Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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252 of 260 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A surprise addiction, May 24, 2000
I bought this book from Amazon based on the synopsis---only because I was bored. To be honest, the synopsis made it sound like yet another run-of-the-mill sword-lockpick-and-sorcery fantasy novel, and the recommendations didn't help with their comparisons to fantasy writers whose works I've grown to dislike over time. I just needed something to read while on the stairmaster at the gym, so I bought it. And that most wonderful of occurrances happened---I discovered a deliciously good novel, completely by accident. It doesn't start out slow, but there *is* a lot to digest at first---a completely new world, both like and unlike those of other fantasy realms, complex politics, a number of characters who will all grow to be important eventually. Fortunately, Seregil is so charming and Alec so ingenuous that they alone held my attention during the required learning curve of this book. Once past that curve, I was able to appreciate the complexity of the plot---intrigue has always fascinated me, and the politics of war, while repellent, are plausibly and interestingly-presented here. A lot of people have commented on the central romance in the series (because there are several, which others have not noted). I want to emphasize, for those who may get the wrong impression from the reviews (as I did)---this is not a "queer fantasy". Rather---there's a same sex romance in it, but it's made clear in the books that neither of the characters involved is what we Americans would categorize, stamp, and bracket as "gay." They simply happened to fall in love with someone of the same gender. The same-gender issue *isn't* an issue, in most ways---neither of the characters spends a great deal of time questioning their sexuality or masculinity or fretting that they're violating the mores of polite society (mainly because, in this series, they aren't). I'm only pointing this out because I hate seeing books "labeled". If you're the puritanical sort who dislikes any dollop of non-traditional romance in your traditional fantasy, then the books will irritate you, so don't bother reading them. If not, you don't have to be a rainbow-flag-waving GLBT activist to like the series. It's just good fantasy, with a realistic and thoroughly satisfying romance in it. The romance is also not central to the novels' plot. They're spies and adventurers for the queen in a land beset by war. They fall in love, somewhere in the middle of book 2. They go on spying and adventuring for the queen as the war progresses. It's an accent to the novel, not a key plot element. So for those who dislike reading fantasy books which are really just thinly-veiled Harlequins with sword-wielding Fabio's on the cover, this book is a delight. (Don't get me wrong; personally, I love a nice central romance---when it's appropriate to the story. But in this case, too much attention focused on the romance would detract from the all-too-engrossing other plot elements of the books.) So since others have compared these books to another author's, I'll say this---these are excellent for those who are ready to graduate from reading Mercedes Lackey. Here is true originality, plausibility, excellent characterization, and fascinating worldbuilding. And a damn good read. The time on the stairmaster just flew by.
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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Instant Classic, January 25, 2000
By A Customer
Luck in the Shadows has the timeless quality of an instant classic. Alec and Seregil's meeting in a dungeon, their hair-raising escape, the revelation of the real Seregil, dangerous and compelling -- these images become part of our subconscious tapestry. Speaking of images, as soon as I saw the cover illustration of Seregil looking down from the roof at his pursuers, I knew I had to read this book.Seregil is a whip-smart rogue with an uncanny knack for acquiring information and keeping it to himself. Flewelling wastes no time in introducing Alec and Seregil to us and to each other, and revealing their horrific enemies. Seregil is complex and mercurial, a man who lives by his wits and acting skills. He is at home in all levels of society, and makes a charming guide to his world. Alec is his ideal partner - kind and innocent, yet intelligent and quick of hand and mind, reminding Seregil of himself as a youth. Their bond has the satisfactory feel of the last puzzle piece, feared lost, fitting snugly in place to complete the picture. The other characters are so fleshed out that in lesser books they'd be the leads. Micum Cavish, Seregil's friend of 20 years, is a bear of a man, gruff and plain-spoken. He and his family take to Alec instantly. Seregil and Alec have four little 'families': at the Cockerel, the Oreska, Wheel Street and Watermead. Personally, I find Seregil's enchanted rooms at the Cockerel, chock-full of books, gems and curiosities, enormously appealing;--I'd move there myself in a second. Nysander is the finest wizard since Gandalf: he has awesome powers and the compassion to use them wisely. All of Flewelling's women are strong: the warrior queen Idrilain, Micum's no-nonsense wife Kari, and their soldier daughter Beka. But the core of the novel is Alec and Seregil, and their growth both as individuals and friends in the course of myriad breath-taking adventures. Imagine all these strengths in a book written in clean,taut language by an enthusiastic author. What a treat.
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31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Prepare yourself for a great Fantasy read..., July 28, 2001
Alec is a young hunter's son, captured and tortured, and waiting to die when he is rescued by a strange and multifaceted man by the name of Seregil. So begins "Luck in the Shadows."I fought against reading this one for a while, until a friend of mine pretty much shoved it into my hand. I should have given in years ago, because I really loved this book's characters and story. There are quite a few strengths to Lyn Flewelling's writing. For one, we have a society that is matriarchal, or at least equalized, without the typical "just reverse the roles" writing. This is not a simple society that Flewelling has written, but an intricate and interesting one. Secondly, her use of wit - not just humour - is much appreciated. The plot is particularly dark in places, and her deft touch with an appropriate bon-mot is just what is needed to keep things light enough to be enjoyable. If there are flaws, they're few, but sometimes one can tell that this is the first novel, in that scene shifting is sometimes a little bit clunky. It is entirely forgiveable, though, and the book is one I consider a must-read of fantasy. Be warned, however, that this is book 1 of 2, followed by "Stalking Darkness," and "Luck in the Shadows," will leave you unsatisfied by itself - it requires "Stalking Darkness" to enjoy it and to finish the tale. Also, the relationship between Alec and Seregil is very sensitively written in this first book, with enough hints that you know they're going somewhere wonderful. Flewelling is definately a strong new voice in fantasy, and I will follow her writing.
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