THE MAGIC ENGINEER

Third in Modesitt's series (The Magic of Recluce, 1991; The Towers of the Sunset, 1992) about the island kingdom of Recluce, and the incessant tensions between Chaos (white magic) and Order (black magic). This time, young Dorrin of Recluce, a scion of the Order magicians, develops an interest in forbidden arts—science and engineering—and so, by the laws of Recluce, must accept exile in the lands of Chaos in order to work out his own destiny. Unfortunately, the Chaos wizards are intent on conquering Recluce, so Dorrin is torn between his desire to practice Chaos arts and his steadfast loyalty to the principles of Order. In sum, another uneven installment, sometimes engaging, often frustrating, with interesting inversions and sidelights; and, the worst distraction of all, set forth in an ultimately self-destructive present tense.