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Nightseer
Keleios the Half-Elf was but five years old when she saw her mother murdered by the evil witch Harque. For years she has asked the gods for the strength she'll need to avenge this foul death, and it seems the gods have answered her. She's been granted an array of powers never before seen in one person, but she has also acquired a most terrifying burden, a demonmark. This mark can open the door to undreamed abilities, but it can also open her soul to the forbidden dark side of magic. Keleios must choose between the demonmark's tainted power and the lives of those she holds most dear. In an epic battle of good versus evil, of enchanted swords and shapeshifting dragons, of unquenchable hatred and unlikely love, Keleios must face her own demons—before she can acquire the most important power of all: the power to forgive.
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 3, 1992
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About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
422 books25.7k followersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
October 2, 2007
Ok, this is one of Laurell's books from back in the day when she actually gave a damn about her work. Right now all she seems to care about is cranking out enough sex scenes to make a novel length and sending it in so that her publisher will send her a check.
This is a good fantasy story, probably intended to be the first of a duo or trilogy as the way it ends seems to imply that there will be more to follow. Unfortunately, I haven't found another book in this series and right now I'm hoping that there ISN'T one in the works, since Laurell had forgotten how to write. I'd rather just be able to enjoy this story and wonder about what happens next. (Is the creepy brother-in-law given his come-uppence? What about the even creepier brother of the male lead? Are the lower class people who have been oppressed for centuries because they "can't do magic" going to be vendicated, since there were actually some of their children in the Mage School that creepy brother-in-law attacked? What, what what???)
This is a good fantasy story, probably intended to be the first of a duo or trilogy as the way it ends seems to imply that there will be more to follow. Unfortunately, I haven't found another book in this series and right now I'm hoping that there ISN'T one in the works, since Laurell had forgotten how to write. I'd rather just be able to enjoy this story and wonder about what happens next. (Is the creepy brother-in-law given his come-uppence? What about the even creepier brother of the male lead? Are the lower class people who have been oppressed for centuries because they "can't do magic" going to be vendicated, since there were actually some of their children in the Mage School that creepy brother-in-law attacked? What, what what???)
September 25, 2008
Nightseer is one of the few stand-alone novels created by Laurell Hamilton. As are most of her books, it falls in the genre of fantasy. Although rather unfamiliar with the previous works of this author, the novel called to me from the shelves. The cover art is spell-binding, and the synopsis intriguing with its promises of demons, darkness, and forbidden pleasures. At a first glance, everything about the novel draws readers in. The novel follows the journey of Keleios: a sorcerer, enchanter, and herb-witch recently demoted from the rank of “master” after a shocking discovery of a new branch of power. After her relatively peaceful life at the keep is disturbed by the betrayal of one of their own, Keleios and the few survivors left are exiled to the land of demons, the Grey Isle. It is soon realized that the destruction of her home was brought about from the intricate planning of Harque, a powerful witch whom Keleios has sworn revenge on after the murder of her mother. With the help of her faithful friend Tobin, the dragon Eroar, an enslaved demon, and the black healer Lothor, Keleios fights for survival and vengeance. During her perilous journey, she learns the importance of loyalty, endurance, and resistance to temptation.
The central conflict is man vs. man and man vs. self. The obvious conflict in the novel is between Keleios and Harque. Harque, jealous of Keleios’ promise of vast amounts of power, kills Keleios’ mother in front of her young eyes. As Keleios reaches adulthood and grows into her power, she is no longer defenseless against the manipulations of the witch. Harque consistently attempts to end her life: first when Keleios was a mere child, and later in the form of her apprentice, Fidelis, after she was banished. As tensions grow, Keleios is finally able to act on her anger and attempt vengeance during the last showdown between her and the witch at the Grey Isle. The act of vengeance is an essential aspect of the novel. The theme deprived from this concept is that justified revenge could clear the conscience. When questioned by her sister, Methia, why she no longer mourns for their mother, Keleios replies, “‘My mourning was vengeance. I sought it and failed when I was seventeen. I asked you to come with me, but you refused. You said killing Harque would not bring Mother back. Well, neither would mourning forever’” (Hamilton 284-285). Although Keleios failed to kill Harque the Witch when she was younger, the action alleviated the guilt she felt for being unable to protect her mother. Because of this, Keleios was able to move on, while her sister carried the sorrow with her throughout her life.
Some symbols found throughout story were demon marks, fire, and whips. The demon marks, engraved in Keleios, Lothor, and Keleios’ childhood friend Belor, symbolizes impurity. To carry such a sign means you were marked by a demon. Although Keleios received the mark involuntarily, she still views it as a mar to her soul, a permanent taint. Fire is viewed as destruction. It was Keleios’ first sorceress’ charm, spurred on by a feeling of deep hatred. Fire is also what caused the disintegration of the keep, leaving nothing but ashes. Fire is wild, uncontrollable, and when it burns—eternal. It’s a symbol of violence, unstoppable and volatile. Whips are a personal symbol to Keleios. It represents all the pain she suffered in the hands of demons. It comes in her dreams, reminders of her vulnerability and former abuse. She cannot escape the mars these weapons have left on her soul. The motifs in Nightseer are vengeance, heroism, intolerance, and lust. These concepts appear repeatedly throughout the tale: Keleios’ quest for revenge, survivors of the keep defending with their lives to protect the defenseless, prejudice against those considered “dark”, and consuming desire that leads to unforgivable actions.
Laurell Hamilton uses many metaphors within her novel, especially when describing the emotions Keleios uses to draw upon her sorcery. While describing a battle between Keleios and a succubus (she-devils who visit men at night), Hamilton depicts that Keleios “drew cold, not of winter wins, but of man. The coldness of an empty bed, a lonely room. The winter gale howling outside and you alone. No arms to hold you, no one to lust after you, alone” (301). Hamilton was very creative in comparing the cold to loneliness and isolation. Hamilton also uses many colorful descriptions. One example of this is her description of the flaming keep trapping all those inside. She narrates, “The column of fire roared upward into the dark. Orange cinders arched outward like fireworks, sizzling and crackling…In the flames faces flickered, screaming and being endlessly consumed by the fire. Arms reached outward, flamelets…blazed around and swallowed…It robbed what it touched scalding. It dried hope and left only terror behind—run, run and hide. But there was nowhere left to hide” (148). Unlike other novels, where descriptions become lengthy and tedious, implementing these explanations bring the story to life.
The plotline of Nightseer was riveting, and the descriptions captivating, but the novel seemed more of a sequel than an unconnected novel. In order to condense the length of the story, past events, important to the development of the plot, were merely referred to briefly. Many significant details were passed up. Even after reading the novel, it is hard to decipher branches of magic from others. Hamilton does not give any clear explanation to what these magics are capable of doing. Also, there are many characters to keep track of. Other then appearing occasionally or being referenced, many supporting characters are expendable and unnecessary to the overall story. However, that is unclear until the end of the novel, and readers who painstakingly scramble to label names to faces are left disappointed once most of the characters fade from the story. I recommend Nightseer to young adults looking for a decent fantasy book to pass time. However, the conclusion lack finality, and readers may be left dissatisfied.
The central conflict is man vs. man and man vs. self. The obvious conflict in the novel is between Keleios and Harque. Harque, jealous of Keleios’ promise of vast amounts of power, kills Keleios’ mother in front of her young eyes. As Keleios reaches adulthood and grows into her power, she is no longer defenseless against the manipulations of the witch. Harque consistently attempts to end her life: first when Keleios was a mere child, and later in the form of her apprentice, Fidelis, after she was banished. As tensions grow, Keleios is finally able to act on her anger and attempt vengeance during the last showdown between her and the witch at the Grey Isle. The act of vengeance is an essential aspect of the novel. The theme deprived from this concept is that justified revenge could clear the conscience. When questioned by her sister, Methia, why she no longer mourns for their mother, Keleios replies, “‘My mourning was vengeance. I sought it and failed when I was seventeen. I asked you to come with me, but you refused. You said killing Harque would not bring Mother back. Well, neither would mourning forever’” (Hamilton 284-285). Although Keleios failed to kill Harque the Witch when she was younger, the action alleviated the guilt she felt for being unable to protect her mother. Because of this, Keleios was able to move on, while her sister carried the sorrow with her throughout her life.
Some symbols found throughout story were demon marks, fire, and whips. The demon marks, engraved in Keleios, Lothor, and Keleios’ childhood friend Belor, symbolizes impurity. To carry such a sign means you were marked by a demon. Although Keleios received the mark involuntarily, she still views it as a mar to her soul, a permanent taint. Fire is viewed as destruction. It was Keleios’ first sorceress’ charm, spurred on by a feeling of deep hatred. Fire is also what caused the disintegration of the keep, leaving nothing but ashes. Fire is wild, uncontrollable, and when it burns—eternal. It’s a symbol of violence, unstoppable and volatile. Whips are a personal symbol to Keleios. It represents all the pain she suffered in the hands of demons. It comes in her dreams, reminders of her vulnerability and former abuse. She cannot escape the mars these weapons have left on her soul. The motifs in Nightseer are vengeance, heroism, intolerance, and lust. These concepts appear repeatedly throughout the tale: Keleios’ quest for revenge, survivors of the keep defending with their lives to protect the defenseless, prejudice against those considered “dark”, and consuming desire that leads to unforgivable actions.
Laurell Hamilton uses many metaphors within her novel, especially when describing the emotions Keleios uses to draw upon her sorcery. While describing a battle between Keleios and a succubus (she-devils who visit men at night), Hamilton depicts that Keleios “drew cold, not of winter wins, but of man. The coldness of an empty bed, a lonely room. The winter gale howling outside and you alone. No arms to hold you, no one to lust after you, alone” (301). Hamilton was very creative in comparing the cold to loneliness and isolation. Hamilton also uses many colorful descriptions. One example of this is her description of the flaming keep trapping all those inside. She narrates, “The column of fire roared upward into the dark. Orange cinders arched outward like fireworks, sizzling and crackling…In the flames faces flickered, screaming and being endlessly consumed by the fire. Arms reached outward, flamelets…blazed around and swallowed…It robbed what it touched scalding. It dried hope and left only terror behind—run, run and hide. But there was nowhere left to hide” (148). Unlike other novels, where descriptions become lengthy and tedious, implementing these explanations bring the story to life.
The plotline of Nightseer was riveting, and the descriptions captivating, but the novel seemed more of a sequel than an unconnected novel. In order to condense the length of the story, past events, important to the development of the plot, were merely referred to briefly. Many significant details were passed up. Even after reading the novel, it is hard to decipher branches of magic from others. Hamilton does not give any clear explanation to what these magics are capable of doing. Also, there are many characters to keep track of. Other then appearing occasionally or being referenced, many supporting characters are expendable and unnecessary to the overall story. However, that is unclear until the end of the novel, and readers who painstakingly scramble to label names to faces are left disappointed once most of the characters fade from the story. I recommend Nightseer to young adults looking for a decent fantasy book to pass time. However, the conclusion lack finality, and readers may be left dissatisfied.
February 9, 2011
I was going through a dry spell in books until I ran across Nightseer, and a random woman next to me at the bookstore recommended it to me. Not expecting much, I was shocked to find out this was a complete page-turner. I just couldn't put it down, and in two days I had read through the novel with a thirst for more. I credit Hamilton's heavy use of action, along with realistic characters for that. The way in which the characters spoke was natural. There was no forced drama with simple greetings, and the archaic style found in Tolkien's works has been replaced with frank dialogue, strong female characters for a wider selection of interactions, and fully fleshed out characters with multiple dimensions. The action, however, truly shines, with some battles going on for multiple chapters. It was all very fast paced, and while I enjoy some slow reads, I think that this pace matched the story perfectly. Every second was valuable, and when a crisis happened, the response was immediate. I would love to emulate this approach to action and honest character development. The effects are quite captivating.
May 29, 2015
There may have been some things wrong with this first novel, I confess, thought this did not make it less enjoyable. With a bit of reworking and editing, it could do quite well now because it had so much potential and creativity. The worst part is that Hamilton never continued this series and left the readers hanging at the end.
Fast forward to the present, I seriously doubt if she has what it takes to continue this series even if she was given motivation and a chance to do some real writing again. Her Anita Blake books have turned into hyper descriptive erotic PWP (porn without plot).
I keep wondering who is buying these books? I ceased going to the library to check them out. Don't want to waste valuable time on her novels when I can be reading something worthwhile. Perhaps she will hire a ghost writer, do an edit on Nightseer and continue it. Or perhaps I am delusional. Ahh well, not everyone can be Anne Bishop.
Fast forward to the present, I seriously doubt if she has what it takes to continue this series even if she was given motivation and a chance to do some real writing again. Her Anita Blake books have turned into hyper descriptive erotic PWP (porn without plot).
I keep wondering who is buying these books? I ceased going to the library to check them out. Don't want to waste valuable time on her novels when I can be reading something worthwhile. Perhaps she will hire a ghost writer, do an edit on Nightseer and continue it. Or perhaps I am delusional. Ahh well, not everyone can be Anne Bishop.
June 7, 2011
Amazing.
After I read this debut, I could not go back to her smutty Vampire Hunter Series.
She has so much potential, smut-lit is so below her talent level. I really wish she could/ would go back and finish this series. This novel definitely had/has the potential to go someplace very wild and fantastical.
I was a little unsettled that there was not a huge resolution, but the entire novel occurs over the course of one night and I feel that she may have intended on continuing the story in a second novel before getting sidetracked with Anita Blake.
It is over all Fantastic! Amazing even, since I had not been expecting something of that caliber from Hamilton after reading some of her smutty novels previously. Definitely a beautiful piece of literature.
After I read this debut, I could not go back to her smutty Vampire Hunter Series.
She has so much potential, smut-lit is so below her talent level. I really wish she could/ would go back and finish this series. This novel definitely had/has the potential to go someplace very wild and fantastical.
I was a little unsettled that there was not a huge resolution, but the entire novel occurs over the course of one night and I feel that she may have intended on continuing the story in a second novel before getting sidetracked with Anita Blake.
It is over all Fantastic! Amazing even, since I had not been expecting something of that caliber from Hamilton after reading some of her smutty novels previously. Definitely a beautiful piece of literature.
September 9, 2020
This is an early work by Ms Hamilton so I was hoping that it was a halfway decently written story rather than the smut-fest that the Anita Blake series turned into. A stand alone fantasy - seriously, how bad can it be? Hmm.
The plot: our heroine is Keleios Incantare, demon-named Nightseer (this is helpfully repeated several times in the book by the terribly formal villains, in case we forget), a half-elf journeyman enchanter/sorceress who seems to live at a keep where people with magical power are trained. So far, so D&D. We learn that when she was a child she was kidnapped along with her mother and sister by the evil witch Harque who killed Keleios' mother with some sort of rotting disease spell and presumably tortured the two girls. Anyway, at seventeen Keleios sought revenge, failed and was demon-marked on her left hand and went off to learn how to control her sorcery. There's an attack on the keep and Keleios and her friends are forced to escape and then discover they face other dangers.
Sounds promising, doesn't it? So why only one star? Because it contains several traits that I loathe and will list here.
1/Perfect character. I hate perfect, over-powerful characters, hate them with a passion and Keleios is beyond powerful. She's an enchanter and sorceress with a sideline in prophecy. As well as that, she's a competent archer and apparently a pretty good swordfighter. Oh, and because of the demon-taint she acquired she can do powerful magic that amazes people. Of course she can. The reason she's only a journeyman not a master is because she was a master but suddenly manifest a whole new type of magic and as no one knew how to use it she was busted back down to journeyman. And did I mention she's only 23? Ugh. I hated her. So our main character is an overly powerful, perfect woman with strict morals who looks down on those who don't share her godlike sense of righteousness. Anyone who's read Anita Blake feeling deja vu yet?
2/ Forced romance. Our perfect character is desired by a powerful half-elf prince who is a Black Healer which as I understand it means he's an evil person who's a good magical healer. The only problem is Keleios doesn't want him, so he tries to seduce her with magic and then forces her to swear a blood oath to take him as her consort when she needs his help to escape from the keep with the other characters. Ugh again. I hate this 'the heroine doesn't want him but has to be with him because...' idea; for one thing it's horribly like a near-rape/forced marriage and it's presented in a romantic way, which is seriously screwed. For another it's like the whole thing is an excuse so the heroine can get down and dirty with the sexy bad boy but still keep her image of righteous holier than thou heroine. Hey, anyone who's read Anita Blake feeling deja vu yet?
3/ Peril, more peril and the convenient happy ending. Seriously, it doesn't stop. The keep is attacked. They have to escape. They escape, but are arrested. They are sent to the island where Harque the evil witch from the prologue lives with her demon minions. I swear from the pacing it's like this all happens in one freaking day. But that's okay, Super-Keleiois is here, along with a smattering of super-powerful magic items that pop up, seemingly all wanting to be owned by her! After defeating all these evils they simply teleport (I'm not joking) to her sister's palace/castle where Keleois and Lothor can be joined and live happily ever after as Mr and Mrs Black Healer. So if they can teleport, why the hell didn't they do that the minute they got out of the keep?!
It was like a story based on a bad high-level D&D game. I wasted several days of my life struggling through this mess and have decided that Laurell K Hamilton has worn out her welcome on my bookshelf. The only good thing I can say is that there were no guns or Nikes in this, no matter what colour their swishes are.
The plot: our heroine is Keleios Incantare, demon-named Nightseer (this is helpfully repeated several times in the book by the terribly formal villains, in case we forget), a half-elf journeyman enchanter/sorceress who seems to live at a keep where people with magical power are trained. So far, so D&D. We learn that when she was a child she was kidnapped along with her mother and sister by the evil witch Harque who killed Keleios' mother with some sort of rotting disease spell and presumably tortured the two girls. Anyway, at seventeen Keleios sought revenge, failed and was demon-marked on her left hand and went off to learn how to control her sorcery. There's an attack on the keep and Keleios and her friends are forced to escape and then discover they face other dangers.
Sounds promising, doesn't it? So why only one star? Because it contains several traits that I loathe and will list here.
1/Perfect character. I hate perfect, over-powerful characters, hate them with a passion and Keleios is beyond powerful. She's an enchanter and sorceress with a sideline in prophecy. As well as that, she's a competent archer and apparently a pretty good swordfighter. Oh, and because of the demon-taint she acquired she can do powerful magic that amazes people. Of course she can. The reason she's only a journeyman not a master is because she was a master but suddenly manifest a whole new type of magic and as no one knew how to use it she was busted back down to journeyman. And did I mention she's only 23? Ugh. I hated her. So our main character is an overly powerful, perfect woman with strict morals who looks down on those who don't share her godlike sense of righteousness. Anyone who's read Anita Blake feeling deja vu yet?
2/ Forced romance. Our perfect character is desired by a powerful half-elf prince who is a Black Healer which as I understand it means he's an evil person who's a good magical healer. The only problem is Keleios doesn't want him, so he tries to seduce her with magic and then forces her to swear a blood oath to take him as her consort when she needs his help to escape from the keep with the other characters. Ugh again. I hate this 'the heroine doesn't want him but has to be with him because...' idea; for one thing it's horribly like a near-rape/forced marriage and it's presented in a romantic way, which is seriously screwed. For another it's like the whole thing is an excuse so the heroine can get down and dirty with the sexy bad boy but still keep her image of righteous holier than thou heroine. Hey, anyone who's read Anita Blake feeling deja vu yet?
3/ Peril, more peril and the convenient happy ending. Seriously, it doesn't stop. The keep is attacked. They have to escape. They escape, but are arrested. They are sent to the island where Harque the evil witch from the prologue lives with her demon minions. I swear from the pacing it's like this all happens in one freaking day. But that's okay, Super-Keleiois is here, along with a smattering of super-powerful magic items that pop up, seemingly all wanting to be owned by her! After defeating all these evils they simply teleport (I'm not joking) to her sister's palace/castle where Keleois and Lothor can be joined and live happily ever after as Mr and Mrs Black Healer. So if they can teleport, why the hell didn't they do that the minute they got out of the keep?!
It was like a story based on a bad high-level D&D game. I wasted several days of my life struggling through this mess and have decided that Laurell K Hamilton has worn out her welcome on my bookshelf. The only good thing I can say is that there were no guns or Nikes in this, no matter what colour their swishes are.
June 1, 2015
I really enjoyed this! LKH's debut novel, it has a much different feel from her other works, but not an unwelcome one. Set in a fantasy world rather than the 'real world', its a very different kind of story, but the writing style and characterization of the protagonist are unique to LKH. I loved the varied action and intrigue. The monsters and magic were fascinating and used in creative ways while still conforming to the 'natural laws' of the setting, which is something that LKH has been known to ignore in some of her later works, to their detriment in some cases. It was very fast paced, never boring and left me wanting more! I assumed there would be a sequel, however it's been almost 20 years since this novel was published, and one has yet to appear. For that, I have to mark it down a bit, because if it is meant to stand alone, too many plot points were left dangling, like Nesbit's betrayal and the rescue of Keleios's friends that were captured from the keep. I'd also love to see how the relationship between Kelios and Lothor would have developed. I may have to write LKH and pester her. You never know, she could still write a sequel. Here's hoping!
April 22, 2009
Hamilton's first book is completely different from everything else of hers I've read. Its more of a pure fantasy novel for starters, set in a high magic world where demons and spells are commonplace. Her characters are interesting as always and I would certainly love to see more.
But you can tell this is her first novel. The book feels disjointed, as if we're thrown in the middle of a story. Events the characters experienced in the past are referenced frequently, but we only get a small idea of what actually happened. Also the story isn't complete either and is left hanging.
Be nice to see Hamilton revisit this world in the future.
But you can tell this is her first novel. The book feels disjointed, as if we're thrown in the middle of a story. Events the characters experienced in the past are referenced frequently, but we only get a small idea of what actually happened. Also the story isn't complete either and is left hanging.
Be nice to see Hamilton revisit this world in the future.
October 23, 2014
Not part of her series & her first book of all, I think. Not bad.
March 17, 2015
I agree with Stacey, it wasn't one of her better books, it was slow and ended like the author was tired of writing it.
Read
January 1, 2018This is here as a bookcrossing ring, and I'm not entirely sure I would have read it otherwise. I found the beginning rather confusing. There were a great many people (or creatures) from different groups and lands - black healers, white healers, dragons and what not - perhaps a chart of the different groups would have been helpful. I persevered, and gradually came to enjoy it more, despite the rather incessantly apocalyptic tone of it. The relationship between the two main characters is ambiguous at best, and unless pages were missing from this copy, the ending is far from conclusive as to what the nature of their relationship will eventually become. Interesting though.
January 2, 2025
This was a good first novel by Laurell K. Hamilton. There was actual writing rather than just smut like her Anita Blake series. I can see where some of her characters in the Meredith Gentry series come from as there are many similar ones in Nightseer. The over-all plot was good, but there were too many characters that we never meet, and they all got jumbled until I couldn't really remember who anyone was short of Kelios and Lothor. After finishing I went looking for a sequel as the ending was definitely left open for one and found this was stand-alone. Kind of disappointed.
August 23, 2008
Fantasy novel focussing on a young noble named Kelios with some very unusual powers, who is going to a place of learning for magic. A very big part of her life is a memory of her mother's death and a vendetta against her mother's murderer. I picked this up because I was interested to see Hamilton's earlier work. This has a very different voice from the paranormal/urban fantasy novels Hamilton is famous for. It's a straight fantasy, and the writing is in an easy to read style, but this book feels like the second book of a trilogy rather than the standalone it is - there are a lot of references to an adventure the heroine Kelios had before that sounds like it deserves it's own novel, and a lot of references to terms I had to guess at. For instance, I believe Kelios is both an Enchanter and a Sorcerer, but Hamilton doesn't explain the difference. It also felt like a third book could have come after this one because of left over plot strings, plus only towards the end do I feel that I am beginning to get into Kelios's character and a couple of other characters. Leaves me wanting. On top of that, there is a lot of battling and fighting in this book and very little explaining. I'd recommend this as light reading but with a warning that you may feel unsatisfied.
February 13, 2010
In this fantasy book, Keleios is master enchanter and master dreamer who suddenly finds herself having to go back to magic school at twenty when she suddenly finds herself to have sorcery as well. A half-elf princess whose mother was murdered in front of her eyes at the age of five, Keleios has sought revenge against the witch for years. At seventeen, her thirst for revenge caused the capture of herself and her close friend Belor and ended with them having to survive a demon pit and the demon marks with which they came out of it. Now she finds herself and the others at her school the targets of political intrigue and revenge that may end with everyone she cares about dead and herself once again the tortured captive of the demons. She also has to deal with the black healer prince Lothor who wants to either marry or kill her.
Hamilton's debut novel is set in a fascinating world and is full of the action and complex twists and turns among relationships that you find in many other novels. Keleios is a complicated character, constantly fighting a battle between her desire to be good and the power she finds herself able to wield.
Hamilton's debut novel is set in a fascinating world and is full of the action and complex twists and turns among relationships that you find in many other novels. Keleios is a complicated character, constantly fighting a battle between her desire to be good and the power she finds herself able to wield.
October 17, 2012
I only have one complaint. It felt like the book was the middle book of say... a trilogy? So many characters are thrust upon you it feels like in a second book where you're already acquainted with most of them. The end also leaves you wanting more! Of course which Laurell k Hamilton book doesnt? BUT you dont receive a second book and never will, sad day. With that being said i did enjoy it! It was a bit hard to dive in to in the beginning getting every character sorted but after that i fell in love with Keleios just like i have grown to love Anita Blake and Merry Gentry! I would definitely recommend this book but just a heads up Nightseer does not hold the sexuality that the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry Books bring, it is more of vengeance and self discovery.
April 13, 2010
When I first found Laurell Hamilton, I went on a two month reading jag of all her work and somehow skipped this one. I'm kind of glad I didn't read it earlier for many reasons. I enjoy her character development and style and after reading both the Anita Blake series and the Merry Gentry series, I see repeating themes and character types that were just emerging for her as a writer in Nightseer. She has a fondness for scars, missing eyes, etc., on secondary characters (even Anita has her fair share of scars), and the main character tends to see past the physical to the person within.
September 4, 2010
The story's main character and heroine, Keleios, is a half-elf and was titled a master enchanter and a prophet before the novel began. It is confusing at first because you find out what happened but not why or how until later on. This made following the storyline a little confusing at times. Mostly, this novel was about seeking revenge for the death of Keleios's mother. This was Laurell K. Hamilton's first book. The plot was loose, the characters not very well developed. It was an okay read, but if it had been the first book I read by her, I am not sure I would have read her others.
July 3, 2014
As entertaining as this book was, I must admit I did not enjoy it as much as all other Laurell K. Hamilton books I have read. I feel the book was mostly slow throughout, no real climax, and when the book ended, it just ended. No real resolution of some of the other characters that were initially vital in the book and just left hanging as to closure on other events. I feel incomplete and let down by the whole experience of this book. I hate to say that about one of my favorite authors, but perhaps if it had been part of a continued series I would have a better review.
October 17, 2009
I did not finish Hamiltons debut. It became too confusing with all those different kinds of witches, sorcerers, wizards, phantoms, spells, flashes, visions, fires, dreams, flashbacks, elves and what not. Maybe it gets better later. I am not patient enough.
October 24, 2009
Ugh, I hate elves and shit.
May 12, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. Moreso than Hamilton's Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series. I wish she'd written a sequel to this. Maybe she still will...
May 15, 2015
Whilst waiting for another Anita Blake book to come out, I picked this one up to read. It was good. Where is the rest of it? I felt as if there should be more. We'll never know, we will?
October 25, 2019
Oh, it has been a long, long, while. Nightseer is my first ever book purchase. Back in Middle School, my god. The cover grabbed me and I just had to take a peek. Thirty minutes later and I was walking outside the bookstore with this and a bunch of others.
I loved this book. I LOVED THIS BOOK! What I felt when I realised that this was the start of a series...heartbreak. Because no way Jose was that series ever going to make it down to my corner of the world. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in another, more open, part of the world. The way I felt when I searched the rest of this supposed series and found nothing else in existence? Utter heartbreak.
To this day I still check if Laurell K. Hamilton has thought to add a Book 2 or some such. The search always ending the same way; Nope, nothing, nada.
Keleios, to this day, is one of my most favourite heroines. She was as perfect as she could be and I loved every flaw & strength she possessed. I think in some way she set the standard for every fictional heroine I like to read about. Her backbone of titanium was ridiculous, I mean...where can I get one? TAKE MY MONEY!
The story, the characters, just everything in this book grabbed me and has never let me go. I mean, it's been, what, 9 years? More? And I STILL CHECK EVERY MONTH TO SEE IF THERE'S A CONTINUATION. Probably the only book I do this to (LOL). And this is also the only LKH book I've actually finished & re-read the heck out of, I think. The Anita Blake series? Yeeeeah, no. I couldn't even make it past the first chapter, I think. NO ONE'S KELEIOS! LOL
Anyway, my paperback isn't with me in this new place. And it's the shittiest thing wanting to read this and remembering it isn't around. And I can't have a soft copy in my reader. It makes me downright miserable some days. OH! AND THAT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN KELEIOS AND MY FAVE DARK ELF PRINCE EVER? I NEEEEEEEEEEEEED IT. I. NEED. THAT. GOOD-GOOD.
Long review short; this book is definitely in my top fives. Keleios will always be near and dear to yours truly because she gave me an escape, and rekindled my love for reading at a time I needed it. She was aware of her flaws, stubborn about her values, and absolutely courageous when she wanted to do nothing else but run the other way. Her companions complimented her in every way. This is a story, I suspect, will forever stay with me.
I'm definitely not leaving you behind, the next time I go home, Nightseer.
If you seem interested in anything here (cover, blurb, review...etc); I recommend you pick up this little hidden nugget. It has its flaws but not only does it provide a total escape, it also picks you up at the first page and takes you on a great ride. A ride that only slows and stops because...well, book's finished. Hehehehehe. And now I just want to read it again! Hopefully I get to fly home sometime in the next few years.
I'm off to find something distracting to read tehehehehehe
Adios & Happy Reading, folks! x
I loved this book. I LOVED THIS BOOK! What I felt when I realised that this was the start of a series...heartbreak. Because no way Jose was that series ever going to make it down to my corner of the world. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in another, more open, part of the world. The way I felt when I searched the rest of this supposed series and found nothing else in existence? Utter heartbreak.
To this day I still check if Laurell K. Hamilton has thought to add a Book 2 or some such. The search always ending the same way; Nope, nothing, nada.
Keleios, to this day, is one of my most favourite heroines. She was as perfect as she could be and I loved every flaw & strength she possessed. I think in some way she set the standard for every fictional heroine I like to read about. Her backbone of titanium was ridiculous, I mean...where can I get one? TAKE MY MONEY!
The story, the characters, just everything in this book grabbed me and has never let me go. I mean, it's been, what, 9 years? More? And I STILL CHECK EVERY MONTH TO SEE IF THERE'S A CONTINUATION. Probably the only book I do this to (LOL). And this is also the only LKH book I've actually finished & re-read the heck out of, I think. The Anita Blake series? Yeeeeah, no. I couldn't even make it past the first chapter, I think. NO ONE'S KELEIOS! LOL
Anyway, my paperback isn't with me in this new place. And it's the shittiest thing wanting to read this and remembering it isn't around. And I can't have a soft copy in my reader. It makes me downright miserable some days. OH! AND THAT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN KELEIOS AND MY FAVE DARK ELF PRINCE EVER? I NEEEEEEEEEEEEED IT. I. NEED. THAT. GOOD-GOOD.
Long review short; this book is definitely in my top fives. Keleios will always be near and dear to yours truly because she gave me an escape, and rekindled my love for reading at a time I needed it. She was aware of her flaws, stubborn about her values, and absolutely courageous when she wanted to do nothing else but run the other way. Her companions complimented her in every way. This is a story, I suspect, will forever stay with me.
I'm definitely not leaving you behind, the next time I go home, Nightseer.
If you seem interested in anything here (cover, blurb, review...etc); I recommend you pick up this little hidden nugget. It has its flaws but not only does it provide a total escape, it also picks you up at the first page and takes you on a great ride. A ride that only slows and stops because...well, book's finished. Hehehehehe. And now I just want to read it again! Hopefully I get to fly home sometime in the next few years.
I'm off to find something distracting to read tehehehehehe
Adios & Happy Reading, folks! x
November 26, 2020
For a debut novel, Laurell K. Hamilton did a great job introducing readers to her world, providing adequate descriptions and imageries of cultures, races, and landscapes. The story has a nice balance of fantastical charm and action. There is also a nice array of characters to be captivated by. Nightseer's major downfall surrounds its main plot line; there were several different ideas thrown out to the reader that made it confusing on which was supposed to be the main focus. At times, I felt like I was getting whiplash as I was getting settled with a chain of events only for some new aspect to come side-swiping me with its arrival; sometimes these moments seemed odd and made no sense why they were now appearing. Another aspect of the story I felt could have used more work on was the so-called romance between Lothor and Keleios. I grew annoyed fairly early on with Lothor as he continually requested her hand in marriage despite receiving an answer time and time again ((What part of "No" do you not understand?)); by the time a genuine spark seemed to be appearing between them, it felt too late and out of place. Overall, while I did enjoy the characters and the world presented, I felt the story itself needed to be organized better and have a better focus on what its plot was supposed to be.
January 12, 2019
This book was really disappointing. There was so much potential with the story and I feel like it was squandered. It felt like she had tried to write a trilogy in 300 pages or that the book's pace was on fast forward. So many elements were introduced in such a short period of time and I wanted to know more about all of it.
There wasn't much information on how the magic worked, the races or the challenges of the world. The characters had a good first impression but there was not much character development. I had a hard time understanding Keleios' motives and it seemed like back stories were introduced on the fly without explanation. Belor just disappears from the story, he is in distress and Keleios just forgets about him. There were so many interesting things brought into the story but you only got a superficial explanation or nothing at all. It was very hard to keep everything straight or even to understand the "rules" of the world you were reading about. Huge portions of the book were unfinished. I had to push myself to finish the book because of this frustration.
There wasn't much information on how the magic worked, the races or the challenges of the world. The characters had a good first impression but there was not much character development. I had a hard time understanding Keleios' motives and it seemed like back stories were introduced on the fly without explanation. Belor just disappears from the story, he is in distress and Keleios just forgets about him. There were so many interesting things brought into the story but you only got a superficial explanation or nothing at all. It was very hard to keep everything straight or even to understand the "rules" of the world you were reading about. Huge portions of the book were unfinished. I had to push myself to finish the book because of this frustration.
January 8, 2020
This is Hamilton's debut novel and boy was it a ballsy one (from a new writers perspective). If you are a fan of her Anita Blake series or any of her later works don't come into this book expecting the level of hardness and sex you are used to. This book has an air of innocence about it. It took me a few chapters to adjust to it but once I did I was enthralled. There is just something so likeable about Keleious and don't get me started on Loltun. The magical world Hamilton created was so captivating. I'm still blown away that this was her first novel. For any Harry Potter fans, in my opinion, this world felt similar to that but in a slightly more grown up way. I definitely ended the book wanting more but alas I found there was never a continuation to the story and saw from an interview done with Hamilton that she does not intend to ever write one.
August 18, 2021
This is one of Hamilton's first books, and is VERY different to her current vampire and fairy series. It's almost a little Megan Lindholm like, which is high praise from me. This does have a slightly raw, debut feel, especially at the start, but it firms up as the story progresses. A touch more polish, and this would have rated even higher. The key features needed in a fantasy book are there and these are done very well. Keleios is a great character, tough, loyal and fiesty without been overdone. The supporting characters are equally interesting and nicely balanced.
The ending was a little abrupt and unfinished, but it left the door open for further books, which unfortunately hasn't happened.
The ending was a little abrupt and unfinished, but it left the door open for further books, which unfortunately hasn't happened.
July 21, 2017
This felt like a second book, by which I mean that so much seems to have happened "off screen" that it somewhat undermined the story that LKH was trying to tell. Keleios is completely over-powered and lacks any real flaws, most of the other characters lack depth and serve no real purpose, everything is resolved far too easily, and the (somewhat unsatisfactory) ending is wrapped up far too quickly. It also suffered greatly from careless editing; there are numerous examples of grammatical errors and missing punctuation throughout. It's a reasonable result for an author's first novel, but I can't see myself reading this book again.
November 19, 2018
Here's the thing. I didn't finish it.
I read up to 22% and forgot about it, and frankly, forgot the plot.
The book is boring, like a simple painting with details that have no point, and colours all muted.
As if the painter forgets the point, and spends ages on a single detail in the corner of his painting, but tje centerpiece is a stickfigure. Then it's all put behind a piece of glass, muted, and the colours seem even less memorable than before.
So I just stopped reading, and I shan't try again.
I read up to 22% and forgot about it, and frankly, forgot the plot.
The book is boring, like a simple painting with details that have no point, and colours all muted.
As if the painter forgets the point, and spends ages on a single detail in the corner of his painting, but tje centerpiece is a stickfigure. Then it's all put behind a piece of glass, muted, and the colours seem even less memorable than before.
So I just stopped reading, and I shan't try again.
August 31, 2025
This book was compelling in the first half, but by the middle I was bored and impatient with it, as I just wanted more information on what was happening and why. I wanted more details and more character development. One of my biggest annoyances was it felt like characters kept popping up out of nowhere and then disappearing.
Earned a 2 star instead of 1 star based on the fact that I enjoyed the first half and it kept me entertained enough to the point where I wanted to finish the book and see where the story went.
Earned a 2 star instead of 1 star based on the fact that I enjoyed the first half and it kept me entertained enough to the point where I wanted to finish the book and see where the story went.
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