9th out of 332 books
—
696 voters
Shadows Return (Nightrunner #4)
by
Lynn Flewelling (Goodreads Author)
With their most treacherous mission yet behind them, heroes Seregil and Alec resume their double life as dissolute nobles and master spies. But in a world of rivals and charmers, fate has a different plan.…
After their victory in Aurënen, Alec and Seregil have returned home to Rhíminee. But with most of their allies dead or exiled, it is difficult for them to settle in. Hop...more
After their victory in Aurënen, Alec and Seregil have returned home to Rhíminee. But with most of their allies dead or exiled, it is difficult for them to settle in. Hop...more
Paperback, 522 pages
Published
June 24th 2008
by Spectra
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It really bothered me to give Shadows Return only three stars. I was really looking forward to spending more time with Alec and Seregil in this fourth installment in the Nightrunner series.
Early on, Alec and Seregil are sent on a mission by Queen Phoria to retrieve her half-sister Klia in Aurenen. They are ambushed, sold as slaves, and separated. For a good part of the story, Seregil is ill while in captivity and Alec is beaten and experimented on by an alchemist who wants his unique blood and...more
Early on, Alec and Seregil are sent on a mission by Queen Phoria to retrieve her half-sister Klia in Aurenen. They are ambushed, sold as slaves, and separated. For a good part of the story, Seregil is ill while in captivity and Alec is beaten and experimented on by an alchemist who wants his unique blood and...more
Only the last hundred pages earned this one the third star. This book fell into the trap that many sequels to even good series (which the first Nightrunner books were) do, especially ones that take place after the main characters have fallen in love. For some reason the author doesn't feel the need to give either of the parties much of a personality characteristic, other than being in love with each other. Its like since they don't have to woo each other, or unwittingly fall in love, therefore t...more
I mananged to skip the currently reading altogether with this one! Only took me six hours, too, which I'm sure must be a personal record.
The much anticipated fourth installment of the Nightrunners series, Shadows Return is absolutely awesome. It picks up a year and a half after the end of Traitor's Moon. Alec and Seregil have reestablished their personas as Lord Seregil and Sir Alec, and have rebuilt their inn, appropriately named The Stag and Otter. Of course, they've also reestablished themsel...more
The much anticipated fourth installment of the Nightrunners series, Shadows Return is absolutely awesome. It picks up a year and a half after the end of Traitor's Moon. Alec and Seregil have reestablished their personas as Lord Seregil and Sir Alec, and have rebuilt their inn, appropriately named The Stag and Otter. Of course, they've also reestablished themsel...more
SHADOWS RETURN is the fourth installment of Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series. After finishing the first three books almost nine years ago now, she has returned with a new exciting book about our two favorite nightrunners; Seregil í Rhiminee and Alec of Kerry.
Like her other books, SHADOWS RETURN starts with a small interlude to allow the readers to learn more about the two main characters, obviously meant to refreshen everybody's memories about the previous adventures of our two heroes. But e...more
Like her other books, SHADOWS RETURN starts with a small interlude to allow the readers to learn more about the two main characters, obviously meant to refreshen everybody's memories about the previous adventures of our two heroes. But e...more
An overly grim and somewhat myopic fourth installment to Flewelling's Nightrunner series, in which our intrepid duo are kidnapped, enslaved, poisoned, tortured, humiliated and molested . . . and that's just the first half.
Throughout the series Flewelling has solidified such a fine fantasy realm, with such likeable characters, that even sub-par installments such as this one are still sufficiently entertaining. That said, this book needed more air and a lighter touch.
The enslavement would have w...more
Throughout the series Flewelling has solidified such a fine fantasy realm, with such likeable characters, that even sub-par installments such as this one are still sufficiently entertaining. That said, this book needed more air and a lighter touch.
The enslavement would have w...more
It's been a long time since the last book in the Nightrunner series, but the wait for number 4 was well worth it. This was a great book, probably the best so far.
Alec and Seregil are partners, lovers, and friends. They've been through many adventures together and have stayed true to one another despite their differences. At the start of SHADOWS RETURN they're a little bored, not quite sure what to do with themselves. They soon have a mission given by the queen to recall her sister to help in th...more
Alec and Seregil are partners, lovers, and friends. They've been through many adventures together and have stayed true to one another despite their differences. At the start of SHADOWS RETURN they're a little bored, not quite sure what to do with themselves. They soon have a mission given by the queen to recall her sister to help in th...more
It's been so many years since I read the first Nightrunner trilogy and I missed Seregil and Alec so much. This book wasn't as action filled as the first three, nor were there many intrigues there but it was still so much fun. But then, I would probably give five stars to any Nightrunner book, I'm biased.
I'm rather intrigued by the new direction this book took and by the new characters that were added. I think that they enrich the whole world nicely and allow for more development in future books...more
I'm rather intrigued by the new direction this book took and by the new characters that were added. I think that they enrich the whole world nicely and allow for more development in future books...more
I didn't like this one as much as the previous three. The characters and writing and everything are still very likable, but the situations were more of a problem for me.
(This review isn't really a review but a collection of my thoughts. The first books have more of my opinions of the series. A number of my thoughts surround plot points, so I'mma just spoiler all the rest.)
(view spoiler)...more
(This review isn't really a review but a collection of my thoughts. The first books have more of my opinions of the series. A number of my thoughts surround plot points, so I'mma just spoiler all the rest.)
(view spoiler)...more
I think this book and the next are much weaker than the first three. Mostly I think it suffered from the very long break between this book and the previous one. First off, I almost feel like Flewelling didn't re-read her books before writing this. Some plot lines that the previous books seemed to promise were just ignored, and there were also some plot-holes. The last paragraph of Traitor's Moon said that they would call their new inn "The Dragon and Owl" but in this book it's "The Stag and Otte...more
Shadows Return
OR
Alchemy! It's a Small Step Up From Necromancy
I enjoyed this one in the series more than the last two for a couple of reasons. One, it was less political. The book mostly takes place outside of Skala or Aurenen, so we're not playing the same collection of spy games. Two, without an entire cast of a couple of armies and all the politics of three nations to worry about, the book had a lot more time to focus on Alec and Seregil and their relationship. The two are the central axis on...more
OR
Alchemy! It's a Small Step Up From Necromancy
I enjoyed this one in the series more than the last two for a couple of reasons. One, it was less political. The book mostly takes place outside of Skala or Aurenen, so we're not playing the same collection of spy games. Two, without an entire cast of a couple of armies and all the politics of three nations to worry about, the book had a lot more time to focus on Alec and Seregil and their relationship. The two are the central axis on...more
I first came across the Nightrunner series some years ago, after the US paperback edition of Luck in the Shadows found its way across the Atlantic, and was immediately taken by the protagonists, gentleman-thief “Lord” Seregil of Rhiminee and his young protégé Alec. They were one of the first realistic gay couples I had encountered in fantasy, their slow-burning romance grounding but never overwhelming the stories of intrigue and magic. I was therefore slightly disappointed when Flewelling put as...more
A good read but not my favourite of the series. I was not happy with the direction of the story for the first part of the book. That is just a personal preference though. I just did not like seeing the characters suddenly separated.
This book is more grim as Alec and Seregil's resolves are tested during their separation. A darker story overall and perhaps a sign of darker times ahead?
It took me a little longer to be drawn back into the book as I resisted the direction of the storyline. I got back...more
This book is very thinly plotted.The first clue is a major one: the font is bigger than it's been in the previous books. It doesn't have the depth or scope of political intrigue, characterization or fascination with the culture in which Flewelling's character's fall into as the previous books in the series. What political intrigue there is here, is mainly limited to the Queen's mistrust of wizards and her brother's secret meetings with said wizards. The alchemist, Yhakobin, who uses Alec as one...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
My overall opinion is that "Shadows return" is a good read ("3 stars good"). It was enjoyable, and particularly the last part, with the final escape and the discovering of Sebrahn. One or two twists in the plot really made me squeal (esp. the one concerning Khenir), because usually the plot is quite simple to figure out and the books left me pretty much unsurprised.
Though, as others have already pointed out and as I reviewed myslef on the past few books, even though the plot is good and has a lo...more
Though, as others have already pointed out and as I reviewed myslef on the past few books, even though the plot is good and has a lo...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
For some reason, I found the third novel to be less exciting than the first two. However, the fourth novel seems to have made up for any lacking in 3.
[spoiler ahead] There wasn't that much action, really, if you think about it. They head off to Aurenen only to be kidnapped, dragged through a slave market then imprisoned by a Plenimaran lord. Much of the plot of the book develops within those walls. But it was the despair encompassed with the main characters in that villa that pulls at the attent...more
[spoiler ahead] There wasn't that much action, really, if you think about it. They head off to Aurenen only to be kidnapped, dragged through a slave market then imprisoned by a Plenimaran lord. Much of the plot of the book develops within those walls. But it was the despair encompassed with the main characters in that villa that pulls at the attent...more
Between the four books, I think this one has been my favorite. Throughout the other books Alec and Seregil have been together, fighting with and against the world. In this, they have to play their separate parts and come out alive (plus one). I eat up romance in a story and The Nightrunner intertwines a fun romance that doesn’t over shadow the actual story because there IS as story filled with intrigue and surprising amounts of violence.
Alec and Seregil find themselves twiddling their thumbs ba...more
Alec and Seregil find themselves twiddling their thumbs ba...more
I admit I was wary of reading this installment of the Nightrunner series as it has many more negative reviews than the previous books. After finishing it, I understand why – it’s very different in tone than those and mostly depressing. Alec and Seregil are captured early on by slavers, and spend nearly the entire book as prisoners, and separated. There is no humor (as there was in the first three books) because the two men are never together and always surrounded by enemies. The dialog is also l...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Seregil and Alec are back in Rhíminee, but reminders are everywhere that the times have changed. Phoria is a much different queen than her mother Idrilain was, and almost everyone else has been affected by the unfolding events of the past three books...times are getting darker, and most of the characters are getting more serious and sober. Reading this installment, I really miss Nysander. Alec and Seregil are tough and can make it on their own, but there isn't quite as much levity.
I sighed, a bi...more
I sighed, a bi...more
The fourth installment of the Nightrunners series is something of a return to form, as it possesses much of the flavour and excitement of the first two books (which was sadly lacking in the third).
All of our favourite characters return, with a few new and intriguing additions. Several characters from the previous book were left out almost entirely, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion: the third book featured so many characters that it was almost impossible to follow in some places. Flewelling...more
All of our favourite characters return, with a few new and intriguing additions. Several characters from the previous book were left out almost entirely, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion: the third book featured so many characters that it was almost impossible to follow in some places. Flewelling...more
Aug 03, 2008
Christine (AR)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fantasy fans, slash fans
Shelves:
sff
Nightrunner 4. Alec and Seregil go back to Aurenen, get captured and sold into slavery. Not as crack!fic as it sounds.
It was wonderful to see these characters again. I love their relationship, and this is by far the "slashiest" book Flewelling's written yet. The captivity part went on a little long, I thought, but it was really an enjoyable read, with a great set-up for the next book. I'm thrilled this series is continuing.
It was wonderful to see these characters again. I love their relationship, and this is by far the "slashiest" book Flewelling's written yet. The captivity part went on a little long, I thought, but it was really an enjoyable read, with a great set-up for the next book. I'm thrilled this series is continuing.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
SlashReaders: So I tried to take this one slow because I wanted to make it last. That lasted for all of about four chapters and then I couldn't put it down. This is nice pick up from the pace of the last book, though I have found that 'Traitor's Moon', has grown on me the more times I read it. However, this one definitely progresses faster.
I really don't have anything negative to say about it. I was a bit sad not to get any more with Becka and Nyle but I can live with that. And I must say that T...more
I really don't have anything negative to say about it. I was a bit sad not to get any more with Becka and Nyle but I can live with that. And I must say that T...more
I really wanted to give this book 4 stars, because I love Lynn's work, but unfortunately, it just didn't cut "really liked it." I liked it. A good story, involving my favourite bi-sexual characters, but it just didn't do anything for me. Where Lynn's previous books have been an emotional roller-coaster (especially Stalking Darkness), this one was more like a lazy drive in the countryside. It seems that Lynn focused too hard on keeping within 120,000 words than on giving us a worthwhile emotional...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Well, this wasn't much fun. There was a lot of sadness left over at the end of the last book and the beginning of this one brought back some of that, then it got worse. The characters are no longer valued by their monarch, their past achievements have been disregarded and they are viewed with suspicion in their chosen home town.
Then they get sent on a dubious mission, get caught and enslaved and spend the best part of the book separated and being beaten and abused by their new owner. I don't li...more
Then they get sent on a dubious mission, get caught and enslaved and spend the best part of the book separated and being beaten and abused by their new owner. I don't li...more
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Born Lynn Elizabeth Beaulieu.
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“A crafty nightrunner died of late,
And found himself at Bilairy’s Gate.
He stood outside and refused to knock
Because he meant to pick the lock.”
—
13 people liked it
More quotes…
And found himself at Bilairy’s Gate.
He stood outside and refused to knock
Because he meant to pick the lock.”

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Apr 27, 2011 01:47am
Nov 19, 2012 09:14pm