Legacies

Corean Chronicles, Book 1

By: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrated by: Kyle McCarley

Length: 20 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Millennia ago, a magical disaster caused the fall of a great worldwide civilization, the end of a golden age. New civilizations have fought their way up from the ancient destruction and chaos, knowing little of the lost world that preceded them or the details of its fall. Corus today is a world of contending countries, of humans, but also of strange animals and supernatural creatures. It is a place of magical powers and of a few people who are talented enough to use them. Alusius, the hero of the story, is one.

©2002 L. E. Modesitt, Jr. (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Thoughtful readers will be appreciative, and the author's fans will be impressed." ( Publishers Weekly)

Legacies Corean Chronicles

Legacies: Corean Chronicles is the first book in a new series for L.E. Modesitt, Jr. I found this book enjoyable despite some repetitive themes that tend to follow Modesitt books. If you are a Modesitt fan you should understand and can expect a well written story. Kyle McCarley did a fine job with his narration as well. He was clear and used various voices for the characters. The child who is the main character at the start grows up and his voice does change over a course of time.

This is a coming of age type story of a boy named Alucius. The first 15 chapters or so we get a view of our protagonist as a child as he grows up in the Iron Valley and learns the ways of a sheep herder. We get an idea of what the magic system is from which this character seems to be very well gifted. His life is eventually turned upside down and he is called to join the army as forces threaten his homeland. There is plenty of character development and our hero will soon discover the many flaws in the world in which he inhabits.

Having recently read Imagers series I noticed that similar terms were used (for example, glass to tell time). Also, similar is the main theme of a young hero who is good natured, moral, and possessing magical abilities who must struggle through battles and be promoted through the ranks of an army. At least there is not an annoying religion in this story. The magic system, on the other hand, is very similar to imagers. There is descriptions of strings which connect people, objects, and have some importance in the fabric of the world. There are still many details to be told of the extent and history surrounding magical talents. However, we receive an acceptable ending for the meantime with some interesting characters left in play that should make some entertaining future sequels.

Same formula, different characters

Would you try another book from L. E. Modesitt, Jr. and/or Kyle McCarley?

I've tried other books by the author and they're pretty much the same as this one. Perhaps different location and character names but it's the same story line. In this book it's not even well executed.

What was most disappointing about L. E. Modesitt, Jr.’s story?

It's not a coherent telling of a story. The book is written more like a journal. there's 125 chapters of very short length that detail a short period of time and sometimes these chapters aren't really connected (especially in the first part of the story).

What didn’t you like about Kyle McCarley’s performance?

The narrator tried to give each character a distinct voice but most of them ended up sounding similar. The women sounded like men most of the time.

What character would you cut from Legacies?

The main one. With the way the book is written the main character really isn't a character, he's a plot device. There are some interesting characters who could really shine but they stay in the background.

Any additional comments?

If you've read any of the author's other books you have read this one. The main character in this book follows in the footsteps of all of the author's other main characters. The places and names might be different but the plot's pretty much the same. The only difference between the author's other works and this latest book is that there's less verbosity... which detracts fromt he story even more.

Very good series

This was a very enjoyable series. I imagine the very beginning was imagined after the initial story was written. When I reread/listen to this series it will be in chronilagicle order. Meaning book 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 4. Book 5 & 6 are the actual beginning of the Herders and South Protectors, while 1, 2, 3, 4 are the main story and ending. Good job to both Author and Narrator. I can't comment on book 7 as I don't purchase books under 20 hours unless its a long series by an excellent author that has already put out long books of 30 or more hours in that particular series. Sorry, my credits, my choices.

Great Performance and Story

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

Great story and well read. The world is interesting, heros are great characters and the story is engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alicuious. He is the main character, the strong silent type hero that gets the job done.

What about Kyle McCarley’s performance did you like?

His pronunciation and changing of tone for each character and tempo. Very well read.

No story whatsoever....

In the first twenty chapters or so we follow the protagonist while he grows up. In the rest we follow him through military life, where he serves in several armies. I started jumping chapters by chapter forty-something.Chapter sixty: somewhere in some squad. Chapter 80: somewhere different, in a different squad. Chapter 100... you get it. Every chapter is the same: some place in some squad with some squad leader and some captain, the weather which is by turns cold, windy, wet. They are going somewhere, taking roads, trails, tracks, and so. The horses that the main character rides also changes name. Other than that, nothing happens in the book.

Good book

i really liked this book. like his others but more developed. No order or chaos but a unique magic system with great character development.

Loved it!

More than met my expectations. My favorite part? When he realized he could escape that torque but bided his time anyway. The narrator was amazing! I want to hear more of his work.

Good story.

I really liked this story. Like most good books it starts out a little slow, but it progresses at a good pace. If I had to knock anything it's that it seems nobody can finish a good story in one book anymore. This is the first of six, so far, which sucks because now I have to spend the money to get the other books. Other than that a great start to what I hope will be a good series.

Great book.

A excellent book. The author seams to draw you right in to his world. I don't know how he comes up with these outstanding world's and characterz.

Disappointed

I am a big fan of L.E. Modesitt Jr but this was very very disappointing. The story itself was dull and hard to get into. It was not at all helped by the narration which was a disaster. Not sure if the book would have been helped by another narrator or not. Think it might just be beyond help. Very mediocre

start at book 4

Any additional comments?

the series is a compelling one and very enjoyable with the noted exception of book 7 but the series starts 3 quarters of the way through the timeline so if you haven't yet started listening to the series I would suggest you start at book 4-6 if you really love it then there are an additional 2 books that are also before books 1-3 in the timeline but aren't as good and are irrelevant to the rest of the series and can be missed out if you're low on credits (or patience)

Rinse and repeat

What would have made Legacies better?

Not being a virtual complete re-hash of his previous books especially the imager series. Swap 'imaging' for 'talent', 'Quaeryt' with 'Alusius', well you get the picture and you have exactly the same books even down to the get out of jail for free everytime 'invisibility shields' -yawn!!!

What could L. E. Modesitt, Jr. have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The author having a new idea for a story

Would you be willing to try another one of Kyle McCarley’s performances?

He sounds virtually identical to William Dufris who narrates the imager series so adds to the frustration of 'he just changed the names'!

What character would you cut from Legacies?

All of them

Any additional comments?

I keep trying this authors books but this is the last straw, I'm not falling for buying the same story again, and again, and again .......

Good Book

Interesting book, good combat and a likeable MC. was interesting to see Alucius's early years as it lets us get a feel for the world and situation