Although Rhennthyl is the son of a leading wool merchant, he has spent years becoming a journeyman painter. With his skill and diligence, Rhenn stands to be considered for the status of master artisan. Then, his entire life is transformed when his master patron is killed in a flash fire, and Rhenn discovers he is an imager—one of the few in the entire world who can visualize things and make them real.
He must leave his family and join the Collegium of Imagisle. Imagers live separately from the rest of society because of their abilities (they can do accidental magic even while asleep), and because they are both feared and vulnerable. In this new life, Rhenn discovers that all too many of the “truths” he knew were nothing of the sort. Every day brings a new threat to his life.
Praise for Imager
“Meticulous worldbuilding . . . . The world is fascinating, and the Imagers themselves are extraordinary.”
--Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Modesitt has drawn a world intriguing enough by itself and thoroughly integrated the magic of imaging into it. The characters are real people, learning and struggling and dealing with their families. Rivetingly beginning a new series, the Imager Portfolio, this is thoroughly absorbing, whetting the appetite for the next installment.”
--Booklist
“The prolific Modesitt kicks off a new fantasy series that boasts an early modern setting—think Victorian times without the pollution. . . . Modesitt’s capacity to wring new surprises from stock ideas remains undiminished.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“Excelling in his characterizations and the verisimilitude of his world building, the author of the long-standing ""Recluce"" novels and the ""Spellsong Cycle"" crafts an intriguing series opener about the magic of creation and perception.”
--Library Journal
“Readers will look to future installments for the derring-do promised by Rhenn’s martial studies and frequent mentions of stormy international politics.”
--Publishers Weekly
