The Spellsong War (Spellsong Cycle #2) [Mass Market Paperback]

L. E. Modesitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1999

The sequel to The Soprano Sorceress, from the bestselling author of the Recluce Saga

With The Soprano Sorceress L.E. Modesitt started The Spellsong Cycle, an innovative and compelling new fantasy series that won Modesitt tons of new readers. The Spellsong War will enthrall its readers and continue to build Modesitt's increasingly loyal following.

Anna Marshal is regent of the kingdom of Defalk only a few months after a sorcerer pulled her from her boring life as a music instructor in Ames, Iowa to the world of Erde. With her ability and her integrity she saved Defalk from invasion and became it's regent, now she must defend it against the greedy rulers of neighboring kingdoms who see a weakened state and a possible opportunity.

The Spellsong War is the second book of the Spellong Cycle.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Spellsong War continues the story of Anna, who in The Soprano Sorceress went from middle-aged music professor in Iowa to savior and regent of the kingdom of Defalk, on Erde, where music is magic. Though Anna is considered an intelligent and fair regent, women on Erde are very much second-class citizens, and she is continually frustrated that the men she must negotiate with respect her power as a sorceress but fail to recognize her other gifts. However, she has little time to consider her own position, as she tries to rebuild the war- and famine-shattered Defalk for its eventual ruler, the child Lord Jimbob. The kingdoms that surround Defalk are plotting to overthrow Anna, and she walks a fine line in using magic against them; every spell weakens her, and the wrong spell could even kill her. Anna's maturity and concentration are a refreshing find in the fantasy genre. There's no silly romance here; instead, readers are treated to a thoughtful plot, realistic problems, and a finely drawn heroine. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

The inevitable, if unnecessary, sequel to Modesitt's fine music-magic feminist fantasy, The Soprano Sorceress (1997), with its appropriately Wagnerian backdrop. Here, having destroyed the Ebran invaders, sorceress Anna rules Defalk as Regent on behalf of young Jimbob. But Anna is beset by problems. Internally, Defalk's lords, except for the faithful Lord Jecks, resent being ruled by a female and cooperate reluctantly, if at all. There's a shortage of seed grain, but Defalk's debt to the suppliers is already huge. And Anna is forced to constrain by sorcerous means the rebellious Lady Wendella; she must also recruit new musicians to replace those killed in the war, find new weapon smiths, and magically rebuild Defalk's tottering infrastructure--while every tiny use of magic drains her energies. Externally, the rulers of ancient and powerful Nordwei wonder whether Anna is a threat. Konsstin of Mansuur dreams of establishing an Empire of Music. Nubara of Neserea schemes to encircle Defalk with armies. Only the Matriarchs of Ranuak give Anna a by-no-means unanimous approval. If there has to be a series, then this is an agreeable and worthwhile addition--much fresher and more tempting than Modesitt's unending Magic of Recluce yarns. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 657 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1st edition (January 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812540026
• ISBN-13: 978-0812540024
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After spending years writing poetry, political speeches and analyses, as well as economic and technical reports on extraordinarily detailed and often boring subjects, I finally got around to writing my first short story, which was published in 1973. I kept submitting and occasionally having published stories until an editor indicated he'd refuse to buy any more until I wrote a novel. So I did, and it was published in 1982, and I've been writing novels -- along with a few short stories -- ever since.

If you want to know more, you can visit my website at www.lemodesittjr.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Harmonies were a bit off key, July 5, 1999

By 

Emmanuel Umoren (Oswego, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spellsong War (Spellsong Cycle #2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Well this is the 2nd book featuring Anna the Soprano Sorceress. I did wait for this one to come out and I hate to admit it but I was a bit disappointed. The story seemed to really plod along at times, in fact at some points it was actually boring! Also I realize it's a feudal society but is every man really that much dumber than the females?? Anyway while it wasn't as great as the first I must say overall I did enjoy it. The multiple unresolved and tangled plotlines really kept me intrigued. Modesitt is also doing a great job of showing that being the ruler ain't all that great and that being the biggest shark in the water tends to attract every other shark. Well here's to hoping the 3rd book is on par with the 1st!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contradictory and yet strangely compelling..., January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Spellsong War (Spellsong Cycle/L.E. Modesitt, Bk 2) (Hardcover)

I wouldn't exactly call Anna a particlularly likeable character. She's petty, ruthless and she almost hates all men. Although the book suggests that Erde is slightly sexist, the only person in the book who is majorly bashing the other gender is Anna. Yet despite this, she is a fascinating character. Because her beliefs drip hypocrisy, (Killing as many people as you want is okay as long as you have justifiable motives? Yeah, right!) she has a certain dimension to her many other heroines lack. However, I feel that supporting characters need more development. Also interesting is how the book questions the limitations of being a ruler, and lets us look into the mind of a conqueror. Fascinating read, albeit heroine can be irritating.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Further Adventures of the Soprano Sorceress, May 23, 2000

By 

Larry Eischen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spellsong War (Spellsong Cycle/L.E. Modesitt, Bk 2) (Hardcover)

In the follow up to The Soprano Sorceress, Anna finds herself and her adopted nation under siege from all sides. Using her powerful spell songs, Anna manages to pull through but not without some difficulty. I'd like to see this series explore her use of spell songs to control humans. She has used it innumerable times to force people to behave a certain way and it should have some dark consequences later on.