Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling starting on January 3, 2024.


Happy Reading!

Thank you!!

Suggested Schedule:
1. Luck in the Shadows (Jan 3) On Hoopla!
2. Stalking Darkness (Feb 3) [link]
3. Traitor's Moon (March 3) [link]

Take a break for the Tamir Triad:
1. The Bone Doll's Twin (April 3) [link]
2. Hidden Warrior (May 3) [link]
3. The Oracle's Queen (June 3) [link]

Return for the rest of the series:
4. Shadows Return (Aug 3) [link]
5. The White Road (Nov 3) [link]
6. Casket of Souls (TBD)
7. Shards of Time (TBD)

Stories in Glimpses: A Collection of Nightrunner Short Stories can be worked in around the timeline.

audio: Nightrunner 1-3 on Hoopla
ebooks: no library/subscription available

I might do; I want to read the series, and a buddy read would force me through it.

I love the Tamir Triad--read it first--then read the first four Nightrunner or so and really enjoyed them, but have always meant to come back and finish up the series...

All of the audiobooks in this series are about $3 right now on the audible sitewide sale.
https://www.audible.com/series/Nightr...

Tamir Triad too:
https://www.audible.com/series/Tamir-...

I'm interested in joining. I love this series!

Will be my first time reading...

With so few things on the BR schedule right now (other than all the things requested by me & Nirkatze & Ann-Marie), it's pretty easy to just sign up for everything :D

Nirkatze wrote: "Thank you!

The audio is on hoopla for these first three, if anyone is interested in joining!"

If you hadn't told me, I'd never have known... for some reason, I can't find it with hoopla search features, or on the author page... but I CAN find a direct link with google... even when I add it to my favorites, it doesn't appear... so weird...

And I knew I wasn't crazy... this BR was missing from the spreadsheet, because it was requested for 2023... fixed...

Nirkatze wrote: "I love the Tamir Triad--read it first--then read the first four Nightrunner or so and really enjoyed them, but have always meant to come back and finish up the series..."

Is this a prequel series or unrelated, just one you enjoyed by the author?

I found this thread by accident, but I'm curious and will see if I can join in the read.

The premise definitely calls to me...

Ann-Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I love the Tamir Triad--read it first--then read the first four Nightrunner or so and really enjoyed them, but have always meant to come back and finish up the series..."

Is this ..."

Wikipedia seeks to confuse... it says Nightrunner is followed by the Tamir Triad... but the Tamid Triad takes place centuries before... not sure if it's a publication vs chronological thing...

If so, that makes it similar to World of the Five Gods & Penric and Desdemona...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I love the Tamir Triad--read it first--then read the first four Nightrunner or so and really enjoyed them, but have always meant to come back and finish up the se..."

Meh what is another $9, adding to my cart now I guess lol

Ann-Marie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I love the Tamir Triad--read it first--then read the first four Nightrunner or so and really enjoyed them, but have always meant to come bac..."

You're becoming my new wallet problem ;)

11 more books, $34 more dollars... Nightrunner, Tamir Triad, and that Mortal Technique short story...

I don't trust the buggy Hoopla audiobook to work out for me...

This is how we keep committing ourselves to entire series, sight unseen, Ann-Marie................................................

Sun-Eater... Cycle of Arawn+Galand+Scout... etc etc etc...

Hope this one is more solid...

The Nightrunner trilogy was written first, and is a good introduction to the world... then the Tamir Triad was written to look at some of the history that is off-hand mentioned in the trilogy. Then the author returned to the original characters and added some more stories, but I think they're mostly individual stories going forward rather than whole arcs--but I haven't read past book 4. Always meant to, never got around to it. So very excited to continue here!

It's been about two decades since I last read these, but I'm pretty sure that either publication or chronological are decent... the stories are disconnected enough (much like Penric & World of the Five Gods books--great connection) that it doesn't make much difference.

As for whether they're better than the Robertson books... well, everyone will need to decide for themselves! I'd defend them more (I did really enjoy them) but that was nigh 20 years ago. This will be a very different reading experience now.

Timelord Iain wrote: "This is how we keep committing ourselves to entire series, sight unseen, Ann-Marie................................................

Sun-Eater... Cycle of Arawn+Galand+Scout... etc etc etc...

Hope ..."

I know! I have heard good things about this series though so I hope it is much better than Galand.....It better be anyway lol

Nirkatze wrote: "The Nightrunner trilogy was written first, and is a good introduction to the world... then the Tamir Triad was written to look at some of the history that is off-hand mentioned in the trilogy. Then..."

So if we get Nightrunner and Tamir Triad then that covers it? I just want to make sure while they are on sale :)

I would say book 4 and 5 are connected. The last two books are individual stories :)

Ann-Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "So if we get Nightrunner and Tamir Triad then that covers it?"

Yes, that should cover it. You can also buy Glimpses, a collection of short stories, but it’s not necessary.

@Pippa--thanks for that information about 4&5! I'm really looking forward to finally getting to the end of the story...

@Ann-Marie--I actually don't think Flewelling has published anything outside of this universe, so any of the books showing up in the audible sale should be this world. But yeah, like Pippa said--clicking on "series" it's Nightrunner & Tamir. I don't think Glimpses has audio, sadly... I do have my physical copy ready though! Haven't read that either so I'm excited.

Do you have a reading order recommendation for the shorts, @Pippa?

I was poking around on the internet and I haven't seen any updates on the author since like, 2014... I wonder if she's retired, working on something new, or if she's doing ok... also selfishly hoping that the last book that was published is a wrap-up book...

@Nirkatze - I don’t really have a recommendation, but I personally like to read it in published order, so after book 5. I feel like you need to know the characters and their stories to enjoy them.

She has just written a new book (not related to any of her previous books), but it has not been published yet. She writes about it on her Facebook page, if you want to read more about it :)

Ah, thank you! I don't have any social media (which seriously hampers my ability to do modern research lol), so I was just looking at her website for updates... Good to know, thank you!!

Thanks for confirming Pippa & Nirkatze!

First post was updated with series schedule. Looking forward to it!

What what? People just picking up titles off my BR Wishlist and adding them without me noticing? Well, now what am I to do?

Mel wrote: "What what? People just picking up titles off my BR Wishlist and adding them without me noticing? Well, now what am I to do?"

Ummm, join us for the read? lol

What, Mel, you don't have a pocket dimension for reading books faster in relative time? I thought everyone had one of those now...

Nirkatze wrote: "What, Mel, you don't have a pocket dimension for reading books faster in relative time? I thought everyone had one of those now..."

Whoops, I knew I’d forgotten to ask Santa for something! :)

I just edited the suggested series schedule to include the Tamir Triad... also will probably be here by Thurs. Really looking forward to it!

When I saw that Hoopla had the audiobook, I thought Libby would surely have the ebook - I was wrong (it also has the audiobook). Amazon has the ebook for $4, so much for trying to save $$ this year. So, I'll be reading on my Kindle while listening to it on my phone.

Nirkatze, alas, not all of us can wield the Tomebuster Time Dilator. I'll try to make it, but you may have to engineer some thread Time Trippin' to get me here in time. 😅💦

(Haha, now I have the Kamen Rider Den-o OP in my head. Actually not displeased by this development, because it's a total bop.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPrwc...

I started this earlier today and it wasn't hitting so I swapped to another book and will try this again, likely tomorrow sometime.

I started today :)

Ann-Marie wrote: "I started this earlier today and it wasn't hitting so I swapped to another book and will try this again, likely tomorrow sometime."

Here's hoping... I bought these all on sale, like I think you did, in November...

Pretty long books, right from the get-go, at 18hrs...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "I started this earlier today and it wasn't hitting so I swapped to another book and will try this again, likely tomorrow sometime."

Here's hoping... I bought these all on sale, l..."

AND the related trilogy.....I am trying not to think about that right now, I'll give it another go tomorrow, maybe the following day, the book I started is longer than I thought.

Starting. I'm hoping I'm more in the mood for it than I was the last time I tried to read it.

Fingers crossed for everyone... I do remember it being a bit of a slow start, but I remember almost nothing about this first trilogy... I think this was her first book? Looking forward to seeing how her writing changes as she gets more experienced. I'll be here today, I think.

@Mel--LOL that song is definitely topical. Even if your Time Ripper malfunctions and you don't get here on time, would still love to hear your thoughts!

Despite when the books were published, story voice for the series is consistent throughout the series. 👌

Starting! I'm going to try to pay attention to that "voice"... I don't know that I have a very fine-tuned sense of voice in writing... especially on audio...

Through Chapter 3--pretty standard fantasy world from the beginning... actually makes me think a little of Riyria, since reading that tomorrow... similar level of technology, etc... (view spoiler)[And we have thief/spy and apprentice tropes, big info-dumps and world-establishing explanations....

As far as thief/spies go, I prefer Seregil to Eli Monpress, lol.

On first impression, I like Seregil and Alec in a mentor-mentee relationship, but I always feel ick when those turn into romantic relationships... and the other book I'm reading (Tyranny of Faith) also throws in some romantic tension between mentor & mentee that I am praying does not go full bloom... (hide spoiler)]

I'm reminded of all the apprentice stories I've read:

The Ruins of Gorlan
Assassin's Apprentice
Kushiel's Dart

Read 15% so far...

I like a good apprentice story. ^^

I'm up through Chapter 9, 4 hours in--(view spoiler)[I also enjoy a good cross-dressing storyline gig in a story. Makes me think of Mira’s Last Dance a little. Even Eli had a segment last book. And then there's Lady Thyme. A common trope in spy stories.

The stories of the Queens--that's where the Tamir triad come in. It tells of one of those times in history, when a male line tried to ignore the Oracle...

The dreams... the visions of maggots... starting to hint that there is something more going on than just bad memories... and the only difference? A stolen shard of pottery, like that found in the prologue... and a country that practices necromancy... (hide spoiler)]

Ah, here the story is--6 hours in--Chapter 14--(view spoiler)[The Queen raised as a boy, who step out to take the throne... that's the story the Tamir Triad tells.

More characters to meet--a Princess/Captain, and the famous Nysander! (hide spoiler)]

I'm past halfway now...

I think it most reminds me of Ranger's Apprentice, another YA-ish/Middle-Grade-ish series...

The magical elements of the story sneak up on you, and then are kinda just treated as a normal everyday part of the world, which makes me miss some of the details as a reader, but is a nice aspect of the world... (view spoiler)[of course people can shapeshift into a like spirit animal that ties to their nature... why not? (hide spoiler)]

Where the plot has ended up here in the middle reminds me a bit more of Assassin's Apprentice... (view spoiler)[with the Watchers (hide spoiler)]

I definitely noted what you mentioned about the references to the Tamir Triad, Nirkatze...

I think this is a solid story... holding up alot better than half the older YA fantasy I've tried over the years...

EDIT: More like 75% now, apparently...

I am so behind. Trying to start this tomorow

Brian wrote: "I am so behind. Trying to start this tomorow"

That's what you get for starting with the Mystery Book Club... i consider those some of my most flexible monthly BRs... I just say they're on the 8th in my sheet, so I can start them at any time in the month and be good...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Brian wrote: "I am so behind. Trying to start this tomorow"

That's what you get for starting with the Mystery Book Club... i consider those some of my most flexible monthly BRs... I just say they'..."

True. I got engrossed into The Narrator but was only avail for free on KU to read so took a few days to finish. I will get back on track!! lol.

Brian wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Brian wrote: "I am so behind. Trying to start this tomorow"

That's what you get for starting with the Mystery Book Club... i consider those some of my most flexible monthly B..."

It was in the Audible Plus catalog as well... I'll be listening on audio...

And with KU Read & Listens, once you check out on Kindle app, you can download in Audible app (semi-unrelated, since this isn't one of those, but I think Audible plays audio better than the Kindle app tries to)...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Brian wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Brian wrote: "I am so behind. Trying to start this tomorow"

That's what you get for starting with the Mystery Book Club... i consider those some of my most flex..."

Shit, totally missed checking Audible Plus for it.