Global InformationThe Saga of Recluce information
 First edition of the series | |
| Author | L. E. Modesitt Jr. |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Darrell K. Sweet |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | High fantasy |
| Published | 1991–present |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) audiobook |
The Saga of Recluce is a series of fantasy novels written by L. E. Modesitt Jr. The initial novel in the series, The Magic of Recluce, was published in 1991. The series is still in publication with the latest novel published in November 2023.[1] In 2015 Modesitt stated that the 20 novels in the Recluce series had sold nearly three million copies.[2]
The 22 books of the series describe the changing, often confrontational, relationship between the descendants of two technologically advanced cultures, representatives of whom have been marooned on a sparsely inhabited world and regressed to the level of the existing inhabitants' primitive technology. Themes of gender stereotyping, sexism, ageism, racism, ethics, economics, environmentalism and politics are explored in the course of the series, which examines the world through the eyes of its protagonists.
The series is published outside of internal chronological order. The first book published in the series occurs near the end of the overall story, with subsequent books jumping further into the past to expand on elements of history. The author recommends reading the books in publication order. As of the most recent novel, From the Forest, the saga covers 10 different time periods and 12 major story lines. The stories demonstrate the progression of real-life events into myth and legend over the progression of centuries, as the characters in one book will be known as heroes or mythical figures in other, chronologically later books. Additionally, certain characters appear in multiple books, the protagonists in one novel, appearing as a supporting characters in others.
Within the Recluce universe, all matter has inherent properties called "order" and "chaos". Magic manifests as a person's ability to manipulate these properties through thought. The feats which are feasible depend on the user's (genetically limited) potential, on developing those abilities, and on the laws that govern the interaction and balance between the two forces in nature. Generally, those who manipulate order are called (black) mages. Those who manipulate chaos are called (white) wizards. Rare individuals (grays) can manipulate both. There are personal costs to using magic, both immediate and long term.
- ^ Modesitt, L.E. "Bibliography". lemodesittjr.com. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ Modesitt Jr., L. E. (21 April 2015). "Perspective on the Hugos". lemodesittjr.com. Retrieved 21 April 2015.