Traitor's Moon (Nightrunner, Vol. 3)

I admit that I first picked up this series because I knew there was a love story, and I can't resist a fantasy novel with a good love story. The first book, Luck in the Shadows, was good, filled with a story that took me by surprise, and had me buying the second book almost before I'd finished the first. Stalking Darkness was another hidden gem, and at the end, I thought nothing could beat the wonderful, touching story that filled it. Still, I wanted to continue on with the characters' stories, so I picked up Traitor's Moon. I was a bit wary of the book; I've heard of it being the lesser of Ms. Flewelling's works. But just a few chapters in, I knew it was the best. Yes, the story is mostly political intrigue, but that line has been building since the first chapter of the first book. Yes, Ms. Flewelling's writing style has changed, but, I think it has made a turn for the better. Her prose takes on an almost poetic tone as Alec and Seregil venture into the heart of Aurenen. My favorite line? 'Like the moon, I'll hang close to you through the night, reflecting your brilliance by virtue of my own dark surface.' Who can resist someone who writes as beautifully as that? The scenes she describes are equally as breathtaking, and most of them are just enchanting. I find myself smiling as I read through her descriptions of Sarikali, Akhendi, and all the other delightful places her creative imagination has come up with. The exchanges between her characters are as passionate and full of life as ever, if not more. As our beloved character continue on their journey, a new language begins to develop, and things might become a bit more confusing. But compared to the other books, where whole sentences were spoken in unknown tongues and went untranslated, the new words here are easy enough to follow, and each is carefully explained. The long names are not difficult, either, if you're willing to take a few extra seconds to puzzle them out. The similarities between Aurenen names can become confusing sometimes, I admit, but I must say I've read far worse. All in all, I would say that the flaws in this book are minor things, mostly changes in style, and any true, avid fantasy reader will appreciate the world and culture that Ms. Flewelling has brought to life for us. This is a jewel to be discovered, the best book of them all. Of course, I strongly recommend that you read the Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness first; knowing the characters makes you love and appreciate them all the more. But when you've finished with them, don't hesitate to pick this book up. You will be missing out on something lovely if you don't.

Continuing her well-received Nightrunner Series, Lynn Flewelling's Traitor's Moon picks up two years after the end of Stalking Darkness. Lovers Seregil and Alec have spent the intervening time in a self-imposed exile in the wilderness of Skala, but while they have been far from the intrigues of court life, the bitter war with the Plenimarans has continued unabated. Skala is facing almost certain defeat, and the dying Queen Idrilain sees only one hope for salvation. They must renew their alliance with Aurenen, the mysterious and mystical land to the south.The Queen is sending her youngest daughter, Princess Klia, along with one of her best military leaders, Beka Cavish, but they need an escort, someone who understands this strange land in which outsiders, or Tirfaie, have not been welcomed for centuries. That's where Seregil comes in. He is an exile of Aurenen, forced to leave as a young man for a crime of which he has never spoken. Idrilain has negotiated his return on very strict conditions, and Beka manages to convince a very reluctant Seregil to accompany them back to his homeland.Alec, who is part Aurenfaie, is thrilled to be journeying to Aurenen, Seregil is decidedly less so. The land holds many memories for him, both happy and dark. As Alec learns more about their shared heritage, he learns much about his lover's hidden past as well. He needs to learn quickly however, because things are very different in Aurenen, and Klia will need all the help she can get on her diplomatic mission. The Aurenfaie live very long lives, so they see things quite differently. They take longer to make decisions. The problem is Skala doesn't have a lot of time. Things are getting worse on the battlefront daily, and a decision must be reached soon. Ancient intrigues threaten to sideline their work, and when a Skalan delegate is found dead, it's up to Seregil and Alec to work their master spy skills to save the mission-and Princess Klia-from certain doom.Traitor's Moon is the third book in this series, and it differs from the first two in several significant ways. Seregil and Alec are finally a couple after their cautious and awkward courtship that spanned the first two books(...). Flewelling compensates for this well by exploring their untested relationship as they journey into Aurenen together, and by throwing in a new dose of romance with Beka and a suspicious Aurefaie guide. This book is also less action driven and therefore reads a little slower. It feels more like a political thriller than the swashbuckling adventures of the first two installments. Still, it was such a pleasure for me to return to old friends like Seregil and Alec that I loved every minute of it. Flewelling is a masterful writer and her world building skills and character development are on a par with the best in Fantasy. I was sorry to see the book end, and I'm already looking forward to the next book, to be released hopefully in 2005.

Well, this has been an enjoyable past week for me as I finished the 3 books of Nightrunner series. However I did regret buyingthem at the end of Traitor's Moon because I have a dreadful feeling that the 4th book may never be written. And this will be a pity because the 3rd book is a solid bridge for more plot and character development. Lot's of loose ends - What exactly is Alec's heritage ? Thero's destiny ? Development of the raging war which threatens to engulf Seregil and Alec as they returned to Skala? Right, Miss Flewelling mentioned in her 3rd book that this is not a trilogy. But she left the series and started another trilogy which is focused on the ancient Skala Queen Tamar, aeon before the world of Nightrunner series. I am disappointed she did that because it meant if she ever returned to a 4th book of Nightrunner it will be published probably in 2005 or 2006. Christ ! I thought the Wheel of Time is the worst! Traitor's Moon is not as fast moving as the first two but the characters development is more fascinating and engrossing. The characters mature before our eyes. We see Seregil coming to terms with himself which I find touching. Alec as devoted to Seregil as ever. The bond between Seregil and Alec shines and these 2 soul mates have become my favorite characters in fantasy series after Cal and Pell in the "Wraeththu" series. The side characters are also a rewarding read, Thero's potential to be a great and wise wizard, Beka's love for an Aurenfaie. Sigh ! I just wish Miss Flewelling has just adhered to the development of this series.

Flewelling has created a marvellous world inhabited by unique and sympathetic characters. I love the personal interaction found throughout these books and was completely drawn in to the political, military, and magical intrigue of the plot. As in all of the best books, the characters' growth is as important as the scenes of action, and as a reader I have come to love so many of the numerous people who inhabit this world.I also love the fact that relationship between Alec and Seregil, who are both male, is not thrown in for a gratuitous thrill but instead because these two strong, good, solid people are drawn to each other in the beautiful, committed, loving way that we see in so many heterosexual relationships in the genre. There is no agenda here, there is just the description of two compelling souls who love one another and who work together in their attempts to set the world aright.I can say without a doubt that this series is one of the best high fantasy series out there. The world is complicated, the plots compelling, and the characters all growing and changing as they react to what happens around them. That the two main characters are both male and love each other matters only in that they have an admirable, loving, kind relationship. In general, this is a highly satisfying series and TRAITOR'S MOON certainly holds its own next to the first two books.Please, more, quickly, Ms. Flewelling!

I just read all three nightrunner books in less than a week (I had to wait four days to get the second one, so about a day's reading for each) This is the best and first fantasy series (SERIES) that I have come across, and its characters and stories rival some of the greats. Best of all: no cliff hangers.Traitor's Moon takes Alec and Seregil (don't you just love them?!) to Aurenen, Seregil's homeland from which he was exiled as a youth. They are part of the Skalan delegation, including Klia, Thero, and Beka, that is negotiating for aid in the war. Love, laughter, politics, frustration, fear, fighting, nightrunning, secrets, and the past weave a powerful spell that glues twelve ounces of paper and ink to your hands till the tale is done. It has the perfect mixture of action and reflection that really gives you a tangible feel of the place and the lovable characters, (some aren't so lovable, but just as real.)If you haven't read the first two books I highly recommend them. (After all, Lynn had two kids in collage.) They are so much fun and definitely worth it!