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The Chronicles of Arden #2
Nightfall
Gibben Nemesio thought his life was over the day he received a conscription notice demanding he train to be a soldier. When he left his home for Silver City, he never expected he'd thwart a terrible plot to murder the King and become an overnight hero—and he definitely hadn't expected to find love in the form of a handsome mage trainee named Joel.
Three years later, Gib has fought his way from lowborn farmer to hold the coveted position as understudy to the seneschal. Despite heightening tensions between the King and High Council and the rumors of impending war still terrorizing the people of Arden, Gib finds solace in the company of his wise mentor, loyal friends, and beloved companion.
But with the arrival of an ominous message from a powerful enemy in the north, Gib quickly realizes peace is fleeting in a world where chaos lurks in every shadow, and treacherous forces—from both outside the country and within—threaten to destroy everything he holds dear.
In "Nightfall", the second chapter of the epic fantasy series "The Chronicles of Arden", the adventure continues. 150,000 words. Epic fantasy. LGBT fiction.
Three years later, Gib has fought his way from lowborn farmer to hold the coveted position as understudy to the seneschal. Despite heightening tensions between the King and High Council and the rumors of impending war still terrorizing the people of Arden, Gib finds solace in the company of his wise mentor, loyal friends, and beloved companion.
But with the arrival of an ominous message from a powerful enemy in the north, Gib quickly realizes peace is fleeting in a world where chaos lurks in every shadow, and treacherous forces—from both outside the country and within—threaten to destroy everything he holds dear.
In "Nightfall", the second chapter of the epic fantasy series "The Chronicles of Arden", the adventure continues. 150,000 words. Epic fantasy. LGBT fiction.
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2015
23 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Shiriluna Nott
5 books69 followersShiriluna Nott is a 30-something girl born and raised in the northeast. She currently resides in the backwoods of upstate New York with her four dogs and painfully slow internet.
She and fellow author SaJa H. created the world of Arden and its many colorful characters during their teenager years, and have been lost within it's depths ever since. They have over two-hundred original characters, many of which will be featured in "The Chronicles of Arden".
Believing the fantasy genre is overflowing with traditional heroes and heroines, it is Shiriluna's goal to feature non-conventional leads in her novels, including LGBT characters. Her favorite authors include Mercedes Lackey and Anne Rice.
She and fellow author SaJa H. created the world of Arden and its many colorful characters during their teenager years, and have been lost within it's depths ever since. They have over two-hundred original characters, many of which will be featured in "The Chronicles of Arden".
Believing the fantasy genre is overflowing with traditional heroes and heroines, it is Shiriluna's goal to feature non-conventional leads in her novels, including LGBT characters. Her favorite authors include Mercedes Lackey and Anne Rice.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2017
dnf at 30%
i just have no interest in the world or characters anymore. i may have continued reading but the first 30% is just so dull and i don't care about anything and i'm too bored to read on to see if it improves
i just have no interest in the world or characters anymore. i may have continued reading but the first 30% is just so dull and i don't care about anything and i'm too bored to read on to see if it improves
May 6, 2015
Wow. So many emotions going on in my brain right now. I loved the first book in this series dearly, but Nightfall completely upped the bar and blew it right out of the water. The plot was more complex, the prose flowed beautifully, and the author managed to take me on one, endless emotional roller coaster. One minute I was laughing and the next, I wanted to cry. So many highs and lows. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but be prepared to sob. The angst is real.
May 10, 2015
Copied from my Amazon Review:
Okay. I loved the first book. This second book has so many of the wonderful qualities of the first. Interesting characters you care about. Fun and creative world building. A plot that really does pull you along. All these things add up to a fast and enjoyable read.
But.
This one thing took me from a 5 star review to a 3. **Spoilers** The "separation" cliche is overused and we all know its to create conflict for the story and blah blah. Here it 'almost' natural at first but when one of the characters comes through a harrowing experience the continuation of the cliche felt...beyond forced and unnatural. Not only for these specific characters but just in a general psychological sense. The constant "misinterpretations" and near misses of connecting were not enjoyable but see through.
I mean when even their 'mutual' friends know they are still pining over one another yet none take them by their small hairs put them in a room and say, "God dammit you both have told ME you love each other. Now TELL each other." It seemed illogical and contrived. I had hoped with this authors obvious talent and creativity they would have found more creative ways create conflict and to move the story along. I will continue to hope that the next book isn't full of these obviously false miscommunications and 'drama' for dramas sake. **End Spoilers**
The first book held none of this and still had an engaging plot and characters. Even with this said I enjoyed the read for the most part. Enough that I will still be sure to read the next in hopes of the story getting back on track. Others may feel differently, of course.
Okay. I loved the first book. This second book has so many of the wonderful qualities of the first. Interesting characters you care about. Fun and creative world building. A plot that really does pull you along. All these things add up to a fast and enjoyable read.
But.
This one thing took me from a 5 star review to a 3. **Spoilers** The "separation" cliche is overused and we all know its to create conflict for the story and blah blah. Here it 'almost' natural at first but when one of the characters comes through a harrowing experience the continuation of the cliche felt...beyond forced and unnatural. Not only for these specific characters but just in a general psychological sense. The constant "misinterpretations" and near misses of connecting were not enjoyable but see through.
I mean when even their 'mutual' friends know they are still pining over one another yet none take them by their small hairs put them in a room and say, "God dammit you both have told ME you love each other. Now TELL each other." It seemed illogical and contrived. I had hoped with this authors obvious talent and creativity they would have found more creative ways create conflict and to move the story along. I will continue to hope that the next book isn't full of these obviously false miscommunications and 'drama' for dramas sake. **End Spoilers**
The first book held none of this and still had an engaging plot and characters. Even with this said I enjoyed the read for the most part. Enough that I will still be sure to read the next in hopes of the story getting back on track. Others may feel differently, of course.
May 18, 2015
Before I begin, a word of warning must be giving to everyone uncomfortable with homosexuality. This is a story about two boys who fall in and out of love. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you do not read this book and keep your religious beliefs, your political beliefs, or your personal beliefs to your self.
If you do not have the above problem, then feel free to continue with the review or just buy the book and read it. I am totally okay with whatever you decide to do.
Nightfall is the second book in The Chronicles of Arden series with A Call to Arms being the first. However, this book the relationship between Gibben and Joel becomes a little tattered.
You see Joel goes on a journey as an apprentice with his mentor who happens to be one of the country's top political negotiaters. He enjoys it so much that he makes the decision to continue his training without talking to Gibben. Joel ends up going on a mission, along with others, that no one expects him to return from. Meanwhile, Gibben's heart is broken but he finds companion ship with another young man who has loved him from afar.
Joel's group does end up returning minus his mentor, and is realizing that his relationship with Gibben meant more than he thought. However, he isn't sure if he mend the relationship.
Add in, the king dying, the queen marrying the king's bodyguard, and a bunch of other little twists and turns, this is one hell of a book. Once again, I finished it way too fast and once again I am holding my breath for the next one.
If you do not have the above problem, then feel free to continue with the review or just buy the book and read it. I am totally okay with whatever you decide to do.
Nightfall is the second book in The Chronicles of Arden series with A Call to Arms being the first. However, this book the relationship between Gibben and Joel becomes a little tattered.
You see Joel goes on a journey as an apprentice with his mentor who happens to be one of the country's top political negotiaters. He enjoys it so much that he makes the decision to continue his training without talking to Gibben. Joel ends up going on a mission, along with others, that no one expects him to return from. Meanwhile, Gibben's heart is broken but he finds companion ship with another young man who has loved him from afar.
Joel's group does end up returning minus his mentor, and is realizing that his relationship with Gibben meant more than he thought. However, he isn't sure if he mend the relationship.
Add in, the king dying, the queen marrying the king's bodyguard, and a bunch of other little twists and turns, this is one hell of a book. Once again, I finished it way too fast and once again I am holding my breath for the next one.
May 14, 2015
Complimentary review copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
You know that old Murphy's Law adage? The one that says "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong", well this book takes it to the max, making for a darker read than the first book. There was also plenty of political intrigue, magic, mystery and romance just as there had been in the first book. I hate comparing two books but when the second one is a follow up to a good story it just begs to be compared and in this comparison it falls a little bit short for me. I would still recommend reading it if you enjoyed the first one as it is still a good fantasy novel but it was just a little to dark and dismal for my taste. Also, even though this one was a little bit to tough for me to enjoy as much, I will still be looking forward to the next Arden adventure.
May 21, 2015
Follow up to A Call to Arms, a story that I loved reading. This second chapter of Gib's story is just too overwhelmingly catastrophic for my tastes. I had to put it down several times before finishing due to just how wrong everything was going. But I did finish it and will read the next chapter. But, I probably won't like it for a good way into it.
November 7, 2016
Depressing
I don't think I can continue....I hate reading books where the good guys are clueless...the treachery was right in their faces but everybody was asking dumb questions and standing around...I get having the bad guys get away with some stuff but to make the good ones seem incompetent..HELL NO!!
I don't think I can continue....I hate reading books where the good guys are clueless...the treachery was right in their faces but everybody was asking dumb questions and standing around...I get having the bad guys get away with some stuff but to make the good ones seem incompetent..HELL NO!!
May 24, 2015
Awww shoot. This book was a heartbreaker. But I loved every minute of it. Romance, betrayal, political intrigue and lots of missed clues about relationships. Sounds a bit dark b and it was, but I can't wait to see what happens next to these characters that I have so enjoyed spending time with.
December 29, 2018
This book was rather dominated by the antics of the antagonists as well as the romantic tragedies of the heroes and their allies resulting in an overall gloomy book that I did not enjoy as much as the first novel.
October 30, 2016
Too many bad things happen to give it a higher rating. I kept having to stop reading because I didn't like what was happening.
June 30, 2020
The second book in the Chronicles of Arden, Nightfall had a good story with a bit too much angsty love in it. There were also some big picture mysteries that I would have liked to have found out more about.
The book opens three years after the original novel. Joel is finishing up an internship as an envoy, and decides that he would like to make a life of it. His mentor, Cenric has a family, but acknowledges that it's hard to leave your loved ones behind constantly. So Joel dumps Gib, and the whole book is full of them giving each other longing glances but not communicating or anything. Therefore there is a lot of wrong assumptions and unnecessary heartache that drove me crazy. Just talk, seriously!
Beyond the angst though, it is a good story. The Northern Empire has asked for King Rishi to make a visit, but instead a group including Cenric, Joel, Liro, Koal and others make the trip, the Emperor wants to marry his son to Rishi's 9 year old daughter, thus giving the Northern Empire a possible way to control Arden. Things don't go well and people die while escaping.
Back in Arden, plots continue against the king and are ultimately successful. There is mystery about the births of the king's younger children, and a mysterious box is bequeathed to Hassan before the king dies. I really wish we'd learned more about these mysteries.
Additionally, the bad guys, Neetra and Liro are just so completely horrible and unlikeable they're tough to read. I do hope that they are defeated soon, because I can't stand reading about them.
I'll give the third book a try, there is enough of a story to keep me reading.
The book opens three years after the original novel. Joel is finishing up an internship as an envoy, and decides that he would like to make a life of it. His mentor, Cenric has a family, but acknowledges that it's hard to leave your loved ones behind constantly. So Joel dumps Gib, and the whole book is full of them giving each other longing glances but not communicating or anything. Therefore there is a lot of wrong assumptions and unnecessary heartache that drove me crazy. Just talk, seriously!
Beyond the angst though, it is a good story. The Northern Empire has asked for King Rishi to make a visit, but instead a group including Cenric, Joel, Liro, Koal and others make the trip, the Emperor wants to marry his son to Rishi's 9 year old daughter, thus giving the Northern Empire a possible way to control Arden. Things don't go well and people die while escaping.
Back in Arden, plots continue against the king and are ultimately successful. There is mystery about the births of the king's younger children, and a mysterious box is bequeathed to Hassan before the king dies. I really wish we'd learned more about these mysteries.
Additionally, the bad guys, Neetra and Liro are just so completely horrible and unlikeable they're tough to read. I do hope that they are defeated soon, because I can't stand reading about them.
I'll give the third book a try, there is enough of a story to keep me reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2019
While I enjoyed the first book, I am not sure that I am going to continue reading this one; I am a quarter of the way through and perplexed. There is too large of a jump between books with no explanation for the characters new positions. And while I don't mind some angst between the main characters, I find it hard to fathom why two people so in love that has already gone through hell, would so easily submit themselves to the torment of being apart for so long so early in their relationship. I agree with some of the other reviewers about the feel of darkness. This book just feels disjointed to me and doesn't have the same depth of feeling that the first book did. According to the authors' new website, https://www.ardenchronicles.com Book Four is on hiatus with no explanation. I am not sure that I want to continue reading a series that isn't going to be completed?
January 9, 2025
Unlike the first book, this one splits the pov. Half narrated by Joel and half narrated by Gibs. It is appropriate, given the journey they went on, but it also signified the seperation of two men's lives and their choices. A bit too much court drama and political intrigue for my taste, but the stakes have been raised appropriately and the tone of the seri lesbdid not change, even with time skips l so I must at least commend that. I'm not sure I'll enjoy book three but I'll give it a go.
November 24, 2017
Shiriluna Nott and Saja H have once again woven an intricate and compelling tale with Nightfall: the Chronicles of Arden #2. The story picks up several years after A Call to Arms and continues to follow the trials of Gib and Joel. The plot and betrayal continues to thicken with many new twists to the story. My only regret is that several plot lines were not resolved by the end of this novel. I hope that the third book completes the tale.
January 14, 2018
A fantastic Fantasy Romance. The drama was dealt with wonderfully and created interesting scenarios for the reader to enjoy reading. I've read the book more than five times, don't think I'll get tired of it anytime soon.
September 2, 2018
A little too much emotional dithering slowed things down sometimes but still good
August 6, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Dan
We’ve jumped ahead three years since the end of book one. I’ll be honest, I was little put off by that. It seemed we totally skipped the relationship building between Gib and Joel, and now they are companions of three years.
Gib is now the understudy to the King’s Seneschal, who you will remember is Joel’s father. Joel is now the understudy to Arden’s top Ambassador and has been away for six months on a peaceful mission to another land.
Things aren’t going all that well between the two though, and when Joel returns and decides he wants to become an actual Envoy, he breaks off his relationship with Gib, so that he won’t hurt him down the line. What we have here is a typical failure to communicate. Neither he, nor Gib, really want the relationship to end. It isn’t long though before someone else is sniffing around Gib. Is he available?
Then a summons arrives from the evil empire to the north. The King of Arden originally came from that empire, and he is viewed as a traitor by the Emperor. The Seneschal, the top Ambassador, Joel, his brother Liro and some others are chosen to go to the empire to answer the summons. There are nefarious back stories going on though. Nothing is as it seems. Can even the people on the mission be trusted? Joel’s brother Liro, in my opinion, is a total snake. Why can’t they see it!
When the mission goes disastrously wrong, can the team escape from the empire alive? What is happening back in Arden? There are evil shenanigans going on with Joel’s uncle, the brother of the Seneschal, who is the Head Councilor. When all these machinations come together, can Arden survive?
I really liked this story. I didn’t like that it ends as a cliffhanger, with little resolution on some continuing issues. The next book is coming in the fall though, so I will just have to wait for my answers!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
We’ve jumped ahead three years since the end of book one. I’ll be honest, I was little put off by that. It seemed we totally skipped the relationship building between Gib and Joel, and now they are companions of three years.
Gib is now the understudy to the King’s Seneschal, who you will remember is Joel’s father. Joel is now the understudy to Arden’s top Ambassador and has been away for six months on a peaceful mission to another land.
Things aren’t going all that well between the two though, and when Joel returns and decides he wants to become an actual Envoy, he breaks off his relationship with Gib, so that he won’t hurt him down the line. What we have here is a typical failure to communicate. Neither he, nor Gib, really want the relationship to end. It isn’t long though before someone else is sniffing around Gib. Is he available?
Then a summons arrives from the evil empire to the north. The King of Arden originally came from that empire, and he is viewed as a traitor by the Emperor. The Seneschal, the top Ambassador, Joel, his brother Liro and some others are chosen to go to the empire to answer the summons. There are nefarious back stories going on though. Nothing is as it seems. Can even the people on the mission be trusted? Joel’s brother Liro, in my opinion, is a total snake. Why can’t they see it!
When the mission goes disastrously wrong, can the team escape from the empire alive? What is happening back in Arden? There are evil shenanigans going on with Joel’s uncle, the brother of the Seneschal, who is the Head Councilor. When all these machinations come together, can Arden survive?
I really liked this story. I didn’t like that it ends as a cliffhanger, with little resolution on some continuing issues. The next book is coming in the fall though, so I will just have to wait for my answers!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
December 24, 2015
Some rule says the second book of a series has to be bleak. This certainly fits the bill. I can't think of much that goes right here. I have to hold out hope that things will turn out well in the next book, due in the fall.
We are reunited with our old friends from book one. As previously, I have trouble placing the secondary characters. I cannot remember who is related to whom, and what positions they hold.
Liro acts just as despicably as before, but we see glimpses of vulnerability. I feel some slight sympathy for him. This is more Joel's book than Gib's, and we hear less from some people who were more prominent in book one. There is barely any reference to the conspiracy or assassination attempt in book one. There are new problems to deal with here. Maybe it will all be tied together later.
A few new characters pop up, and there is also a new secret that seems to have been just been invented.
The story flows well and I read it in one sitting in about half a day. I was so eager to find out what would happen that I skimmed some parts very quickly. I wasn't much interested in descriptions of objects, and even when there was action I skimmed when it moved too slowly for me. I skipped one particularly gruesome section.
There were only a few minor instances of what I considered mistakes. As with the first book, the King is called Highness instead of Majesty. The Crown Prince is called the Crowned Prince. The past tense of bid is bade, but bid was used here. Finally, pour was used twice for pore.
We are reunited with our old friends from book one. As previously, I have trouble placing the secondary characters. I cannot remember who is related to whom, and what positions they hold.
Liro acts just as despicably as before, but we see glimpses of vulnerability. I feel some slight sympathy for him. This is more Joel's book than Gib's, and we hear less from some people who were more prominent in book one. There is barely any reference to the conspiracy or assassination attempt in book one. There are new problems to deal with here. Maybe it will all be tied together later.
A few new characters pop up, and there is also a new secret that seems to have been just been invented.
The story flows well and I read it in one sitting in about half a day. I was so eager to find out what would happen that I skimmed some parts very quickly. I wasn't much interested in descriptions of objects, and even when there was action I skimmed when it moved too slowly for me. I skipped one particularly gruesome section.
There were only a few minor instances of what I considered mistakes. As with the first book, the King is called Highness instead of Majesty. The Crown Prince is called the Crowned Prince. The past tense of bid is bade, but bid was used here. Finally, pour was used twice for pore.
June 24, 2015
So not as good as the first but the first would have been hard to book.
This very much feels like a transition novel. Its just a stop before we get to the next one. That doesn't make it bad but it just didn't grab me quite as much.
This one felt much more like a YA novel with lots of angst and relationship issues. I understand that these have to exist but when the writing is so clear that two people should be together and they are not together makes for some not so fun scenes. It just feels like they separated only so they could be brought back together in a happy union. I hope the third book gets them back together on the quicker side of things.
With all that being said I am looking forward to the next book. There was some surprising scenes. I do wish there would be a little more explanation of why the bad guys are bad (there has to be some reason), because at this point I just hate them and want them to die. I wish there was something that made me feel for them or at least see why they were doing what they were doing.
Anyway not a bad sophomore novel but I am hoping that the next one gets up back on track!
This very much feels like a transition novel. Its just a stop before we get to the next one. That doesn't make it bad but it just didn't grab me quite as much.
This one felt much more like a YA novel with lots of angst and relationship issues. I understand that these have to exist but when the writing is so clear that two people should be together and they are not together makes for some not so fun scenes. It just feels like they separated only so they could be brought back together in a happy union. I hope the third book gets them back together on the quicker side of things.
With all that being said I am looking forward to the next book. There was some surprising scenes. I do wish there would be a little more explanation of why the bad guys are bad (there has to be some reason), because at this point I just hate them and want them to die. I wish there was something that made me feel for them or at least see why they were doing what they were doing.
Anyway not a bad sophomore novel but I am hoping that the next one gets up back on track!
May 26, 2015
Pro:
OMG! I just finished the second book and I am just beside myself...I have laughed and cried and gotten pissed off.......I can't believe the bad guys are winning!!!
Con:
The Gib and Joel seperation should have ended when the returned home and Joel needed him most this should have been when they poured their hears out to each other and became stronger together again.
Suspicion:
I think that maybe Neetra did something to Liro's mind when he was younger to turn him the way he is that is why he gets headaches and follows him blindly
I can not wait for the next book do you have a ETA on its release yet?
OMG! I just finished the second book and I am just beside myself...I have laughed and cried and gotten pissed off.......I can't believe the bad guys are winning!!!
Con:
The Gib and Joel seperation should have ended when the returned home and Joel needed him most this should have been when they poured their hears out to each other and became stronger together again.
Suspicion:
I think that maybe Neetra did something to Liro's mind when he was younger to turn him the way he is that is why he gets headaches and follows him blindly
I can not wait for the next book do you have a ETA on its release yet?
October 19, 2015
I loved the first book in this series a lot. But Nightfall completely took me by surprise and I just really enjoyed this book immensely. It has so many of the wonderful qualities of the first. Interesting characters you care about. The world building was just so creative and interesting. I liked the fact that the author made the plot more complex, and really put her characters through some hard times.
I am a definite fan of this series and can't wait for the next installment to see where the author takes us. Also this series does need to be read in order.
I am a definite fan of this series and can't wait for the next installment to see where the author takes us. Also this series does need to be read in order.
April 11, 2016
While I really liked the first book in this series, I LOVED this one and Ms. Nott has completely captured my attention with the story. I did have some problems with the direction that she took Gib & Joel, it seems a little too much like something you would see on a CW teen soap series, the overall story is incredible. I'm off to Amazon hoping the third book has been released - it says Fall 2015 but it didn't pop up when I finished it.
I'm really hoping if I have to wait - it won't be long.
I'm really hoping if I have to wait - it won't be long.
June 29, 2015
This was a great installment to the series and I loved seeing how the characters have grown even if it was sometimes sad and frustrating to read. always a sign of a good author when they can frustrate you but you can't put the book down!
February 25, 2016
Loved it. Book 3 was supposed to have been out last fall, but it's not showing up on Amazon. :(
They need to hurry up and release it so I can continue on in this wonderful tail. I want to know if Joel and GiB will get things worked out and get back together were they belong.
They need to hurry up and release it so I can continue on in this wonderful tail. I want to know if Joel and GiB will get things worked out and get back together were they belong.
June 3, 2015
I really hope the "misunderstanding" gets cleared up early on in the next book. It's too distracting from a really good story. Really looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews