L. E. Modesitt, Jr., bestselling author of Saga of Recluce and the Imager Portfolio, continues the Grand Illusion, a gaslamp political fantasy series (Isolate, Councilor, Contrarian) with a prequel, Legalist.

Fifty years after the establishment of the Imperium, and 450 years before the events of Isolate, Dominic Mikail Ysella—ancestor of Avraal Ysella—is the grandson of the last king of Aloor. Stripped of most of their land, Dominic, as the third son, must support himself.

Dominic becomes a legalist and is elected to the Imperial Council quietly working as an isolate, someone unreadable by government telepaths.

Amid a time of a crumbling imperial line, Dominic must build a coalition within the Council and quietly draft a new constitution to save the Imperium from itself. Uncovering rampant corruption, graft, and potential to be arrested for treason, Ysella discovers any number of ways that simple legal specialist in water rights could get himself killed.

The Grand Illusion

Isolate

Councilor

Contrarian

Legalist

Other Series by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

The Imager Portfolio

The Corean Chronicles

The Spellsong Cycle

The Ghost Books

The Ecolitan Matter

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

Praise for the Grand Illusion series

“This superior book only whets the appetite for a sequel.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Readers will be caught up in Modesitt's world . . . anyone who likes to delve into the way worlds work will be riveted.”—Library Journal, starred review

“For readers of politically focused fantasy and those who enjoy seeing a good man fight the good fight, even if not with sharp-edged weapons.”—Library Journal

“Masterfully blending gas lamp fantasy, mystery, and political thriller, Modesitt’s latest is vast in scope and rich in detail, proving a captivating start to his Grand Illusion series.”—Booklist

“I couldn’t put it down.”—Amazing Stories

“Delicious with intrigue and artful revelations, Modesitt’s Isolate comes at you with top-drawer worldbuilding and compelling characters. Here we have a hot new gaslamp world fraught with political machinations that will keep you up reading into the night. Modesitt has always been great, so how does he keep getting better? Read Isolate and find out.” —Peter Orullian, author of The Unremembered

“Riveting.... A political story, told through fascinating characters.... I loved every minute.”—Reading Reality




About the AuthorL. E. MODESITT, JR. is the author of more than eighty books—primarily science fiction and fantasy—including the long-running, bestselling series the Saga of Recluce and the Imager Portfolio, as well as a number of short stories. Legalist is the fourth book in his Grand Illusion series (Isolate, Councilor, and Contrarian).
Title: Legalist : A Novel in the Grand Illusion
Author(s): L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Volume: 4
ISBN: 9781250385765
Copyright 2025
Release Date: October 07, 2025
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: ePub,mobi | Learn More about our supported formats
Dragonmount is a proud provider of DRM-free eBooks. By purchasing any eBook from our store, you are not only helping support our website, but you are helping small businesses thrive in a market traditionally dominated by large companies. Learn more in our eBook FAQ.