The Return of Nightfall (Paperback)

by Mickey Zucker Reichert (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
After Nightfall's auspicious debut in Reichart's The Legend of Nightfall (1993), the former thief and master of disguise makes his long-awaited return in this absorbing, fast-paced high fantasy. Now using the name Sudian, Nightfall possesses abundant street smarts and the magical power to alter his weight (in a society where sorcerers are objects of fear and loathing). In his role as chancellor to 18-year-old King Edward Nargol of Alyndar, Nightfall soon finds himself in trouble. When the king's sense of honor obliges him to make an elaborate apology to Duke Versah of Schiz, Edward promptly disappears under circumstances that make the duke the prime suspect. Nightfall is not so sure, however, and after surviving a brush with pirates he is promptly imprisoned on charges of treason and regicide. With the aid of the head prison guard, Volkmier, his own beloved lady Kelryn and the obliging pirate Celdurant, Nightfall manages to get on the track of the real perpetrators. Along the way he learns more (though by no means everything) about which part of him is more real, Sudian the statesman or Nightfall the thief. Reichart's well-conceived and well-executed world, including its salty seafaring side, will leave fans hoping they won't have to wait so long for a third Nightfall book.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Nightfall--assassin, thief, perceived legendary demon, and master of disguise with the magical talent to alter his weight-- returns in the long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Nightfall (1993). And a tumultuous return it is. Trapped into guarding a young, idealistic prince and renouncing his past, Nightfall assumes his true name, Sudian, and when Prince Edward becomes king, he makes Sudian his counselor. Then, against his advice, King Edward decides to repay a debt of honor to Duke Varsah. The consequent long journey ends tragically: the king's guards are slain, and the king disappears. Sudian's desperate search for Edward is hampered by his promise never to revert to being Nightfall. But only as Nightfall will he be able to plumb the evil depths of society for the information needed to rescue Edward--if he is still alive. Involving encounters with evil sorcerers and pirates, dungeons and high courts, treachery and murderous attacks, fast-paced action and adventure, this is, despite some minor discrepancies, a cracking good yarn. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: DAW (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756402751
• ISBN-13: 978-0756402754
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read - but not as good as the first, October 28, 2004

By	S. Carroll (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Return Of NightFall (Hardcover)

"The Return of Nightfall" plunges us back into the swashbuckling world of high adventure Reichert created in her original, stand-alone "Nightfall" novel. The story picks up where the previous book left off, with the outwardly enthusiastic servant Sudian -- actually the cynical master assassin known as "Nightfall" -- recovering from wounds while trying to adjust to the demands of both his new fiance and his new position as chancellor of the realm. Unfortunately, the very first crisis Sudian faces is the mysterious disappearance of the king he has sworn to protect. To add insult to injury, the prime suspect is... Sudian. Rather than stand around and let his head get chopped off by bickering nobles, Sudian escapes the royal dungeons and procedes to fight, steal, and manipulate his way around the globe in desperate bid to find his lost king.

I don't think it's necessary to have read the previous novel to enjoy this one: Reichert has created an enjoyable, fast-paced action adventure that will please fans of the genre, even if it does not quite match the heights of the first book. Fans of the first book will be pleased to know that "Return" is a solid sequel: it's a fun page-turner that doesn't match the heights of the first book, but won't detract from your memories of that novel either. Probably the biggest disappointment I have with this book is that, like Robin Hobb's "Fool's Fate," the conclusion reads like the author is slamming the door on any more sequels: everything is tied up so neatly at the end that it's hard to see where more adventures could come from.

That's not to say there aren't problems with this novel: it's clumsily written at times, and I found the court scenes with Sudian's character to be inconsistent with his behavior elsewhere. Readers who are new to the series may be turned off by Sudian's ultra-competence at just about everything - he's a master of disguise, languages, blades, sailing, etc. - but Sudian's cynicism and the dramatic tension keeps him from becoming irritatingly perfect. Fans of the series may be disappointed with the near-absence of certain major characters, but the new characters Reichert introduces are likable and interesting.

Overall, I would recommend checking out this book, both if you're a fan of the original, or if you just like fantasy assassin / adventure novels. If you want a comparison on the "swordplay" front, than I'd say this novel is several cuts above the Salvatore "Dark Elf" and D&D novels, but a cut below more complex fantasies like Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" and Hobb's original assassin trilogy. It's worth buying, particularly of you liked the original, but it's not one you're going to reread again and again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Return of Nightfall, August 2, 2005

By	James M. Elgin "Dragon" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Return Of NightFall (Hardcover)

Although a little predictable, it became a "can't put down" saga.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Return, January 20, 2005

By	Sonja Lishchynski (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Return Of NightFall (Hardcover)

It was great to get another chance at following this character. I was really impressed by the complex human/character development. Sudian struggles with his own inner demons more then ever, the story line and plot are almost a backdrop to his own internal discoveries.

The story is well written and a pleasure to read. I'd love nothign more then to see him appear again.