Imager's Challenge

By: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrated by: William Dufris

Imager's Challenge takes up immediately after the conclusion of Imager. Still recovering from injuries received in foiling the plots of the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is preparing to take up his new duties as imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L'Excelsis. No sooner has he assumed his new position than he discovers two things. First, the commander of the Civic Patrol doesn't want a liaison from the infamous Collegium and soon has Rhenn patrolling the streets of the worst district in the city. Second, Rhenn receives formal notice that one of the High Holders, the father of a man Rhenn partly blinded in self-defense, has declared his intention to destroy Rhenn and his family. Rhenn's only allies are the family of the girl he loves, successful merchants with underworld connections. In the end, Rhenn must stand off against gang lords, naval marines, Tiempran terrorist priests, the most powerful High Holder in all of Solidar, and his own Collegium---and find a way to prevail without making further enemies and endangering those he loves.©2009 L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (P)2009 Tantor

A good 2nd installation

I had problems putting the book down, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found myself thinking about it when I was working and looking forward to the commute so I could listen.
There were a couple of times when I had difficulties remembering who was who or follow the logic, but the author brought it all back neatly together with a bow down the line.
I gave it 5 stars as I feel anything else would be unfair.

excellent

enjoyed the fist two books looking forward to the next. Narrator was very good and kept me engaged with the story.

great second book

This was a great middle book in a series. it advanced the story, built the plot and showed progress to the story. it wasn't the normal second book that leaves one feeling that it was written to just to set up the end of the story.

interesting concepts

I really enjoyed this book, the second in the Imager's series from L.E. Modesitt. I have been eagerly awaiting it since I picked up the first book on audible. This series is deeper than some, with a slower moving plot as it explores more intellectual and strategic themes, but it has plenty of action to keep you moving forward. And William Dufris is an excellent narrator. Can't wait for the next book.

Slow to start

Story takes a while to develop but that’s not a bad thing if you have the patience to see it through.

Love it

Best author ever. Every book in every series is just fantastic and believe me I have read them all

Imagers Challenge

The hero of the first book goes on to really surprise the reader as his gifts continue to grow. I won't spoil it for you guys though. So read enjoy this author is the best.

Overcomes its own flaws

Renthyl, an unusually strong imager, is getting an unusually challenging training. Forced by his superiors to avoid making normal people frightened of imagers, Renthyl is fed up with defending himself and not retaliating. He is stationed in the police corps, where he is ordered to observe and no police officer is required to take orders from him. That should curb Renthyl's tendency to handle things his own way.

As it works out, Renthyl has enemies to handle both in the neighborhoods of down-and-outers where he patrols, and in the police corps itself. Once he has learned just what hazards to image to stop his attackers and he has those enemies under control, Renthyl has no choice but to tackle (dramatically, as it turns out) the aristocrat who wants to destroy him and his family. By the end, the College of Imagers has to rethink its self-defensive policies.

William Dufris wouldn't be my first choice as a reader. He can convincingly manipulate his voice into different characters, but he has chosen to give Renthyl a superior drawl. The disadvantage of listening to these books instead of reading them is that you can't skip over the incessant menu descriptions, which are obviously Modesitt riding his hobbyhorse. Fortunately the story as a whole is an excellent one.

Interesting alternative reality

Modesitt has such talent in creating highly detailed alternative worlds and this is a fine example. I would not call this series action adventure, some might even call it slow, but I enjoyed learning more about the characters and the details about the world they inhabit. In this installment Modesitt delves further into the religion and politics of this world which is interesting and even thought provoking. The narration matches the content; not overly exciting but credible. I look forward to future installments in the Imager Portfolio.

Enjoyable

I liked the first and got the 2nd book right away. I like a series so I don't have to learn new characters over again. I was not dissapointed with this series. Good story, good narration. Modesitt shares an interesting world of politics and intrigue.