Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Spectra (2008), Edition: Illustrated, 544 pages
Description
With their most treacherous mission yet behind them, heroes Seregil and Alec resume their double life as dissolute nobles and master spies. But in a world of rivals and charmers, fate has a different plan.... After their victory in Aurënen, Alec and Seregil have returned home to Rhíminee. But with most of their allies dead or exiled, it is difficult for them to settle in. Hoping for diversion, they accept an assignment that will take them back to Seregil's homeland. En route, however, they are ambushed and separated, and both are sold into slavery. Clinging to life, Seregil is sustained only by the hope that Alec is alive. But it is not Alec's life his strange master wants--it is his blood. For his unique lineage is capable of producing a rare treasure, but only through a harrowing process that will test him body and soul and unwittingly entangle him and Seregil in the realm of alchemists and madmen--and an enigmatic creature that may hold their very destiny in its inhuman hands.... But will it prove to be savior or monster?… (more)
Media reviews
— 1 more
I've got a file full of complaints, but they're all just a reflection of my disappointment. I wanted another rip-roaring adventure and got what amounts to 522 pages of fan fiction.
User reviews
LibraryThing member surreality
Plot: It's a fairly simple, straightforward and largely predictable plot with very few twists. The subplots are something of an issue; several are introduced and set up, but then abandoned halfway through. There is no clear ending; the main plot comes to some semblance of a final, but the side
Characters: Characterization is the strong point in this series, and this installment doesn't disappoint as far as the established characters are concerned. The new characters are stereotyped, however, and never become really interesting. The one character from this story who will stay for the next book is a disappointment - it simply isn't someone I can feel any interest in.
Style: Bumpy is the best word to describe it. There are smooth sections, but then you hit a bone-jarring pothole. The prose never quite flows for more than a sentence or two. Dialogue has become more stilted for some reason than in comparison to the earlier books.
Plus: The first hundred pages.
Minus: It's never good when you reach a point where mpreg is looking like a distinct possibility. Three quarters of the book, the central characters are separated - not helpful when their interactions are what keeps the series interesting.
Summary: It fails to live up to the expectations after the first three books. No Seregil/Alec interaction means that the main entertainment is lacking.
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plots once again are not wrapped up.Characters: Characterization is the strong point in this series, and this installment doesn't disappoint as far as the established characters are concerned. The new characters are stereotyped, however, and never become really interesting. The one character from this story who will stay for the next book is a disappointment - it simply isn't someone I can feel any interest in.
Style: Bumpy is the best word to describe it. There are smooth sections, but then you hit a bone-jarring pothole. The prose never quite flows for more than a sentence or two. Dialogue has become more stilted for some reason than in comparison to the earlier books.
Plus: The first hundred pages.
Minus: It's never good when you reach a point where mpreg is looking like a distinct possibility. Three quarters of the book, the central characters are separated - not helpful when their interactions are what keeps the series interesting.
Summary: It fails to live up to the expectations after the first three books. No Seregil/Alec interaction means that the main entertainment is lacking.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
I've been waiting quite anxiously for this book to come out so I guess it is no surprise that when I got home and saw my Amazon box that I would have to sit down and have the entire thing read in one evening. Of course, I could only have ever done this if the book was good enough to keep me
In this adventure we find Seregil and Alec having returned to Rhiminee, resurrecting their lives as best than can. However, Seregil has a rather large issue. He's bored and tired of risking his (and more importantly, Alec's) life on increasingly meaningless ventures. When a queen's order sets them once again on the road to Aurenen, they are happy to take the assignment. But, things go quite badly and soon Seregil and Alec are separated, with Alec facing a nightmare at the hands of a man determined to use his blood for his own nefarious purposes.
This story, even more than the first three Nightrunners, was written even smoother and with more action. In this one we don't get a lot of other viewpoints outside of the Alec and Seregil (although we do get into the minds of some of our favorite side characters at least a little bit) but I'm not complaining as the two main heroes are a couple of my absolutley favorite characters of all time. At 522 pages I would hesitate to say this is the shortest novel of the series, however, the font of the text is a bit larger than in the past, which I found to be a huge relief on the eyes, so I do believe this may be the shortest story. Although not a cliffhanger there has been a pretty wide area left of a sequel, which I will look forward to quite happily.
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interested and this Nightrunner story certainly was more than enough to do that!In this adventure we find Seregil and Alec having returned to Rhiminee, resurrecting their lives as best than can. However, Seregil has a rather large issue. He's bored and tired of risking his (and more importantly, Alec's) life on increasingly meaningless ventures. When a queen's order sets them once again on the road to Aurenen, they are happy to take the assignment. But, things go quite badly and soon Seregil and Alec are separated, with Alec facing a nightmare at the hands of a man determined to use his blood for his own nefarious purposes.
This story, even more than the first three Nightrunners, was written even smoother and with more action. In this one we don't get a lot of other viewpoints outside of the Alec and Seregil (although we do get into the minds of some of our favorite side characters at least a little bit) but I'm not complaining as the two main heroes are a couple of my absolutley favorite characters of all time. At 522 pages I would hesitate to say this is the shortest novel of the series, however, the font of the text is a bit larger than in the past, which I found to be a huge relief on the eyes, so I do believe this may be the shortest story. Although not a cliffhanger there has been a pretty wide area left of a sequel, which I will look forward to quite happily.
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LibraryThing member azzie6
A wonderful return to the Nightrunner series! The feeling of the book is different from the first three books that were written much earlier. But it is still a great read as Flewelling develops Seregil and Alec even further as their relationship continues to deepen with an added surprise.
I spent
I spent
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most of the first part of the book on edge, wondering if the characters were going to get through their ordeal. Then I spent the rest of the book with my eyes as wide as saucers as Fleweling fleshes out Seregil's past. It's rather naughty and shocking but I loved it and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member imayb1
The story begins with Seregil and Alec in Rhiminee, outside of royal favor-- both personally and professionally. They're bored and out-of-the-loop, so when they get a summons from Queen Phoria, they're very uncertain about what to expect.
She gives them the task of recalling her sister Klia from
In general, I found the adversarial elements hard to read because Alec and Seregil are forcibly separated. However, this book clearly sets the stage for more political and personal upheavals: Queen Phoria is suspicious of anyone not licking her boots, and increasingly suspect of underhandedness. Politics in Aurenen and Plenimar are brewing trouble for Skala. Alec's "child of no mother" prophecy plays a significant role here, and will become an ongoing issue. Thero gets some nice page-time and a taste of nightrunning with Micum.
Knowing it is the first third of a greater story, I am satisfied by the book's temporary conclusion and I look forward to the next installment.
She gives them the task of recalling her sister Klia from
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Aurenen (under rather suspicious circumstances). However, enemies from Plenimar step in before they can complete their mission.In general, I found the adversarial elements hard to read because Alec and Seregil are forcibly separated. However, this book clearly sets the stage for more political and personal upheavals: Queen Phoria is suspicious of anyone not licking her boots, and increasingly suspect of underhandedness. Politics in Aurenen and Plenimar are brewing trouble for Skala. Alec's "child of no mother" prophecy plays a significant role here, and will become an ongoing issue. Thero gets some nice page-time and a taste of nightrunning with Micum.
Knowing it is the first third of a greater story, I am satisfied by the book's temporary conclusion and I look forward to the next installment.
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LibraryThing member alexyskwan
A solid book and a decent try, after nine years, at bringing back the series. It wasn't as exciting as the previous books, however, and the characters felt a little off. And the dragon child felt too much like Tehanu from Le Guin's Earthsea stories. After such anticipation, I felt like sad to say
Nonetheless, I did enjoy the book and the return of my beloved characters. And it's interesting to see Seregil's reaction to people in his past popping up again.
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that the Tamir Triad was better.Nonetheless, I did enjoy the book and the return of my beloved characters. And it's interesting to see Seregil's reaction to people in his past popping up again.
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LibraryThing member veracity
Distrusted by the Queen and quite out of fashion in Rhiminee society, Seregil and Alec are bored. Seregil and Alec have no choice to but to obey when the Queen challenges them to prove their loyalty by going on an errand to summon her sister, Klia (whom she also distrusts) home, despite their
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misgivings. Part way there they are abducted by slavers who clearly want to capture them specifically. Separated and sold, Alec and Seregil must firstly find out why they were captured and then find each other and escape. Show Less
LibraryThing member ThoughtWentIntoThis
The fourth book in the series. Loved the first three, they were all absolutly amazing!!!!! This one, though it was still really good, wasn't on par with the others.
I'd just like to say, what the heck is with this dragon child?! I feel like we haven't had enough of Seregil and Alec being together
I would have liked to see more of Seregil and Alec together in this book but unfortunitly they spend most of it appart. I thought the argument they had regarding Alec getting a kid on a woman was good because it showed Alec has matured. I missed Beka and surprisingly, Thero. I wish there had been more development of Thero's charater because I think he has great potential.
I can't wait for book 5, The White Road!
I'd just like to say, what the heck is with this dragon child?! I feel like we haven't had enough of Seregil and Alec being together
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for them to now have a kid(dragon?) with them. But, as one of the other reviewers pointed out, I don't think he'll be around as a child for long so I'm ok with it. I would have liked to see more of Seregil and Alec together in this book but unfortunitly they spend most of it appart. I thought the argument they had regarding Alec getting a kid on a woman was good because it showed Alec has matured. I missed Beka and surprisingly, Thero. I wish there had been more development of Thero's charater because I think he has great potential.
I can't wait for book 5, The White Road!
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LibraryThing member jshillingford
I admit I was wary of reading this installment of the Nightrunner series as it has many more negative reviews than the previous books. After finishing it, I understand why – it’s very different in tone than those and mostly depressing. Alec and Seregil are captured early on by slavers, and
Despite all this, I gave the book 3 stars because the world and characters are so compelling. And, the “child of no woman” is an intriguing story with a lot of potential for the next book. Lastly, the ending when they finally escaped was tense and exciting and brought back the magic found in the first three novels. Overall, though I didn’t enjoy reading this, it left me anxious to begin book five. I only hope our heroes don’t have to sink to such depths again. Recommended for fans of the series as the plot threads introduced will be vital for the next book.
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spend nearly the entire book as prisoners, and separated. There is no humor (as in the first three books) because the two men are never together and always surrounded by enemies. The dialog is also lacking for the same reason. Our heroes are unable to take any action, the simply endure. And so must readers. I admit I skimmed more than once. Also, this book is more like book one in that it sets the stage and introduces the plot for the next book, but does not have much of a story itself. In book one that was fine as we were introduced to the characters, world-building, etc. Here we get page after page of heroes we’ve come to love suffering the indignities of slavery and the agony of doubt and separation. It was very sad.Despite all this, I gave the book 3 stars because the world and characters are so compelling. And, the “child of no woman” is an intriguing story with a lot of potential for the next book. Lastly, the ending when they finally escaped was tense and exciting and brought back the magic found in the first three novels. Overall, though I didn’t enjoy reading this, it left me anxious to begin book five. I only hope our heroes don’t have to sink to such depths again. Recommended for fans of the series as the plot threads introduced will be vital for the next book.
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LibraryThing member Stewartry
First of all, what a gorgeous cover. But I was a little disappointed in the book. Not horribly so, but … still. The previous book, Traitor's Moon, was so very good, and wrapped the series up so tidily, that I was surprised when I found out about the new book(s). Seregil and Alec are wonderful
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characters, and what they do best is the Nightrunning – hence the name of the series. And it starts promisingly with a mission successfully completed and another begun … and then suddenly en route to Aurënen they are ambushed, and next thing you know both of them are on ships as slaves. Well, Seregil is a slave – Alec is destined for other, even darker things, and it isn't pretty, any of it. (Except the cover.) I've read reviews commenting that they spend far too long imprisoned; I agree, mostly, but not entirely: it's not like they didn't both try. Repeatedly. It was a serious illustration of what slavery means: you may be an intelligent and resourceful and motivated young man, but if you are enslaved, you're still a possession. All the traits that make you a wonderful Nightrunner, lover, friend, person make you a lousy slave – and lousy slaves end up dead. Unless your owner has an ulterior motive in keeping you alive, in which case they make you a spectacularly bruised and miserable slave. The identity of the owner was startling, and inevitable in its way - and explained a lot. And his fate, not at all what one would expect, great for the plot. The white child … fascinating idea. I wonder if she had that in mind when she revealed Alec's parentage. It was almost as tortuous to read about its creation as it was for poor Alec to go through it (all right, not quite: hyperbole for effect); much of the book was like that. Once the lot of them are free and on the run, the fight for Alec and Seregil to regain their status quo is almost as painful; I missed them. I haven't read the next book yet; here's hoping that whatever harrowing adventures come their way the two of them will be together, and will not fall prey to the "You don't understand me!" trap. Which is even harder to read than the "good lord, they're beating him up again" situation… at least in the latter I can have sympathy for the character if the writing is good and the situation is plausible. Although it is always a little hard to swallow that with all that abuse a character emerges in the end without any permanent damage. In the former, I just want to slap everyone involved. Show Less
LibraryThing member rose.cooke
Not enjoying this book was painful for me. I've read, and enjoyed, all of Lynn's other published work. My copies of the first two novels in the Nightrunner series are dog-eared and well-loved. I was so excited to finally have a new Nightrunner novel to read after so many years, to check in with my
But I didn't want to see them like this, in bondage, separated from each other, angsty. I suspect the homunculus-child was supposed to be kind of spooky but I just found it corny and laughable. The language is spare and lacks the polish and depth of her previous work (not her fault -- apparently the publisher demanded a fairly limited word-count).
Unfortunately, the whole thing reads like fair-to-middling fanfiction, and I was ultimately so put off by this book that I won't be reading any more entries in the series. I'd rather remember Alec and Seregil as brave and dashing adventurers, not a couple of helpless prisoners mired in psychosexual melodrama.
But hey, at least the cover art is fantastic, for a change!
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friends Alec and Seregil at last.But I didn't want to see them like this, in bondage, separated from each other, angsty. I suspect the homunculus-child was supposed to be kind of spooky but I just found it corny and laughable. The language is spare and lacks the polish and depth of her previous work (not her fault -- apparently the publisher demanded a fairly limited word-count).
Unfortunately, the whole thing reads like fair-to-middling fanfiction, and I was ultimately so put off by this book that I won't be reading any more entries in the series. I'd rather remember Alec and Seregil as brave and dashing adventurers, not a couple of helpless prisoners mired in psychosexual melodrama.
But hey, at least the cover art is fantastic, for a change!
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LibraryThing member FicusFan
I am a huge fan of this author and this series. It was totally unexpected to see the book in the store. The story wasn't finished, but it was 9 years since the last book. I had given up.
I enjoyed the book, just to be back with the main characters was wonderful. The writing was superb, it was smooth
The story was interesting, though I was not happy about a couple of things.
1. The last book (#3) was set in Aurenen, to explain Seregil's secret past. I enjoyed it, but we still needed to find out about Alec's past. When this book talked about going back to Aurenen I felt disappointed because I wanted to move on to Alec's past. Well there was no cause for worry, because although it started in Aurenen, the book was really all about Alec and his past.
2. The book had Alec and Seregil separated for most of the story. It was still good, but I wanted to read about them together.
3. The time lag between book 3 and book 4. I have to admit that I remembered almost nothing of the actual story arc. I didn't know who any of the minor characters were, or details of what happened in the last book. In book 3 there was a massacre and a lot of minor characters who were friends of Seregil and Alec were killed. Have no memory of the details. Don't remember the battle or the death of the previous queen, nor the prophecy about Alec.
Needless to say if I had known the 4th book was coming I would have tried to re-read book 3. But frankly I am not sure I could find it, and after 9 Years I think the author should bear the responsibility to either bring everyone up to date with a quick synopsis, or start fresh.
The story in book 4 continued on from the events in book 3 and in my mind relied too much on them. Seregil was wracked with guilt and remorse about the loss of his friends, and it meant nothing to me. The political situation didn't resonate, and the prophecy meant nothing. The author tried to work in details of the past, but it wasn't enough to connect me.
I notice that the font was huge, which increased the page count to make the book look bigger than it was. A better use would have been to use normal font size, and do an in depth synopsis of developments and characters in the story up to the end of book 3.
4. The portrayal of Alec. In this book he came off as spoiled, bitchy, whiny, in short a drama queen. He has always been younger and more innocent than Seregil, but that meant he led with his heart rather than his head. In this book his heart seemed to be a spoiled, selfish teeny-bopper.
In fact I kept thinking that Flewelling's Alec had been replaced by Kushner's Alec (from Swordspoint ). Kushner's Alec is all those things, but he is supposed to be that way, and has been from day 1. Flewelling's Alec was kinder, more thoughtful and more openly loving in how he reacts with others. Not in this book. He is channeling the other Alec and I don't like it.
5. The use of magic to create do-overs. I won't be more specific, because I don't want to spoil what happens. Lets just say that somethings should not be done and then waved off because they have magic (sort of a Bobby in the shower moment).
6. Story details were just dropped, or never fleshed out. At least one will probably come back to be resolved in the following books, but others were just dropped.
One that wasn't fleshed out was how Seregil and Alec were being held in the same house, and Seregil was having these secret meetings with those who wanted to help him, he knew Alec was there, and he never asked his helpers to let Alec know he was there. Alec spent most of the book thinking Seregil was dead or somewhere else. It took me out of the moment, because I kept wondering why he wouldn't relieve Alec's mind about his fate.
Still I am thrilled that the series is going again, heading to Alec's homeland, with more books to come.
I enjoyed the book, just to be back with the main characters was wonderful. The writing was superb, it was smooth
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and sucked you right in. I finished it in 2 sittings, and would have done it in 1, except for pesty work.The story was interesting, though I was not happy about a couple of things.
1. The last book (#3) was set in Aurenen, to explain Seregil's secret past. I enjoyed it, but we still needed to find out about Alec's past. When this book talked about going back to Aurenen I felt disappointed because I wanted to move on to Alec's past. Well there was no cause for worry, because although it started in Aurenen, the book was really all about Alec and his past.
2. The book had Alec and Seregil separated for most of the story. It was still good, but I wanted to read about them together.
3. The time lag between book 3 and book 4. I have to admit that I remembered almost nothing of the actual story arc. I didn't know who any of the minor characters were, or details of what happened in the last book. In book 3 there was a massacre and a lot of minor characters who were friends of Seregil and Alec were killed. Have no memory of the details. Don't remember the battle or the death of the previous queen, nor the prophecy about Alec.
Needless to say if I had known the 4th book was coming I would have tried to re-read book 3. But frankly I am not sure I could find it, and after 9 Years I think the author should bear the responsibility to either bring everyone up to date with a quick synopsis, or start fresh.
The story in book 4 continued on from the events in book 3 and in my mind relied too much on them. Seregil was wracked with guilt and remorse about the loss of his friends, and it meant nothing to me. The political situation didn't resonate, and the prophecy meant nothing. The author tried to work in details of the past, but it wasn't enough to connect me.
I notice that the font was huge, which increased the page count to make the book look bigger than it was. A better use would have been to use normal font size, and do an in depth synopsis of developments and characters in the story up to the end of book 3.
4. The portrayal of Alec. In this book he came off as spoiled, bitchy, whiny, in short a drama queen. He has always been younger and more innocent than Seregil, but that meant he led with his heart rather than his head. In this book his heart seemed to be a spoiled, selfish teeny-bopper.
In fact I kept thinking that Flewelling's Alec had been replaced by Kushner's Alec (from Swordspoint ). Kushner's Alec is all those things, but he is supposed to be that way, and has been from day 1. Flewelling's Alec was kinder, more thoughtful and more openly loving in how he reacts with others. Not in this book. He is channeling the other Alec and I don't like it.
5. The use of magic to create do-overs. I won't be more specific, because I don't want to spoil what happens. Lets just say that somethings should not be done and then waved off because they have magic (sort of a Bobby in the shower moment).
6. Story details were just dropped, or never fleshed out. At least one will probably come back to be resolved in the following books, but others were just dropped.
One that wasn't fleshed out was how Seregil and Alec were being held in the same house, and Seregil was having these secret meetings with those who wanted to help him, he knew Alec was there, and he never asked his helpers to let Alec know he was there. Alec spent most of the book thinking Seregil was dead or somewhere else. It took me out of the moment, because I kept wondering why he wouldn't relieve Alec's mind about his fate.
Still I am thrilled that the series is going again, heading to Alec's homeland, with more books to come.
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Another in the Nightrunner series. Alec and Seregil are back in Rhiminee, bored by inactivity. But soon enough, they are sent on a mission, where they encounter great danger and very strange magic.
LibraryThing member ltjennysbooks
Darling Alec, darling Seregil, I support their relationship so much! They are so much more satisfying than Ki and Tamar turned out to be (although I strongly supported that relationship also)! And now they’ve – um. You know. Returned. As the title may have implied to you.
What had happened was:
Yes, since you ask, I was looking forward to this more than I realized. I was enchanted to have Seregil’s old!wicked!treacherous! lover showing up at last, though I would be happier if he seemed in any way lovable (right, right, the younger guy’s flattered by the older dude’s attentions, na na na, but does he have any pleasant qualities at all, ever?), and I was very pleased that people are finally interested in Alec’s creepy ‘faie tribe. Lynn Flewelling’s been such a tease about that up until now. People would bring it up, and I’d be like YES LORD WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT, and then they’d veer away from the subject, and it was exactly like Cold Comfort Farm at the end when Aunt Ada’s talking with Flora and then she turns around to answer an question about cows. So I was glad that we’re having some serious focus on that.
I read this book in about an hour and a half. I actually was having serious difficulty putting it down. Every time I had to put it down, I felt like I was peeling my eyeballs off the page. (You’re very welcome; I’m glad I could share that delightful image with you.) And then I finished it and I felt really sad because it’s going to be another several months before more books come out that are nothing but total pleasure and joy. I should have read it more slowly and enjoyed it more thoroughly. Like when I was reading one issue of Sandman a day (until I got too suspensey in the middle of A Game of You and totally abandoned the whole one-a-day scheme).
My one major complaint was that there was not enough chicanery. I like Seregil because of all the mad chicanery he carries on. Chicanery! Also, it’s a nice word. But this book was not big on the chicanery. Everyone escaped in the end, but they weren’t doing a bunch of sneaky clever cunning things.
Oh, and I just want to say, for the record, Thero and Klia? No. That’s a big fat sack of – NO. I vote NO to that relationship. I have it on record and I will not back down, just like that time I said I forever hated Ben on Felicity and the writers would never ever be able to make me like Ben better than Noel with the cute eyebrow tic. (Er, but then they did.)
What had happened was:
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They’re back in Rhiminee, doing all petty thieving, and then, omg, the Nasty Army Chick Queen sends them on a mission to fetch her little sister away from Aurenen, and while they’re off trying to accomplish the mission they are totally kidnapped! And separated! And sold into slavery! Because a very, very wicked man wants Alec’s blood because of how he’s half Hazadrielfaie, and he makes a creepy thing with Alec’s blood, and meanwhile Seregil’s old! wicked! treacherous! lover comes back and is a great big poop to Seregil.Yes, since you ask, I was looking forward to this more than I realized. I was enchanted to have Seregil’s old!wicked!treacherous! lover showing up at last, though I would be happier if he seemed in any way lovable (right, right, the younger guy’s flattered by the older dude’s attentions, na na na, but does he have any pleasant qualities at all, ever?), and I was very pleased that people are finally interested in Alec’s creepy ‘faie tribe. Lynn Flewelling’s been such a tease about that up until now. People would bring it up, and I’d be like YES LORD WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT, and then they’d veer away from the subject, and it was exactly like Cold Comfort Farm at the end when Aunt Ada’s talking with Flora and then she turns around to answer an question about cows. So I was glad that we’re having some serious focus on that.
I read this book in about an hour and a half. I actually was having serious difficulty putting it down. Every time I had to put it down, I felt like I was peeling my eyeballs off the page. (You’re very welcome; I’m glad I could share that delightful image with you.) And then I finished it and I felt really sad because it’s going to be another several months before more books come out that are nothing but total pleasure and joy. I should have read it more slowly and enjoyed it more thoroughly. Like when I was reading one issue of Sandman a day (until I got too suspensey in the middle of A Game of You and totally abandoned the whole one-a-day scheme).
My one major complaint was that there was not enough chicanery. I like Seregil because of all the mad chicanery he carries on. Chicanery! Also, it’s a nice word. But this book was not big on the chicanery. Everyone escaped in the end, but they weren’t doing a bunch of sneaky clever cunning things.
Oh, and I just want to say, for the record, Thero and Klia? No. That’s a big fat sack of – NO. I vote NO to that relationship. I have it on record and I will not back down, just like that time I said I forever hated Ben on Felicity and the writers would never ever be able to make me like Ben better than Noel with the cute eyebrow tic. (Er, but then they did.)
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LibraryThing member cat8864
Wow, that was tense. Flewelling delivers a remarkable tale of culture shock, alchemy and mind games. Hardly skimping on the details, the novel is engaging and surprising. I won't ruin it for anyone, but don't go expecting the usual antics of the first three in the series - you'll be sorely
On a related note, I especially like the title of chapter 28.
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disappointed.On a related note, I especially like the title of chapter 28.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Alec and Seregil, expert covert operatives, confront more challenges in the service of Skala. No one would ever accuse Flewelling of putting the mellow in drama; this time our heroes are captured, separated, and enslaved. Slavery is pretty grim: the system depends on widespread rape and torture,
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though we only get up close and personal with the latter. Alec’s new owner uses him for mysterious and fairly disgusting magical purposes while Seregil’s turns out to be a very old enemy. Fast and satisfying, though a little light on palace intrigue; I was glad I had the next book to start right after. Show Less
LibraryThing member willowcove
A good read though mainly because if you love Alex and Sergil like many of us do, you've got to see what happens next. My least favorite of the currently existing 4 though. Just a bit too slow at times.
LibraryThing member SpicyCat
Like a number of others I wary of getting this book due to the poor reviews, and I only did because the reviews for book 5 are much better (as I am about to read that I do hope it is better).
I have to agree that it is much darker. It definitely drags in the middle - how many times do we need to
The thing that bugged me the most was the sudden dropping of the secondary characters - one of the delights of Flewelling's previous books has been the cast of secondary characters. In this one they appear, are given some rounding out and then are suddenly killed or run away. Particularly in the case of the run away - why does no one seem to have noticed?
Crossing my fingers then next instalment is better.
I have to agree that it is much darker. It definitely drags in the middle - how many times do we need to
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told that Seregil would fake being a good slave until he can find Alec and escape. How many times do we need to be told that the other slaves are mistreated and abused and fearful (I get it, I get it). Then all of a sudden there is a fight or two and the end (what just happened????). After the beautifully crafted Traitor's Moon I couldn't help but wonder if this needed a good editor to refine it. The thing that bugged me the most was the sudden dropping of the secondary characters - one of the delights of Flewelling's previous books has been the cast of secondary characters. In this one they appear, are given some rounding out and then are suddenly killed or run away. Particularly in the case of the run away - why does no one seem to have noticed?
Crossing my fingers then next instalment is better.
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LibraryThing member macha
3 and a quarter stars. it only got interesting near the end, with the rhekaro. but that was interesting enough to give the next in the series a try.
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
The two roguish heroes of Flewelling's "Nightrunner" series return, almost ten years since their last appearance. Only a few years have passed in their world, but they've still experienced some serious changes: not least, there is a new queen of Skala, and she has little use or trust for the
(SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT)
But instead of the swashbuckling excitement and intrigue they (and the reader) expect, they are quickly kidnapped and sold in the slave markets of Plenimar. (The slavers in this fantasy world are dark-skinned, keep harems, and have curly beards. OH FLEWELLING NO.) There, Alec's unique half-blood heritage is both a blessing and a curse--instead of warming someone's bed or working in a field, he is bought by an alchemist, who first "refines" Alec's blood and then uses it to create otherworldly monsters. The alchemy and the creatures are chilling and interesting; the rest of the book is less so. Alec and Seregil spend hundreds of pages just sitting around their slave quarters, and the B plot (Thero and Micum, their fellow Watchers, try to rescue them) seems tacked on. All this could have been forgiven had the interpersonal relationships been interesting, or the inner monologues been insightful, but alas, that too was not to be. Instead, I had a hard time remembering who many of the characters were. Several horrific scenes were rendered significantly less horrific due to A)Flewelling's unexpectedly euphamistic style and B)not having any emotional connection to the characters involved.
This is a mediocre beginning to another trilogy in the Nightrunners series. I like Seregil and Alec as a couple (refreshingly little angst!) and Flewelling has written good court intrigue and adventure in the past. I hope she returns to her strengths.
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Watchers. Alec, Seregil, and the remnants of their merry band are left to raise families, build inns, or play at being dissolute nobles. When the queen commands Alec and Seregil to deliver a message to her exiled sister Klia, they leap at the chance for another adventure. (SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT)
But instead of the swashbuckling excitement and intrigue they (and the reader) expect, they are quickly kidnapped and sold in the slave markets of Plenimar. (The slavers in this fantasy world are dark-skinned, keep harems, and have curly beards. OH FLEWELLING NO.) There, Alec's unique half-blood heritage is both a blessing and a curse--instead of warming someone's bed or working in a field, he is bought by an alchemist, who first "refines" Alec's blood and then uses it to create otherworldly monsters. The alchemy and the creatures are chilling and interesting; the rest of the book is less so. Alec and Seregil spend hundreds of pages just sitting around their slave quarters, and the B plot (Thero and Micum, their fellow Watchers, try to rescue them) seems tacked on. All this could have been forgiven had the interpersonal relationships been interesting, or the inner monologues been insightful, but alas, that too was not to be. Instead, I had a hard time remembering who many of the characters were. Several horrific scenes were rendered significantly less horrific due to A)Flewelling's unexpectedly euphamistic style and B)not having any emotional connection to the characters involved.
This is a mediocre beginning to another trilogy in the Nightrunners series. I like Seregil and Alec as a couple (refreshingly little angst!) and Flewelling has written good court intrigue and adventure in the past. I hope she returns to her strengths.
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Awards
Gaylactic Spectrum Award (Shortlist — Novel — 2009)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008-07
ISBN
9780553590081