"A great start to what looks like will be a tremendous series"

On a remote sheep farm in Corus, herder Alucius grows up in relative isolation as his mother and grandparents do not want the ruling bodies to use the lad's Talent. Instead he learns to hide his skills, using them only to augur any danger to his family or the sheep.

Alucius' pastoral life ends when the Militia drafts him. Not wanting to repeat what happened to his father who died fighting for the Militia, Alucius serendipitously uses his Talent to study auras in order to stay alive. However, in spite of his skill, the enemy invaders from Madrien capture him and place him bondage. Though somewhat muted in his environs, Alucius applies the Talent to survive.

The introductory novel to the latest epic fantasy from L.E. Modesitt, Jr. is a great start to what looks like will be a tremendous series. This book is not a throw away though the inviting story line provides a strong look at the cast, especially Alucius while containing weird creatures and a world that seems very mystical yet genuine. It is the global environment that makes LEGACIES a triumphant opening gamut that will send fans of the author and new readers into a frenzy for the next novel. With the Talent of Mr. Modesitt, Jr. fans will anticipate even greater insight yet filled with non-stop action and excitement as the audience explores the intricacies of the Corean Chronicles.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 11, 2002

Summary

One of the towering creators of contemporary fantasy fiction takes us to a new land of wonders. The Corean Chronicles begin with Legacies, a grand new fantasy novel in which L. E. Modesitt, Jr., author of the bestselling Recluce fantasy series and the popular Spellsong Cycle, opens the door into a marvelous new world. Millennia ago, a magical disaster caused the fall of a great worldwide civilization, the end of a golden age. New civilizations have fought their way up from the ancient destruction and chaos, knowing little of the lost world that preceded them or the details of its fall. Corus today is a world of contending countries, of humans, but also of strange animals and supernatural creatures. It is a place of magical powers, and of a few people who are talented enough to use them. Alusius, the hero of the story, is one. Although born into a successful herder family, Alusius never knew his father, who was killed in action while serving in the Militia. So he is raised on a Nightsheep ranch by his mother and grandparents, and schooled at home. As a child, he shows very strong Talent. He is warned gravely that he must never reveal this outside the home lest he spend his life in servitude to some rich and powerful person. But as he grows to young manhood, Alusius must serve in the Militia like his father before him. When his country is invaded by the slave armies of The Matrial, an immortal ruler in a nearby land, Alusius is captured and enslaved. A time of changes has come upon all of the world of Corus. If the evil surrounding The Matrial is not brought to an end, those changes will not be happy ones. Gradually, Alusius realizes that he and his Talent have a central role to play.