[DIY]≡ [PDF] Stalking Darkness Nightrunner Vol 2 Lynn Flewelling Gary Ruddell Books

Stalking Darkness Nightrunner Vol 2 Lynn Flewelling Gary Ruddell Books

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Stalking Darkness Nightrunner Vol 2 Lynn Flewelling Gary Ruddell Books

Stalking Darkness is the second book in Lynn Flwelling’s Nightrunner series, which starts with Luck in the Shadows. If you haven’t read the first book, you’ll need to before picking up Stalking Darkness. There may also be spoilers for the first book in this review.

I’ve heard that the later books decline in quality, but as of book two, the Nightrunner series is a solid fantasy series. My biggest issue with Stalking Darkness was the slow start. The plot didn’t pick up pace until after two hundred pages in, and I sometimes was bored by the purely world building scenes that tended to fill up the early pages.

In many ways, the world of the Nightrunner series tends to have the typical epic fantasy feel, but it also does something different through a culture that embraces human sexuality and a homosexual relationship between its leads.

I mentioned in the review of the first book that I was annoyed by the huge age gap between the aforementioned leads – one’s sixteen and the other’s fifty-eight. Yes, I know that the latter is of an elfin-like race that doesn’t age the way humans do, but I still don’t like it although it didn’t end up bothering me as much as I was worried it would.

I was a bit surprised by the ending of Stalking Darkness. Not that it was a bad ending – I’m quite happy with it – I was just assuming that the “Eater of Death” plot line would span the series, whereas everything wraps up well at the end. I’m not sure what to expect from the next book.

As previously stated, I find this series to be one of the better epic fantasies I’ve come across, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to read in that genre.


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Stalking Darkness Nightrunner Vol 2 Lynn Flewelling Gary Ruddell Books Reviews

Luck in the Shadows (Nightrunner, Vol. 1) was a good book that showed a lot of potential for a fantasy series. This sequel delivered on that potential in spades! The first book literally concluded with "to be continued," and this follows immediately on. Seregil, Nysander and even Alec are now suffering frightening dreams, somehow connected to a dark god. Nysander sends Seregil on a dangerous mission to collect another evil artifact, but he's not the only one trying to find it. The plot does indeed thicken, and the looming war finally comes to Skala. The action and intrigue is nearly constant, and the pacing of the novel is accelerated. But in addition to all the excitement, the author gives readers a lot of character development. This is especially true for Alec, who grows throughout the book until finally leaving behind the innocent farm boy.

One of the things I appreciated most is that Alec doesn't suddenly morph into a spy. The passage of time is well conveyed and Seregil actually teaches and tests Alec on their craft, and their relationship grows naturally through this "apprenticeship." In the first book, it was hinted that Alec was somehow special, and astute readers will easily guess how. What matters is how it impacts Seregil and Alec, and that it lays a foundation for future stories. The interplay and dialog among the characters is some of the strongest material in the book. I found myself caught up in their lives; I cared about them.

Overall, this is an excellent novel that provides definitive closure on the plot introduced in book one, but leaves room for more adventures. The characters are well drawn, the plot is multi-layered with some surprises, and the writing is top notch. Yes, many elements of the story can be found in other successful fantasy series; and, Nightrunner manages to also be a success. Highly recommended.
The first book of the series was pretty good--I liked the two main characters and there was good action and intrigue. This book by far surpasses the first book, both in the depth of the plot and in development of the characters. The reader gets to experience the transition in Alec from a boy to a young man who by the end loses all innocence (both in good ways and bad). Seregil goes from a simple happy-go-lucky rogue to someone with a great deal more depth. I also enjoyed the introduction of Kari, a young soldier whose father has spent much of his life adventuring beside Seregil.

There were some rather brutal moments as well. Again, this increased my enjoyment. There's nothing like a really bad guy, some really icky magic, and a bit of kidnapping and torture to speed along a book. Things wrapped up nicely at the end, with just enough of a hook to lead to the third book. I have to wonder, however, if I've read the best that this series will ever be.

I really can't think of anything I didn't like in this book. Highly recommended for those who like rogues, danger, dark curses and necromancy as well as a bit of lighthearted romance. Just be aware the romance in this case is between Alec and Seregil.
I'd like to start by stating that I am not giving this book 3 stars because I didn't like it. I actually really enjoy Seregil and Alec's characters, as well as some of the minor characters. The issue was that I never cared that much about the plot of the story, which kept me from ever really loving this book. The driving force for me was Seregil and Alec's relationship, which is unfortunate considering how slowly it progresses.

There is a lot happening in this book, plot-wise. Unfortunately, there is so much you're supposed to care about that it feels like it's impossible to really care about any of it. The political intrigue wasn't very intriguing. The ancient evil seemed like a murky side-note for the most part. Truthfully, there were sections of the book I skimmed so I could get back to Alec and Seregil.

Lynn Flewelling's writing style is clear and concise. I think she creates really interesting characters, and I would definitely read another book by her. Not sure if I'd pick up the third book in the Nightrunner series, though.
Stalking Darkness is the second book in Lynn Flwelling’s Nightrunner series, which starts with Luck in the Shadows. If you haven’t read the first book, you’ll need to before picking up Stalking Darkness. There may also be spoilers for the first book in this review.

I’ve heard that the later books decline in quality, but as of book two, the Nightrunner series is a solid fantasy series. My biggest issue with Stalking Darkness was the slow start. The plot didn’t pick up pace until after two hundred pages in, and I sometimes was bored by the purely world building scenes that tended to fill up the early pages.

In many ways, the world of the Nightrunner series tends to have the typical epic fantasy feel, but it also does something different through a culture that embraces human sexuality and a homosexual relationship between its leads.

I mentioned in the review of the first book that I was annoyed by the huge age gap between the aforementioned leads – one’s sixteen and the other’s fifty-eight. Yes, I know that the latter is of an elfin-like race that doesn’t age the way humans do, but I still don’t like it although it didn’t end up bothering me as much as I was worried it would.

I was a bit surprised by the ending of Stalking Darkness. Not that it was a bad ending – I’m quite happy with it – I was just assuming that the “Eater of Death” plot line would span the series, whereas everything wraps up well at the end. I’m not sure what to expect from the next book.

As previously stated, I find this series to be one of the better epic fantasies I’ve come across, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to read in that genre.