Colors of Chaos (Saga of Recluce)

We meet Cerryl in the first book, The White Order, this book is a continuation of his story and his rise from nothing to great power. The situations he encounters with people and politics are little different from those of any period time on Earth or his fantasy planet. I recommend reading the White Order first, then this book. I have nothing but praise for Mr. Modesitt and his ability to spin tales that capture our imaginations, cause us to consider and thoroughly entertain us. The biggest fantasy from L.E. Modesitt, Jr., to date, Colors of Chaos is the story of the White Chaos wizard Cerryl: his education in life and love and his rise to power in the magicians' guild of Fairhaven. This is the direct sequel to The White Order, which told of Cerryl's boyhood and youth, and takes place at the same time as events in Modesitt's earlier novel The Magic Engineer. Yet it stands alone, a portrayal of the growth and change of character and of the strengths and weaknesses of an age-old civilization held together by the power of magic. Cerryl, now a full mage in the White Order, must prove himself indispensable to Jeslek, the High Wizard. Whether through assassination, effective governance of occupied territory, or the fearless and clever direction of troops in battle, Cerryl faces many harrowing obstacles, not the least of which is Anya, the plotting seductress who's the real power behind the scenes of the white wizards. With his wits, his integrity, and the support of his love, the Black healer Leyladin, he must survive long enough to claim his rightful spot within the ruling hierarchy of the White Order. This is a must-read for followers of the Saga of Recluce, offering a unique, sympathetic point of view of the White Chaos wizards--the forces that throughout history have opposed the magicians of Recluce The adventures of an orphan who became a wizard in a land ruled by magic. Amid the fantastic battles and the seductive she-mages, very earthly intrigues. By the author of The White Order