I was worried about the ending of this book because it suddenly picked up the pace really quickly but I was pleasantly surprised!I picked up this book at my local bookstore and I'm definitely happy that I did. I loved it. I loved being immersed into a world where the author did a fantastic job developing the politics, the religion and the feel of another world. I wanted to finish it as soon I could but at the same time I didn't want it to finish. This is my first time reading anything from this author and needless to say, this won't be the last! In the first through third books of the Imager Portfolio, we follow Rehnn as he climbs the ladder of Imagisle. In the fourth book however, we are introduced to an entirely new character. Quaeryt is a scholar and closeted imager who is in the service of Lord Bhayar, the young ruler of Telaryn (old kingdom/state in Solidar). He is sent to a newly conquered region to get a feel for the locals and proceeds to stir up intrigue and plots wherever he goes (fairly typical for an Imager, am I right?). While the action seems to hit the story quicker than the earlier novels, the relatability to Quaeryt's character is much less than it was for Rehnn. Where Rehnn was struggling with a number of issues in his life, Quaeryt has been set on his path and is fulfilling an obligation to his ruler. Though a number of things go wrong for him, Quaeryt is too savvy to be an truly sympathetic character. While there is an element of mystery, it was much easier to fit into the idea that he will definitely figure it out, because that is what he needs to do. When Rhenn gets emotional,there is a direct response to that emotion in the reader. With Quaeryt, even in difficult situations it is hard to feel as much for him because, again, you know that he will get through this. With Rehnn, you never knew if he was going to fail in order to learn a lesson or succeed. Overall, the story is tight but at times almost feels more like a history lesson ('blank' goes to 'blank' and does 'blank') than a continuation or addition to an already established series. While it does a good job highlighting the difficulties of being an imager in "the old days", Quaeryt himself is rather well off throughout most of the novel and doesn't suffer much persecution. Final thoughts: Another good story and a solid start to a continuation of the Imager Portfolio but doesn't quite connect to you the same way as Rehnn in original three books.
What do You think about Scholar (2011)?
I love this world. Modesitt seems to get the Military relationships he writes about.
—tori
I'm enjoying this series. Very interested to see where it goes next.
—Kevin
Different, a lot more subtleties in this one.
—angelica
I am so lucky. I get to review this book.
—Rebecca
