Publishers Weekly
★ 08/30/2021
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. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Isolate
“This superior book only whets the appetite for a sequel.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will be caught up in Modesitt's world . . . anyone who likes to delve into the way worlds work will be riveted.”—Library Journal, starred review
“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.”—Booklist
“I couldn’t put it down.”—Amazing Stories
“Delicious with intrigue and artful revelations, Modesitt’s Isolate comes at you with top-drawer worldbuilding and compelling characters. Here we have a hot new gaslamp world fraught with political machinations that will keep you up reading into the night. Modesitt has always been great, so how does he keep getting better? Read Isolate and find out.” —Peter Orullian, author of The Unremembered
“Riveting.... A political story, told through fascinating characters.... I loved every minute.”—Reading Reality
Library Journal
★ 10/01/2021
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
