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tracey_stewart's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, what a gorgeous cover. But I was a little disappointed in the book. Not horribly so, but … still. The previous book, [b:Traitor's Moon|74273|Traitor's Moon (Nightrunner, #3)|Lynn Flewelling|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302490280s/74273.jpg|71864], 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 characters, and what they do best is the Nightrunning – hence the name of the series. And this 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, is great for the plot. The white child … fascinating idea. I wonder if Flewelling 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.
Seregil and Alec are wonderful characters, and what they do best is the Nightrunning – hence the name of the series. And this 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, is great for the plot. The white child … fascinating idea. I wonder if Flewelling 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.
caitann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
well it’s been a very long time since I’ve read a book in 24 hours but oh my gosh the CHOKEHOLD this had on me!! Alec and Seregil are truly the only love story I need. Book 5, come at me!!
fitzsbeloved's review against another edition
5.0
I can definitely see why some people might have rated this lower than the others, but this has probably been my favorite of the series, so far.
josh_vanrys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the_real_al_cal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. Okay, so before I started this book, I spoiled myself on some of it by reading the other reviews, and I have to say, I completely agree with the assessments that this book is basically a bunch of different literary tropes in a trenchcoat. But at the same time... I kind of loved it. I thought I would hate it, but where book three in the series took me a month to finish, this one took me three days. I could not put it down.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:Finding out from Magyana that Sebrahn is dragon-like! What does it mean?!
What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:
What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Excrement, Vomit, and Xenophobia
elm's review against another edition
4.0
that sure was a WILD RIDE oh my god!!!!!
not going to lie, I was really worried going into this book. and honestly I did end up being stressed to the highest degree for the majority of it. However, I still loved it?? The big reveals were shocking and truly threw me for a loop. and I mean.. how could I not love the book that gave me this?
I guess, one of my biggest complaints about this book was the lack of side characters that have been featured so prominently in the last 3 books. I missed them :(
Also... just going to say now that I am anticipating the BIGGEST nightrunner withdrawals when I finish this series..
not going to lie, I was really worried going into this book. and honestly I did end up being stressed to the highest degree for the majority of it. However, I still loved it?? The big reveals were shocking and truly threw me for a loop. and I mean.. how could I not love the book that gave me this?
Spoiler
he kissed his palm and pressed it to his heart. 'Keep well, talí'I guess, one of my biggest complaints about this book was the lack of side characters that have been featured so prominently in the last 3 books. I missed them :(
Also... just going to say now that I am anticipating the BIGGEST nightrunner withdrawals when I finish this series..
johnholmes's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars without a doubt, this is my favourite night-runner story so far!
akemichan's review against another edition
3.0
Il problema di quando hai letto troppe fanfiction Slave!AU è che niente più più sorprenderti o impressionarti.
bookpenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0