Stalking Darkness

I am completely and irrevocably hooked on this series. I did love the first one, but this one put me over the edge into fanatical territory.

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that when Alec and Seregil are separated about two-thirds of the way through the novel, I absolutely did not put it down until the end. I like both of the main characters so much that I obsessively had to make sure they were okay, even though I knew there were 5 novels after this and they both came out all right.

I was a little surprised to see that the entire Necromancer plot was dealt with here. I assumed that would be the overarching story of the series, after it was set aside in the first novel to focus on Alec's training. I figured Stalking Darkness would be more show more stories of the Rhiminee Cat and Alec's training, which it was, and those parts were great. But it also moves quickly to explain everything that was hinted at in the first book, then just wraps everything up. There's still plenty to explore in the next book, but that part of the story is done. It was excellent, by the way.

I liked the world the story is set in, I liked the light emphasis on magic (neither of the main characters uses it, but a secondary character is their powerful wizard), and I have an affinity for thief-ish characters and how they operate. I also just really like the master/student relationship between Seregil and Alec, and I definitely liked when it moved past that towards the end.

I cannot wait to read the next one. show less

Luck in the Shadows 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 show more 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. show less

Stalking Darkness is the second part of a story that started in Luck in Shadows. Whereas I thought that Luck in Shadows had too much convoluted plot, Stalking Darkness eases up on it. This story got dark, but never without hope. The last half of the book had me up all night in a "what happens next?" type of desperation. It's hard not to become invested in the characters. The reader grows with Alec as he learns from Seregil and feels just as connected to the people that become of his family. The world is detailed and well-thought out. I love that women are not second class citizens in this universe. Traditional gender roles tend to get thrown out the window without drawing attention to their absence. If I have a complaint, I did think show more the story wrapped up rather quickly. Thankfully, this is a series of books. I want to travel more with Seregil and Alec. They're just too much fun to be without. show less

I was so worried for the first third of this book that it was going to be like so many second installations of fantasy series; a let down. However, though it was slow to pick up, once it did, it never let up and I found myself turning page after page with anticipation, excitement, anger, sadness, and every emotion in between. This second book tore at my heart strings, and I found myself physically crying for the last few chapters. It has been a long time since a fantasy novel has truly tugged at my heart strings such as this one did.
When did I grow to care so much about the characters in this series that I would weep at some of their storylines? Flewelling did such an amazing job at writing these characters and building them and show more developing them, that it snuck up on me without warning.
There were so many great elements to the book that made it so successful in my eyes. Storylines came to a head, that I thought surely would carry on throughout more of the series, leaving me wondering what could be next! She introduced new characters as well, that fit perfectly into the mix and instantly had me loving them. Characters especially like Beka, who I hope plays a larger role in the story to come.
I am sad that I have waited so long to discover this series, but so grateful that I finally have, and cannot wait to see what Alec and Seregil find themselves doing in volumes to come! I can say with certainty that Seregil and Alec are two of my favorite fantasy protagonists of all time, especially Alec, who for some reason I just really love as a character. Flewelling is masterful at what she does. show less

I've just got to chapter 8 of this book, and I'm furious. Imagine a naive and starstruck 16 year old being drugged and then raped. Not very funny is it? That is of course, unless that 16yo is a boy, and he's being raped by a sexy older women. Then it's hilarious, and geewhiz, isn't he glad he finally got rid of that pesky virginity?? No. Fuck that shit, and fuck this book.

Recensione in italiano qui: http://thereadingpal.blogspot.it/2017/01/recensione-58-stalking-darkness.html

Alec closed cold fingers over his own. "What is it? You look
like you've just seen your own ghost."
A desperate ache lanced through Seregil as he looked down
into those dark blue eyes.
if you let slip the slightest detail
Damn you, Nysander!
"I can't tell you, talí, because I'd only have to lie, [...]"


Do you know of book series that you love since book 1's first line? There, the Nightrunner series is one of those, at least for me. I started the series with Luck in the Shadows, that I adored, and I kept going with this second book, which would deserve not 5 starts, but a hounderd.
We find again Seregil and Alec, who are back to their show more spy-life after the first book. There is an imminent war against Skala's ancient enemies, Plenimarans. Mardus hasn't yet abandoned the search to find Seregil and Alec, to get revenge on them and make the god Seriamaius come back, to destroy Skala.
Nysander is still hiding a lot of stuff, but he decides to involve Seregil and tell him little or nothing to make the spy help him. Nysander è worse than Dumbledore in Harry Potter, seriously...
During a festivity, that Lynn Flewelling has described in great manner, and so creating one of my favourite passages in this book, a prophecy is stated and it will force Nysander to tell everything in the end; and it will involve Seregil, Alec, Micum... And Beka, that in the meanwhile is gone for the war.
In this book the fantasy element of the series is addictive and palpable, between quite some magic fights and Magicians and Necromancers whom use their powers, one one side to avoid the rise of the Dead God, and on the other to make him come back in the land of the living.
Sacrifical victims, bloody rites described with care, obscure creatures; you'll find all of it in this story, that kept me breathless.
Mardus is much more present here than in the first book, so that we can know him better. He's an ambiguous character under certain aspects, but completely evil under others. It was pretty disturbing to hear him (yes, because when I read, if the book is well written, I imagine the whole story as a movie) talk of tortures with a calm and fatherly voice with Alec.
As I said before, Beka too has an important role in Stalking Darkness , and so we follow her during her battles. I love her even more than before, and I admit I have a little crush on her!
During all of this, we also see Alec and Seregil as they understand their true feelings for each other, finally. Strong feelings, which make them fight to get back to each other, and to search each other for solace. Seregil's desperation was in symbiosis with Alec's, and I felt it as MINE. Their solace for being with each other's arms too.
I swear this is one of the best book series I ever read; It's truly a pity that the italian translation was interrupted! show less

Really love the way Flewelling plays with gender and sexuality in her writing, especially as this genre is so lacking in both. I never thought I'd find that more interesting than necromancers, but in this particular book, I do. The necromancer angle was growing a little tired by the end of this one for me, but I'm really excited to see where the series is headed next!

This series is definitely worthy of your TO READ list!