The Imager Portfolio
Rex Regis
From Amazon.com:
The saga of the Imager Quaeryt, Commander in the forces of Lord Bhayar, reaches a new climax as the great struggle to unify the continent of Lydar enters its final phase. Only the land of Khel remains uncommitted to Bhayar’s rule. Their decision could mean a lasting peace, or more conflict across an already war-ravaged realm.
While the conqueror of Bovaria awaits emissaries to arrive with news of Khel’s decision, other weighty matters occupy Bhayar, his sister Velora, and her husband Quaeryt—not the least of which is the fulfillment of Quaeryt's dream to create the world's first Imager academy, where the magical abilities of these powerful casters may be honed, managed, and put to the service of the common good.
But before that dream may be realized, or Khel’s fateful choice made known, the spectre of high treason threatens to unravel all that Quaeryt has achieved, catapulting him toward a fateful confrontation with Bhayar's most powerful military leaders
You can read the first chapter of Rex Regis at TOR.com.
A Worthy Finale:
Rex Regis is the eighth overall novel in L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Imager Portfolio and the fifth one in the series-within-a-series about Quaeryt. The first three novels, with Rhennthyl as their protagonist, were set later in this fictional world's timeline. Scholar, the first Quaeryt novel, moved the story several centuries into the past, initially making these books feel somewhat like prequels that mainly served to show the origins of the world of Imager, Imager's Challenge and Imager's Intrigue.
Read the full review @ TOR.com.
Also:
Over the past couple of months, I have undergone two such experiences where the tide of changes has gone against me. Yet to my wonder and pleasure, the art which was created turned out far better than what I had originally conceived of. Unfortunately one of these projects has yet to be released, thus I cannot share it with you, but pasted below is the other success!
Rex Regis is the cover illustration for a series of novels, the Imager Portfolio, I have been creating for Tor Books and authored by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. A thoroughly enjoyable series of renaissance wizardry in a setting of political intrigue. This is the fifth book in the series.
My original submission for the final art was the cover with a simplified background. I thought it was perfect, with the blank negative space allowing for a strong silhouette to the figure. But my client disagreed.