#27 Glimpses by Lynn Flewelling
In Glimpses, Lynn Flewelling gives us four short stories in the Nightrunner universe, covering events that have been referenced in the
series, but never told in full. The collection also consists of fanart of the series, a forward by fantasy author Laura Anne Gilman, and an excerpt from the next Nightrunner novel, Summer Players (recently renamed Casket of Souls). Ultimately, I felt as if Glimpses was a solid collection filled with some nice stories. The stories found here feel a little smaller than the series (which can be quite epic), and often have heavier romantic leanings. The fanart (which ranges from pretty good to quite impressive) compliments the stories really well. The drawbacks of the collection are the handful of distracting editing errors, and the fact that it's only about a 100 pages worth of new content. It's good content, but a hard sell for an $11 book. The collection probably won't be drawing in many new readers, but for fans who want to learn a little more about Alec and Seregil, it's a must buy.
For short reviews of each story, check under the cut.
In Misfit, we're given a glimpse of a teenage Seregil, newly arrived in Skala. Struggling to fit into a new city, Seregil finds himself falling into the arms of Price Korathan. Meanwhile, the wizard Nysander can't help but notice that Seregil has the potential for magic. Misfit was interesting, as it shows us a much younger, less confident Seregil, recently exiled. It's also consists of sex scenes that are much more graphic than readers are used to seeing in the Nightrunner books. It's a good think that Flewelling is so good at writing them. Misfit is quite a nice story, although I found myself at times wishing that she had written the story that comes after it (Seregil's training under Nysander) instead. 4 stars
In the Wild, we're given a closer look into the romance between Alec's mother and father. I thought it was nice to get a closer look at Amasa (Alec's father), and the relationship they shared while Alec was just a young boy. I also felt that the romance between Amasa and Ireya (Alec's mother) was handled well. This story also contains sexual content, and the fact that it's between a man and a woman, rather than two men doesn't mean that's it's less skilfully handled than in Misfit. I enjoyed this one. 4.5 stars
By the River shows us how Alec and Micum first met. The story doesn't take too long after Misfit, so Seregil is still much younger and less experienced than in the books. I liked the fact that Micum still felt like Micum, and enjoyed watching the two start to build their friendship. It's also worth noting that this is the only story in the collection not to feature any sex. 4 stars
The Bond seems to be the story that everyone was waiting for in this collection, as it illustrates Alec and Seregil's first night as lovers. I feel as if Flewelling handles this topic quite well. Yes, there's plenty of sex to be found, but she doesn't forget that it's the emotional bond and the love that the two share that's what readers yearn for the most (well, perhaps not everyone). This is probably my favorite story in the collection. 4.5 stars.
Rating: four stories
Length: 100 pages
Source: amazon gift certificate
Similar Books: The Nightrunner Books of course (beginning with Luck in the Shadows)
Other books I've read by this author: Luck in the Shadows, Stalking Darkness, Traitor’s Moon, Shadow's Return, The White Road, The Bone Doll’s Twin, Hidden Warrior, The Oracle’s Queen
Next I'll be reviewing The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness and The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong.
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads
series, but never told in full. The collection also consists of fanart of the series, a forward by fantasy author Laura Anne Gilman, and an excerpt from the next Nightrunner novel, Summer Players (recently renamed Casket of Souls). Ultimately, I felt as if Glimpses was a solid collection filled with some nice stories. The stories found here feel a little smaller than the series (which can be quite epic), and often have heavier romantic leanings. The fanart (which ranges from pretty good to quite impressive) compliments the stories really well. The drawbacks of the collection are the handful of distracting editing errors, and the fact that it's only about a 100 pages worth of new content. It's good content, but a hard sell for an $11 book. The collection probably won't be drawing in many new readers, but for fans who want to learn a little more about Alec and Seregil, it's a must buy.
For short reviews of each story, check under the cut.
In Misfit, we're given a glimpse of a teenage Seregil, newly arrived in Skala. Struggling to fit into a new city, Seregil finds himself falling into the arms of Price Korathan. Meanwhile, the wizard Nysander can't help but notice that Seregil has the potential for magic. Misfit was interesting, as it shows us a much younger, less confident Seregil, recently exiled. It's also consists of sex scenes that are much more graphic than readers are used to seeing in the Nightrunner books. It's a good think that Flewelling is so good at writing them. Misfit is quite a nice story, although I found myself at times wishing that she had written the story that comes after it (Seregil's training under Nysander) instead. 4 stars
In the Wild, we're given a closer look into the romance between Alec's mother and father. I thought it was nice to get a closer look at Amasa (Alec's father), and the relationship they shared while Alec was just a young boy. I also felt that the romance between Amasa and Ireya (Alec's mother) was handled well. This story also contains sexual content, and the fact that it's between a man and a woman, rather than two men doesn't mean that's it's less skilfully handled than in Misfit. I enjoyed this one. 4.5 stars
By the River shows us how Alec and Micum first met. The story doesn't take too long after Misfit, so Seregil is still much younger and less experienced than in the books. I liked the fact that Micum still felt like Micum, and enjoyed watching the two start to build their friendship. It's also worth noting that this is the only story in the collection not to feature any sex. 4 stars
The Bond seems to be the story that everyone was waiting for in this collection, as it illustrates Alec and Seregil's first night as lovers. I feel as if Flewelling handles this topic quite well. Yes, there's plenty of sex to be found, but she doesn't forget that it's the emotional bond and the love that the two share that's what readers yearn for the most (well, perhaps not everyone). This is probably my favorite story in the collection. 4.5 stars.
Rating: four stories
Length: 100 pages
Source: amazon gift certificate
Similar Books: The Nightrunner Books of course (beginning with Luck in the Shadows)
Other books I've read by this author: Luck in the Shadows, Stalking Darkness, Traitor’s Moon, Shadow's Return, The White Road, The Bone Doll’s Twin, Hidden Warrior, The Oracle’s Queen
Next I'll be reviewing The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness and The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong.
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads