Shards of Time

Shards of Time by Lynn Flewelling is the final book in the Nightrunner series, following Thero, Alec, Seregil and Micum as they investigate the murder of a nobleman in a locked room.

I really enjoyed this as a close to the series. The broader cast helps the world feel settled rather than narrowing, and Klia’s presence as a central character shifts the balance in a way that feels overdue rather than corrective. That is echoed again in the inclusion of the female doctor, which quietly expands who is allowed authority within the story.

What stayed with me most is how the different strands are allowed to sit alongside the central mystery without feeling like distractions. Mika’s role as Thero’s apprentice, Seregil beginning to build show more something more permanent, and Klia’s pregnancy all carry a sense of continuation rather than interruption. Alec’s experience of death, and the unique role it allows him to inhabit this novel, feels like a thread the series has been working toward, and it lands here will in giving him opportunity to really stretch his wings independent of Seregil.

The ending moves through the expected large scale confrontation, but what lingers is the gentler sense of what comes next. It reads less like a final full stop and more like a widening out, a suggestion that these lives continue beyond the page. show less

I'm not crying. You are.

What a fantastic finish to a series I came late to, but will always love fiercely for the courage it showed in normalizing what is generally othered. This installment was fast-paced, action driven and absolutely satisfying as a final period for the series. Definitely read it. And when you cry to, drop me a line and tell me about it!

There are some books that you don't want to finish. There are some books you hug when you finished them because of the enjoyment they have given you. Both are rare. Shards of Time did both for me.
Characters that you already know and love and a straightforward plot where the four original Nightrunners take on an evil magician. My favourite character Thero has a large part and some major life changing moments.
What more could one have asked - I loved it.
The only sorrow is that there will be no more for the foreseeable future.
But thank you Ms Flewelling for the pleasure this series has given me.

My emotional connect to this series aside...
I find the authors insertion of the plot to be irritating. Isn't it time to have an entire novel of Alec and Seregil setting into their estates? There were no conflicts between the characters, I miss the clashes between Thero and Seregil. The plot might have been okay if it wasn't about exactly the same as a previous book. I loved the world building and new land we got to see. I didn't like that two main characters has almost the exact same name. I didn't like the kid. I spent a lot of this book just wanting to get to the end. This series started out strong, and the first three books are great, but now they're just mediocre fantasy. Think I'll just read a summary for the next books.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for review.

This is the seventh book in the Nightrunner series, and unfortunately seems to be the last. That being said, it was still great to read. Alec and Seregil continue on with yet another adventure that includes danger, as well as the "special skills" that they both have. I don't want to say too much so I don't spoil the plot.

I have enjoyed each of the books in this series, and am sad to know that this may be the final book in the series. The afterword Flewelling left did contain a hint that there may be future short stories, or possibly more, but at this time, this should be the final story. I don't know if I should feel teased or upset.

Ok, done with this. Very well written, of course, I found out at the end that its actually the end of a series, so now I'll have to read the rest of them! No matter what I do, it seems it just makes my tbr bigger! But, seriously, good characters, you just get them, right away. Intriguing plot line.

Ok, done with this. Very well written, of course, I found out at the end that its actually the end of a series, so now I'll have to read the rest of them! No matter what I do, it seems it just makes my tbr bigger! But, seriously, good characters, you just get them, right away. Intriguing plot line.