This was yet another interesting read from the mind of L.E. Modesitt Jr. It's as graphic and detailed as ever, with brilliant worldbuilding to flesh out the rest of the story. All that being said, I think I'm going to have to go back and reread the series before I dive back in, I've lost some of the details over the years. Still, lovely!

“Endgames” eBook was published in 2019 and was written by L.E. Modesitt Jr. (https://www.lemodesittjr.com). Mr. Modesitt has published more than 70 novels. This is the 12th novel in his “The Imager Portfolio” series.

I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in another world. The primary character is Charyn. I like the chosen cover art. He is the young ruler of the kingdom of Solidar.

Charyn is trying to save the kingdom from returning to rule by the High Holders which will leave the common folk with nothing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 18 hours I spent reading this 566-page fantasy. I have read other Modesitt novels and I have enjoyed them all. Modesitt is certainly an author I would recommend for any interested in fantasy. I wish I had read the prior 11 novels in this series, but this one reads pretty well on its own. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

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Charyn, Rex Regis, is playing for very high stakes in . He is seeking a wife, seeking to change the governance of Solidar, and seeking to keep his head. Despite treachery, despite, betrayal, and despite familial intrigue, Charyn manages to thread the needle and bring about the end of Rex Regis and usher in the age of Councilor rule. This may be the end of the Imager cycle since we started out in semi-modern times, went back to the founding of Solidar, and now witnessed the end of rule by the Rex. I enjoyed spending time with Charyn as he tries to become the ruler needed for all of Solidar.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.

Imager Portfolio draws to a fascinating conclusion!

The culminating volume in The Imager Portfolio, and the final story of a sub series of three, when Solidar was under Charyn's rule. An historical note if you like on the life of the last Rex.
Charyn continues to struggle with the personal, social and political threads that threaten the well being of Soldar. I love the thought and soul searching he displays as he brings his considerable intellect to the problem of ruling and how to change things politically for the better. His is a visionary's view for what Solidar has the potential to become if he can only break the stranglehold of the High Holders.
As he looks towards a more democratic way of being, that vision puts him at odds with many. For the traditionalists the idea of power is a seductive notion. For Charyn's it's a burden.
Charyn has survived one assassination attempt, and how to move forward and stay alive in order to bring about the changes he contemplates will be a challenge. He is like a chess master, steps ahead of others, seeing the long term consequences. Although sometimes he falters. At the same time he looks to his personal life and searches for a companion who will be his mainstay.
As always Modesitt provides us with a dense, deeply personal, and thought provoking read. Not to mention the intrigue!

A MacMillan-Tor / Forge ARC via NetGalley

I always enjoy Modesitt’s protagonists and Charyn is no exception. He has the steady good sense and even temperament that is the hallmark of many of this author’s main characters. As ever in a Modesitt book, we get a progression of everyday details alongside the ongoing drama which tends to build slowly. I don’t know anyone else who writes fantasy in quite so much detail and gets away with it. However, the question has to be with this particular offering – is there just too much detail silting up the pace?

Unfortunately, I would have to say yes. While there were still many elements that I enjoyed and I found it difficult to put this book down, I also found myself skipping the love letters that passed between two of the main characters, along with the long-winded philosophical questions they discussed. I don’t dive into a high fantasy adventure to read several pages about the nature of evil being discussed between the protagonists – I would rather it was played out within the action. However, it wasn’t a dealbreaker and at no time was I tempted to DNF the book because I still cared about the characters and I really wanted to know how it was going to work out.

I was surprised at where the story went, with real poignancy during the aftermath of the action. This is one of the aspects that Modesitt handles really well – because we are pulled into his stories by following the day to day routines of his characters, it matters when bad things happen to them. Overall though I enjoyed this one and know that the next time I have an opportunity to get hold of another Modesitt book, I will jump at it. He may not always get the balance absolutely right, but he remains one of my favourite authors.

While I obtained an arc of Endgames from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
7/10

L.E. Modesitt Jr. brings us to the Endgames for the Rex Regis Charyn in the Imager Portfolio series. Charyn knows he has to reform the council that governs Solidar with him so all groups in the country have a voice and the Rex has less authority.No one wants to change and politics is a lethal game in Solidar. With the aid of the imagers Charyn wades in. Mayhem results. A fantastic fantasy!!!! Five star. Be sure to read.

I was provided with an eARC in exchange for a fair review.

Another great installment in the Imager Portfolio, and a perfect ending to the arc. As always, lots of intrigue, action, and fabulous world building. I docked one star because it didn’t necessarily deliver anything new when compared to Modesitt’s other books; after dozens of novels that follow the same basic format, I am ready for something new and fresh from him. However, I’ve been a fan since I first read The Magic of Recluse, and I’ll continue to come back time and again.