I stumbled on this book in a second hand book shop in my first year at uni. 8 years on, and I'm still ordering every book by this author the second it's announced, and will continue to do so for the forseeable future!
L E Modesitt has that rare knack of almost ignoring the magic involved in his books, so that it becomes absolutely natural. Set in an alternate, roughly steam aged society, the series deals with the island of Recluce, and its relationship with the other nations of its neighbouring continent. This book is the perfect starting point, introducing you to Lerris, an inhabitant of Recluce and a potential black (order) mage. Unable or unwilling to accept the discipline and rules of the island, he is sent into exile with a number of others in the same position, ordered to wander through the neighbouring lands until they find somewhere to settle, or accept the lifestyle in Recluce.
It sounds fairly dull, doesn't it? It's so far from that! The author deals beautifully with the difficult choices each individual has to make, and the impacts those choices have for themselves, their loved ones, and the cultures in which they live. It also shows just how blind people can be to the lives of their loved ones. This book works well on its own, but it also serves as a basis for the entire series, which jumps around through time, and writes from all different view points, until your views of "good" and "evil" within this world are totally confused and changed about. Which isn't a bad parallel for the one we're living in now, when you think about it.
Well written, with the perfect level of attention to detail, and enough character to really get you thinking, this is one of those books (and series) that you find yourself thinking about even when you're not reading them. If you haven't read any of these books yet, start here, and be prepared to spend a lot of money buying every other book in the series - you won't be able to resist!