L. E. Modesitt, Jr., New York Times bestselling fantasy author, continues his sweeping Saga of Recluce series and concludes his four book story arc (From the Forest, Overcaptain, and Sub-Majer's Challenge).

The Mirror Lancer Alyiakal has been ordered to Mirror Lancer Headquarters and promoted to Subcommander, ostensibly to advise the high command on tactics—except t Alyiakal’s successful military campaigns have removed most external threats to the Empire of Light.

The external threats to Cyador are nothing next to the internal threats of a weak emperor controlled by his manipulative empress, a ruthless Merchanter clan embezzling the Empire's finances, an indecisive high commander of the Mirror Lancers, and a power struggle among the Magi’i.

Alyiakal will navigate the dangerous streets and politics of Cyador and meet his destiny.

Saga of Recluce

#1 The Magic of Recluce / #2 The Towers of the Sunset / #3 The Order War / #4 The Magic Engineer / #5 The Death of Chaos / #6 Fall of Angels / #7 The Chaos Balance / #8 The White Order / #9 Colors of Chaos / #10 Magi’i of Cyador / #11 Scion of Cyador / #12 Wellspring of Chaos / #13 Ordermaster / #14 Natural Order Mage / #15 Mage-Guard of Hamor / #16 Arms-Commander / #17 Cyador’s Heirs / #18 Heritage of Cyador / #19 The Mongrel Mage / #20 Outcasts of Order / #21 The Mage-Fire War / #22 Fairhaven Rising/#23 From the Forest/ #24 Overcaptain/ #25 Sub-Majer's Challenge/ #26 Last of the First

Story Collection: Recluce Tales

Other Series by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

The Grand Illusion

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 From the Forest



“In the tradition of Pern, Darkover, and the Vorkosigan saga, the Saga of Recluce series is sf with fantasy woven throughout that illuminates a vast, imaginary world.”—Booklist



“It’s a good time and pure comfort food. Bring on the next.”—Nerds of a Feather

“Modesitt takes his Saga of Recluse series in a new direction in its 23rd volume (after Fairhaven Rising), an atmospheric adventure tale that stands surprisingly well on its own.”—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Fairhaven Rising

“Extraordinary.” —Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Mongrel Mage

USA Today Bestseller

“No writer does it better.”—Kirkus

“Smart, thoughtful, and entertaining.”—Pat's Fantasy Hotlist

Praise for Outcasts of Order

USA Today Bestseller

“Always a pleasure to abide in Modesitt's universe, if only for a few hours or days.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Mage-Fire War



USA Today Bestseller

“Readers with a fondness for family sagas will appreciate the focus on day-to-day life”—Publishers Weekly

“I don’t think I’ve disliked a single one of Modesitt’s Recluce books but I was still a bit surprised . . . how quickly [The Mage-Fire War] has become one of my favorite books in the series.”—The Arched Doorway




About the AuthorL. E. MODESITT, JR. is the author of more than seventy books—primarily science fiction and fantasy, including the long-running, bestselling Saga of Recluce and Imager Portfolio, including Fairhaven RIsing, Overcaptatin, and Sub-Majer's Challenge. He is also the author of the new series The Grand Illusion (Isolate, Councilor, Contrarian).
Title: Last of the First
Author(s): L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Series: Saga of Recluce
Volume: 26
ISBN: 9781250349064
Copyright 2026
Release Date: June 30, 2026
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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