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katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
This one starts out very "we're a political fantasy novel and we're going to spend a lot of time debating with different factions" and expects you to learn lots of names of characters/clans that don't have a lot to do. Then it turns into a murder mystery, which was much more fun. On the bright side our heroes weren't separated and no one was tortured. So... 2.5 stars for a lot of it, 4 stars for the dragons, the murder mystery, and rhui'auros (but almost minus 1 star because my brain now knows how to spell that).
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm having a hard time reviewing this book. It'd probably be closer to 3 1/2 stars. I love Lynn Flewelling's writing. So much so, that even though I wasn't very interested in this story, I kept reading, just for the writing. I felt like the pace was a little slow on this one, and about halfway through I could have put it down and not really cared what happened. I wasn't invested.
It might be a bit of a contradiction to say that the writing was good, but that I didn't care for the story, but there you have it. I will definitely continue on with the next in the series, since I have it on my shelf, and I'm hoping that story grabs me more.
It might be a bit of a contradiction to say that the writing was good, but that I didn't care for the story, but there you have it. I will definitely continue on with the next in the series, since I have it on my shelf, and I'm hoping that story grabs me more.
pinxsol's review against another edition
5.0
This is exactly what I was waiting for when I started reading this series. Whilst the previous two books were either a bit too infodumpy at times for my taste, or too gruesome, this was just an amazing blend of everything balanced precisely as I like it. There are some loose ends from previous books that are addressed, as well as some new plot threads introduced, and the book takes place mostly in Aurenen, which was just so exciting to read about, it was a great change of pace overall.
I think Traitor's Moon is when I'm ready to say that I would gladly lay down my life for Alec i Amasa for he is just too precious and loyal for his own good and I love him. I gobbled up every moment that he was the focus of, and it brings me immense joy that there are so many books left to read in the series.
The whole book though is just unputdownable. I kept reaching out after finishing for the day thinking 'well, at least one more chapter...' because this was just. So charming. Seregil and Alec are just so good together, they make me an emotional fool.
Also, that one scene where Alec is blindfolded and Seregil makes a flirty comment about blindfolding him in a more intimate setting??? My GAWD
I think Traitor's Moon is when I'm ready to say that I would gladly lay down my life for Alec i Amasa for he is just too precious and loyal for his own good and I love him. I gobbled up every moment that he was the focus of, and it brings me immense joy that there are so many books left to read in the series.
The whole book though is just unputdownable. I kept reaching out after finishing for the day thinking 'well, at least one more chapter...' because this was just. So charming. Seregil and Alec are just so good together, they make me an emotional fool.
Also, that one scene where Alec is blindfolded and Seregil makes a flirty comment about blindfolding him in a more intimate setting??? My GAWD
burnyourvillage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
rockwrengj's review against another edition
5.0
I've been very pleased with this series, which was was the first that I've ventured into from GoodReads "recommendations". Although each book follows upon it's predecessor, the stories are unique and self-contained. I'm not sure you could pick up #3 and really understand everything going on without having read the first two, but it doesn't have that feeling of being one giant book that has been indiscriminately turned into multiple volumes that many series have. I love the characters and the setting, it was a very good find!
duriangray's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skycrane's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book. My first introduction to Lynn Flewelling (and this world) was the Tamir Triad, which I really enjoyed, leading me to try out her Nightrunner series. I got through the first two, but I thought they were pretty mediocre and I had no intention to read the third. But I got to thinking about how great the Tamir books were and gave this series another go. I'm really glad I did.
While Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness are a mix of very traditional fantasy story of the Chosen Ones going out to combat the Dark One and a more complex story of espionage and intrigue, Traitor's Moon is 100% political intrigue. Our heroes went through a harrowing and epic journey to stop the necromancers' god from being summoned, sacrificing a beloved friend and mentor in the process. But killing one man, no matter how important, doesn't win a war. Barely anyone knows what Seregil and Alec accomplished, and fewer care.
Skala, cut off from its traditional trading partners by the forces of Plenimar, is slowly losing the war. Queen Idrilain sends her daughter Princess Klia to negotiate with the clans of Aurenen to reestablish diplomatic ties and open more ports for trading, and appoints Seregil as her adviser. Seregil is a native of Aurenen; his father was the leader of the Bokthersa Clan and his sister is the current one, but he was banished in his youth as punishment for a terrible crime. His personal history makes him something of a questionable asset when it comes to diplomacy, but the Queen recognizes that his other skills may come in handy. As usual, Alec tags along, ostensibly just because he is Seregil's lover, but also because his air of youth and innocence belies his own talents for espionage.
The political dynamics between Skala and Aurenen are incredibly complicated. Their history as allies goes back millennia, but long-term frictions and the assassination of a queen's Aurenfaie consort two hundred years ago led the Aurenfaie to cut all ties and limit Skalan contact to a single port city. To the Skalans, this is all ancient history, but many of the long-lived Aurenfaie were friends with the victim and still take his murder personally. On top of this, the various Aurenfaie clans each have their own interests, and inter-clan rivalries and grudges play as much a role in the negotiations as the history between the two nations. Behind the scenes, the magical elders of the Aurenfaie pursue unknown goals through mysterious means. On the Skalan side, Princess Phoria and her brother Korathan disagree with the Queen's actions and keep a watchful eye on their sister's mission.
Most of the main characters of the previous books return, with Thero joining the mission as Klia's magical adviser, and Beka leading her personal guard. Supporting characters like Klia and Seregil's sister Adzriel play a bigger role, and many new characters are introduced, including the leaders of the clans and other important Aurenfaie. All the returning cast have changed and grown after the events of the previous books, and continue to develop through this one.
This book is a delight to read. Many different threads are wound together, and nothing is ever as simple as "good" versus "evil". All the different characters independently and often secretly purse their own interests, leading to a complex mystery that Seregil, Alec, Thero, and Beka struggle to untangle. Seregil has to confront his past and decide where his true loyalties lie.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. Go ahead and skip Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness; Traitor's Moon is far superior and stands on its own as a great work of fantasy.
While Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness are a mix of very traditional fantasy story of the Chosen Ones going out to combat the Dark One and a more complex story of espionage and intrigue, Traitor's Moon is 100% political intrigue. Our heroes went through a harrowing and epic journey to stop the necromancers' god from being summoned, sacrificing a beloved friend and mentor in the process. But killing one man, no matter how important, doesn't win a war. Barely anyone knows what Seregil and Alec accomplished, and fewer care.
Skala, cut off from its traditional trading partners by the forces of Plenimar, is slowly losing the war. Queen Idrilain sends her daughter Princess Klia to negotiate with the clans of Aurenen to reestablish diplomatic ties and open more ports for trading, and appoints Seregil as her adviser. Seregil is a native of Aurenen; his father was the leader of the Bokthersa Clan and his sister is the current one, but he was banished in his youth as punishment for a terrible crime. His personal history makes him something of a questionable asset when it comes to diplomacy, but the Queen recognizes that his other skills may come in handy. As usual, Alec tags along, ostensibly just because he is Seregil's lover, but also because his air of youth and innocence belies his own talents for espionage.
The political dynamics between Skala and Aurenen are incredibly complicated. Their history as allies goes back millennia, but long-term frictions and the assassination of a queen's Aurenfaie consort two hundred years ago led the Aurenfaie to cut all ties and limit Skalan contact to a single port city. To the Skalans, this is all ancient history, but many of the long-lived Aurenfaie were friends with the victim and still take his murder personally. On top of this, the various Aurenfaie clans each have their own interests, and inter-clan rivalries and grudges play as much a role in the negotiations as the history between the two nations. Behind the scenes, the magical elders of the Aurenfaie pursue unknown goals through mysterious means. On the Skalan side, Princess Phoria and her brother Korathan disagree with the Queen's actions and keep a watchful eye on their sister's mission.
Most of the main characters of the previous books return, with Thero joining the mission as Klia's magical adviser, and Beka leading her personal guard. Supporting characters like Klia and Seregil's sister Adzriel play a bigger role, and many new characters are introduced, including the leaders of the clans and other important Aurenfaie. All the returning cast have changed and grown after the events of the previous books, and continue to develop through this one.
This book is a delight to read. Many different threads are wound together, and nothing is ever as simple as "good" versus "evil". All the different characters independently and often secretly purse their own interests, leading to a complex mystery that Seregil, Alec, Thero, and Beka struggle to untangle. Seregil has to confront his past and decide where his true loyalties lie.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. Go ahead and skip Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness; Traitor's Moon is far superior and stands on its own as a great work of fantasy.
joshhall13's review against another edition
2.0
Hoping the author takes the advice of her friends that she refers to in the dedication. Write a "serious novel" instead of more installments of these Nightrunner books.
I really enjoyed the 1st two books, but this last one became a know of silly multi-syllabic & nonsensical words strung together.
I really enjoyed the 1st two books, but this last one became a know of silly multi-syllabic & nonsensical words strung together.
aliceboule's review against another edition
4.0
I do think the Nightrunner series gets better with each passing book. I look forward to reading the rest!
mariks's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0