A bit less dramatic both in the presentation and than the incidents, though the body count is not in the thousands, or even tens. The young heir to the Rex is the protagonist, a very level headed individual with a desire to learn more about what he will inherit. Typical in pace and style. ( )

Assassin's Price is number 11 in The Imager Portfolio and I've read them all. I like Modesitt because his fantasy is very grounded in economic, social and political reality. This is how humans would behave in any world, magical or not. I enjoyed this one too. The hero is not an Imager himself which seems to have put some readers off but didn't bother me. Charyn is heir to the throne of Solidar and troubles pile up on him as the story goes on. Modesitt draws you in slowly so don't expect any slam-bang action but it's a good read. Solid. I always think of him as the Anthony Trollope of fantasy.
( )