Dust Jacket

I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun read, fast paced, and had some memorable characters. This is the first book I've read in the series and I like the fact you can pick any book in the series up and enjoy it on it's own. ( )

It’s important to keep key milestones straight as you read the Recluce series. The order in which the series has been written and published does not match the chronological order of events throughout the series.

It was in The Fall of Angels where we were introduced to the characters of Nylan and Ryba. Chronologically, Arms-Commander takes place after The Chaos Balance in which Nylan leaves Westwind. (The book states Nylan has been gone for 10 years.) Recluce has not yet been established as Creslin (the first Black or Order Mage) is the grandson of Nylan.

In this installment, Saryn, an “Angel” and the Arms-Commander of Westwind is sent by Ryba to assist the Regent of Lornth. The land holders no longer want to be under a woman’s rule as Zeldyan is acting as Overlord until her son reaches majority. Through a series of conflicts and battles, Saryn tries to enforce the idea that a woman can rule as ably as a man with the intent to secure the Regency. Stabilizing Lornth would help protect Westwind from future confrontations as well. The final outcome is completely unexpected- except to Ryba.

The two volumes prior to Arms-Commander focused on a weak and whiny character and it was refreshing to have a lead that was confident, able and insightful. After having read a number of Modesitt’s novels, it finally struck me that most of his female characters can be described in this way while many of the males are flawed at best. This novel was openly anti-misogynistic and the topics of spousal abuse, property ownership and women’s role in government were all central to this particular story line.

The mythology upon which the Recluce series is built continues to become more complex. I’m looking forward to where Modesitt will take the series next as there are so many more stories that can be expanded. ( )

Another half decent book by Modesitt. I've enjoyed the Recluse books, and this one is as good as any of them.
A bit of man-hating, but considering that Modesitt has created a world of nothing but evil 'men', not surprising.
And thank goodness, we don't get bloviated descriptions of every meal :) ( )

I hadn't read the last couple of Recluce books but this one took me back to how I started with the series. The Angels on the Roof of the World. Ryba is still Marshall and Saryn is Arms-Commander. Saryn saves a young man and then ends up going to Lornth to help out the Regents there.

There are lots of battles and they are all understandable. Saryn ultimately ends up becoming Over Lord of Lornth and its the right decision for her.

Wonder where he'll go next with this series? ( )