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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Strongly recommended,
By
This review is from: Stalking Darkness (Nightrunner, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
My Scale:1 star--wretched, don't bother; 2 stars-somebody will like it, flawed; 3 stars-pretty darn good with some flaws; 4 stars-great, I'll re-read it; 5 stars-flawless, a classic of the genre. This is the second novel in the Nightrunner series, continuing the story begun in *Luck in the Shadows*. The World: From what the author reveals of Skala, we can say that it is an egalitarian society ruled by a Queen. Of some importance to the novel's development, Skalan social mores are accepting of sexual variation and sexual behavior. There seems to be no societal bias towards any given form of sexual orientation. There are public houses of prostitution for men and women both heterosexual and homosexual. The Plot: The leading foreign enemy is the Plenimarian Lord Mardus and his sorcerer Vargul Ashnazai, who are seeking to re-establish Plenimar as the supreme state, with the Nameless God as its tutelary deity. Mardus uses espionage, trickery and necromancy. He and his sorcerer are trying to reunite a set of magical tools, which when together will enable the Nameless God to manifest and rule the earth. On a more mundane plane, economic tensions between Skala and Plenimar are growing, leading to the threat of conventional war. The leading internal enemies of the Queen is the conspiracy known as the Lorans, Skalan nobles who loathe the part-Aurenfaie ruling family and wish to return to a line of succession that is human-only. The novel continues the interwoven stories of Seregil and Alec in their dual roles as foppish nobles and spies; Nysander and the Watchers battling the growing threat from Mardus and his necromancers; and Beka Cavendish (daughter of Seregil's fellow Watcher Micum Cavendish), who is newly enlisted in the Queen's army and shows us the military aspect of Skala's fight for freedom. The Review: There is somewhat more overt sexuality of various orientations in this book than the previous, but Flewelling handles the scenes in a manner somewhat less salacious than your average episode of *Friends*. I wouldn't object to my middle-school daughter reading this series (By contrast, Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series is off-limits for another couple of years, and her new series is too sexual for even for me). Again, if you find bisexuality or homosexuality offensive, don't read this series. The challenges of back-story presentation and of building suspense to the climax are also handled in a particularly adroit fashion. Flewelling's use of the device of giving young Alec a history lesson as a way of establishing the Skalan back-story is much less intrusive in this volume than the previous one. The nnnovel has a satisfying internal rhythm as the stories braid together, with internal sub-conlflicts built up and resolved until the denouement and resolution at the end.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love in a time of darkness,
By Phome "phome" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Stalking Darkness (Nightrunner, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I had to review this book because I can't get it out of my head (and I'd quite like to get on with some work). I read the entire Nightrunner series, twice. In a week. There was so much joy in reading it, that I felt the need to repeat the experience. It was just as good the second time round, if not better, because I took more time to gush over particular passages and characters. I'm hooked for good, I reckon.It may seem strange that I chose to review the second book in the series. I do so because this installment resonated with me more deeply than the other two (I just barely restrained myself from reading it a third time). The first book is really mostly an introduction to Seregil and Alec, the world of Skala, streets of Rhiminee, characters of wizardry, thievery, royal lines, gods, etc. Though strong in its own right, it delves a little too deeply in historical and religious set-ups. The third book, on the other hand, develops the world of Aurenfaie and makes for a complex read of clans and interrelations, each with lengthy names and extensive personal networks that requires quite a bit of concentration. In contrast, this second book focuses mainly on the relationship between Seregil and Alec, and how their friendship grows into a much deeper love in the face of tremendous odds. This book focuses on growth. Alec becomes a confident spy. Seregil a marvelous teacher. While Alec comes of age, learning the ins and outs of intrigues among high society, he gains a mature understanding of love (in the 21st century, thank you Ms. Flewelling!), Seregil also grows, by learning that everything in life has its price. Needless to say, it's the awkward growth of the keen, pristine love between Alec and Seregil that is most preciously exquisite. Stalking Darkness is a book of balance and contrast. Love against evil. Fantasy that lives in a very real reality. Nobility versus thievery and sewage workers. The sweet friendship that grows between all characters in the beginning of the book is genuine and realistic. It is a beautiful counterpoint to the dark ending. Rarely have I come across a book so alive. This book has it all: love, evil, torture, sacrifice, trickery, humor, friendship, misunderstanding and realization. Within an apparent simplicity of writing, Ms. Flewelling demonstrates a huge talent for drawing us into a real world of characters we genuinely care about.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forget your prejudices! This book is excellent!,
By gillianm@powerup.com.au (Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Stalking Darkness (Nightrunner, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Buy this book! Ignore the bigots who are 'uncomfortable' about the guys relationship. Sheesh, what is this 1899?? In my opinion the refreshing openness of the growing love between Alec and Seregil is one of the best things about this series. The fact that they are both males doesn't change the fact that they are *soulmates*. (In fact, it enhances it for me ^.^) This story is a lot deeper and darker than 'Luck in the Shadows'. The plot races along, the characters capture you, and the end is just stunning. LF has created the finest universe in fantasy fiction, and her characters have carved a place in my heart. I recommend the third book in this universe, 'Traitor's Moon' as well, it is even better than this one, hard as it is to believe. The sad bigots out there might want to avoid it though, as the heroes relationship is woven beautifully throughout the story. Nothing explicit, but their love shines through, and is a vital part of the plot. Thanks LF!
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