Scion of Cyador

The Saga of Recluce, Book 11

By: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Scion of Cyador continues the story begun in Magi'i of Cyador. Exploring the rich depths of the history of Recluce, Magi'i introduced Lorn, a talented boy born into a family of Magi'i. A fastidious student mage who lacked blind devotion, Lorn was made into a lancer officer and shipped off to the frontier.

Having survived an extended stint fighting both barbarian raiders and the giant beasts of the Accursed Forest, Lorn has proven himself to be a fine officer - perhaps too fine an officer. As his prowess has grown, so has his number of enemies and rivals. Too much success has made him a marked man. When he returns to his home, both he and his young family become targets, while all of Cyad is in upheaval over the death of the Emperor.

©2000 L.E. Modesitt (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Military buffs should enjoy the stupidity of the army's decisions, while marveling at the fantastic swath one heroic man armed with a magic mirror can cut through politics." ( Publishers Weekly)

A little slow but it was a good story.

I ztruggled with it at first but it got better towards the middle while the ending was predictable it was interesting.

Vintage Modesitt - One of his best!

Would you listen to Scion of Cyador again? Why?

I had read the first novel in this two book series years ago and for whatever reason never read the second book. Now that I've listened to the second book I'll download the first book to listen to it anew. Really a great story and thoroughly enjoyable journey.

Seemed to drag

Any additional comments?

If you liked the previous book it's more of the same. Almost to much of it. Toward the end I wasn't really paying much attention. To much fighting and political give and take till your really not sure whats left. I guess I'd call it a really messy chess game were at the end your not even sure what pieces are left on the board.

Standard Modesitt

A good story, but nothing surprising for someone familiar with Modesitt. Not a critical Recluce novel.

Second Time Around; Still Outstanding

As the author requested, I have listened to the books in the order he wrote them. Now the second play through in time line order. We shall see.

reading compliments story.

I loved how Lorn does not bow down to pressure to become what he is not. How he strives to realize his weaknesses,( personal & relating to those close to him), and strives to overcome weaknesses. Finds ways to solve problems. Loves how he grows his relationship with his sweetheart.

A ripping good read

A great great finale to the Cyador tale.. Brought tears to my eyes many times. Well done Mr Modesitt.

Great series!

I have really enjoyed these stories. Modesitt makes the story even more interesting in the way he provides viewpoints from all angles and through his use of time's passage. I've read (listened actually) them in the order of publication date so I may experience the stories as the author envisioned them, but they can be read in any order.
Heyborne is as fantastic a narrator/actor as is Modesitt Jr. is author.

Best of the series

This two book story, books ten and eleven are by far my favorite in the Recluce series. Everything from the pacing and action to it's subject matter are very polished. Both in written and audible format it really stands out.

A Hero That's Hard to Like

Lorn murders anyone whom he disapproves of. He seems to have no concept of the rule of law, and when faced with a warring neighbor, never considers that making peace is an alternative to escalation. While he does experience some remorse for his actions, he never is moved towards increasing his self-knowledge in such a way as to change his future behavior.

The first half of the book is at least full of action, even if wrong-headed action, but the second half slows down immensely, and we're presented with weeks upon weeks of family dinners and crying babies, just before a final flurry of action at the end.

The narrator has a pleasant voice while narrating, but he unwisely chose to give all of his characters some sort of foreign accept, which he proceeds to butcher. The accent is often something of a lower class British one, but shifts oddly to German and something vaguely central European. The narrator would have been better served by saving the accents for characters foreign to our primary cast of characters; making everyone foreign served no real purpose. Adding insult to injury, the emotional tone of characters was mostly flat, as if they were as bored with what they were saying as I was in listening to it.