Latest in the Imager series, following Quaeryt Rytersen and his wife Veloria into Khel to treat with the Pharsi council and then back to the middle of the southern side of the island to deal with the Autarch of Antiago. It was a lot of politics, a lot of imaging roads, and a lot of destruction of property. There were some interesting new cultural bits in Khel, including a magical test of sorts.I picked it up because I still want to know how the country was founded and how the Imagers got their school (that was introduced in the first Imager book).I recommend it to people who are hellbent on finishing this series. Here's a hint: we have at least one more book to go from here. Antiagon Fire by L.E. Modesitt, jrThis is a continuation of the Imager Portfolio. This is the 7th volume. Vaelora has a larger role in this book. As Quaeryt’s wife, she often seems to ride in the back of the bus but in this book, she often is the more influential of the couple. She and Quaeryt are tasked to bring Khel into the fold with as little fighting as possible. This task is complicated by Antiagon. Quaeryt’s seemingly inexhaustible vitality is challenged again. His philiosphic approach to the goals that Bhayar has sent him to accomplish leads to even more challenges. Modesitt does a nice job in keeping his protagonists goal centric. You are reminded that the immediate goal may not be as important as it seems in the scheme of the larger goal of providing a safe haven for scholars and imagers. Modesitt also portrays different types of governmental structure and the consequences quite well. If I still taught sociology or economics, I would be tempted to use some of these books to illustrate social and economic responses based on types of government. As I have said in previous reviews, the common thread in Modesitt’s stories is the lone soul fighting for self identity and protection of a minority in a harsh world. I highly recommend all his books.
What do You think about Antiagon Fire (2013)?
So descriptive and powerful. Sad ending (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet).
—yassmin
Modesitt has become formulaic for me, but mostly I enjoy the formula. The ending was sad, though. :(
—sushmita
Fourth portion of "Scholar." A bit of wincing, some travelling, and more killing.
—Kylie
