by Lynn Flewelling
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Product Description
With the Leran threat laid to rest, Alec and Seregil are now able to turn their attention to the ancient evil which threatens their land. The Plenimarans, at war with Skalans, have decided to defeat their ancient enemy by raising up the Dead God, Seriamaius. The early attempts at this reincarnation--masterminded by the sinister Duke Mardus and his sorcerous minion Vargul Ashnazai--once left Seregil in a sorcerous coma. Now, an ancient prophecy points to his continuing role in the quest to stop Mardus in his dread purpose.
Seregil's friend and Mentor, the wizard Nysander, has long been the guardian of a deadly secret. In a secret, silver-lined room hidden well beneath the Oreska, he has served for most of his 300 years as the keeper of a nondescript clay cup. But this cup, combined with a crystal crown and some wooden disks, forms the Helm of Seriamaius, and any mortal donning the reconstructed Helm will become the incarnation of the god on earth.
Nysander holds the cup and Mardus the wooden disks--one of which was responsible for Seregil's coma--but the crown must still be located. Threatened under pain of death by Nysander to keep his quest a secret even from his loyal companion, Alec, Seregil is dispatched to find the last missing piece of the Helm so that he and Nysander can destroy it. But this is only the beginning of one of his deadliest journeys ever, for the prophecy also holds that four will come together in a time of darkness, and gradually all that Seregil values is placed at risk as he, Alec, Nysander and Micum are drawn into a deadly web of terror and intrigue.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Stalking Darkness, 2008-07-12
Stalking Darkness is a fairly good gay fantasy book, part two in a three book series. Give it a try.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Disappointing, 2008-01-07
The second in the Nightrunner series is an easier read than the first, with much of the tedious exposition out of the way. In the first book Flewelling relied heavily on conveying information through dialogue; a knowledgeable character tells another all the information Flewelling wants to convey. That lessens a bit in this second book and allows the action to move along.
What captured me in these books was the relationship between Seregil and Alec and while it develops in this book, the resolution was a let down. Alec's sexual awakening was wonderful to read. His development was realistic for himself and the world he lives in. His struggle to understand his growing attraction to Seregil is endearing. So it was disappointing in the end that there was not more time than about a page and a half spent with these two when they finally got it together enough to admit their feelings. As if the author decided there was no more to deal with after the declaration of love, there was no further hint as to how Alec was dealing with the physical aspects of the relationship.
Other weaknesses in the first book became more apparent in this second, as well. Flewelling does not deal with the logical consequences of the changes to the "typical" medieval setting she created. Reviewers who call the society matriarchal just because the throne is handed from woman to woman are using the term incorrectly. It appears to be an attempt to portray an egalitarian society, but it is not convincing. While women are seen in more diverse roles, the societal structure and equally diverse roles for men that would be needed to truly support such a situation are absent.
The two books so far are good for a couple days' reading, and for the unique enjoyment of a gay male romance in a fantasy setting, as long as you don't mind filling in the gaps yourself.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Competent fantasy with (gay) romantic plot, 2007-11-03
This is the second book in the Nightrunner series, continuing the adventures of Alec and Seregil as spies/gentlemen thieves in defense of the matriarchal kingdom of Skala.
On the plus side, it doesn't really suffer from the lack of action often found in second books of trilogies. (Nightrunner is actually a series rather than a trilogy. After writing 3 Nightrunner books and then a trilogy set earlier in the same time line, Flewelling is now writing further Nightrunner novels.) On the negative side, I didn't find the characters to be compelling, and little they did ever surprised me.
The story has some gay/bisexual themes, but it's still pretty much a PG 13 tale - in spite of the romantic plot and the emphasized urbanity of Skalan society, where prostitution is open and respectable, there's very little sex in this book. Instead, there's plenty of kidnapping, espionage, sorcery, and almost comic book level ultra=evil villains.
Overall, I would strongly recommend Flewelling's Tamir trilogy over these earlier books. The Tamir story has both a more original premise and significantly stronger writing and characterization than the Mightrunner books.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
A delight to read!, 2007-08-16
After Luck in the Shadows, I was thirsty for more of Seregil and Alec's amazing adventures and just immediately started reading Stalking Darkness.
The book continues from where Luck in the Shadows left off, Seregil barely knows anything about the mysterious scar on his chest and the prophecy. Alec knows nothing except for the fact that there are some obvious tensions between Nysander and Seregil, which are only intensified after Seregil gets sent out on an important mission related to the scar and Nysander refuses to tell him anything. We see some more development in their friendship, which in the early phases of the book takes a turn for the romantic side as Seregil starts to realize he is in love with Alec and visa versa.
While Luck in the Shadows seemed more of an introduction to the entire world, the Aurënfaie, RhÃminee and much more, Stalking Darkness seems to be focusing more on the characters (especially Seregil, Alec and Nysander; Thero nearing the end) and of course the relationship between Seregil and Alec. Seregil learns just how true his words are and what true loyalty and love is; Alec learns how to become more confident in everything he does and accept the feelings that brew inside of him for Seregil; Thero seems to shed some of his 'cold fish' skin nearing the ending and portrayed as a human man with fears but a very brave and honorable heart.
Alec learns more about his past (and we finally find out what the true reason is behind the cryptic looks Seregil was giving him during Luck in the Shadows). I must say, I read the underneath the underneath and I was expecting some twist like that, but it was very well done, not too blatant, and not too inconspicuous. His reaction around the news was very well portrayed as well, evident distress comes up for a while, then reluctant acceptation.
The relationship between Seregil and Alec evolves beautifully, IMHO. Although we have some smaller parts in the beginning of the book (Seregil and Alec dancing an eccentric jig around the room, Alec realizing how handsome Seregil is, Seregil understanding that he's in love with Alec), the true strength of their bond is shown more than halfway into the book.
What I loved about it was how mature they handled it and how easily it was accepted. Seregil obviously has experience with falling in love with other males, but for Alec it was a first and I have to say I was quite surprised (in a very pleasant way) with how he came to terms with his feelings.
The book seems to flow better than the first one, more secrets unveiled and the epic battle near the end was brilliantly written. Mardus and Ashnazai finally get more characterization to them, making them despicable villains, evil through and through (the thing that did irked me was that we never got a reason why. Is it because all Plenimarans are supposedly evil? Hmm) and Irtuk Beshar was simply amazing.
All in all, a fantastic read!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Love in a time of darkness, 2006-07-31
I had to review this book because I can't get it out of my head (and I'd quite like to get on with some work). I read the entire Nightrunner series, twice. In a week. There was so much joy in reading it, that I felt the need to repeat the experience. It was just as good the second time round, if not better, because I took more time to gush over particular passages and characters. I'm hooked for good, I reckon.
It may seem strange that I chose to review the second book in the series. I do so because this installment resonated with me more deeply than the other two (I just barely restrained myself from reading it a third time). The first book is really mostly an introduction to Seregil and Alec, the world of Skala, streets of Rhiminee, characters of wizardry, thievery, royal lines, gods, etc. Though strong in its own right, it delves a little too deeply in historical and religious set-ups. The third book, on the other hand, develops the world of Aurenfaie and makes for a complex read of clans and interrelations, each with lengthy names and extensive personal networks that requires quite a bit of concentration.
In contrast, this second book focuses mainly on the relationship between Seregil and Alec, and how their friendship grows into a much deeper love in the face of tremendous odds. This book focuses on growth. Alec becomes a confident spy. Seregil a marvelous teacher. While Alec comes of age, learning the ins and outs of intrigues among high society, he gains a mature understanding of love (in the 21st century, thank you Ms. Flewelling!), Seregil also grows, by learning that everything in life has its price. Needless to say, it's the awkward growth of the keen, pristine love between Alec and Seregil that is most preciously exquisite.
Stalking Darkness is a book of balance and contrast. Love against evil. Fantasy that lives in a very real reality. Nobility versus thievery and sewage workers. The sweet friendship that grows between all characters in the beginning of the book is genuine and realistic. It is a beautiful counterpoint to the dark ending.
Rarely have I come across a book so alive. This book has it all: love, evil, torture, sacrifice, trickery, humor, friendship, misunderstanding and realization. Within an apparent simplicity of writing, Ms. Flewelling demonstrates a huge talent for drawing us into a real world of characters we genuinely care about.
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