Isolate (Grand Illusion, #1)

by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr., bestselling author of The Mongrel Mage, has a brand new gaslamp political fantasy Isolate.

Industrialization. Social unrest. Underground movements. Government corruption and surveillance.

Something is about to give.

Steffan Dekkard is an isolate, one of the small percentage of people who are immune to the projections of empaths. As an isolate, he has been trained as a security specialist and he and his security partner Avraal Ysella, a highly trained empath are employed by Axel Obreduur, a senior Craft Minister and the de facto political strategist of his party.

When a respected Landor Councilor dies of "heart failure" at a social event, because of his political friendship with Obreduur, Dekkard and Ysella find that not only is their employer a target, but so are they, in a covert and deadly struggle for control of the government and economy.

Steffan is about to understand that everything he believed is an illusion.

• ISBN10: 1250777402
• ISBN13: 9781250777409
• Publish Date: 16 November 2021 (first published 19 October 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 2 January 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 608
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Isolate is the first novel in a new series by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Released 16th Nov 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 608 pages and is available in hardcover, mass market paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. Book two of the series is due out in August 2022.

This is grand space opera mystery with political machination, skullduggery, and corruption. The main character is an Isolate, one of the few people who are immune to manipulation from empaths. As such, he's ideal for security and protection and works at protecting one of the leaders of a powerful political party.
One of the most appealing facets for me was the fact that it was immediately so comfortable...with a few plot/setting changes, it would be at home as a western or a gritty noir PI novel (on the mean streets of NYC). It's visceral, perennial, it's engaging, and familiar. There's nothing morally bankrupt or emotionally ambiguous with the protagonists here. Having emphasized how traditional the writing and plotting are, I will say that true to form, there's not a lot here to challenge the boys' club feel of a lot of golden and silver-age science fiction, with the exception of a female partner and the strong (not entirely positively rendered) wife of the main character. It's not John Norman (Gor novels) by a long shot, but neither is it Octavia Butler.

Overall: Engaging, well written, occasionally stilted dialogue, high political science fiction. I recommend it for readers looking for alternatives to early Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Larry Niven, and the other boys in the band. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[Quirky Cat]

Isolate is the start of L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s latest series. If you're looking for the striking blend that is both science fiction and steampunk elements, with a dash of mystery and fantasy, then this is going to be the perfect read for you.

Steffan Dekkard is what is known as an isolate. This means that he is immune to the projections created by empaths. This unique ability has granted Steffan the security specialist role for Axel Obreduur.

When a friend of Obreduur's dies by suspicious means, Steffan and his partner, Avraal Ysella, get sent in to investigate. In doing so, they will uncover many truths that others would prefer left alone. Soon their investigation will become a fight for their lives.

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't read nearly enough of L.E.Modesitt Jr.'s works. Yet I was delighted to hear about the release of Isolate, his latest novel. I couldn't resist diving into this one, especially as I love nothing more than finding a series as it is starting.

So many elements wove into Isolate that it nearly blew me entirely away. It's political, social, and very human all in one. It has a solid grasp on these foundations and then takes it all a step further by plunging us into a world of science fiction. Better yet! It has a distinct steampunk flare, which I absolutely cherish.

I love the Victorian elements while still getting the chance to see a world that is so very different. At least, there are times where it felt like it couldn't be more different if it tried. That made the world all the more intriguing in my mind.

Then there's Steffan Dekkard (whose name I love to say, don't know why). His story is interesting, as he has unique abilities that put him in a position where he would be set for life. It's also a bit of a dangerous position, forcing him to deal with the psychics of the world.

Long story short, I really enjoyed Isolate and everything it had to bring to the table. I would absolutely recommend this read for anyone looking for a unique steampunk-esque read.

Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks