Imager

The First Book of the Imager Portfolio

By: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Although Rhennthyl is the son of a leading wool merchant in L'Excelsis, the capital of Solidar, the most powerful nation on Terahnar, he has spent years becoming a journeyman artist and is skilled and diligent enough to be considered for the status of master artisan - in another two years.

Then, in a single moment, his entire life is transformed when his master patron is killed in a flash fire and Rhenn discovers he is an imager - one of the few in the entire world of Terahnar who can visualize things and make them real.

Rhenn is forced to leave his family and join the Collegium of Imagisle. Because of their abilities (they can do accidental magic even while asleep), and because they are both feared and vulnerable, imagers must live separately from the rest of society.

In this new life, Rhenn discovers that all too many of the "truths" he knew were nothing of the sort. Every day brings a new threat to his life. He makes a powerful enemy while righting a wrong, and he begins to learn to do magic in secret.

Imager is the innovative and enchanting opening of an involving new fantasy story.

©2009 L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (P)2009 Tantor

Starts slow but keeps a steady pace - well written

I read three of LEMJr’s series 20 years ago and put life on hold as I devoured them. It was therefore a joy to see series I hadn’t read available on Audible.

This is a classic series for the author, starts slowly with building the scene, the world, magic and other quirks, the MC or MC’s and the social strata around them.
He builds such a detailed and intelligent story without becoming dry and boring. It can be a difficult edge to navigate but he manages it with aplomb and without leaning on dated tropes to move the story along.
I might wish his worlds were not so heavily male-centric / dominated, but the female characters get just as much thought and attention as the male characters and feel as important as the male characters to the story. They’re just not allowed to do much outside of their male relatives sphere of influence and sometimes I get the feeling the author must be born before WW1… just googled it, he was born in 1943, so not quite ;) What I can say though, is that he shows respect to people of both genders in his stories. Bear in mind that this was written before the QT was added to the rainbow.

The narrator portrays the characters beautifully and adds to the experience. A good choice for the book.

I can absolutely recommend this series, and if it goes as well as the other series I’ve read, it will be a time well spent.
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I have/will ;)

I didn't love it

Agree with some of the other reviewers that the beginning is VERY slow. Also, the script of the protagonist's father, teachers and mentors is so patronizing, coupled with the narrators tone of the characters, makes it difficult to stay engaged. Feels like being in Catholic school (no offense intended!). Yes it gets better as it goes but not that great really. Rather flat. I think I'll stop here and look at some other series I've had my eye on. Perhaps I'll come back to it later...

The first in a series of - 5 Stars

A book that pulls you into a new world. I just completed the first three books, and rate all 5 stars, and I rarely give 5 stars. The story line kept pulling me in. I would think I would stop at the next chapter, but I want to hear more and more. Modesitt does a great job developing the characters and the story. A must read (listen).

Great fantasy from Modesit

This is a book that I really enjoyed. The characters come to life as the book progresses and the plot(s) develope. I have also read and enjoyed the "Recluse" series in print. Please Audible, get the "Recluse" series.

Good story

I LOVE Modessit's other books and was a bit hesitant on this one, but I was pleasantly surprized that I enjoyed this and the other 2 Imager books. Narration was good and he grew on me.
worth your money or your credit.

Great World and interesting.

Would you consider the audio edition of Imager to be better than the print version?

L E Modesitt himself admits if you want action on every page he is not the author for you. The beginning of the first book takes for ever to get to any of the "good stuff" But the Characters are very well developed and the world is great. A very different and unique approach to a world that has magic in it. If you have patience this gets very entertaining. The second and third books are more "action packed" But the politics towards the end gets a bit drawn out. That is just how Modessitt is however. He likes deep rich worlds and it is not just about power and zaping things with spells. William Dufris reads it well but like others have said. Most of the others talk to the hero in a condescending tone. This makes sense in the beginning when hes just finding out and learning whats going on. But the tone seems to carry thru even when he evolves.

Very good!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As always L.E.Modesitt Jr. writes an interesting plot. The politics are very intriguing. Keeps you on your toes all the time.

What did you like best about this story?

The courage of the hero. His handling of problems and the heartaches and troubles his family and loved ones faced were truly terrible indeed.

What about William Dufris’s performance did you like?

William Dufri's performance was very good indeed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When his brother was killed, that was sad. I also like his growing romance.

Any additional comments?

I like the first book so much that I purchased books two and three. Very worth reading.

Imager: A stunning new world to explore

Once again L.E. Modesitt has produced a world of magic that is stunning to behold. The Imager Portfolio of which "Imager" is the first book, is set in a world in which the principle magic is "imaging", a power that allows those with the gift, to bring images from their mind into reality. But of course all magic has a price.

Imager begins in the city of L'Excelsis on the continent of Solidar on the world of Terahnar. Solidar is the only place in Terahnar where the Imagers are free to live without constant persecution as they provide vital services to the governing body of Solidar.
It is into this world of political intrigue, war, fighting Factoridges, vengeful High Holders and scheming artisans that Rhennthyl, former journeyman portraiturist and newly found Imager must walk. Rhennthyl must navigate the new world of the Collegium Imago and learn his skills fast before his lack of skills get him killed.

The Imager Portfolio is a fascinating series that encompasses a world where the main characters deal with playing the proverbial "Great Game". From assassinations to acts of subversive intrigue the Imager Portfolio is certain to keep the listener interested. This book would be recommended for upper age teens and adults and is a fantastic and gripping read or listen.

Great idea, superbly executed

I suffered through six books of another beloved fantasy series before giving up and starting the Imager series. The writing of the other series was poor, with the behavior of the characters often being seriously implausible. It was so refreshing to listen to Modesitt weave this tail. The characters acted quite reasonable and were entirely believable within the context of the world and story. This is not a point I typically make in my Audible reviews but after finishing the other "world renowned" series, it is foremost in my mind.

The Imager concept is intriguing. The author creates imaging as believable magic that connects it to the realities of the physical world. Modesitt creates a neat world and society where imagers may exist and thrive and he expertly brings the reader/listener up to speed on both imaging and the world. The pacing is good with enough happening in every chapter to keep your interest. Each of the first three books end at an appropriate point, bringing the story to proper conclusion, while leaving you wanting more.

The only substantive criticism I have is that the world seems a little too neat and the main character maybe just a little too perfect. And yet, I could see how the grit could come through if it were made into an Amazon Prime or Netflix series. And the excellence and virtue of the main character is part of the attraction. Thinking of my own imperfections, I thought that no one can be this good. But all you need is one to make the story.

I really enjoyed the story and very much appreciated the uniqueness of the imager "talent". Highly recommended.

Imager kicks off a solid fantasy series.

The first 3 books of the Imager Portfolio follow the character of Rhennthyl as he grows from an innocent youth to a powerful Imager. L. E. Modesitt allows the reader to grow in their knowledge of Imaging and all of the politics around it just as Rhennthyl does. The benefits and dangers of Imaging are explained in detail and one can see why many social and political structures related to this powerful class of people would have evolved in such a world.

Terahnar is a rich complex place and more than just the "magic" that exists there. I found the economic structure and religous mythos to also be intruiging. L. E. Modesitt can take his detailed explanations of minutia a bit far at times and he does have a tendancy to focus on the various culinary dishes in detail. For me, that level of detail just made Terahnar seem more like a real world.

I enjoyed the first 3 books of the Imager Portfolio (the ones that follow Rhennthyl) and each one left me wanting more. I definitely recommend going at least that far into the series. I was disappointed when the 4th book did not continue on the same path as the first 3. The 4th book goes back into history a bit and I did not find the new main character to be interesting at all.

William Dufris does an excellent job on the narration.