Star Ascendant

Like L.E. Modesitt in the Recluce series, Cooper in her Time Master trilogy (The Master) has contrasted the forces of Order and Chaos. But Cooper's characters, unlike Modesitt's, are never blatantly good or evil; this author suggests that Chaos and Order ``are two faces of the same coin.'' This prequel to the Time Master series begins with the ascent of Vordegh to the position of First Magus. Although Vordegh is unremittingly evil, the antipathy of the Lords of Chaos to him mitigates his influence. Much of the remaining narrative follows Iselia Darrow, a disciple of the Lords of Order, who is captured by Chaos Riders on the night of her marriage to Kaldar Alvaray. Iselia is saved from being sacrificed by Savrinor, the court historian. As she realizes her growing influence over both Savrinor and Benetan Liss (who was betrothed to her years before), though, Iselia's Machiavellian manipulations rival those of any character working for Chaos. Meanwhile, Kaldar travels south in hopes of unleashing the Lords of Order and, not incidentally, being able to rescue Iselia. While readers familiar with the trilogy will know the ultimate outcome of all this drama, it's to Cooper's immense credit that the writing skills she evinces here should keep them, as well as most fantasy readers, enthralled. (Nov.)