"Fabulous fantasy"
In the city of Brysta in the realm of Nordla, Kharl is
contented with his work as a highly regarded cooper, loves
his wife and two sons. When Kharl hears a cry he comes to
the rescue of a neighbor's daughter who is being attacked
by two men. He finds out that one of the attackers is
nobleman Captain Egen of the City Guard. Egen considers
Kharl an enemy so when a young woman is murdered, the
captain arranges for Kharl to be arrested for the crime. Testimony proves that Kharl couldn't have murdered
anyone
but his wife is convicted of the crime and he has to
helplessly watch her execution. His sons flee because
they know Egen is waiting to kill them. Kharl leaves the
country and begins to realize that he has the powers of a
mage. He learns how to harness that power which comes in
handy when battling pirates or being involved in a civil
war. WELLSPRING OF CHAOS takes place in the Recluse universe
but that country is hardly involved in the storyline so
this is a book that can be read by people who haven't
perused the other novels of L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (though
they come highly recommended).. The protagonist is a hero
in the true sense of the word because he does what is
right no matter the personal cost and does not seek
revenge for the crimes against him. Kharl grows into his
powers slowly as an outgrowth of his profession so the
audience believes that his mage power is real. The author
once again writes a fantasy novel that is simply superb. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 2, 2004
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Kharl is the best cooper in Brysta, one of the major cities
in Nordla, and his life has been as ordered and dependable
as his barrels. His trouble begins when he saves a
neighbor's daughter from the violent advances of two upper-
class men. Then he rescues an actual rape victim he finds
unconscious in an alley, a blackstaffer -- a young
expatriate mage -- from Recluce, and that makes his wife
very uneasy. The culprit in both cases turns out to have
been Egen, the cruel and corrupt son of the local ruler.
When the blackstaffer is mysteriously murdered in Kharl's
cooperage, Kharl is jailed, tried, and flogged, and in a
shocking turnaround released--and his consort executed for
the murder, which she did not commit. Egen again. Kharl
ends up on the run, with just a handful of coins and a few
clothes, but he also takes the slain woman's black staff
and her book, The Basis of Order, which explains the
principles of its power. The diligent cooper is about to
learn a new, very different skill. Wellspring of Chaos is the twelfth book in the Recluce Saga
and takes place roughly 60 years after the close of The
Order War (Recluce #4). It is Modesitt at the top of his
form, returning to his most famous fantasy world, yet does
not require previous knowledge of Recluce to be enjoyed.
It's publication is sure to be one of the fantasy
milestones of the year.
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