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Indigo #4
Nocturne
Many years have passed since Indigo began her quest to vanquish the demons she so long ago set loose upon the world. She and Grimya, her faithful companion, are weary of the endless travel and seek only rest. But a malignant blight covers the land, and Indigo must do battle.
291 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
5 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Louise Cooper
153 books230 followersLouise Cooper was born in Hertfordshire in 1952. She began writing stories when she was at school to entertain her friends. She hated school so much, in fact—spending most lessons clandestinely writing stories—that she persuaded her parents to let her abandon her education at the age of fifteen and has never regretted it.
She continued to write and her first full-length novel was published when she was only twenty years old. She moved to London in 1975 and worked in publishing before becoming a full-time writer in 1977. Since then she has become a prolific writer of fantasy, renowned for her bestselling Time Master trilogy. She has published more than eighty fantasy and supernatural novels, both for adults and children. She also wrote occasional short stories for anthologies, and has co-written a comedy play that was produced for her local school.
Louise Cooper lived in Cornwall with her husband, Cas Sandall, and their black cat, Simba. She gained a great deal of writing inspiration from the coast and scenery, and her other interests included music, folklore, cooking, gardening and "messing about on the beach." Just to make sure she keeps busy, she was also treasurer of her local Lifeboat station.
Louise passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. She was a wonderful and talented lady and will be greatly missed.
She continued to write and her first full-length novel was published when she was only twenty years old. She moved to London in 1975 and worked in publishing before becoming a full-time writer in 1977. Since then she has become a prolific writer of fantasy, renowned for her bestselling Time Master trilogy. She has published more than eighty fantasy and supernatural novels, both for adults and children. She also wrote occasional short stories for anthologies, and has co-written a comedy play that was produced for her local school.
Louise Cooper lived in Cornwall with her husband, Cas Sandall, and their black cat, Simba. She gained a great deal of writing inspiration from the coast and scenery, and her other interests included music, folklore, cooking, gardening and "messing about on the beach." Just to make sure she keeps busy, she was also treasurer of her local Lifeboat station.
Louise passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. She was a wonderful and talented lady and will be greatly missed.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 14, 2018
Volume 4 of the Indigo series had a lot to prove after the slump in book 3, but amazingly it did. In this, Indigo is part of a troop of travelling players - all one big family run by the father, their mother having died giving birth to the youngest child. She and Grimya have been happy during their travels with the group, but now the lodestone which shows her the direction to take to find the next demon she must tackle indicates that the town that they have come to for a festival is the location. Sure enough, disquieting things are happening: withering of crops, a sleeping sickness and people going missing - who turn out to have become entranced and set out from the town without others seeing them go. And rumours go round of a black forest ringed by a thorn hedge. Indigo and Grimya rightly suspect that all these things are connected and are demon-inspired.
Before long, the family of players are caught up in the encroaching disaster as the eldest daughter falls victim to the sleeping sickness. I won't say any more about the plot not wanting to give away spoilers, but this story sees Indigo bereft of her normal companion and support, and having to rely on people who turn out to be unreliable in at least one case.
Although the story did drag a little bit in places, it was a lot better than the previous books in the series, especially volume 3. The set-up did remind me of a couple of books by other writers: Diana Wynne Jones' Cart and Cwidder for its travelling player characters and Roger Zelazny's Amber series, especially the earlier volumes in the series which deal with the black road, because the black forest and the environment it leads to is rather reminiscent of some of the dimension travelling in those books. But this volume deserves a 4 star rating. I think I will pause my reading of the series for a while on this "high".
Before long, the family of players are caught up in the encroaching disaster as the eldest daughter falls victim to the sleeping sickness. I won't say any more about the plot not wanting to give away spoilers, but this story sees Indigo bereft of her normal companion and support, and having to rely on people who turn out to be unreliable in at least one case.
Although the story did drag a little bit in places, it was a lot better than the previous books in the series, especially volume 3. The set-up did remind me of a couple of books by other writers: Diana Wynne Jones' Cart and Cwidder for its travelling player characters and Roger Zelazny's Amber series, especially the earlier volumes in the series which deal with the black road, because the black forest and the environment it leads to is rather reminiscent of some of the dimension travelling in those books. But this volume deserves a 4 star rating. I think I will pause my reading of the series for a while on this "high".
May 16, 2019
Leed si queréis la review del primero de la saga, pero casi mejor que os olvidéis de la saga, de la review y de la autora. Hay cosas mucho mejores dentro del género pululando por las librerías.
July 17, 2019
4,5
Relectura 2019: en su día este libro me pareció inferior a los anteriores y hoy me parece todo lo contrario. Al fin Cooper encuentra su ritmo y su tono y nos presenta un demonio como ningún otro. Ya no tenemos la lucha épica de Infierno ni el misterio de Infanta. En Nocturno, el demonio está ahí, pero no podemos verlo ni sentirlo más que por las consecuencias de su presencia. Su poder abrumador es, paradójicamente, su punto débil.
Más de la mitad de las páginas de Nocturno transcurren en un mundo tétrico e incoloro, fantasmal y, tal vez, imaginario. La autora consigue crear un libro de viajes por un erial desolado sin repetirse ni dar la sensación de que se alarga más de la cuenta. No solo eso: tiene tiempo para desarrollar los personajes y recordarnos que Índigo ha vivido muchos más años de los que aparenta y ya no actúa como la princesa respondona del primer libro. Además, empieza a verse que hay algo más detrás del trío Índigo-Némesis-Emisario de la tierra, que será un tema muy importante de cara a la segunda mitad de la saga.
No le doy 5 estrellas por el comienzo algo tosco y porque creo que la saga va a más a partir de este punto.
Relectura 2019: en su día este libro me pareció inferior a los anteriores y hoy me parece todo lo contrario. Al fin Cooper encuentra su ritmo y su tono y nos presenta un demonio como ningún otro. Ya no tenemos la lucha épica de Infierno ni el misterio de Infanta. En Nocturno, el demonio está ahí, pero no podemos verlo ni sentirlo más que por las consecuencias de su presencia. Su poder abrumador es, paradójicamente, su punto débil.
Más de la mitad de las páginas de Nocturno transcurren en un mundo tétrico e incoloro, fantasmal y, tal vez, imaginario. La autora consigue crear un libro de viajes por un erial desolado sin repetirse ni dar la sensación de que se alarga más de la cuenta. No solo eso: tiene tiempo para desarrollar los personajes y recordarnos que Índigo ha vivido muchos más años de los que aparenta y ya no actúa como la princesa respondona del primer libro. Además, empieza a verse que hay algo más detrás del trío Índigo-Némesis-Emisario de la tierra, que será un tema muy importante de cara a la segunda mitad de la saga.
No le doy 5 estrellas por el comienzo algo tosco y porque creo que la saga va a más a partir de este punto.
September 17, 2025
This is definitely a big step up from the previous book in the series. I can definitely understand why a lot of people like this one the most. It does have its charm.
For me, though, it was a bit dull. I wasn't really interested in the Brabazon family as characters, honestly, including Esty and Forth. I wish Grimya was more present as well, as she's always been my favorite character. The two of them being together on the cover is diabolical tbh...
I thought the whole wandering through a barren dreamscape with various illusions thing was repetitive and not really interesting. I found myself a bit bored with the climax and didn't really feel satisfied by the ending (though I did appreciate Fenran's brief appearance). I was more just relieved that it was over, honestly.
The prose itself was a pleasure to read, as usual. Also, I liked the idea of Indigo relating to and pitying the demon in its despair and suffering.
My current ranking of the series is as follows:
Nemesis
Inferno
Nocturne
Infanta
For me, though, it was a bit dull. I wasn't really interested in the Brabazon family as characters, honestly, including Esty and Forth. I wish Grimya was more present as well, as she's always been my favorite character. The two of them being together on the cover is diabolical tbh...
I thought the whole wandering through a barren dreamscape with various illusions thing was repetitive and not really interesting. I found myself a bit bored with the climax and didn't really feel satisfied by the ending (though I did appreciate Fenran's brief appearance). I was more just relieved that it was over, honestly.
The prose itself was a pleasure to read, as usual. Also, I liked the idea of Indigo relating to and pitying the demon in its despair and suffering.
My current ranking of the series is as follows:
Nemesis
Inferno
Nocturne
Infanta
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
This is my favorite book of the Indigo series so far. It never sinks into the malaise of previous books. The theme of joy v. despair is right up my alley. Even the climax somehow makes more sense to me than in her other books.
It took about 3 days to read. It is non-stop adventure. The characters are likeable. it even appears that Indigo is actually learning from her past mistakes in previous stories. I didn't find myself frustrated by her ignorance as in some previous books.
Nice!
It took about 3 days to read. It is non-stop adventure. The characters are likeable. it even appears that Indigo is actually learning from her past mistakes in previous stories. I didn't find myself frustrated by her ignorance as in some previous books.
Nice!
January 11, 2021
Una de las primeras obras de alta fantasía que leí sin saber que era este subgenero. Me gustó muchísimo, recordemos que cuando se escribió no existía el internet de hoy día.
June 10, 2023
El título hace honor a la historia. Lo único malo es que Grimya aparece muy poco.
December 31, 2015
4.0
"Yo era real, eso no lo era. Eso fue lo que me dije, que yo era real"
En el cuarto volumen Indigo y Grimya, tras dejar las orientales costas de Khimiz, son acogidas por la familia de comediantes Brabazon. El clan se dirige a la pequeña población de Bruhome donde aprovecharán las festividades para ganar algo de dinero ofreciendo divertimentos varios, desde música y danza hasta humildes obras teatrales. Desgraciadamente, su plan de ganar el suficiente dinero para resistir el duro invierno se verá truncado por las extrañas desapariciones, una enfermedad que convierte a sus habitantes en comatosos andantes , atraídos por una fuerza misteriosa hacia un bosque de espinos, oscuro y denso que nunca antes nadie había visto. El bosque se extiende, avanza como una enfermedad contagiosa, pudre y esquilma la vida en su avance. Y mientras va cercando la población, impidiendo que nadie de Bruhome pueda comunicarse ni salir al exterior.
Ha sido una novela que he disfrutado bastante de principio a fin. No se puede decir que haya una evolución marcada en Índigo pero sí en su misión, y eso ha sido lo que más me ha gustado del final.
El bosque está excelentemente descrito. Un lugar sin color (blanco, negro, y grises pálidos) salido de la mente del demonio por imitación. El agua que no es agua, el viento no es más que una sensación creada por las mentes cuerdas que se internaron en sus inmediaciones.
Louise Cooper hizo una apuesta increíble en esta novela y logra sumergir al lector en una atmósfera melancólica y fría donde la realidad y la fantasía se baten en una pugna en la que dificilmente es posible ver un ganador. Una delicia.
"Flores marchitas… el olor asaltó a Índigo otra vez; pensó en exuberantes jardines abandonados, en viejas verjas oxidadas y olvidadas, e inmediatamente después de esa imagen le llegó el recuerdo del rostro reflejado en el estanque refulgente. El jardín en que había aparecido aquel rostro era una cosa hermosa, pero el instinto le dijo a Índigo que la belleza había sido sólo una máscara, y que debajo de ella no había más que corrupción"
December 31, 2025
4.5
Llegué a la mitad de la serie y hasta ahora éste fue mi libro preferido.
Son tan distintos uno del otro que me produce curiosidad y entusiasmo sobre los que siguen. No sólo me refiero a la historia, sino que se sitúan en regiones completamente diferentes una de la otra, y tienen por enemigo a demonios con poderes e influencia siempre original.
En esta nueva parte del mundo Indigo y Grimya se unieron a una troupe de artistas itinerantes y recorren una región que me hizo pensar en Escocia o Irlanda, tanto por su geografía como por las leyendas.
Hay muchos personajes nuevos, pero bastante rápidamente se definen los protagonistas de este libro, .
Esty y Fort me gustaron también, no existen los personajes perfectos en esta saga, y ellos no son la excepción. Son bastante queribles (pero no creo que los extrañe, sinceramente) y con defectos lo suficientemente marcados como para que por momentos su personalidad tome protagonismo temporal.
Este libro es por lejos el más tétrico hasta ahora. La atmósfera que creó es tanto oscura como opresiva, tiene suspenso y bastante incertidumbre porque se siente que todo es posible (todo malo, desde ya).
Es peculiar tener una protagonista inmortal, porque de todos modos como nos recalca que no escapa del sufrimiento la preocupación por ella siempre está.
Me gustó que y que el poder de deste demonio .
Siento que esta saga sólo mejora, espero que los próximos sigan así.
Llegué a la mitad de la serie y hasta ahora éste fue mi libro preferido.
Son tan distintos uno del otro que me produce curiosidad y entusiasmo sobre los que siguen. No sólo me refiero a la historia, sino que se sitúan en regiones completamente diferentes una de la otra, y tienen por enemigo a demonios con poderes e influencia siempre original.
En esta nueva parte del mundo Indigo y Grimya se unieron a una troupe de artistas itinerantes y recorren una región que me hizo pensar en Escocia o Irlanda, tanto por su geografía como por las leyendas.
Hay muchos personajes nuevos, pero bastante rápidamente se definen los protagonistas de este libro, .
Esty y Fort me gustaron también, no existen los personajes perfectos en esta saga, y ellos no son la excepción. Son bastante queribles (pero no creo que los extrañe, sinceramente) y con defectos lo suficientemente marcados como para que por momentos su personalidad tome protagonismo temporal.
Este libro es por lejos el más tétrico hasta ahora. La atmósfera que creó es tanto oscura como opresiva, tiene suspenso y bastante incertidumbre porque se siente que todo es posible (todo malo, desde ya).
Es peculiar tener una protagonista inmortal, porque de todos modos como nos recalca que no escapa del sufrimiento la preocupación por ella siempre está.
Me gustó que y que el poder de deste demonio .
Siento que esta saga sólo mejora, espero que los próximos sigan así.
December 29, 2009
Indigo is traveling with the entertainer troupe The Brazabon Players. When they reach the town of Bruhome to participate in the yearly festival they notice that there is something wrong. Townsfolk as falling into a coma like sleep, then disappearing from their homes. When one of the players, Chirya, suddenly falls into this sleep the players are roused to act. Indigo sets off with Grimya and Fort (One of the other players to go get a physician from a neighboring town. Only to discover that an ominous and impenetrable forest has moved into place around the town. Separating it from the influences of the outside world.
When Chirya walks off into the forest, still under the influence of the evil forces controlling her, Indigo watches as Grimya and the leader of the Brazabon Players get pulled into the forest along with the sleepwalking girl. Indigo, and two of Chirya's siblings Fort and Esty themselves follow another sleepwalker into the forest. They find themselves in a world of illusions, and together, the four unaffected players need to work together to shatter the demon's powers and return the town to its rightful state.
In this book Indigo matures a bit more and learns to control her destiny rather than have her life controlled by it. As a member of the Brabazon entertainer troupe, Indigo stumbles into the clutches of the third demon she must face and conquerer before her penance for releasing the evils of the seven demons onto the world is completed.
In this book, Indigo must face her fears of being abandoned by her companion the wolf-dog Grimya as well as face the vampire like demon before it drains the entire town of it's life force and moves elswere in the world.
When Chirya walks off into the forest, still under the influence of the evil forces controlling her, Indigo watches as Grimya and the leader of the Brazabon Players get pulled into the forest along with the sleepwalking girl. Indigo, and two of Chirya's siblings Fort and Esty themselves follow another sleepwalker into the forest. They find themselves in a world of illusions, and together, the four unaffected players need to work together to shatter the demon's powers and return the town to its rightful state.
In this book Indigo matures a bit more and learns to control her destiny rather than have her life controlled by it. As a member of the Brabazon entertainer troupe, Indigo stumbles into the clutches of the third demon she must face and conquerer before her penance for releasing the evils of the seven demons onto the world is completed.
In this book, Indigo must face her fears of being abandoned by her companion the wolf-dog Grimya as well as face the vampire like demon before it drains the entire town of it's life force and moves elswere in the world.
December 14, 2015
Vamos Mejorando! La historia se vuelve mas entretenida, índigo es mas soportable y luego de 40 años parece que ya no esta tan traumada con la muerte de su familia, digamos que ha tenido un duelo bastante largo para mi gusto. De todas maneras, se empieza a entrever algunas cosas interesantes sobre la relación con nemesis y con el enviado, y también del propio poder que lleva en su interior.... vamos a por el 5to libro!
June 20, 2013
This book was so far the best in the series as you can start to see some real character develop in Indigo. She is starting to think with more than just anger and retaliation. By the end of the book there is some key changes. I am glad to see this and hoping that it continues as the series moves on to the completion of her quest.
May 30, 2008
The shift to much more obviously internal demons of the human psyche is a lot clearer here. Indigo's own ability to more clearly name the demon that she faces shows a lot about her own growth as well.
March 18, 2011
I read this book in highschool and I just happened to notice it now on my shelf and realized I haven't put it here. It's tattered and dilapidated. I bought this book at a booksale and it was very very good. It's part of a series and this is book 4, I'm now making a search for the other books.
May 12, 2008
Read in high school, don't remember much about it.
Read
July 25, 2011loved this series
Currently reading
June 21, 2012loved this series! I can't wait to read the next 4 books, I just ordered the 5th book today.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews