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Lord of Nightmares #2
The Lies of Solace
A cold-eyed man was smiling at her from so close she could kiss him. Except it was her face twisting in surprise as she looked at herself...
Jacqueline Fine is having visions…visions of a robed man before the crumbling edifice of a city, of bones and flesh at his feet, of blood and terrifying words. She's determined to stop this latest vision from happening, but can she change fate, or only allow herself to be swept along in the tides that come?
The Lies of Solace is the second novel in The Lord of Nightmares Trilogy, based on the popular Arkham Horror board game. This disturbing tale explores the depths to which desperation and tragedy can plunge us, and the grim consequences that await those who surrender to grief and pain.
Jacqueline Fine is having visions…visions of a robed man before the crumbling edifice of a city, of bones and flesh at his feet, of blood and terrifying words. She's determined to stop this latest vision from happening, but can she change fate, or only allow herself to be swept along in the tides that come?
The Lies of Solace is the second novel in The Lord of Nightmares Trilogy, based on the popular Arkham Horror board game. This disturbing tale explores the depths to which desperation and tragedy can plunge us, and the grim consequences that await those who surrender to grief and pain.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 12, 2012
10 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
John French
154 books293 followersJohn French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2020
This novel is a marked improvement over the first book in this series, but it's written by a different author. French has published other novels before, but Bligh's book was his first novel; I'll chalk it up to experience that this one was an easier read, and a bit more intriguing.
What's odd, though, is this book has ABSOLUTELY NO RELATION to the first book in the series. It has different characters, fighting a different baddie, for different reasons. The last book in the trilogy is written by both authors, so my guess is that the conclusion will bring all the characters together into one big showdown, but it was weird waiting for a familiar face to show up, and then realizing at page 100 that it wasn't going to happen.
(All that is said with the understanding that I don't have a clear idea of what happened in the first book since the prose kept throwing me off. Maybe it's the same bad guy? If so, I didn't get that feeling.)
Finally, I know that Fantasy Flight is more a publisher of board games than novels, but they really need to invest in better editors. There were a lot of typos and homophone errors throughout the book, and it kept interfering with the story.
What's odd, though, is this book has ABSOLUTELY NO RELATION to the first book in the series. It has different characters, fighting a different baddie, for different reasons. The last book in the trilogy is written by both authors, so my guess is that the conclusion will bring all the characters together into one big showdown, but it was weird waiting for a familiar face to show up, and then realizing at page 100 that it wasn't going to happen.
(All that is said with the understanding that I don't have a clear idea of what happened in the first book since the prose kept throwing me off. Maybe it's the same bad guy? If so, I didn't get that feeling.)
Finally, I know that Fantasy Flight is more a publisher of board games than novels, but they really need to invest in better editors. There were a lot of typos and homophone errors throughout the book, and it kept interfering with the story.
June 13, 2013
I don't like to give one star ratings, but this book was weak. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and alot of the dialogue was stilted. The pacing and structure of the book didn't work for me as what should have been the big Act 3 covered, more or less, two thirds of the novel. I hope that Alan Bligh is going to return to writing the final book.
September 21, 2022
While it picks up pace in the second half, the first half of this book is rather weak.
John French’s skills as a writer seem to be at its best when delving into horror territory. Indeed, the second and third parts of "Lies of Solace" have interesting and sometimes powerful images of gore, dread, and despair. The power of these images comes perhaps from the way the narrative alternates between different approaches to horror—from cosmic and existential horror to nightmarish hallucinations and plain gruesome body horror.
But as an exercise in suspense, the first part falls flat. It seems to be merely going through the motions of setting up the stage for the second and third parts. The characters feel flat and their motivations mechanic. The narrative constantly shows its hand way too soon to build any sense of suspense, and it feels like necessary information is being spoonfed to us so we can understand the stakes and the twists of the ending. Vivian Bradbury in particular feels like a character who could have been further developed but ends up feeling like a cheap mcguffin.
John French’s skills as a writer seem to be at its best when delving into horror territory. Indeed, the second and third parts of "Lies of Solace" have interesting and sometimes powerful images of gore, dread, and despair. The power of these images comes perhaps from the way the narrative alternates between different approaches to horror—from cosmic and existential horror to nightmarish hallucinations and plain gruesome body horror.
But as an exercise in suspense, the first part falls flat. It seems to be merely going through the motions of setting up the stage for the second and third parts. The characters feel flat and their motivations mechanic. The narrative constantly shows its hand way too soon to build any sense of suspense, and it feels like necessary information is being spoonfed to us so we can understand the stakes and the twists of the ending. Vivian Bradbury in particular feels like a character who could have been further developed but ends up feeling like a cheap mcguffin.
July 18, 2018
The second book from the "Lord of Nightmares" trilogy has almost nothing to do with the first book. I don't know how, and am eager to find out, the stories will connect on the third, but this one can be read as a stand alone book.
It's as good and tense as the first one, but even more brutal. The way that it was written makes the reader never want to close it until it's finished.
It's as good and tense as the first one, but even more brutal. The way that it was written makes the reader never want to close it until it's finished.
June 22, 2020
This was a fun read. As a fan of FFG's Arkham Horror File games, it was interesting to read a longer form narrative set in the universe. I'm sure I'll keep on reading some of the others. The book was certainly true to the feel of the games and narratives.
April 1, 2023
This one had a slow build-up as we get to know the main cast.
When the stars align and the third act begins, boy does the book get much better! it's just a matter of getting there. Strong use of the Arkham Horror setting.
When the stars align and the third act begins, boy does the book get much better! it's just a matter of getting there. Strong use of the Arkham Horror setting.
January 9, 2018
A tie in with the boardgame Arkham Horror. An OK read.
December 1, 2024
A good read, but again we are left with questions. I’m really hoping the third book ties this all up.
May 31, 2013
"The Lies of Solace" by John French is NOT a sequel to "Dance of the Damned" by Alan Bligh, even though FFG has lumped them together in the "Lord of Nightmares" trilogy.
So "The Lies of Solace" is more of a reboot than anything else. We're not going to follow any of the plots or characters from "Dance of the Damned" and "The Lies of Solace" should be judged as a stand-alone novel (with, I suspect, a sequel forthcoming).
I'm not sure why they changed horses mid-stream, but I know I would have preferred to read more about the plot and characters from "Dance of the Damned."
But life in the Arkham Horror universe goes on. Sort of. The only character from the Arkham Horror game is Jaqueline Fine, a psychic who is hiding her poor and sketchy upbringing while she rubs elbows with the ritzy set. We do see and experience many of the "classic" locations in Arkham over the course of the story, though.
There are two basic plotlines. One, there is a cult called The Hand of Solace dedicated to doing very bad things in order to turn back time and bring back all of their lost loved ones. Two, a rich family is throwing a mysterious "Fete of Shadows" for all of the upper class townsfolk of the region in a house built on an old place of power.
The unifying thread between those two plots is an ageless sorcerer that has been body hopping for a thousand years to stay alive.
Overall, the tone of "The Lies of Solace" is more bleak and hopeless than all the other Arkham Horror novels I've read so far. It strikes me more like a Call of Cthulhu campaign than an Arkham Horror game, if you get my drift. Even when the heroes sort of "win," a lot of people die and/or go crazy--including most of the heroes.
I will say this for "The Lies of Solace," it provides the most detailed description of an otherworldly "gate" opening that I have ever read.
The promo card for this book is another one for Elder Sign, a game that most people play on their tablet devices as opposed to "in real life," but I digress.
As with all the other Arkham Horror books, if you're an H.P. Lovecraft fan or a fan of the Arkham Horror board game...you will likely enjoy this book.
But if you're expecting a sequel to "Dance of the Damned," you'll be disappointed.
So "The Lies of Solace" is more of a reboot than anything else. We're not going to follow any of the plots or characters from "Dance of the Damned" and "The Lies of Solace" should be judged as a stand-alone novel (with, I suspect, a sequel forthcoming).
I'm not sure why they changed horses mid-stream, but I know I would have preferred to read more about the plot and characters from "Dance of the Damned."
But life in the Arkham Horror universe goes on. Sort of. The only character from the Arkham Horror game is Jaqueline Fine, a psychic who is hiding her poor and sketchy upbringing while she rubs elbows with the ritzy set. We do see and experience many of the "classic" locations in Arkham over the course of the story, though.
There are two basic plotlines. One, there is a cult called The Hand of Solace dedicated to doing very bad things in order to turn back time and bring back all of their lost loved ones. Two, a rich family is throwing a mysterious "Fete of Shadows" for all of the upper class townsfolk of the region in a house built on an old place of power.
The unifying thread between those two plots is an ageless sorcerer that has been body hopping for a thousand years to stay alive.
Overall, the tone of "The Lies of Solace" is more bleak and hopeless than all the other Arkham Horror novels I've read so far. It strikes me more like a Call of Cthulhu campaign than an Arkham Horror game, if you get my drift. Even when the heroes sort of "win," a lot of people die and/or go crazy--including most of the heroes.
I will say this for "The Lies of Solace," it provides the most detailed description of an otherworldly "gate" opening that I have ever read.
The promo card for this book is another one for Elder Sign, a game that most people play on their tablet devices as opposed to "in real life," but I digress.
As with all the other Arkham Horror books, if you're an H.P. Lovecraft fan or a fan of the Arkham Horror board game...you will likely enjoy this book.
But if you're expecting a sequel to "Dance of the Damned," you'll be disappointed.
December 20, 2013
Out of the past Arkham Horror books I have read this one was the best. Before delving into the review some background on this one. This is the second book in the second Arkham Book series, The Lord of Nightmares. This stands out different, as there is nothing tying it back to the first book in this series. This threw me for a loop at first, but pressed forward as I have a feeling things might be cleared up in the third book.
This story follows three separate individuals as they begin their own different quests. At first there is nothing to tie their tales together, until you near the end of the first part of the book. From this part on wards their lives become tangled together. I won't say much more on this plot, as it explaining their paths could lead to spoilers.
What I liked about this book, is it follows through with what you would expect with a story in the Lovercraft space, you are not sure who is going to live, die, or go mad. When I was reading this I was trying to predict what would happen, but the author does a good job of weaving their paths together, without too many cliches happening.
This gave a fresh approach to this story. Also, when delving into Lovecraft it can be hard to describe certain concepts. The author does a good job in getting across what is happening. He also does a great job of conveying the sense of gore, without giving details.
This story is a fine bundle of plot and scenario you would find in the Lovecraft world. The only drawback would be understanding how this ties into the first book, as there is no reference made to those events. Though I have feeling when the third book is released, it will tie things together. A satisfying read.
This story follows three separate individuals as they begin their own different quests. At first there is nothing to tie their tales together, until you near the end of the first part of the book. From this part on wards their lives become tangled together. I won't say much more on this plot, as it explaining their paths could lead to spoilers.
What I liked about this book, is it follows through with what you would expect with a story in the Lovercraft space, you are not sure who is going to live, die, or go mad. When I was reading this I was trying to predict what would happen, but the author does a good job of weaving their paths together, without too many cliches happening.
This gave a fresh approach to this story. Also, when delving into Lovecraft it can be hard to describe certain concepts. The author does a good job in getting across what is happening. He also does a great job of conveying the sense of gore, without giving details.
This story is a fine bundle of plot and scenario you would find in the Lovecraft world. The only drawback would be understanding how this ties into the first book, as there is no reference made to those events. Though I have feeling when the third book is released, it will tie things together. A satisfying read.
September 21, 2012
This book is about the struggle of an Amish woman to break free from her family's comfortable but smothering love and find her way in a new world that seems so strange to her, but so compelling as well. She is helped along by a good-hearted man who owns a local coffee shop, and who has a troubled past. Together, they find love and new beginnings in...
No. That's not what it's about. It's about an insane man who cannot die, and who creates a cult of the grieved that he later sacrifices to dark cosmic forces in a mad quest to open a portal to horrifying alien world where the forgotten gods are worshiped and madness reigns supreme. Blood, gore, slime, tentacles, meat cleavers, undead things, nightmarish thingees, insanity inducing thingamajiggers...it's all here. No Amish chicks getting in touch with their feelings. Just the frayed ends of sanity.
Glorious.
No. That's not what it's about. It's about an insane man who cannot die, and who creates a cult of the grieved that he later sacrifices to dark cosmic forces in a mad quest to open a portal to horrifying alien world where the forgotten gods are worshiped and madness reigns supreme. Blood, gore, slime, tentacles, meat cleavers, undead things, nightmarish thingees, insanity inducing thingamajiggers...it's all here. No Amish chicks getting in touch with their feelings. Just the frayed ends of sanity.
Glorious.
January 15, 2016
Thought this one is tagged as the sequel to Dance of the Damned, it is in fact a stand alone novel, albeit set in the "Arkham Horror" universe. It didn't quite get it's claws into as much as Dance did, but I still found it pretty good. I'll probably picked the last book in the trilogy sooner or later.
June 10, 2013
Pretty good, doesn't seem like a follow-up to Dance of the Damned though. This one has a promo card for Elder Sign that you can send off to get.
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January 1, 2015První půlka lepší než druhá, ale pointa byla fajn. Na jedničku v ničem nenavazuje a je to poeticky lovecraftovské. Na jedno přečtení fajn.
March 18, 2015
This was a fun, thoroughly pulpy read. Not worth it if you are not a fan of the board game (or at least the mythos).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews