I Read What?!

So there we have it. We've finished the second book in Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series. And things have finally gotten a little bit gay. Or bi. Close enough.

Does it pass the test of time?

Absolutely! So let's talk about it!

Plot:

So the plot is definitely crisper and tighter than Luck in the Shadows was. The pacing is better, we don't have that odd narrative redundancy. Everything is fast moving and exciting. The relationship, while a slow burn, doesn't drag.

The tonal shift for Alec's plotline is a little much though. And I said in one of the reviews, it reminds me a little of the Golden Queen. Flewelling's execution is better, but we still have this random part in the middle that suddenly goes very dark, disturbing and violating for one of the characters, to great detail.

It's notable because it only happens to ONE character. (Well, Thero's there, but the narrative focus is on Alec.) The other lead characters, while not having a blast, are experiencing their worry and angst in a very matter-of-fact adventure novel way.

It balances better than Gallen having a pleasant day at the park when Maggie's getting mentally violated. But it's still comparable. Especially as, like Maggie's trauma afterward, we don't really ever address Alec's lingering trauma beside some minor lip service.

I feel like it would have been just as effective to have faded to black for the worst of the scenes, given how relevant the torture and aftermath was later. And maybe I'd be less bitter about it. Because as a reader, I get to vicariously experience what Alec and Maggie did. The more detail, the more intense. Which means, as a reader, I expect some kind of emotionally fulfilling follow up.

And yet, I was left hanging.

Seregil's emotional aftermath is very well-written, but I resent that he's the only one whose emotional aftermath seems to matter.

But the rest is good enough that I'll forgive it.

Characters:

Well, it's the same folk from last time. They're just getting to do more!

It's definitely fun to see Alec and Beka go from clueless kids to experienced thief and soldier respectively. I feel like I've watched them grow up a bit before my eyes.

Seregil got to shine more in this book than he did in Luck in the Shadows. The solo mission for the crown was really valuable, because it finally showed us what Seregil can really do, and why he's Nysander's best agent. It also makes him look better as a mentor, as we kind of get the impression that Seregil's been simplifying his missions and assignments for Alec's benefit. It's nice.

Micum gets more of a part in the action which is nice. And as much as I like to bitch about him, I think Nysander got a bit more humanized here too. He feels more like a person now...albeit an occasionally irritating one.

I also enjoyed Thero a lot. Both before, when he and Nysander's conflict was becoming more apparent, and after he was kidnapped. I might complain about the amount of torture, but it was nice to see Thero get a heroic moment. He's Seregil's rival, but he's not a bad guy.

Still not sure what I think of Ylinestra and that whole nonsense. I'm not opposed to a dubiously consensual sex scene if there's a point, but I'm not sure there was one here. Except that Alec gets another trauma to never ever address.

And well, it is a hint that she's worse than she seems, I suppose.

But anyway, I very much enjoyed this book and I might, some day, do Traitor's Moon as well.

So last time, our main four were reunited and we saw some final battle prep. Now, maybe, we'll see the climax!

( Four chapters left! )

So last time, Alec escaped! Thero had a noble sacrifice! And Beka continues to be quietly competent.

( It's all getting pretty exciting now! )

So last time, Alec had a miserable time, while Nysander finally reunited with Seregil and Micum.

This time we're back with Alec. And yeah, same content warnings still apply.

( He's really having a bad time... )

So last time, we caught up with Seregil and Micum, who are sailing to Plenimar. We also caught up with Alec, who is also heading to Plenimar. No one's having a great time, admittedly, but Alec's got it pretty rough right now.

Egads.

( Maybe someone else is having a better time? )

So, it's been a couple of chapters since poor Alec stumbled into a horror house and disappeared. Now, this chapter, we get to find out what's going on with him.

Content warning here folks. Pretty much all of Alec's chapters, for a while, are going to have a warning on them. This one is probably just disturbing imagery. But it'll get worse.

( So yeah, fun! )

So last time, things kind of went to hell in a handbasket. We've got a lot of dead minor characters, Oreska's trashed, the Cockerel is worse, Nysander's out cold, and Alec's nowhere to be found

I remember this being the time when things are going to take a sharp turn into dark and disturbing. Let's see if my memory holds up!

( Can we beat decapitated heads laughing at you? Probably! )

So last time, Seregil's last lead got himself trampled by a carriage, then the boys decided to split up: Alec, to warn Micum of the increased danger. Seregil to do...something? Fuck if I remember. Anyway, the goodbye may have gotten a bit more interesting than usual.

( I'm sure nothing will happen to delay the follow-up... )

So last time, we saw what Beka was up to. Now, presumably, we'll be returning to our heroes. A lot's happened in a pretty short amount of time. But at one point, recently, their agent was murdered! Will we ever revisit that?

( As it turns out, yes! )

So last time, Nysander had very bad timing, Seregil lost a spy, and the villains gained some important information.

( This probably won't end well )