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Nightrunner #5

The White Road

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Dissolute nobles, master spies, and the unlikeliest of heroes, Alec and Seregil have survived exile, treachery, and black magic. But the road that lies ahead is the most hazardous they’ve ever traveled. For with enemies on all sides, they must walk a narrow path between good and evil where one misstep might be their last.
 
Having escaped death and slavery in Plenimar, Alec and Seregil want nothing more than to go back to their nightrunning life in Rhíminee. Instead they find themselves saddled with Sebrahn, a strange, alchemically created creature—the prophesied “child of no woman.” Its moon-white skin and frightening powers make Sebrahn a danger to all whom Alec and Seregil come into contact with, leaving them no choice but to learn more about Sebrahn’s true nature.

With the help of trusted friends and Seregil’s clan, the duo set out to discover the truth about this living homunculus—a journey that can lead only to danger or death. For Seregil’s old nemesis Ulan í Sathil of Virèsse and Alec’s own long-lost kin are after them, intent on possessing both Alec and Sebrahn. On the run and hunted, Alec and his comrades must fight against time to accomplish their most personal mission ever.

402 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 27, 2009

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3333 people want to read

About the author

Lynn Flewelling

38 books2,825 followers
Born Lynn Elizabeth Beaulieu.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
Profile Image for Cæsar.
268 reviews30 followers
September 21, 2025
Breathtaking!!!!

This adventure was so amazing, I'm still in ecstasy!!! It started with a slow cooking but then I got really good, I was gasping for air, this journey took some unexpected turns, the characters are so interesting, again so rich, intriguing new and the growing of the old ones. Congratulations do Lynn Flewelling!!!!



I absolutely loved this book, it was a delight!!!

Very nice cover from Michael Komarck, congrats!!!

I have this book on Audible as well, another amazing performance from Adam Danoff, on point most of the time, I do think he gave the wrong intention a couple times, but very convincing acting, I loved it, I believe he was better than the previous book, I enjoyed every minute! Praise for him!!!
Profile Image for Kitty G Books.
1,684 reviews2,973 followers
May 24, 2018
I definitely enjoyed this one, and it was a super quick read :)

This is once again the story of Alec and Seregil as they escape their bonds from the previous stories and they do their best to figure out just what magic they have stumbled upon. We follow the duo as they delve into the origins of Alec's family, trying to uncover how his blood and heritage may be of great magical importance. We also see them try their best to understand the new companion they have gained, Sebrahn.

Once again, the relationship that Alec and Sergil have is one that I adore reading about. There was one particular moment that summed things up for me in this book and it's the moment where they are running for their lives and they have a bag on a string across their chest. When they stop it's clear that the bag's string has rubbed the skin raw, so before they set off again Alec makes a strap for Seregil, despite the fact that they are in severe danger, he notices the small hurts to his lover.

This book certainly had a good angle to it with the addition of Markham Cavish again (sp? I audio-booked this so that may not be correct). I loved seeing the band back together, and although they have gone through much and Markham is the only one to truly have aged (not having any Fae blood) he still fits right in tot he group and he proved himself more than a worthy Nightrunner and Watcher.

I will say I think that the story of the previous book is mostly just continued in this one, and so it doesn't feel like its own unique story, but rather the ending of the story from book 4. I do feel like possibly they could have been one book rather than two, but I am always happy reading this series, so I was pleased to just enjoy it anyway :D

Overall, this was another solid read and I gave it a strong 4*s.
Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,893 reviews139 followers
March 23, 2024
3.5 stars

This is technically part two to Shadows Return, and it feels a lot tamer as a result since our characters aren't in such dire circumstances as they were before. They still have a lot going on, what with Sebrahn and people chasing after them and having the person who sold them down the river (or across the sea) out looking for ways to screw them over again, so there's no end to challenges for them to go up against. But I found myself not as engaged as I have been to prior books. Part of that is trying to follow in the footsteps of Shadows Return, which is a tough act to follow. And part of that is that the plot just isn't as interesting to me.

It didn't help that It was too good an end for that character, and while it might be depressingly realistic, I'm not reading fantasy for realism.

The stuff we learn about the Hâzad and why they broke off from the other faie was interesting, I just wish we didn't have to deal with the Hâzad while we were learning it. I enjoyed having Micum along for the journey, and it was fun to see Thero for the little amount of time he was on page. I'll be glad when the guys return to Rhíminee and get back to business as usual.
Profile Image for Tracey.
1,115 reviews291 followers
February 20, 2015
After reading Shadows Return, in which there is slavery and torture, I was a bit hesitant about The White Road. I remember struggling to get through the chapters describing the enslavement of two characters I've come to care about; I remembered being intensely frustrated with Alec and Seregil once they won free because they seemed to be constantly bickering and misunderstanding until I wanted to shake them both like maracas. However, having received Casket of Souls through Netgalley, I needed to catch up, so I skimmed the last several chapters of Shadows Return before picking up The White Road … and … I didn't see it this time. Maybe because I was more intent on reacquainting myself with What Went Before rather than reading every word as a first go-round, the last part of the book seemed to move much faster, and while there were indeed classic misunderstandings and other such situations that could be easily enough resolved if the folk involved would just bloody talk to each other … they weren't as bad as I'd remembered. Overall, I was just pleased to work back into the Nightrunners' story, and that set me up nicely for this.

The White Road picks up directly after Shadows Return ends. Seregil and Alec are recovering – as the first line points out, "Dying – even for just a little while – took a lot out of a person." They're all in need of TLC, Seregil and Alec and Sebrahn – the tayan'gil, the strange little childlike being made from Alec's essence. And he (using the term loosely) is very strange indeed. He – not that he has any male or female attributes, if you know what I mean – can heal; his silver blood dropped into water forms flowers, which when applied to a wound heal it. His rare tears can heal even death – as Alec discovered firsthand.

It's a fascinating idea, the tayan'gil (also known as a white child, being colorless): part golem, part homunculus, part pure Flewelling. The method of healing is unique and beautiful; the idea that the childlike creature is both appealing and repellent, not to mention terrifying, is brilliant.

When he escaped from his imprisonment, Alec went back for Sebrahn; he had no choice, having seen how the tayan'gil's predecessor was treated, and knowing that the little creature feeds only off Alec's own blood. He was rewarded almost immediately when Sebrahn saved him and his comrades (in more ways than one) … but the tayan'gil's presence proves a challenge. They are pursued – not by the alchemist who made him, as Seregil, happily, killed him, but by others who are very personally concerned about the presence in the world of a tayan'gil, not to mention the half-Hâzadrielfaie whose blood could be used to make more. Then, of course, there is the constant concern that should Sebrahn feel threatened, or feel that Alec is threatened, he might lash out in the same way he did when he saved their lives, with a killing song. Then, it was shocking but beneficial to Our Heroes; when they are staying with Seregil's kin in Bôkthersa or in some other place filled with friends, it would be tragic. Alec feels responsible for the creature, and cares for him almost like his own child; Seregil learns affection for him, but worries over the burden and the dangers; others' reactions range from outright loathing to intrigue.

Through long thought and consultation with greater powers (and can I just say that "the Friend" was worth the price of admission all by his own big self), Alec and Seregil decide that the only thing they can do is go back to where they came from: Riga, where they were held as slaves, where Sebrahn was created. It sounded like a terrible idea to me – any sane person would stay far, far away from a place holding such pain and danger. But few have ever accused the Nightrunners of complete sanity – and it is their only real choice. It makes sense. If they can get hold of the book the alchemist used to make the tayan'gil, they can accomplish two goals: keep others from gaining the ability to create another Sebrahn, and, perhaps, gain a little insight into how he works.

Venturing across the sea into territory where Aurenfaie are seen as nothing but slaves to retrieve a book from the very household in which they were enslaved – this should be enough to keep a book going. But wait: there's more. Meanwhile, there is the abominable Ulan, a clan leader who thinks little of bringing in some extra money by allowing his own people to be sold, who is slowly dying of a lung disease and who wants the healing powers of a tayan'gil for himself: either Sebrahn or one he creates himself, he's not picky. He wants the book, the white child, and Alec, and he will do anything to get them. Also, from another direction, the Hâzadrielfaie want much the same things for different reasons: they need to contain Alec and Sebrahn and the book, or – possibly – destroy them. And they're not going to let anything get in their way, either.

This book is a pure joy, after having read a great many new-to-me writers and encountered some true stinkers, to be able to relax into the warm and reliable depths of a new(-to-me) book by a favorite writer. The reasons she's one of my favorites all make themselves known here: I enjoy the heck out of the writing, the characters, and the story, and – while it took me a little time to relax and remember it fully – Lynn Flewelling is one of those writers I feel completely safe with. I mean stand on a stump, cross my arms, close my eyes, and fall backwards safe: I know without question that I can trust her writing to catch me. Yeah, I remember now. This is why I've always spent so much time re-reading. It's wonderful to read new books and push the comfort zone and discover new favorites – but you just can't beat this feeling.

I can only sit back and admire Lynn Flewelling's skill with names, for characters and places both. Rhiminee! I love Rhiminee. I think the solitary thing I did not admire about the writing in this was the stretched-out-vowel-sounds of Sebrahn's contributions, and that was purely personal bias; I get it. It was like any dialect or speech eccentricity in a book's characters, though – a little goes a long way, and more than a little is too much.

My favorite parts of these books are always the ones that hearken back to the beginning: the Nightrunners, nightrunning and working with Thero and Micum; Alec integrating into the various places Seregil has called home. I think I was as relieved as Seregil at the outcome of this story. It was an inevitable resolution which still managed to hang in the balance and remain in question up till the end. Well done, ma'am.

Much as I want the boys to decide to take on the quest to eradicate slavery – because even for an institution which is inherently horrible the slavery in these books is bad – I'm glad to see them settling back in at the Stag and Otter.

In full knowledge that it won't last, of course.

I'm still very disappointed in the cover, though, after the gorgeous one for Shadows Return.
Profile Image for Elena.
966 reviews119 followers
March 23, 2024
The perfect conclusion to the plotline that started in the previous book. I loved seeing Seregil . That was probably my favorite part of the book, but it was also interesting to meet the
I appreciate the way the “Sebrahn” storyline was handled, it was the best possible outcome for everybody involved. Maybe the guys It was the only real solution.

Plenimar was the same charming place as ever. I hope they’ve seen the last of it, but even if that’s not the case, at least we’ve seen the last of . Good riddance, and not a second too soon.
I was glad Seregil didn’t

The ending was just the right stopping point to leave the guys for now, until the next adventure. 😊
Profile Image for cactus.
104 reviews108 followers
May 1, 2019
Please don't ever ask me to form a coherent thought about these books because it's always just crying or screaming or both just know that I love these boys and would die for them.
Profile Image for Gabi.
729 reviews163 followers
August 10, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up because of Seregil and Alec!

This one was better than the lets-let-them-suffer-tropey predecessor, even though it still feels quite unbalanced and 'fanfiction-y' in parts. The plot lagged suspense and put forward some head-scratching moments. On the other hand there were some touching passages where Alec tried to come to terms with the feelings and responsibilites of his fatherhood. In these scenes the book had its best character moments and depth.

The rest was feel-good fantasy on the light side. Perfect to unwind oneself on known ground with beloved characters without expecting some narrative revelation.

I probably wouldn't recommend it to anybody who isn't already deep in love with our lovers.
Profile Image for Rosa.
798 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2024
Wandering without a clear destiny, and unwanted in each land they arrive due their strange companion. Pursued in the land of Seregil's own clan and forced to trust in their persecutors, Seregil and Alec have to return to the land of their worst nightmares. Flewelling here gives a twist to the plot to show us how people even in fantasy worlds fear what they don't know and are willing to do whatever they need to preserve their ways.
Profile Image for Dev.
2,462 reviews187 followers
April 25, 2019
actual rating: 2.5

I struggled with deciding whether to round this one up or down but ultimately it is MILES above the last book so I don't feel bad giving it a technical 3 stars. It continues directly off the last book, but Seregil and Alec are back together and also generally up to their old tricks so I was able to enjoy it for the most part even though I don't know what she was trying to achieve with the whole Sebrahn plot line in the first place. At first I thought A decent book and it's nice to learn more about Alec's Hazadrielfae background, but mostly I'm just glad we can move past all this and hopefully get back to basics with book 6.
Profile Image for Heather.
27 reviews
May 30, 2010
Well, it certainly isn't Lynn Flewelling's best work, by a long shot. Throughout the book, there were a variety of inconsistencies and some distracting violations of believability. I'm sure some of the offending moments are listed in other reviews, so I'm not going to rehash them. I also never really had any moments of palpable danger and suspense... those things that make you not want to put a book down. I put this one down frequently until the last 100 pages. The plot could have been stronger.

The first half was really, really NOT good. It was very boring, the writing was poor, and the characters (ones that I have come to know and love, which is the whole reason I read the book to begin with) weren't even likeable. The dialogue was flat and the angsty and brooding Alec was sort of intolerable. All I kept thinking in the first half of the book was that it had been written very sloppily, as if Flewelling weren't even trying. Had the entire book read like the first half, I would probalby have only given it one star.

Thankfully, things improved drastically in the second half. The action picked up, and Seregil and Alec fleshed back out into the characters we all know and love, more like Seregil and Alec in the early Nightrunner books. I would hope that in the future, Flewelling returns to something more like old-school Nightrunner. And give me more Thero!

On a positive note, Micum, as usual, has so much awesomeness in him that even Flewelling on a bad day can't mess him up.
Profile Image for Diane.
702 reviews
March 29, 2012
I thought this book was one of the best in the series. I love the relationship between Seregil and Alec. This relationship has just been getting stronger and stronger as the series has gone on. I think the author has done a wonderful job of world building. I also really like the way the author has developed the secondary characters. Who wouldn't want a friend like Micum? I also like the way the author has redeemed the character of Thero from a pretty unlikeable person to a really wonderful character. I hope this is not the end of the Nightrunner series...I think there's so much room for more books about these great characters. By the way, I loved the way that Alec took such wonderful care of Sebrahn. I liked how the dilemna involving Sebrahn was resolved.
Profile Image for Nancy O'Toole.
Author 20 books62 followers
September 13, 2010
In Shadow's Return, a cruel alchemist worked magic to create a creature called Sebrahn from Alec's Aurenfaie blood. Although he resembles a human child, Sebrahn is a dangerous being with the ability to kill with a song, and bring someone back from death with his blood. Alec and Seregil, now free from their enslavement, must determine what they will do with this creature that Alec has grown to see as his son. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones who know of Sebrahn's existence, and there are others that will do anything to capture him.

As you might expect from the plot summary, The White Road mainly deals with the consequences of the events that occurred in Shadow's Return. It was interesting to see how the presence of Sebrahn strained Alec and Seregil's relationship at first. While Alec focuses on how much Sebrahn resembled a child, Seregil saw the dangers that such a creature may cause. One thing I really enjoyed about this book, and all Lynn Flewelling's novels, is how interesting and well developed all the characters are, especially the “evil” characters. I particularly enjoyed the scenes involving Illar, an old enemy and lover of Seregil's who has been completely changed by his life in Plenimar. I'm really interested to see what directions Flewelling will take his character in future books.

Although The White Road can be said to be a companion book to Shadow's Return, there are many differences between the two books. Much of the darkness that permeated the story in Shadow's Return is not present here. Instead the story reads more like a character driven adventure story, more similar to the earlier books in the series. The White Road reads very quickly and even has a few nice romantic moments between the two leads. Admittedly, the book is a little bit predictable. Once all of the players have shown up in the book, it's easy to see the direction that the plot is going in, and it doesn't take too long to realize what's going to happen to Sebrahn in the end. Still, this is really a minor quibble as I did find myself enjoying this novel consistently from beginning to end.

The White Road is the fifth Nightrunner novel written by Lynn Flewelling, and it's obvious that the series still has it's magic. I really enjoyed the strong characters, the fast pace, and the romantic elements. One thing I would recommend to readers is to not start the series with The White Road. The book jumps into the storyline right away, and new readers will easily be confused with the multitude of existing plots and unfamiliar vocabulary. I would highly recommend any new reader to start off with the first book, Luck in the Shadow
Profile Image for Aredhel.
147 reviews52 followers
January 27, 2011
Ok, yesterday I finished it...and now I have my heart broken because I can give this book only 4 stars :(((
This series was my first m-m fantasy series, I was literally in love with some characters, devoured all the previous books in one setting and couldn't wait when the last one in the series (at that time I thought that The white Road would be the last one) would be released...Then, when it finally was out, I couldn't bring myself to read it - I was afraid. Afraid that I wouldn't like it as much as I liked the previous 4 books..and it turned out exactly that way.

I can't say what is amiss with this book. Everything seems the way it was, but my heart didn't leap when I saw Seregil, I didn't feel as distressed for the characters as I used to, though I was really moved at the end of the book.

Sometimes it seemed that the book lacked action. The kind of action that kept me on the edge of my chair while I was reading the previous books. It doesn't mean The White Road wasn't action-packed..it just wasn't what I wanted it to be, I guess...

Lynn Flewelling is still one of my favorite writers and The Nightrunner series is one of my most favorite fantasy series. I will be waiting for the next book to be released, and I do hope it will have that sparkle of life in it, that I so cherished in the previous books of this series.
Profile Image for Andi.
46 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2010
The fifth book in Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunners series was as engaging as the previous four. With so much fantasy being written these days, some of it regrettably hackneyed, it is great to find an author whose world-building is fresh and whose characters are so engaging, warts and all, they become real to the reader. Each book in the series deepens your understanding of the principal characters and introduces interesting new characters. I especially appreciate the way the author weaves plot points through the books, but allows mysteries to be solved and insights gained without dragging things out until they lose all meaning and immediacy. At the same time, of course, new mysteries arise and new characters and relationships evolve, leaving the reader eager for more. I loved travelling this road with Seregil, Alec, Micum and other wonderful characters. And I loved watching Sebrahn's story unfold. A unique and amazing creation, Sebrahn is the heart of this fifth book. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. In the meantime, there are five wonderful books to re-read and treasure.
Profile Image for Wealhtheow.
2,465 reviews605 followers
May 7, 2014
Over the course of the Nightrunner books Alec and Seregil have robbed, spied, fought and fallen in love. In the last book they escaped from slavery and betrayal, with an alchemical creature created from Alec's blood in tow. Sebrahn seems like a child with healing powers, but to those with the Sight he appears as a dark and fearsome dragon. Is he destined for great evil, great good, or something in between? Alec is conflicted about his feelings for Sebrahn, who is both his best chance at having a child and a constant reminder of his enslavement and torture. He and his partner seek answers about Sebrahn while various other factions seek to capture and control them.

I really enjoyed earlier books in this series when I was younger, but too much time has passed since then. I don't remember any of the background characters and I've read enough fantasy that the huge numbers of made up names and titles just annoy me now. The real problem is that the book is just really boring.
Profile Image for Yuli Atta.
970 reviews98 followers
August 24, 2020
I can't even describe how much I love Seregil and Alec and their adventures. These books are the kind of books you read when you want something familiar to you, when you want to visit a world and characters you know. So it's the perfect read for me and the audiobooks are very good as well 😍👌
Profile Image for Katy.
734 reviews418 followers
March 16, 2022
4.5 stars

sebrahn is the cutest bean T_T (when he wont keep his shoes on was ADORABLE) (and alec and seregil being dads™ MY HEART CANT HANDLE IT)
Profile Image for Sarah.
508 reviews
June 27, 2019
Not a full five stars this time. Something was a bit off with the writing in the beginning. I remember thinking I had confused the writing in the first ones, but after a few chapters, the stilted dialog and the short sentences became more fluid and descriptive, just like I remembered.
I also remember loving Seregil's humor and one-liners in the previous books, but none of that occured here. Yes, the topic is pretty nasty, and the tone of the book is very sad and desperate, so perhaps it was a conscious choice, but maybe some laughs would have made me less upset when I read it.
I don't hate how Sebrahn was handled in the end, it made the most sense.
Ilar.... I'm so conflicted! On the one hand I know he was a dick before, but having read about his life since tore my heart to pieces. His trauma affected me more than any of the others. The fact that Seregil doesn't believe him made me so angry, even though I know Seregil has NO IDEA about his change. I just thought he was so unbelievably cruel.
But despite being heavy on the angst, this was a good adventure, and I very much enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Matilda.
67 reviews
July 14, 2024
Not the best book from the nightrunner series. Too slowpaced compared to the others. Only during the last 100 was the pace picked up, but it felt rushed instead.
Profile Image for Daniëlle.
119 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2021
4,5☆ it was a getting-rid-of-loose-ends kinda book and I didn't like the first half all that much so I'm taking 0,5 off for that. Otherwise, great as always ❤ Only two to go now... :(
Profile Image for Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru.
1,544 reviews104 followers
June 9, 2013
Synopsis:

Dissolute nobles, master spies, and the unlikeliest of heroes, Alec and Seregil have survived exile, treachery, and black magic. But the road that lies ahead is the most hazardous they’ve ever traveled. For with enemies on all sides, they must walk a narrow path between good and evil where one misstep might be their last.

Having escaped death and slavery in Plenimar, Alec and Seregil want nothing more than to go back to their nightrunning life in Rhíminee. Instead they find themselves saddled with Sebrahn, a strange, alchemically created creature—the prophesied "child of no woman". Its moon-white skin and frightening powers make Sebrahn a danger to all whom Alec and Seregil come into contact with, leaving them no choice but to learn more about Sebrahn’s true nature.

With the help of trusted friends and Seregil’s clan, the duo set out to discover the truth about this living homunculus—a journey that can lead only to danger or death. For Seregil’s old nemesis Ulan í Sathil of Virèsse and Alec’s own long-lost kin are after them, intent on possessing both Alec and Sebrahn. On the run and hunted, Alec and his comrades must fight against time to accomplish their most personal mission ever.

My Thoughts:

This one is probably my least favorite in the series so far. The characters were fine to me, though it did feel like at times they weren't quite themselves. Also, the story drags in places. There were some events that we probably could have done without. There were some important parts, though. And I like the way that some things turned out, though

Here's to hoping that this is also the last we see of a certain ex-lover. I don't care how pathetic he suddenly was (where did that come from, anyway?), I didn't feel sorry for him in the least and I don't ever want to see him again.

At least this storyline has been closed out. I'm going to miss that little guy, but his presence would not have been conducive to nightrunning and solving political intrigue plots. I still cried when Alec had to part from him, though.
Profile Image for Feliz.
Author 59 books108 followers
June 9, 2010
Seregil and Alec used to be my favourite couple. Back in the day, that is, with the first three Nightrunner books which are still among my all time favourites.
But from Book Four, Shadows Return the series went downhill, unfortunately. Seems like the author has drained herself with the greatly imaginative, dark Tamir books she wrote in between.

This book starts with Seregil and Alec in Bokthersa, trying to figure out what Sebrahn really is and what to do about him. They meet a veritable, rather mysterious dragon who sends them on a quest back to Plenimar, to Sebrahn's source, where, according to the dragon, they're going to find the answer to their questions. For survival they have to disguise as slaves, with Micum playing their master.
Meanwhile a group of Hazadrielfaie, the Ebrados, ride south in search of Sebrahn and Alec. Their mission is to bring both back to Ravensfell, or at last kill them if they can't get them to come back. A retha'noi witch, Turmay, helps the Ebrados track down Alec by means of his magical horn.
Enemies at first, both groups are eventually forced to work together against an unexpected and very dangerous enemy.

There were elements about this book I liked; actually, some parts were really good. Lynn Flewelling is Lynn Flewelling, after all. I liked Micum as "slave master" and Seregil as cat burglar and thief. I liked the picturing of the Ebrados as they have to deal with the world outside their valley which turns out entirely different than they expected. And there were some wonderful dialogues between Alec and Seregil.
But, and thus only three stars, such highlights were spare and far between. The book lacked the esprit and wit of his early predecessors. I missed the way Flewelling used to breathe life into her characters with a few apt words. Alec in particular was simply flat; as often as his love for Sebrahn was menioned, , it wa rater told than shown. Sebrahn appears like a kind of toy Alec turns to when he wants to and puts away when he tires of it. The dynamics between Alec and Seregil I used to love in the first three books are almost non existent in favor of repetitive overly dramatic near-escapes and fighting scenes. As good as the author is in describing fights, even this gets old after the fifth or so time.
In the end, Alec and Seregil are back in Rhiminee, back to their old life as the Rhiminee Cat. It is as if Shadows Return and The White Road hadn't happened at all, except for them being at the Stag and Otter instead of the Cockerel. The White Road in particular, as if the author had had regrets about creating Sebrahn and the entire "Alec-is-Hazadrielfaie-and-therefore-very-special" thing and had been trying to clean up the mess as fast as possible.
There's a cliffhanger about new adventures ahead of them, though; hopefully they're going to be back to their old form in the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Meg.
180 reviews12 followers
August 24, 2012
The White Road
OR
Is That a Plot Device In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See-- Wait, It IS a Plot Device?

I was really looking forward to this book. I wanted to read this one very badly. I was excited after Shadows Return, waiting eagerly to get my hands on the next in the series and... was rather badly disappointed.

This is hardly the worst book I've read, but it lacks a certain shine, polish, and follow through, especially compared to other books by the same author. I was expecting a lot more from it. I always liked Sebrahn and wanted to see him get fleshed out from plot device to a full character. But... he never does. He never really develops at all, other than a few magic quirks that are more like learning your phone has an app for that.

The other big disappointment for me was the final meet up of Alec and his mother's people. The Hazadrielfae are barely characters, let alone a people. We meet them, argue with them, and then leave without so much as a backwards glance. Alec barely acknowledges them, which is frustrating when previously he's had a deep yearning for his family. Instead of thinking about his people or speaking with them, he obsesses over Sebrahn and then mopes.

The emotions fall flat, the action struggles to carry the story, and even the characters aren't charming. Everyone comes off as selfish and stubborn and unlikable. The end result of this book feels a bit like Flewelling didn't through the consequences of Sebrahn when she made him. She created the character, set a series of rules around him... and then realized that his very existence got in the way of what she wanted to do in the books, so wrote a novel to pawn him off as quickly as she could.

I don't like being so harsh on this book, but it just never managed to gel. Hopefully this is a one time failing.
Profile Image for That One Ryan.
292 reviews128 followers
January 31, 2021
There is something very different about books 4 and 5 in this series. And they lack for it.
I really struggled with both books, and while I did enjoy "The White Road" better than "Shadows Return", I still wasn't in love with it. It feels a far cry from the Nightrunner trilogy I love so much, and the characters I cared about so much.

Alec and Seregil, two great fantasy characters become so lifeless and dull in this book. They have very little depth or growth within the pages. They went from being fully fleshed out characters to one dimensional, and uninteresting. Most of that having to do with the introduction if Sebrahn. His addition to the story seemingly put a hault to any character development for the two individually and as a couple. There didnt seem to be any chemistry between the two lovers at all anymore, and every time they kissed goodbye I literally cringed it felt so forced. I just didn't believe the two even had a relationship prior to this book.

I just really didn't care for this storyline. It feels out of place, and underdeveloped. I miss the actual Night running parts if the Nightrunning series. There was none to be found in this book, and it left a void.

I feel like I've given this a 3 star rating almost for nostalgia sake, since I loved the first three books so much. And in truth, this book is not terrible. It just doesn't hold up to what I know Flewelling is capable of, in my opinion.

Im unsure if I want to continue with the series, though what I've seen is that reviews do seem to imply the next book is more a return to the original style and caliber of the original trilogy. Its just hard to believe given this and the last book in the series.
Profile Image for Trix.
1,355 reviews114 followers
January 18, 2011
Perhaps after reading the much darker fourth volume of the series, "White Road" was less interesting.

[spoiler ahead]The only mystery and suspense was determining where the attack would come from and when, as the main enemies were pointed out in short order from the start of the book, not to mention that the flow of the plot was easily guessed. Taken as a whole, the volume seems rather shallow: moving from place to place with Sebrahn in tow, trying to avoid being kidnapped again, going to one end of the world, only to be sent back from where they came to destroy the books. Strange alliances are made, all to ensure the realisation on one's goals. Pretty straightforward.

But, this feeling came only when I had reached the end of the book. Up until that point, I was worried for Alec and Sebrahn, enchanted by the talking dragon, fearful of the Ebrados and Turmay but still hoping they might help Alec and immensely saddened by Alec's painful decision and Sebrahn's inability to understand how much he hurt Alec. It would have been nice for Alec to have a family, since he longs for one so much.

There was one things that nagged me. Despite my preference for happy endings, this one seemed too smooth. With all that opposition and bad luck, I was sure the story would break off to be continued in the sixth volume. There didn't seem to be enough pages to capture all loose ends. Well, the main ones were, though a bit rushed, leaving small others to make themselves known in the next installment.[end spoiler]

Overall, I liked the book, though it had its little faults.
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