Glimpses [Paperback]

SPOILER WARNING: This book itself, plus my review, is a spoiler if you haven't read any of the Nightrunner books by Lynn Flewelling (beginning with Luck in the Shadows (Nightrunner, Vol. 1)) or if you've only read Luck in the Shadows.

If you have read the Nightrunner series and wished the male/male sex scenes weren't always cut off, this is the short story collection for you. That being said, there's more to it than erotica (and more than just m/m erotica, even). Fitting the title, this collection offers four glimpses into "cut scenes" from the Nightrunner books, plus a short excerpt from the next book, workingly entitled The Summer Players (title WILL change) and expected to release October 2011. This collection is also peppered with fan art, selected by Lynn herself, depicting scenes from the various short stories. It's a nice touch, as well as a charming homage to her fans.

The first short, "The Misfit," follows Seregil just after his exile and into his apprenticeship with Nysander. It also details his first sexual encounter in Skala (m/m).

The second story, "The Wild," covers a short part of Alec's childhood with his father, which includes his father reminiscing about what happened between him and Alec's mother. Warning: hetero sex.

The third, "By the River," is a previously released short (mostly to fan groups) about how Seregil and Micum met. No erotica (apologies to the Seregil/Micum shippers...ha).

"The Bond" will probably be of the most interest to hardcore Nightrunner fans. No pun intended. (Okay, you got me, pun intended.) Herein lies the details of Seregil and Alec's consummation of their love for one another on that fateful night following the end of Stalking Darkness.

Last but not least, "The Summer Players (working title)," the excerpt from the upcoming Nightrunner book. Some nudity.

As always, Flewelling's writing is smooth, enjoyable and easy to follow. If I have one complaint about this collection, it's that it is too short. As far as I'm concerned, all of the glimpses ended too soon. I know these are supposed to be very short snippets--hence the collection title and whatnot--and they had to end somewhere, but I wish each would have gone on just a moment longer. That being said, "The Bond" was my favorite and the most satisfying glimpse. I also loved "The Wild" and "By the River." I was not as fond of "The Misfit," perhaps because I prefer to see Seregil in his more mature and confident state. Not that he doesn't have confidence in this story, but he is also younger and less sure of himself. I will always enjoy the dynamic of Seregil's surety and worldliness to Alec's [seeming] innocence more than I'll enjoy seeing Seregil at one of the worst times in his life (and Alec-less). I think it may also be that while I was curious about everything else that the other glimpses revealed, I guess I wasn't that curious to find out more of what Seregil was like when he was fresh-arrived in Skala. As for the excerpt from the next book, I was already excited but now I really can't wait!

I highly recommend this book to any Nightrunner fans; even if you've only finished Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness (Nightrunner, Vol. 2), it's a real treat to see behind the curtain and into those scenes that would have made Flewelling's books unpublishable in the mid-90s. And beyond those scenes, it was especially wonderful to sneak a peek at Alec's childhood, plus his parents' and Micum and Seregil's first meetings. If you're a slash fiction fan but haven't read this series, then you will probably enjoy this collection. However, I'd say you'll enjoy it far more if you read the Nightrunner series first (or, again, the first two books).

This little book is composed of four original short stories by Lynn Flewelling, and fan generated artwork. People, don't quail at the thought of fan art! 99% of the illustrations in this book are good to truly outstanding. There is also a satisfying variation in style among the drawings.
The stories are the "glimpses" into the lives of Seregil and Alec. Each tale serves to supply details of particular life changing events in the Nightrunner's lives. There is a piece about how and why Seregil became Nysander's apprentice; a poignant exposition concerning the meeting of Alec's parents; Seregil's encounter with Micum, who would become a life long friend; and of course, the piece de resistance, Seregil's bonding with Alec. All four vignettes are virtual snapshots of each character's emotional and physical place in the world at a specific time and do not feel extraneous, but rather round the characters out even further.
The excerpt at the end of the book from the forthcoming (in 2011) Nightrunners novel is humorous and tantalizing.
All in all, a very satisfying read, and extremely well priced.

Glimpses is a more than apt title as that is exactly what the author delivers, no more and no less. These are glimpses of scenes that could have been, but weren't. This book is decidedly for diehard fans of the series, and is appropriately illustrated by fans themselves. I enjoyed it immensely.

The first story, Misfit, takes readers back to when Seregil first came to Skala, the origin of Phoria's hate of him, and how he became Nysander's apprentice. The tale made me want a prequel of some of Seregil and Micum's early adventures as Watchers. I do miss Nysander! The second story, The Wild, is my favorite - the tale of how Alec's father, Amasa, met Ireya. It is vividly told, and bittersweet. If only Alec could know it as well.

The third story, By the River, is a very brief tale of how Seregil and Micum first met. Though it has little substance, I did appreciate that it showed Seregil once had the same prejudices against Tirfaie as most of his people. The last story, The Bond, may be the most anticipated. It is the tale of Alec and Seregil's first night together. Some readers were disappointed in it because it didn't have a lot of depth. I was more forgiving because Flewelling is neither a romance author, nor a short story author. I thought the story was quite good given these constraints.

There are some homoerotic scenes in the stories, but they are tame compared to actual gay romance (i.e. not explicit). I would have given the book five stars, but for one thing. It is very short and somewhat expensive as a result. I read this in about an hour. I wish it had included a couple more stories, but overall I was very satisfied. Highly recommended to fans.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews  3.7 out of 5 stars