‘Fairhaven Rising is the 22nd book in the ‘Saga Of Recluce’, set in a fantasy world where magic is a matter of controlling order and chaos. White mages control chaos, which is basically energy, useful for war as they can fire blasts of power at opposing troops. Black mages control order and can form invisible shields of force, conceal themselves by making the shields impenetrable to light and bind chaos, to a degree, which is handy for healing. It’s a clever and logical system, almost Science Fiction. You don’t need to read twenty-one novels before starting ‘Fairhaven Rising’ as L.E. Modesitt writes mini-series of three or four books set at different eras in the vast saga. The three that precede this one are ‘The Mongrel Mage’, ‘Outcasts Of Order’ and ‘The Mage-Fire War’ which tell the story of Beltur and his growth from callow youth to powerful mage and leader of Fairhaven.
However, you don’t even need to read those three first because Beltur is not the protagonist here. Instead, the point of view switches to Taelya, who has been part of the cast for the previous books but only as a child with much latent power as a white mage. Now she is twenty-three years old and a guard in the road patrols that keep watch on the borders of Fairhaven, which is a town, not a country. Her best friend and fellow undercaptain is Kaeryla, Beltur’s daughter, and there’s a feminist theme here. The setting is mediaeval and a woman’s place, in most lands, is in the home. Taelya and Kaeryla meet many male chauvinists but it works to their advantage as the men underestimate them.

The story starts fifteen years after the event of ‘The Mage-Fire War’ with Fairhaven as a thriving town albeit still a part of Montgren and paying tariffs to the duchess of that land. Montgren is a small, relatively poor country surrounded by large powerful states and seems to exist independently only because none of them wants anyone else to control its trade routes. That doesn’t stop ambitious, greedy, tyrannical rulers having a go occasionally and both the Viscount of Certis and the Prefect of Gallos are threatening invasion, as is the Duke of Hydlen. The Duchess of Montgren has to make an alliance with one of these to stand any chance of keeping her country safe, but which one and will the mages of Fairhaven have any say in the matter?

No, it turns out. They just get sent off to war when the choice is made but that’s almost halfway into the story. Meanwhile, as is Modesitt’s wont, the reader gets to follow Taelya in her day-to-day life as she rides patrol, gets along with her buddies, dines with her family and trains constantly to improve her skills for the war that she knows is inevitable. Hard work and training are key parts of the Protestant work ethic with which Modesitt’s books are infused. They are the key to achievement. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Work! How do you become a super-powered mage able to fight off evildoers and defend your friends, your family and your country against bad guys? Work! How do you become a successful fantasy novelist, bash out two big fat novels every year and get them on New York Times Bestseller lists? Work! It’s not a bad philosophy.

Modesitt is no stylist but, like Isaac Asimov or Anthony Trollope, has substance instead. You won’t find witty similes or glorious metaphors in his prose but the meat of it is good, clear storytelling with solid, likeable characters and some lessons in how to live life. (Work!) Because of his background in politics and the military, he has deep-rooted knowledge of how governments function, international Realpolitik, army life and how battles are fought, with particular attention to geography. His books fall into the sub-genre of military fantasy and he’s good at it. Modesitt’s common sense is enjoyably applied to real-life politics in the blog entries on his website.

Like previous volumes, this one sags a bit in the middle. Following Taelya’s daily life is good for a while but it goes on too long and you start to pine for some serious action. As usual, when the big events begin, the reader is glad he stuck around, even though the conclusion is predictable, especially if you have read other books by Modesitt. I found the heroine a bit self-righteous and that’s an ongoing problem too but, all in all, it’s a satisfying read: comfortable, steady and the recipe as before. I guess that’s the whole point of big fantasy sagas.

Author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. (https://www.lemodesittjr.com) published the novel “Fairhaven Rising” in 2021. This is the 22 volume in his ‘Saga of Recluce’ series. Mr. Modesitt has published more than 80 novels.

I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of violence. The story continues the saga of Recluse. The primary character in this volume is White mage Taelya. Taelya is now 23 and is the adopted niece of Baltur. He was the main character in the previous three novels (The Mongrel Mage, Outcasts of Order, & The Mage-Fire War). Taelya has matured in the 16 years that elapsed since the story in the last volume. She is now an Undercaptain with the Fairhaven city guard. Under Baltur's tutelage, she has also become a skilled mage. While not yet as strong as Baltur, she is powerful and is growing stronger. She is also developing as a leader.

The Duchess of Montgren has agreed to ally with Certan. Fairhaven is part of Montgren. The agreement means that troops and mages must travel from Fairhaven. Taelya is one of the mages chosen to travel with the troops as a war mage.

The trip takes several weeks on horseback through rugged country. They join with troops supplied by Montgren, then with those of Certan. Taelya practices her magic on the long journey. She also encourages the other three Fairhaven war mages to practice as well. Baltur has given the mages a specific mission. They are to support the Montgren troops but not put themselves in danger. As is so often the case the plans for battle do not survive first contact. The Fairhaven forces must survive a military confrontation. They must also deal with deceit and treachery. Will they be able to survive to return home? If they get home will it still be standing?

I thoroughly enjoyed the 19.5+ hours I spent reading this 455-page fantasy novel. This is the fifth novel by Modesitt that I have read. I found all to be very enjoyable. I like that he has moved the focus in this novel to a new generation of mages. You have the familiarity of continuing characters but also a fresh set of characters. The story includes excitement, conflict, and battle. It also includes political intrigue and a touch of romance. I like the chosen cover art. The scene is important to the plot. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.

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Although I found the last Saga of Recluce arc to be a little dry and sluggish, the standoff in Haven and establishment of Fairhaven were high points, and the development of Taelya left me excited for Fairhaven Rising. Much to my delight, L.E. Modesitt Jr. has doubled down on the female-fronted action, pairing white mage Taelya with black mage Kaeryla in leading the charge against duplicitous rulers and misogynistic armies.

It takes a while for this, the twenty-second book of the series, to get started, but the recapping of history and reintroduction of characters makes for an easy entry for new readers. There's a lot of time invested in exploring Order and Chaos, particularly how the two of them can be paired and separated to provide mages with greater diversity, and there are some fantastic ideas for weaponizing defensive magics like containments and shields. From a world-building perspective, it makes for a fascinating read, and it really explores Taelya's role as a natural leader.

Modesitt has always played with gender roles, particularly with the female-dominated realm of Westwind, but here he makes it more personal. Taelya and Kaeryla are underestimated, dismissed, and sexualized, constantly surprising the men they come up against. Over the course of the story they prove themselves stronger and smarter, constantly upping the drama until the story becomes one of two women mages against a world of soldiers.

There are some huge implications to the story, political developments that promise to rewrite the map of Candar and bring Fairhaven into its own as a power to be reckoned with. It's not a victory that comes easy, however, with so many powers playing off one another, hiding treachery and conflicting motives behind opportunistic alliances. It's not a simple good-vs-evil story, or even a straightforward tale of conquest or rebellion, but one of shifting powers and fluid borders.

The world-building, the progression of magic, the advancement of Fairhaven and its ideals, and the leadership of Taelya all make Fairhaven Rising a fantastic addition to the saga.

It seems weird to root for the success of Fairhaven. In some ways, the white mages of Fairhaven have long been the Big Bad of the Recluce series. Not exclusively, of course - but for novels set on the continent of Candar, more often that not and especially very early in the series where Modesitt was setting how the world works - Fairhaven had the aura of opposition. Sometime in the previous novel, The Mage-Fire War I realized that the town of Haven that Beltur and company were set to restore and defend might actually become Fairhaven and that this was not the origin story I might have expected.

Fairhaven Rising is set sixteen years later, focused on Taelya, a white mage and road guard / trooper for Fairhaven. As is customary for one of Modesitt's novels, people who just want to live at peace and do things their own way are never left alone and that is the case with Fairhaven as they are pressed into a war they want no part of but are not strong enough yet to prevent.

Fairhaven Rising hits all of the familiar beats of a Modesitt novel, from the gradual build of a less tested mage into a mighty warrior to the quiet moments of cooking and learning magery to escalating battle. There are long moments of travel and "nothing" occuring - but it is those quiet moments of seeming nothing where the novel lives and shines (though the battles aren't to be sniffed at). It has been absolutely delightful to, indeed, see the rise of Fairhaven and while Modesitt has spent more time in this particular era than any other in the series, I do hope to see at least one more novel with Taelya leading Fairhaven farther into the future.

L.E.Modesitt Jr. continues the story of Recluce and the mages of Fairhaven in Fairhaven Rising. Another generation of mages, including Taelya, adopted niece of Beldur, defend Fairhaven, which is a safe haven for mages. Taelya and her cousins carry on as mage guard officers. They are sent on a mission in the interests of their ally Montgren to serve as allies of a neighbouring noble; then they are betrayed. High adventure and interesting characters in a fantasy setting. Enjoy.

Not much I could say without spoiling anything so far in the massive sage. The world is stunning and continue to expand. The characters are great and so is the story. But for me the Saga of Recluce is just about enjoying passing some time in this amazing universe and imagination of Modesitt Jr.

Younger Mages to the fore!

Modisett just keeps dishing it out. A whole new group of young mages rising in Fairhaven—Black and White. Both the daughter and niece of the original founders, Beltur, Black Mage and Head Councilor of Fairhaven and Jessyla, Black Mage, Councilor and chief healer of Fairhaven, are coming into their own, just in time. Their daughter Kaeryla  is an apprentice healer and Black Mage. Their niece Taelya, is a White Mage, and guard undercaptain. We see most of the story through Taelya’s eyes.
The Prefect of Gallos and Koralya the acting Duchess of Montgren seem to have joined forces, and ultimately Fairhaven just might be the target. The town is being tested. The very foundation of the soul of Fairhaven is once again under attack. The political deceit is convoluted. Fairhaven troops and mages are sent to support Montgren action against Hydlen. Taelya and Kaeryla are part of that cohort, that levy of troops sent. And here things become very interesting. Taelya and Kaeryla learn to work together and encourage two other less powerful mages to do the same. Order and Chaos working together. As they discover their strengths Taelya comes to understand that, “too much order in the wrong places isn’t good for whites [and] too much chaos in the wrong places isn’t good for blacks.”
In many ways it’s the same old story of greed, corruption and power and those who are different being targeted. All the tricks of magery that makes this series so fascinating are employed, and some newer variants.
Equally as absorbing is the treatment of the female mages in a male dominated military organisation.
In the consideration of moves and countermoves as battle plans are made I enjoyed seeing Taelya’s thoughtfulness being balanced by Kaeryla’s softer healer side, although neither flinches from doing what they have to.
I was alive to Modisett’s descriptive prose of the scenery. Like at Middle Pass, “ both sides of the [pass] still glistened white, albeit with a greenish-purple tinge in the last glimmers of light.” I am so seeing paintings by Canadian painter Lawrence Harris in my mind’s eye.
Once again the attention to food is a welcome addition to the rounding out of the societies depicted.
Finally, I must say I love the cover by Marc Simonetti which starkly interprets the Montgren Gorge Bridge.
Another stellar contribution to the Recluce arc.

A MacMillan-Tor Forge ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Another great Magic of Recluse book, I’ve loved this series from the beginning and Fairhaven Rising did not disappoint. This book starts up 16 years after The Mage-Fire War with Taelya being the main character of this book along with Kaeryle, Dorylt, and Arthaal the next generation from Beltur, Jessyla, Tulya and Lhadoraak. I really enjoy reading books that follow characters we already know.

Like the rest of the Magic of Recluse books you do not need to read the others before reading this one to really understand this book. Though you will get more out of this one if you’ve read the previous books with Beltur The Mongrel Mage, Outcasts of Order and The Mage-Fire War.

With this story Fairhaven just wants to be left alone, to allow Black and White mages to co-exist peacefully. But as usual the rulers around them just won’t let them, so the Fairhaven council must make the hard decision of who to support. With that decision the 4 youngest mages from Fairhaven are sent to war while the rest stay to keep Fairhaven safe.

The political intrigue between the rulers and the military leadership keeps everyone on their toes as they are working to figure out what is really the truth behind the rulers actions. Even after figuring things out it still takes work to make sure Fairhaven survives to live another day.

This makes a great story with likable characters who you see grow in their own power and in maturity.

As with the other books by L.E. Modesitt Jr I have read once I started this book I could not put it down until I finished it, they just suck me in.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this title!

L. E. Modesitt, Jr., continues to explore the early history of Fairhaven in this volume. However, the viewpoint character has moved from Beltur to Taelya. Sixteen years have passed since Fairhaven survived the Hydlen attack that cost Taelya's father his life. Taelya is now an undercaptain in the Road Guard who is tasked to go on a military expedition to Certes to prevent Montgren and Fairhaven from being attacked by all sides. However, the four "weaker" mages Fairhaven sends prove more resilient than Cretes or Gallos expected. Taelya has taken Beltur's training and advice to heart and plots their way back home in time to help end the threats to Fairhaven. But she is sure to reward treachery on the way. The ending leaves open the possibility of more in this story arc or this could just be a single volume that completes the early Fairhaven story line. Only time will tell.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!

Well, here we are, it's another new year and another new Saga of Recluce book by L.E. Modesitt, Jr and as a fan, I could not have been more excited to receive my review copy a few weeks ago. I can't help but feel that one of the signs that Modesitt is such a fantastic author is the fact that over the last 15 years I've read nearly 50 of his books and I still get ridiculously excited every time there is a new release -- Though, to be honest, I often have the same excited reaction every time I receive any new book. Fairhaven Rising by L.E. Modesitt, Jr was full of everything I've come to love and expect from a Recluce novel. There was enough action, magic, and political intrigue to keep me reading much later into the night than I should have on a work night.

I don't want to touch too much on the plot of this book for fear of spoilers, but I will say that I think part of what made me so excited to read Fairahaven Rising was the fact that I thought The Mage-Fire War was the last book we were going to get about Beltur and his allies. So I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw the title of this book. I've always found Fairhaven to be one of the more interesting cities over the course of this series. I loved the idea of a city like Fairhaven that tried to find the balance between Order and Chaos, only to be slowly pushed more and more towards Chaos by the founding of Recluce and the rise of its powerful Order mages. So I love that we get to see what it was like for this city in the very begging as it starts its rise to power and prominence. 

While I loved Beltur as a protagonist in the previous three books, I'm honestly glad to see that Fairhaven Rising shifts the focus to another character altogether. In the previous three books Taelya was a minor character just learning that she was a Chaos mage who needed training and I think Modesitt was smart to bring her to the forefront with this book. Some of my favorite books and scenes in the entire Saga of Recluce have been those that give us a deeper insight into the minds and lives of Chaos mages, so I loved that we get to see one who is still young and in training. Taelya is a fantastic character in this book and I can't wait to see what comes next for her as she continues to train and come into her own as a powerful Chaos mage. 

All in all, I thought this was a great addition to the Saga of Recluce and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for something new to read. I also think that while it does follow up on the events of the previous trilogy, it acts as a great starting off point for the series! I can't wait to see what Modesitt has in store for the Saga of Recluce in the near future!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fairhaven Rising by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Another homerun! Modesitt never fails to capture me with is writing. I would link to my reviews of his books but the number of links would be overwhelming. The Saga Of Recluce may be my favorite of his series if I had to choose. This is, I believe, number 22 in the series. Beltur, the main protagonist of the last book is now a secondary character with his deceased, closest friend’s daughter, Taelya, as the current protagonist. Once again, Fairhaven, is beset by the plots of its larger, totalitarian neighbors.
I liked the way Modesitt includes subtle criticism of societal ills, showcasing greed and the need for power by less than capable rulers.
Taelya and Kaeryla learn the strength of cooperation between diverse talents, a perfect object lesson to accept diversity. The fact that the main characters are female in a male dominated world and not, in the least, intimidated by that fact is refreshing. I love strong female protagonists!
At my age, I find myself less prone to being captivated by an author. It takes extraordinary talent to craft a book that I won’t willing put down. Modesitt has that talent.
I strongly recommend the book and the series.