Darksong Rising
L. E. Modesitt has gathered a large devoted following with his bestselling Recluce novels, which have more than a million copies in print. With the Spellsong Cycle he has broadened that following, creating a compelling, innovative fantasy world where music is magic.
In The Soprano Sorceress, Anna Marshall wished she could be anywhere but Iowa, wished she could be anything but a singer and music teacher – and found herself pulled from Iowa to the world of Erde, a world where song is magic. And Anna's musical ability gave her the potential to be an enormously powerful sorceress. For the first time, Anna was in complete control of her own life – and she made the most of it. With her musical talent and training, her common sense, and her integrity, Anna became a magician and saved the kingdom of Defalk from invasion, and within six months she became its regent.
In The Spellsong War, Anna faced the harsh reality of rebuilding Defalk, ravaged by years of drought and war. But she was not given enough time: knowing Defalk's weakened state, its southern neighbors invaded. In the realpolitik atmosphere on Erde, Anna needed to demonstrate that she would not allow Defalk's greedy neighbors to seize the kingdom. And since the male rulers of most of Erde were still convinced that women were weak, her demonstration was doubly strong.
Now in Darksong Rising, Anna faces enemies both foreign and domestic: men who would destroy her and claim Defalk for their own. To the East, Bertmynn, Lord of Dolov, seeks to gain control of all of Ebra by crushing the revolt of the FreeWomen of Elahwa, in order to bring the fill might of all of Ebra against Defalk. To the West, Rabyn, the Prophet of Music and the ruler of Neserea, waits for the first opportunity to invade Defalk with a force of lancers that outnumbers Anna's ten to one. And at home, Anna must decide whether to support the ascension of a conniving lord – rightful heir to the throne by birth, but potentially devastating for his subjects – or face civil war. The solutions to all these problems are magical, but not easy, not even for the mighty Anna, who has learned that magic has a high cost, and ruling means winning over and over, day by day.
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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.
