Book Review: Imager’s Battalion (Imager Portfolio #6) by L. E. Modesitt Jr.
(Three Stars)
“I want a land where Pharsi, scholars, and imagers can be what they will, under the same laws as everyone else.” “You are either mad … or a lost one.” “Is there any difference?”
A fun story, well-told, but lots of repetition–and war. One continuous series of battles with the climax mirroring that of the previous volume. Every skirmish and every staff meeting, not to mention the bureaucratic in-fighting, related in excruciating detail.
“He doesn’t forget, Quaeryt.” Neither do I. Ever.
Book of Rholan has become Modesitt’s philosophic hand puppet. Much of that philosophy–in fact the basic plot–is foreshadowed in the first three books of this series, which occur hundreds of years after this book.
Editing quirks: “In less than a fraction of a quint …” Twice. “Rain began to come down.” What else? Dozens of blotting head and adjusting brim cap.
“It’s hard not to think about the consequences when you’re the one who causes the deaths of so many.”
As a Matter of Fancy 