The Mongrel Mage

Saga of Recluce, Book 19

By: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 24 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Saga of Recluce chronicles the history of this world with world-building detail and an ingenious and disciplined magic system. L. E. Modesitt Jr. returns to his longest and best-selling fantasy series with volume 19, The Mongrel Mage, which marks the beginning of a new story arc.

In the world of Recluce, powerful mages can wield two kinds of magic - the white of Chaos or the black of Order. Beltur, however, has talents no one dreamed of, talents not seen in hundreds of years that blend both magics.

On the run from a power-hungry white mage, Beltur is taken in by Order mages who set him on the path to discover and hone his own unique gifts and in the process find a home.

However, when the white mage he fled attempts to invade his new home, Beltur must hope his newfound power will be enough to save them all.

©2017 L .E. Modesitt Jr. (P)2017 Tantor

worst book in series!!!

if I started with this, I would have burned it. nothing like the others in series where character development and fitting into entire series makes the book more than a book but part of the cosmos of black and white magic. scared for next book to be like this one.

Okay

Great world building and magic system. Liked most of the other recluse books, but this is the worst one of the series. Shockingly bad dialogue. Audiobook performance was lackluster, exacerbating how bad the dialogue was.

Good book.

I liked the book butit felt a little unfinished. other than that perfect as always. I like the fact that I can read or listen to any of his stories without having had to read every book before and yet they all fit together.

Jars strongly with recluse series thus far

The general plot is reminiscent of the rest of the series with the exception of the author introducing a homosexual couple in this book. While this may appeal to some listeners, I think it at least fair that this review point this out for those listeners to whom it doesn’t appeal. I personally felt it departed from the entire series.

Another new and great story line

Once again Modesitt starts us on another journey that is riveting and enjoyable. It does slow down at times, but overall, it keeps the listener entertained and looking forward to the continuation of the story.

Superb as always

L. E. Modesitt is the best. Already have the next book qued up to listen to.

Awesome book

Back to the Basics with this one. Learning to control power. Adventure with realism.

Remains one of my favorite authors and rarely disappoints

Oddly monotone reading

Fairly standard Modesitt story, which I have always enjoyed. The reading got better during more exciting parts of the book, but the dialog, which isn’t particularly well done in the book, was made worse by a voice with extreme passivity and lack of emotion or inflection.

Another good one

Great performance as usual. However I think it would be an improvement if somebody would go back through and apply volume leveling to this book and all of the others. Some of the quiet scenes require you to turn the volume up to hear the words, then there's shouting!!

Maybe if the volume was louder in the quiet scenes and quieter during the loud scenes... especially in some of the previous audiobooks where he does the baby cries... So annoying.

Rehash for Recluce

Would you try another book from L. E. Modesitt Jr. and/or Kirby Heyborne?

Yes on the author; no on the narrator.

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

It was not original.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Too hysterical.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Not one of his best.

Save your credits.

I bought this as a fan of Recluce but the audio recording is awful. I wish I had listened to a sample first. I am not sure if the audio is making the book sound awful or if it is just badly written.

More of the same formula

It’s ok.

Youth. Order. Chaos. Girl. Adventure. Betrayal. New country. Learn skills. War comes. Battles. Youth saves the day. Wins girl. The end.

Same plot different names but a well told story nonetheless.

Narration is robotic and takes a bit of getting used to. Despite that he does a reasonable job of distinguishing between characters.

Good book!

Very much enjoyed, well written as always. Well performed, but it was a bit quiet.