Sub-Majer's Challenge

Sub-Majer's Challenge is the 25th installment in L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s Recluce Saga and the third volume in Alyiakal's story arc. As you know, I wasn't happy to learn that what was originally meant to be a three-book cycle was turned into a four-book sequence because Tor Books were loath to release Alayiakal's story as three lengthy novels. I felt that such a split had a negative impact on Beltur's three-volume sequence a few years back and it sure looks as though it will be the same with Alyiakal's series.

My fear was that Overcaptain would ultimately be about half of the book the second installment was meant to be, with Sub-Majer's Challenge being the second half. It is now obvious that both novels were padded to a certain extent and trimming a number of scenes could have allowed the author and Tor Books to release Alyiakal's arc in three installments after all.

Here's the blurb:

L. E. Modesitt, Jr., New York Times bestselling fantasy author, continues his sweeping Saga of Recluce series with Sub-Majer's Challenge. The epic scope of the world, the intricate magic system, and a reluctant hero, continue the story arc that began with From the Forest and continued with Overcaptain.

Alyiakal, a sub-majer in the Mirror Lancers of Cyador, The Empire of Light, is serving the last year of his tour as commanding officer of a remote border post. Rumors hint that the Cerlynese Duke, in retaliation for Alyiakal's success in a border skirmish, is readying an even larger attack.

Against terrible odds, Alyiakal gains victory and a promotion. He takes leave only to discover his courtship of Saelora is opposed by her mother. Disappointed and reposted to the remote Pemedra Post—again—Alyiakal must navigate a rapidly developing war.

In the midst of this, when forces outnumbering his command five to one attack a small town, Alyiakal is given orders to drive out the invaders, whatever the cost.

The worldbuilding has always been one of the most interesting aspects of any new Recluce title. Each tale allows readers to discover how people and events shaped history during their lifetime. Alyiakal's story arc is the earliest series in the Recluce timeline. The action takes place more than three centuries before Magi'i of Cyador and Scion of Cyador, and more than seven centuries before Fall of Angels. In our interview last year, Modesitt stated that we'll probably never get the full story of the arrival of the First from the Rational Stars and the founding of Cyad. Which is too bad, as I'm really curious about this. Hence, I relish the few glimpses from the past that Alayiakal's tale has provided thus far. I was hoping to learn more about the Dissidents and what happened to them, but Sub-Majer's Challenge didn't shine any light on that mystery. Here's to hoping that the final volume, Last of the First, will reveal more about them.

Like its predecessor, Sub-Majer's Challenge is the immediate sequel to Overcaptain. As the title implies, it follows Alayiakal's stint as a sub-majer following his promotion and return to Pemedra Post. His romance with Saelora continues to progress and they finally get married. They have both reached a certain stage in their respective careers which allows them to tie the knot without fear of consequences. Someone from Alayiakal's past makes an unexpected return with some startling news. This was by far my favorite surprise and I'm looking forward to see how it will affect Alayiakal in the final installment. Politics are a bit more prevalent in this one, as decisions made in Cyad have repercussions that trickle down via orders from the Mirror Lancers' headquarters.

As a matter of course, Modesitt continues to explore the relationship between Order and Chaos. Being able to manipulate both Order and Chaos forces Alayiakal to test the limits of what he can do, while keeping his abilities secret. This strange dichotomy wouldn't sit well with some of his fellow soldiers, especially his superiors. The same can be said of the Magi'i, who are beginning to suspect that something is afoot. Throughout the novel, Alayiakal continues to funnel chaos energy from the sun every chance he gets. I was a bit disappointed by the fact that he uses the same tactics and strategies to dispatch enemy forces that he did in Overcaptain, which inevitably makes the action sequences in this book a bit predictable and less interesting.

Not surprisingly, like all Modesitt novels Sub-Majer's Challenge suffers from pacing issues from time to time. With the events taking place in Overcaptain meant to be the beginning and perhaps the middle of a single novel, the author's latest provides the endgame and the ending of that split book. As such, it offers some resolution and a more satisfying end than its predecessor. As expected, Alayiakal gets promoted and sent to the capital to work at the Mirror Lancers' headquarters. How he'll end up becoming Emperor remains to be seen, but I figure this means that Last of the First will be more eventful than most Recluce novels thus far.

Looking forward to see how it all ends!

The final verdict: 7.75/10

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