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Nightblade Epic #4-6
The Nightblade Epic Volume Two — a Three-Book Box Set: A Book of Underrealm
An epic adventure with more than 100,000 avid readers.33% OFF! This volume saves you $5 over buying the individual books.Contains more than 60 pages of historical and background stories about the nine kingdoms of Underrealm.SOMETIMES EVEN THE BEST OF US MUST WALK WITH DEATHLoren is well on her way to becoming the master thief she always wanted to be—if she can only stay alive. But her mentor is gone, and she will lose more friends before the end, now hunted by foes more powerful than she has ever imagined.Yet no one but Loren dares take up the fight against them. And so the fate of an ancient, deadly conflict may yet rest in the hands of a girl who has sworn never to kill.SHADEBORN (Book 4)Loren is listless in the wind. Though the Shades have been revealed, the cost of that knowledge seems too heavy to bear. And once again Xain is clutched by the tremors of magestone sickness, giving her the excuse she needs to simply...not go on.But now that the Shades have been found, they will not let Loren rest. If the Mystics learn what she knows, all the Shades' dark schemes could be thrown into disarray. Northwood will be the first town to burn under their icy fury, but as they hunt for Loren on the road to Feldemar, it will not be the last.WEREMAGE (Book 5)Woe be to traitors, for now the High King has an agent of Loren of the family Nelda is now the Nightblade.Ever since Loren first left the Birchwood Forest, the merchant Damaris has hounded her steps. Now Damaris has committed high treason and begun a civil war, and Loren has been sent to bring her before the King’s law.At Loren’s side is a party of Mystics, capable warriors all. For the first time she finds herself an agent of the realm rather than a criminal within it. But that brings no promise of safety, for all the nine lands are now a danger to any traveler.In the far western reaches of the kingdom of Feldemar, battle lines will be drawn. And an unseen presence that has dogged Loren’s steps for countless leagues will be revealed.YERRIN (Book 6)Loren pursues Damaris of the family Yerrin. But Damaris has fled south into Dorsea, and she knows she is being hunted.The power of the High King’s hand is still at Loren’s back, but that has not helped her bring her arch-nemesis to bay. Damaris eludes her at every turn, and the best trackers at Loren's disposal cannot close the gap in her pursuit. And then disaster strikes in Underrealm's great civil war, as an entire kingdom turns traitor.Her mission has never been more urgent, and yet despite her best efforts, Loren cannot gain the upper hand. As the danger to her friends grows ever greater, Loren must decide just how far she is willing to go to deliver the High King’s justice.Grab the volume NOW and save 33%!
- GenresFantasy
752 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2017
68 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2019
Robinson continues to blend fast-paced low fantasy with a mature perspective on what becoming a hero actually entails in the long term.
This book contains Shadeborn, Weremage, and Yerrin (the fourth, fifth, and sixth books in Robinson’s Nightblade series), along with a series of essays on the world.
The news that Loren’s father died of the injuries she inflicted escaping him has torn away the prop of never killing around which she built her self-esteem, casting her into melancholy and stalling the quest. Her companions tolerate her inaction for the moment, but with the Shades continuing their nefarious schemes and the battle against them the only thing keeping Xain from slipping back into magestone addiction, what might delay cost?
While Loren’s struggle to overcome her malaise is a well-written exploration of character that will grab readers who enjoy the series for her struggles, the entirely plausible withdrawal from action creates a situation without any immediate sense of consequence. As such, the opening section of Shadeborn is uncharacteristically slow. However, the action does pick up again soon after, making it well worth the effort for readers who are more interested in Robinson’s epic plots than angst to read on.
Where the events of the first three volumes—or at least their overt appearances—were mostly at a personal level, these novels follow Lauren’s actions on a national level, exploring not just the wider conspiracies but what it means to have become a hero. Clearly respect grants influence, but does it (and should it) grant authority? Sacrifices seem reasonable when one is on a quest, but what is reasonable and proper for everyday life? And is legendary figure a real job?
In addition to the plot and character aspects of this expansion, Robinson makes full use of the issues of soft vs. hard power to show the reader more of the political and cultural nuances of his world.
Having realised life is not as tidy as the tales of heroes suggest in the previous volume, Lauren now faces the realisations that her failures can have dire consequences and that being in charge doesn’t make you good at being in charge. While her overall success in coping might seem high to some readers, she does not display the casual exceptionalism of the farm-boy-turned-saviour trope; as such, readers are likely to sympathise with her struggle rather than want to slap her.
The supporting cast, particularly those returning from previous books, display the same tension between heroism and reality, pulled between the obvious rightness of the overall goal, the dishonour of pragmatic solutions, the human cost of ignoring pragmatic solutions, and the lack of firm foundation that can come from having no personal life.
Robinson’s addenda provide greater detail on the founding of several of the current kingdoms, a detailed calendar of when the events in the books happen, and a number of interactions between characters that do not appear in the novels. While these are not necessary to enjoy or understand the arc of the series, they do provide more depth and varied perspectives on both the world and certain events. As such, readers who love Robinson’s world-building are likely to find them strongly engaging.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection. I recommend it to readers seeking low fantasy that focuses on what happens after one becomes the hero of the hour.
I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
This book contains Shadeborn, Weremage, and Yerrin (the fourth, fifth, and sixth books in Robinson’s Nightblade series), along with a series of essays on the world.
The news that Loren’s father died of the injuries she inflicted escaping him has torn away the prop of never killing around which she built her self-esteem, casting her into melancholy and stalling the quest. Her companions tolerate her inaction for the moment, but with the Shades continuing their nefarious schemes and the battle against them the only thing keeping Xain from slipping back into magestone addiction, what might delay cost?
While Loren’s struggle to overcome her malaise is a well-written exploration of character that will grab readers who enjoy the series for her struggles, the entirely plausible withdrawal from action creates a situation without any immediate sense of consequence. As such, the opening section of Shadeborn is uncharacteristically slow. However, the action does pick up again soon after, making it well worth the effort for readers who are more interested in Robinson’s epic plots than angst to read on.
Where the events of the first three volumes—or at least their overt appearances—were mostly at a personal level, these novels follow Lauren’s actions on a national level, exploring not just the wider conspiracies but what it means to have become a hero. Clearly respect grants influence, but does it (and should it) grant authority? Sacrifices seem reasonable when one is on a quest, but what is reasonable and proper for everyday life? And is legendary figure a real job?
In addition to the plot and character aspects of this expansion, Robinson makes full use of the issues of soft vs. hard power to show the reader more of the political and cultural nuances of his world.
Having realised life is not as tidy as the tales of heroes suggest in the previous volume, Lauren now faces the realisations that her failures can have dire consequences and that being in charge doesn’t make you good at being in charge. While her overall success in coping might seem high to some readers, she does not display the casual exceptionalism of the farm-boy-turned-saviour trope; as such, readers are likely to sympathise with her struggle rather than want to slap her.
The supporting cast, particularly those returning from previous books, display the same tension between heroism and reality, pulled between the obvious rightness of the overall goal, the dishonour of pragmatic solutions, the human cost of ignoring pragmatic solutions, and the lack of firm foundation that can come from having no personal life.
Robinson’s addenda provide greater detail on the founding of several of the current kingdoms, a detailed calendar of when the events in the books happen, and a number of interactions between characters that do not appear in the novels. While these are not necessary to enjoy or understand the arc of the series, they do provide more depth and varied perspectives on both the world and certain events. As such, readers who love Robinson’s world-building are likely to find them strongly engaging.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection. I recommend it to readers seeking low fantasy that focuses on what happens after one becomes the hero of the hour.
I received a free copy from the publisher with a request for a fair review.
January 29, 2019
Shadeborn
Garrett Robinson is a masterful storyteller as is evident in this continuation of the Nightblade series. I found myself reading faster and faster, unable to slow down because I needed to find out what happened next. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this excellent series!
Weremage
Darker than usual, but no less enthralling. This book developed the characters even further than any book before. I like Loren and Annie more, I was getting annoyed with Chet, and Gem was confusing me. I really enjoyed the development of the depth of characters that was put forth in this book. I love this series and the Underrealm.
Yerrin
This was a totally unexpected turn to the story. I was not expecting any of it. I snickered. I sat on the edge of my seat gripping my iPad tightly, holding my breath with fear and anticipation. I cried. I cheered. This book brought out all my emotions and I loved every moment of it. Thank you.
Addendum
The Addendum was very useful in fleshing out how the world of Underrealm.
July 18, 2018
I really really enjoyed the story of these at first, Then this no personality of a character Chet gets added into the mix. Now I simply have to abandon this series Chet is the absolute worst thing to happen to these books ( my opinion ) and has ruined it for me.
February 21, 2019
Amazing!!!
These are some awesome books, been reading about the nightblade for awhile now. The character development and the journey of these characters are amazing. Can’t wait to read more of the further adventures in underrealm.
These are some awesome books, been reading about the nightblade for awhile now. The character development and the journey of these characters are amazing. Can’t wait to read more of the further adventures in underrealm.
September 7, 2019
Enjoyed this book. Each book I read adds more into the story line and then
goes further and adds in more information. Brilliant writing.
goes further and adds in more information. Brilliant writing.
October 13, 2019
Overall a good read
An ok read a continuation of the first series of books. Found it drags a little towards the middle but picks up pace towards the end. Overall a good read
An ok read a continuation of the first series of books. Found it drags a little towards the middle but picks up pace towards the end. Overall a good read
August 27, 2020
Now the story of the nightblade is beginning! This book is the origin story. Very happy with the series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews