I’ve finished the sequel to Outcasts of Order, which will be the third and final book about Beltur [yes, I know it’s the first time I’ve ever written three books about a character in the Saga of Recluce]. It’s entitled The Mage-Fire War, and it’s scheduled for publication and release in July of next year. I’m now working on a stand-alone science-fiction/fantasy novel, but I’m not far enough along to say much about it.

63 thoughts on “”

  1. Arin Komins says:

    Delighted to see there is a new standalone sf/f book one the way!

    (along with more Recluce, of course.)

  2. Wine Guy says:

    sf/f, not a straight sf, which your standalones tend to be…. interesting.

    Very interesting!

  3. Having found Beltur a particularly likable character, and “The Mongrel Mage” a particularly enjoyable entry in the Recluce saga, I am delighted to hear you’ve completed a third book about Beltur…. I’m also interested to learn, in time, more about the stand-alone book you’re writing now.

    1. Peter Bowron says:

      I’ve been waiting for this one too – clearly left open for a part 3 (at least, or more, depending on where you take Beltur.) SO that gives me 12 in the Imager Portfolio plus this to look forward to in 2019. Thanks!

  4. Gordon Tait says:

    Having just finished Outcasts of Order, I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, The Mage-Fire War. But why is the book scheduled for release next year. It should be this year in the digital world.

    1. It’s next year because the large bookstores won’t buy it without a year or more advance notice and because it takes time to get a good cover and go through editing and other marketing.

      1. Donald Ribeli says:

        I too am awaiting Outcasts of Order with baited breath. As to editing; thanks to your editors for doing so. In this digital world one of the greatest issues “IMHO.” You have more than proven your place with the other great SF and Fantasy authors out there. Thanks for sharing your muse.

        1. Tony Leukering says:

          I agree. Copy editing has gone to hell nearly everywhere, but — seemingly — particularly in the SF/F world. One of the many pleasures of reading a Modesitt book is that either the copy editors are a cut, or Lee makes fewer mistakes for copy editors to miss.

          Unfortunately, even Modesitt books are not particularly close to perfect in that vein. I have wondered with my somewhat-recent switch to electronic format whether such receives less copy editing.

          (BYW, the adjective that you wanted is “bated.”

          1. Tony Leukering says:

            Sorry, I don’t do well typing on my phone, with the top row being particularly likely to cause me problems.

      2. Tim says:

        Would not matter about art. Your books are some of the best out there. I have read all except one series.

      3. Mike says:

        I really like the covers of your work. They are beautiful, and more so when lots of other sf/f covers look embarrassingly bad. The real treasure in any book is inside, but when spending ~$30 on a book, the added production value of a great cover and good editing are appreciated.

        1. Thank you. In recent years, I’ve been fortunate to have had very good covers, unlike some I had in the early years.

    2. Charles Elkins says:

      I asked the same question about a book’s lead time and got more or less the same answer. I wait and wait for the next story of characters you are attached to and when a new book comes out as hard as I try I finish it in just a few days. Go back and re-read or listen to the audio versions of the older books Every time I do I pick up something new from them. P.S. I enjoyed Endgames and am sorry to hear you are leaving Solidar forever.

  5. Really enjoyed your 2nd book about Beltur and hopefully I’ll live long enough to read the third book!

    1. In fact I’m particularly interested in this third book in the series as I am looking forward to seeing how he and the others build a new community out of the old.

      1. jim ewins says:

        Will the new community reflect Modesitt’s personal views or ??

        1. Let’s just say that the “new community” will initially reflect the views of the four councilors and Taelya.

          1. Philip Ripper says:

            really looking forward to it! I look forward to you letting us learn a few things along with them.

          2. Amy Paul, Paul says:

            I’m curious to see how three blacks end up creating Fairhaven. I am very much looking forward to the third installment.

  6. Hal Bergmann says:

    Enjoyed both books about Beltur and looking forward to the 3rd.

  7. Jamey Robertson says:

    A whole year!!!! I have to wait that long to see what’s going to happen….. anyone got a time machine …. can’t think of a better way to use the first time machine.. thanks for another great read!,!

  8. Bryan Perdue says:

    Loved the ‘outcasts’. Looking forward to reading ‘Mage Fire War’…sigh. A whole 12 months away

  9. Ron Maurer says:

    Loved both of the first two books in Beltur’ saga. Perhaps Tor should consider doing Electronic Advance Readers, like Baen Books does.

  10. Alan says:

    Like the others I really enjoyed the story about Beltur and wrapped it up a few days ago. My thought when I finished was: Where’s the rest! Even though I already had your comment here about a third book about him.

  11. Crystal Knecht says:

    Thank you for writing about Recluce-the whole premise really resonates with me. Looking forward to the final installment about Beltur.

  12. Judy Schultheis says:

    Why did I finish Outcasts of Order with the feeling that we’re getting the story of the founding of Fairhaven?

    1. Matt says:

      Seems that way. While the 3rd book is supposed to be the end of the story of Beltur, I wonder if we will ever get a book after the founding that tells the story of how it became dominated by white mages with blacks being somewhat 2nd class or even less. Or maybe this next book will tell that tale.

    2. Chris says:

      Based on the map of Candar, this is definitely the founding of Fairhaven (Frven). I’m really looking forward to seeing this play out, since we’ve already seen Fairhaven at it’s zenith, it’s death, and as a ghost / graveyard.

      1. Mary Morris says:

        Am I the only person that takes note of rivers, road distances, rtc. to orient myself? I find myself checking earlier books to see a nap of the continent the stories are in, as the larger map is not always where the book is sited. The historian in me wants to get the stories in the timeline done earlier and not updated.

  13. Victor f Hodler says:

    I am reading outcasts of order and am very happy with it! I am thrilled that it will have a sequel. I must confess that your imager series is my all time favorite . I fantisise about having such abilities. I would love to read a collaboration of yours with Larry Niven or Eric Flint or both.i think the combination would be worth a place next to Jules Verne or H G Wells.

  14. Benjamin Wetter says:

    Hello,
    I just wanted to say simply thank you.
    18 years ago I bought my first book by you, at a train station bookstore, to kill time while waiting. It was the German edition of “The fall of angels”. I hook me up instantly. So in the following time, I bought all books I could get in German and sadly, the “Scion of Cyador” was the last published translated edition. I’m thankful now, that this forced me to buy your publications in English, which was at first “Gravity Dreams”. I bought it in English and German, and did read first one, then the other, then again. Now, years later, I buy all my books by English speaking writers in English. I’m really thankful for that, and thank you as well for entertaining me since then with all your stories.

    Kind regards

    Ben

  15. mark says:

    Excellent just finished the Outcast of Order and felt it needed a 3rd book to finish the story.
    Looking forward to another Corean book

    1. Hannibal says:

      So do I!!

  16. Kathy Young says:

    I am very pleased that there is a sequel to Outcasts of Order. I always look forward to a book by Mr. Modesitt who is one of my favorite authors. I love the way he takes a character with no lmao talent and creates circumstances that require the character to grow or die. What a joy to read his wonderful stories.

  17. Pam Hall says:

    I have just finished Outcasts of Order after having reread the Mongrel Mage and I’m delighted you are going to continue the saga of Beltur and Jessyla. As ever I find your books very thought provoking and a very good read. At present I have all the Recluce books, all the Corean cycle, all of the Soprano sorceress series and all of the Imager Portfolio books. I can’t wait for the next one!,

  18. Pam Hall says:

    I have just finished reading Outcasts of Order and I am delighted that the story of Beltur and Jessyla is to continue. I find all of your fantasy series extremely thought provoking and have every single book in each series. Thank you.

  19. Paul Radulescu says:

    I just realized that no one flies (or tries to) in the Recluce / Imager series. Steam power as well as firepower (ammunition development) is fairly represented .. but no one flies. Not even hot air balloons ..

    1. In the Saga of Recluce, that’s not true. Read The Order War closely.

      1. Paul Radulescu says:

        I stand corrected. I had to actually get and read The Order War which I skipped somehow in the series. I was missing a great story.
        Many thanks!

  20. Marie Currie says:

    Just want to say I am a big fan and have been enjoying your books for years. Just finished Outcasts of Order and am glad you are finishing the story with a third book. I really like Beltur and Jessyla. I also appreciate that you create strong female characters. Thanks for all the hours of entertainment and for sharing your creativity. Some of your series I have read multiple times.

  21. Anne Robertson says:

    Just finished Outcasts of Order & looking forward to the next instalment. It’s a sad fact that impatient as we readers are it does take time to write a decent story and I’ve been enjoying Recluce since the time I came across The Magic of Recluce more years ago than I care to think about. I really enjoy the Imager Series too and the consistently interesting musings about power, order and the uses and shortcomings of magic. One of the more interesting facets of your work, is not just the consistency of the constructions and constraints on magic but also the realistic way in which so much of what is forgotten over years so frequently by those who come after.
    I also look forward to your stand alone works too . You are one of the few writers in this genre who doesn’t merely repeat himself, just with different names for the characters.
    May you keep writing for many years to come yet.
    Anne R

  22. ROSS A MARTIN says:

    Just finished reading your latest installment for the second time. I absolutely love how you have thrown all the fun references to your short stories in the Mongrel Mage series. From the mad duke, to the wandering druid that seems to have children everywhere…so forth and so on. You continue to master your craft and grow with each book you write. I look forward to the next book that is published.

  23. Jan Vermeulen says:

    I am a Dutchman and 20 years ago I bought my first book by you, at the American Bookstore in the Hague. It was “the Magic of Recluce” It hook me up instantly. So in the following time, I bought all books I could get in English and now I have 44 books written by you. In the Recluce series I liked “The White Order” and “Colors of Chaos” the most. After reading your latest book I am certain the next book will be of the founding of Fairhaven. Kind regards
    Jan

    1. Thank you. I’ve never visited the American Bookstore in the Hague, but I have visited the one in Amsterdam.

  24. Kevin Thompson says:

    Someone ought to slap a spoiler alert on this blog, particularly in regards to the future history of the town to be featured in The Mage-Fire War.

    ;^)

    One of the very few shortcomings of the Recluce books is that maps included with each novel are not always updated with period correct place names.

    Whether due to that or because of the years its been since I’ve read some of the older Recluce stories, I was gobsmacked when I read the posts above.

    I don’t know whether I should be thankful or resentful, but now I’m looking forward to the next installment even more eagerly than before.

    Thanks again for continuing both this series and The Imager Portfolio.

  25. Jim Burd says:

    Just finished “Outcasts of Order” after rereading “The Mongrel Mage” to refresh myself on the storyline. Enjoyed it immensely. I think Mr. Modesitt is actually getting better, the themes are more interesting and ‘deeper’ if you will. That was reflected in the Imager series and now carrying over in the Recluse series. Really looking forward to “The Mage-Fire War”

  26. Brad Rudolph says:

    Like others I too just enjoyed both the Mongrel Mage and Outcast of Order and look forward to the Mage-Fire War.

    I wonder how many others would be interested in seeing more of these story lines you elude to in the novels:
    – How the ‘demons of light’ came to Candar and the early plano-forming to create Cyador
    – Follow up on Heritage of Cyador in shaping the unified empire of Hamor
    – Multiple possible story lines with the demons or angels in their interstellar adventures / conflicts

    1. Hannibal says:

      There’s a short story in “Recluce Tales” chronicling the ‘demons of light’ landing & terraforming.

      Here’s hoping a full length novel will be published some day to expand on that brief entry.

      Of all the Recluce books I’ve read, the Cyad (Lorn) duology remains my favorite, and probably always will.

  27. James Champion says:

    I have really enjoyed reading the Mongrel Mage and Outcast of Order. I do have one desire in a Recluce book, and it would be about the “White Knights”. Maybe they have become a afterthought with all the other books in the series. Just my 2 cents, but one subject that if they have came about guess I might have skipped a book.

    Either way thank you very much for all the stories you have written.

  28. Dan Muckey says:

    I just finished Outcasts. ( Literally like two minutes ago. )
    I am very much looking forward to reading about Beltur taming Haven. Wish I didn’t have to wait a year.

  29. Glen Andrew Risk says:

    Very glad to hear of a new sci fi novel. Having read I think everything of yours? I have enjoyed it all a great deal.

  30. SEAN GOWING says:

    I have been a fan now for a long time. God let me think, it’s been awhile. Last time I wrote you was when I deployed to Iraq in 2004. So yes I have been a fan for a while. I really enjoyed this latest Beltaur book. I powered through it in about 4 days. I just got my first Kindle and I have to say I do like the Kindle. I am very excited to see where this next story goes and you left it on such a cliffhanger for a new adventure! I am pretty excited about it. Game of Thrones and the next Beltaur book all in July of 19! Unless of course, you want me to proof it for you! haha

  31. SEAN GOWING says:

    I just finished the second Beltaur book and I have to say it is amazing. I loved the character development in this storyline. I have been a Modesitt fan now for almost 2 decades. Last time I wrote you I talked about deploying with your books so I could share them with the guys I worked within 2004. So yes its been awhile, but I have to say that you do not disappoint. I have read all the Imagur books and I love them as well as these latest books in the Recluse series.

    I was sad that the Corean Chronicles never got another story. I really enjoyed that series with the use of firearms and the like. Anyways I am a lifelong fan keep them coming and I will keep purchasing them!

  32. Jerry Lebowitz says:

    Read your 1st novel in the Recluse series when it was 1st published. Since then I’ve read them all at least 4 times. Also read all of your other series. Thank you for providing me with such great reading pleasure as well as being so thought provoking. Can’t wait until #21 is available.I call them salty peanut books since once you start reading it’s almost impossible to stop & 1 is not enough.

  33. Judy Schultheis says:

    Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve checked in here – I have The Mage-Fire War down on my calendar, and will put a hold on it as soon as it shows up in my library’s listings. I buy your books in paperback – I really don’t have room for another bookshelf.

  34. R. Hamilton says:

    I see that on Amazon, “The Mage-Fire War” is listed for pre-order.

    Unfortunately, if it also is on Apple (i)Books, I haven’t managed to find it.

    I do have “Endgames” pre-ordered, though. 🙂

  35. Raymond Lugo says:

    I’m halfway through Outcasts of Order and I’m having a hard time putting it down! Thanks so much for another Recluse novel. I really enjoy them. –Raymond

  36. Greg (gollum) says:

    Hoping the “Mage-Fire Wars” is the source of the reference to “the days of fire” in Colors. If yes, then another nugget of seemingly obscure data … finally revealed!

  37. Ray Bussard says:

    L.E. I’ve just started to read your Saga of Recluce series and I have to say I’m very impressed. You’re a brilliant writer. I’m up to number four in the series, The Order War and can’t wait to get into it. I see that you’re up to number 21 so I have a lot of catching up to do, but I’m not complaining! Have you said all there is to say about Recluce? How about at least one more title? A swan song, a slam-bam, majestic finale, to end it all? The final farewell and capstone to such a brilliantly envisioned and expressed world? Your adoring fans deserve at least that. Something that ties any loose ends together and puts fown your final thoughts and desires about Recluce for all your fans to savor and enjoy? How about a book, where the protagonist just dreamed all those tales? Maybe he was captured and imprisoned and regaled his fellow rebels with imagined stories scherezade-esque, to while away the time, perhaps before he’s executed? Maybe the reality of Recluce was vastly different than the world he dreamed-up? Maybe it was the way he wished Recluce could have been? Maybe Recluce vanished like Atlantis into the misty waters of memory and he was retelling its history? Just some ideas L.E. Anyway I hope you can write one more, a swash-buckling extravaganza, that tops anything else you’ve written before in the series. Now that would be a challange!

  38. Ray Bussard says:

    Hey L.E., just a quick after-thought to the post I just submitted. What if this protagonist who is awaiting his execution, in a world that in not the world of Recluce has to find a way against all odds, to defy the laws of the universe and escape his death. Or come back from death to initiate a change in the universal laws that lays the foundation for a new kind of world? A world of balance? Which creates the incipient beginnings of what Recluce is and of all the tales he’s been regaling his fellows inmates about? Just some idle brain-chatter here, take it for what it’s worth….you’re the brilliant writer, not I! lol. Take care!

  39. Zachary Arnold says:

    Hello, I am relatively new reader to your books. Just wanted to say I have loved what I have read so far. All of The Saga of Recluce so far, and I am making a dent in the imager portfolio. Thank you for what you do!

  40. Greg says:

    Hi Lee, Longtime reader of the Recluse series and especially your stand alone sci-fi books which are my best reads, between you and Vernor Vinge life is great. The last Beltur book was a bit of a grind with little action, I hope this is because your setting us up for the third book, which is action packed. I’m waiting for the moment Beltur figures out how to unlock chaos violently. Thanks for the great reads, Greg

  41. Nicholas says:

    There are so many amazing characters in the Saga of Recluse and they all deserve a 3rd book. None of the endings have actually closed out a characters story except for 1. The Death of Chaos was a good ending even if I wanted to read more about the characters going forward. Every other main character needs at least 1 more book to continue their story or end their story.

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