Luck in the Shadows

Nightrunner, Book 1

By: Lynn Flewelling

Narrated by: Raymond Todd

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

When young Alec of Kerry is taken prisoner for a crime he didn't commit, he is certain that his life is at an end. But the thing he hadn't counted on was his cellmate.

Spy, rogue, thief, and noble, Seregil of Rhiminee is many things, none of them predictable. And when he offers to take on Alec as his apprentice, things may never be the same for either of them. Soon Alec is traveling roads he never knew existed, toward a war he never suspected was brewing. Before long he and Seregil are embroiled in a sinister plot that runs deeper than either can imagine and that may cost them far more than their lives if they fail. But fortune is as unpredictable as Alec's new mentor.

Don't miss the other volumes in Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series.

©1996 Lynn Flewelling (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

One of My Favorite Books of All Times

A masterpiece. This is a story that takes place in a fictional world and belongs to the fantasy genre, but the details, emotions, motivations and actions of the characters are so like ours and easy to relate to or at least understand. I have all the books and have read them several times. Hearing the audio book gave me somewhat different experience, changed the story a bit because of difference in reading style. I strongly recommend this book and the story gets even better as you read the series.

Great LGBTQ fantasy!

This series is one of my favorites, and I think Flewelling is one of the best unknown fantasy writers. It’s complex, with a fully developed world and folklore, there is a companion book series about one of the historical queens. The characters ore lovely and deeply relatable. It also features many characters who are gay, bisexual and transgender! It is a normal aspect of the world and it is a refreshing change. I have been obsessed with these books for years, and they still hold up.

Fantastic Series! Homophobes, shut up!

I am completely enthralled by the series and its characters. Lynn Flewelling does a expert job of weaving together a world for her creative energies to take form in. This--the first book--is largely exposition woven into an array of adventures that build the relationship between our main characters and introduce the most influential ones to grace us throughout the rest of the series. However, I highly encourage the effort to gain the knowledge of this exposition to more fruitfully enjoy the rest of the books. Though this is not a kind of literature that begs the reader to develop grand theories of metaphor and symbolism, I would urge anyone looking for a good adventure with engaging characters to purchase this text and the ones that follow. Raymond Todd, while occasionally missing an inflection or overusing certain voices, does an excellent as far as most audiobooks go. Mainstream youth fantasy novels such as Harry Potter or the Inheritance Cycle receive more funding and are able--I imagine--to buy more studio time to master all the different characters voices.

However, I must say that I am disgusted by the heteronormative and homophobic interjections of fellow reviewers on this site. The mere idea that queer characters being present could be "unsafe for children" is appalling and deserves a good scolding. Furthermore, that this should make anyone avoid the series is outlandish. Though I suppose--to be fair--I find myself rather appalled by the blatant heterosexuality that dominates the majority of books on this site. However, until this moment, I have felt no need to scream from the rooftops that I don't wish to read/listen to such "lifestyles" being exhibited in literature. Therefore, I kindly ask all homophobic and heteronormative listeners to shove it and let listen to my queer audiobook in peace.

I will not be warned against what I look for in the first place. Heteros don't own the world, they just seem to think they do

in love with this story

fantastic narrator he keeps you captivated into the story to the point where you can see it and feel like you're part of it.

I enjoyed the whole series.

Reviewers who bemoan "explicit homosexuality" in these books are being ridiculous. There are no graphic depictions of sex in any of the books, which only tamely and tastefully mention the characters' sexual encounters without going into details. If that is what you're looking for, you will be disappointed. It is only "explicit" or "blatant" in that the love between the two main characters is not hidden, nor is a big deal made of it. I don't think I would even categorize this as LGBTQ fiction, because that aspect of the main characters was not prominent enough to think of it that way.
That nonsense aside, these books were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed them. I binged the whole series too quickly, and now I wish there were more. The characters are endearing. The action is well paced. Flewelling did a masterful job creating her world for her characters to inhabit. I seldom ever feel compelled to write a review, but I enjoyed this series enough to recommend it. I'm sure I'll go through the whole series again eventually.

This story is an epic fantasy that isn't spoken about enough.

I read the first book of this series as a teen and was hooked by Alec and Seregils story. I love this story because the friendships are true, forged over hardship, the motivations and mysteries intriguing. I've read the whole series front to back, as well as the Tamir triad and I just can't get enough of the world. I have so much love for their journey. The narrator does change in later books if that's a huge issue for you but I like both narrators.

TO BE CONTINUED??? !!!

Arrrgghhh! I just listed to 17+ hours of so-so fiction, even less enhanced by a reader who did not create definition between speakers, and who, throughout the entire book, read as though his subject was a history book, instead of a 'drama'. By chapter 9,999, the book was failing to completely hold my attention..... but I could, at least, 'award myself' with hearing a resolution at the end of the book....and then learned that IT WAS TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT BOOK! And even worse, that Part 2 would BE CONTINUED IN PART 3! All I wanted was a reasonably interesting l-o-n-g book that would be at least entertaining while making a long vacation drive. Then, to learn I had to continue with parts 2 & 3 -- well, it was just too much! Shouldn't we be warned that the story is CONTINUED in 2 more books, without a resolution until the end of part 3? Sure, it was an 'OK read', but it will take some serious consideration - or, perhaps, another very long, boring drive, to spend my book credits for Parts 2 and 3! If the author was a 'page turner' like Stephen King, you could at least partially forgive a continuation of a continuation ala The Dark Tower.....but the book would need a lot more interesting twists, turns and surprises to be in a similar league. The story could be told more quickly, and more interestingly.

Better read than listened to...

I have flipped through the book itself after listening and decided that this is a better read than a listen. The number of characters, the complex backstory, and the strange, fantasy names get in the way of a good experience. The story itself is okay, with some cliches but a few interesting notions. It is especially notable for its willingness to explore same-sex relationships without having to qualify them or be "sensitive" to conservative viewpoints. Friends have read further in the series and said it gets better in the later books so perhaps this novel is more of a setup than a payoff. The reader is great, and the book's strength are its characters.

can't wait for the next book in the series

I have already read print copies of the three books in this series and and really enjoyed listening to this book. I would love to get audio copies of the next two books and anything else by this author.

Great story, mediocre narration

I wasn't impressed by the narrator, but the plot is interesting and the characters draw you in.