Imager: The First Book of the Imager Portfolio

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...

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).

I really liked the concept of the magic system, but in this book it seems like the only two thing you really see are shields and how to kill with it. I would have like to seen it go even farther, because it is such a powerful tool. The story opens very slowly, the first three hours talks about Rhenn's painting journeymanship. I almost gave up the book it was so boring. The pace never really picks, but the story does get a bit more intriguing after Rhenn learns that he is an Imager. Rhenn is modest about his ability or at least how little he understands how powerful he really is. Along the way he taught more than just his imager skills and learns to use his mind and body. Rhenn is also very good a piecing together clues using logic and deduction. The world is set in a period where steam power and guns are used. The narrator is good, but not great. While I don't enjoy this style of fantasy it was good enough I did pick up the second book. If you like this book you might enjoy "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.

Modesitt comes up with some interesting worlds. This is no exception. I'm not thrilled with the narrator. He reads the main character as petulant and many of the older men as pompous. I can certainly see how he'd get that from the writing but it is a bit hard to identify with a pouty protagonist.
I've come to expect a bit of preaching in Modesitt's books and this is no different. It's good enough but not great.

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.

This is a wonderful, well written book that provides a portrait into a clearly defined world of intrigue and magic. It was interesting and fun to listen to. I said great start because the Imager defines a character and environment that can, and hopefully will be used by Modesitt to bring to life further adventures of the young Master Imager Rhennthyl.

the book started out slow, as many have mentioned. however, i enjoyed being slowly immersed into the world this story takes place in and to the characters themselves.

once the introduction fades away and the story really takes off any amount of perseverance one puts into getting through the introduction pays off in a big way.

i am waiting very impatiently for the next installment of this tale to surface. i would highly recommend this book to any fantasy fans out there as a rare gem.

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.

This audiobook was the epitome of an "adequate" fantasy. It hold my attention just enough to ensure that I finished it, but not enough to leave any lasting impression. There were some quaint ideas in here, but not too much as to be outright original.

In addition the production was similarly "OK". The reader, while not suited to the role, made a good attempt. However I feel that he gave many of the characters a strange tone at odds with what they are saying. Again its a matter of it being "good enough".

2.5/5 across the board.

I can not wait for the next book. You also need to read Modesitt's recluse books. I wish they where on Audible to down load.