Imager's Challenge: The Second Book of the Imager Portfolio - Video Review

Book Review
Written by John Berten
Book: Imager's Challenge
Author: L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

Though he seemed destined to become a master artisan, Rhennthyl's rare ability to visualize objects and cause them to materialize has altered his life's course completely. Rhenn is an imager, one of the select few on Terahnar, and this is his story.

After recovering from injuries inflicted during his foiling of a plot masterminded by the Ferran envoy, Rhenn is appointed as the imager liaison to the Civic Patrol of L'Excelsis, but this "promotion" is far from glorious, and, owing to the displeasure of the Commander of the Civic Patrol at having a liaison from the Collegium, it leaves him on patrol in the streets of the city's worst district. What is worse is that Rhenn has made powerful enemies since realizing his ability as an imager, and now one of the High Holders intends to destroy Rhenn and his entire family. His only hope is in alliances with the family of the woman whom he cherishes. Their success as merchants and underworld connections may be the only thing that can help Rhenn win against those who would destroy him and all that he holds dear, but will this be enough, and can Rhenn find a way of compromising the intentions of his foes without making more enemies? What will it take to protect the ones he loves? Find out in the next installment of the Imager Portfolio, Imager's Challenge.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is an accomplished author of more than forty science fiction novels. Imager's Challenge is the second book in what he has dubbed the Imager Portfolio. This engaging and developed fantasy series is set in L'Excelsis, the capital city of the most powerful nation on Terahnar, a world of Modesitt's ingenious contrivance where magic rules in secret. Modesitt has been treating readers to the brilliance of his magical realms in various science fiction series since the early 1970s. The Imager series bears testament to his ability as a writer to captivate readers with imaginative and exciting tales that unfold on faraway worlds, and, in his writing, Modesitt achieves a level of genuine character development that is not typical of other works in the science fiction genre. According to the Library Journal, "the author's skill in portraying the humanity of characters who possess the power to destroy others with a thought adds a level of verisimilitude and immediacy rarely found in grand-scale fantasy."

If you are a reader of science fiction and fantasy, then the likelihood that you are no stranger to the work of Modesitt seems great. Loyal fans of Modesitt will greatly enjoy this newest novel in his latest fantasy series, but if you are an avid science fiction reader and yet your familiarity with Modesitt's work is nonexistant, it is likely that you will still quickly learn to appreciate the potency of his science fiction. The Imagers Portfolio and its latest installment, Imager's Challenge, comes highly recommended for fantasy and science fiction readers everywhere.

Zombie Book Reviews

The first zombie book review happens on October 9th, 2009! The Zombie Today Show is meant to be funny, engaging and fun but it is also a way to tell people about some great books. Zombie Approved of course!

The first book review is Lori Foster's Servant: The Kindred. Lori was kind enough to send us some swag so our co-host Dylan Day can be seen wearing a Lori Foster t-shirt during the show.

Other authors include Heather Graham, Shannon Drake, Alexandra Sokoloff, F. Paul Wilson and more. Books are featured in a multitude of ways. The zombies review the books on the show, books are featured as commercials and are stamped "Zombie Approved" or featured on the website.

Author Heather Graham sponsored the entire season and appears in three of the episodes as three different people, including herself. Her books are reviewed by our zombies in three shows and some of her new releases will show up as commercials and website features. Heather had some of her friends' books featured as well including Alexandra Sokoloff's The Unseen, F. Paul Wilson's The Tomb and Harley Jane Kozak's Dead Ex.

Our hope is that people will be so entertained by the overall premise of this zombie-soap-opera that we will get picked up for a second season. As of today the show has been picked up by some local television stations in California and has over 8000 views within 4 days of the time it was uploaded.

More Diversity and New Stations in 2008

REC TV has big plans for 2008!
First of all, we hope to see our favorite love advisors come back in a second season of The Lonesome Losers! Todd and Terry are looking to add song writing to their arsenal of love to win women's hearts...or whatever part a woman might be willing to give them.

REC TV will start a new show called Bookend Book Reviews that are made up of video book reviews of some of your favorite authors, and some we hope will become your NEW favorites!

As always we have new and exciting book trailers, behind the scenes videos and author interviews.

The big secret is (shhhhh...don't tell anyone) MUZE. MUZE is our newest endeavor for REC TV original programming. If you like books, ghosts, romance and authors you'll love MUZE!

REC TV plans on adding 2 more stations this year! A Christian Station and a Hispanic Station! Stay tuned for an exciting 2008 at Reader's Entertainment TV!