels as well as those new to his worlds of magic.
Anna Marshall wished she could be anywhere but Ames, Iowa, and anything but a singer and music instructor at Iowa State University. She made her wish at exactly the wrong time and found herself pulled from Iowa to the very different world of Erde. On Erde, song is magic, and Anna's musical ability makes her an enormously powerful sorceress — potentially. Life on Erde is harsh compared to Ames, but at least it's not boring. On Erde, Anna is in charge of her life for the first time — and she's making the most of it. With her unique power, her common sense, and her integrity, Anna saved the kingdom of Defalk from invasion and in six months became its regent.
After years of war and drought Defalk is hardly able to defend itself, and Anna must turn her efforts to rebuilding the kingdom before another neighbor tries to conquer it. But she may have no time: Defalk's southern neighbor is already encroaching on the border. In the realpolitik atmosphere of Erde, Anna will have to teach a harsh lesson to demonstrate that she will not allow Defalk's greedy neighbors to nibble her country to death. And since the sexist rulers of most of the neighboring kingdoms are still convinced that women are weak, Anna may have to make the lesson she teaches doubly harsh.
Rising to power in Defalk may have been the easy part; now Anna will need all her skill and intelligence merely to hold on to what she's managed to accomplish sofar.
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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.
The Spellsong Cycle
The Spellsong Cycle consists of five books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
