Isolate

Starred review from August 30, 2021
Modesitt (the Saga of Recluce series) impresses with the debut volume of his Grand Illusion political fantasy series, which skillfully melds mystery and supernatural elements. In the vividly drawn world of Guldor, empaths—those with the ability to project strong emotions unto others—serve a variety of functions, including acting as muscle and sex workers. Coal is Guldor’s main energy source, so the suspected corruption in the awarding of lucrative mining leases to Eastern Ironway causes a major scandal implicating the official responsible, Jhared Kraffeist, Minister of Public Resources. After the director of logistics for Eastern Ironway disappears, a member of Guldor’s ruling council dies from a supposed heart attack, and another councilor, Axel Obreduur, is targeted by an empathic attack, Obreduur’s security aide, Steffan Dekkard, investigates possible connections between the three events. Dekkard is an isolate, one of the few immune to empathic projections, and his inquiries enable Modesitt to present the intricacies of Guldor’s economic and political systems without devolving into heavy exposition. The detailed politics could make for a dry opening salvo, but in Modesitt’s capable hands the setup becomes a taut thriller. This superior book only whets the appetite for a sequel.

Starred review from October 1, 2021

Modesitt's ("Saga of Recluce" series) gas-lamp fantasy, the first in a planned series, is a story about a political coup staged from the inside. The fascinating multiracial cast of characters includes bodyguard Steffan Dekkard, an isolate (a person unaffected by empaths); fellow bodyguard Avraal Ysella, an empath of great skill; and councilman Axel Obreduur, whom Steffan and Avraal have been hired to protect. At its heart the novel is an examination of the power with which politicians and governments can wreck the lives of citizens, and it soon becomes clear that Steffan, Avraal, and Axel are targets in a deep political, and murderous, plot. Steffan steps up to keep his boss alive and falls in love with Avraal, all the while reaching for a brighter and more dangerous future than he ever expected, with the knowledge that if he fails, the entire country will ultimately suffer. VERDICT Readers will be caught up in Modesitt's world, which is just close enough to reality to make the lessons feel real, and just fantastic enough to provide distance and interest. The gas lamp setting will draw in plenty of steampunk readers, while anyone who likes to delve into the way worlds work will be riveted.--Marlene Harris, Reading Reality, LLC, Duluth, GA

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 8, 2021
Masterfully blending gas lamp fantasy, mystery, and political thriller, Modesitt's latest is vast in scope and rich in detail, proving a captivating start to his Grand Illusion series. In Guldor, where coal is the primary source of energy and trained empaths can influence those around them for personal or professional gain, three opposing political parties vie for control of the Council-led government. Steffan Dekkard, an isolate whose feelings and emotions cannot be sensed or controlled, and Avraal Ysella, a talented empath, are the two-person security team hired to protect a high-ranking minister, Councilor Axel Obreduur. After the pair saves the Councilor from a would-be empathic assassination, a scandal is uncovered that ties government officials to a powerful corporation, exposing entrenched corruption at all levels. This acts as the catalyst for swiftly changing political alliances, rising factions, the flexing of corporate and political muscle, and deadly civil unrest. Much of the novel's focus is on Dekkard's investigations into the interconnected machinations at play around him, Ysella, and Councilor Obreduur, and as Dekkard digs deeper into Guldor's political underbelly, his interactions with all levels of Guldoran society highlight Modesitt's superlative world building skills. The book's conclusion is satisfying, if a little frustrating, as it provides closure for some but not all of the remaining plot threads and leaves readers with much to look forward to in the next installment.

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