Magi'i of Cyador (Saga of Recluce, Bk. 10)

Modesitt begins another new saga, a spin-off from his best-selling and magisterial Recluce series. The setting is the empire of Cyador, and the protagonist is Lorn, a talented youth from a magus family who is diligent in his studies but too independent-minded to suit the High Magi'i. So he is commissioned an officer of lancers and sent to fight barbarians on the frontier, which is by no means a sinecure. Much of the rest of the novel is taken up with scene setting; developing Lorn as officer, magus, and lover; introducing people and places in Cyador; and hinting at some of the high-level intrigue going on behind the curtains, so to speak.