Let's see...military + magic + handsome, strong, smart, magically powerful young man + basically 1 POV = a wonderful story. I read Henty's historical fiction for the "good young soldier books" and others for the fantastical magic. I have to enjoy when it is combined.
Modesitt has less of the funny sound effects that were in previous books (horses "whuffing", etc), though a few repeated words (he likes to use "[he/she] offered" a bit much in replace of "[he/she] said").
In spite of those few flaws, I'll eat up this series, and then want more, I'm sure.