Lynn Flewelling - Shards of Time

The governor of the sacred island of Korous and his mistress have been killed inside a locked and guarded room. The sole witnesses to the crime—guards who broke down the doors, hearing the screams from within—have gone mad with terror, babbling about ghosts . . . and things worse than ghosts. 
Dispatched to Korous by the queen, master spies Alec and Seregil find all the excitement and danger they could want—and more. For an ancient evil has been awakened there, a great power that will not rest until it has escaped its otherworldly prison and taken revenge on all that lives. And only those like Alec—who have died and returned to life—can step between the worlds and confront the killer . . . even if it means a second and all too permanent death.

Comment: This book was recently released and I was very curious to read it because I've been a fan since I found out about it, years ago. The author has said this would be the last full length story in this Nightrunner series but I have hopes one day she might get back to this world, it's really wonderful.

This latest adventure sees Seregil and Alec going to the Kouros island, now conquered by Skala and away from the Plenimarans. They are on a mission for the queen and apparently only to sole the mysterious death of the governor and his mistress. But what they find on the island is so much more than death, it's a tale that lasted centuries and is back to life once more.

I loved this story. Even the little detail I'd change isn't something so harsh that makes this story ruined for me. I'm always amazed by the way this world just draws me in every time. You know, that kind of book that you now will be good but still surprises you by the intensity of the appreciation you feel towards it. The true beauty of a book magic, that's what happens with me and these books. I already now there are elements that will be enjoyable to read but still, there's an extra something that turns this into almost perfection.

The plot is the author's trademark, lots of adventure, but with a main story that shapes all the other things and starts the happenings from the beginning. I was amazed by several little details of the truth behind the occurrences and the explanation for why things are the way they are. The story seems simple enough, but as it happened with former installments, things are more serious and bigger than we might think at first.

The characters are, obviously, the main strength of this. Alec and Seregil keep united and amazing and we see their relationship is as solid as we might ever want and there's a special kind of reassurance in that, to know with time they will still be together. Then there are some surprises with other characters we like, I for one was really happy with this little detail in Klia's life and one of the reasons the book was so good was to see her in a role I never imagined but in which she is amazing too.

The mystery has some macabre levels. It's hard to imagine such destiny, such deviousness, but it does get solved and I was glad to know the god triumphed over evil again and that the good guys have managed to achieve their goals.
I also liked how Seregil played his part and helped so many people.
It was also good to see the interesting details of the life in Kouros.

The author, like I said, has told her readers by the end of the book, this would be the last Nightrunner story for now. It's been years living with these characters but she's stopping for now. I accept her reasons, after all she's the creative mind behind all this, it's her prerogative, but as a reader of course I'm a bit sad. I hope it won't take decades or something to have a new story. On the other hand, things are well and up right now. I'd hate to see a irrevocable end...therefore, I'll keep faith for new stores with these characters that have made my reading life so much better. Until the next time, then. And like the guys would say...luck in the shadows.
Grade: 9/10

Lynn Flewelling - Casket of Souls

More than the dissolute noblemen they appear to be, Alec and Seregil are skillful spies, dedicated to serving queen and country. But when they stumble across evidence of a plot pitting Queen Phoria against Princess Klia, the two Nightrunners will find their loyalties torn as never before. Even at the best of times, the royal court at Rhíminee is a serpents’ nest of intrigue, but with the war against Plenimar going badly, treason simmers just below the surface.
And that’s not all that poses a threat: A mysterious plague is spreading through the crowded streets of the city, striking young and old alike. Now, as panic mounts and the body count rises, hidden secrets emerge. And as Seregil and Alec are about to learn, conspiracies and plagues have one thing in common: The cure can be as deadly as the disease.

Comment: I started reading the Nightrunner series by this author a long time ago. It's a fantasy series, full of magic and spells and characters full of life and secrets that come alive in very vivid and enthralling stories. And with each book I keep getting surprised and entertained even when the book isn't as appealing as the better ones. This isn't the case, because Casket of Souls was intriguing and exciting until the end.

Seregil and Alec are the two main characters in the series and since book #1 we've been following their adventures and challenges. Seregil is the older one, a kind of mentor for Alec and also his partner. One of the best scenes in all the books was when Alec told Seregil he loved him, it was so sweet.
In all the books we also have development in the political situation of the world they live in. There's constant war between two places and as spies to the queen, these two see themselves in the most difficult situations but they always manage to get free and arrive home safely.

In this book we have two actions taking place. First, there's the political side of the action. Queen Phoria is fighting the plenimarans but she's chosen her eventual replacement. It's neither of her siblings, but her nice, Elani. However, many nobles would have preferred to see her sister Klia on the throne because Klia is brave and wise. There's just the little detail that Klia doesn't want to be queen. Then there are those who want to kill Klia so she can stop being a potential threat to the queen.
While these political games are played, a group of actors comes to the city and they soon become the starts of the season. Seregil sees nightrunner potential in Atre, the company's principal star.
Somewhere in the book, people start getting ill and they simply fall wherever they are, fall asleep with their eyes open and eventually die. No one knows how this happens, what causes this and even wizards can't find a magical cause.
All these things happen at the same time we see some personal development in the character's lives.
It was an intriguing read, full of twists and little details about things the reader wants to see or hopes to. I love seeing Seregil and Alec getting smart and trying to help and solve the problems around them. The cause for all the problems is connected and after a wile is starts to become obvious. Still, I was curious to see how they would solve everything and if they would be on time to save someone they fell it's part of their family.
In the end, a major thing happened and I can't wait to see how it would influence the upcoming books - which I hope are going to be written!
I recommend this fantasy series to everyone.