A Magic of Nightfall

The second in this author's series, things are as one person put it 'predictable'. I would also agree that there is really no subtle sense of rising and falling action, it's just abruptness all around till the end. 5 stars though because of the character's emotions. If you enjoy politics, backstabbing, and deal making I'd read this. However don't expect a very happy ending, because this is a dark book.

The book came as advertised. Quick delivery and response. Joe in Mobile

Farrell started the series with A Magic of Twilight, a proposed multi-generational story of Nessantico, an empire in decline. The former vassal state, Firenczian, is now becoming a power of its own, and the barbarian neighbors of the west are beginning to eye Nessantico as potential prey. Following a generation later, A Magic of Nightfall has some of the same main players, but also some new ones. On the Sun Throne of Nessantico is the boy king, Audric, nearing his majority, but also becoming more mad as it approaches. Potential contenders for the Sun Throne are beginning to circle, and the official faith has been sundered with competing centers of power. Modeled after a medieval Europe, A Magic of Twilight is a pleasant change from questing heroes, and world-ending evil beings. While character friendly, the story's focus is on the twilight of empire, that sometimes moves slowly enough that it can't be noticed at the center, until too late. And empires often have a resurgence, albeit usually limited, that can prolong the final death. Farrell does an excellent job creating a realistic political environment for his world, and one that can probably only get more complicated in the next volume.

Nessantico is the capital of the Holdings, but it is not as large as it once was. Firenzcia has broken away and other states followed forming the Coalition. Audric the ruler is two years away from his majority so continues to rule under the guidance of the Regent Serge Ca'Rudka. However, Audric is also falling into madness, as he imprisons the Regent while heeding the advice of an ancestor who the lad believes is giving him good counsel even though she is in a painting which he believes talks to him. Sergei escapes heading to Firenzcia where Allesandra Ca'Vorl is manipulating events to enable her to achieve her goals. Allessandra was once a hostage is Nessantico because her father rejected her as his heir choosing her younger brother Fyyn. The lady has the assassin The White Stone carry out her plan for having the counsel place her son on the throne. The Westlanders in the Hellins were invaded by Nessantican forces; they push the outsiders from their country and invade the city. Alexandra wants her son to use his army to help Nessantico, but he has learned about her lies and murders so needs time to decide what to do. The second Nessantico Cycle doesn't suffer from the middle book syndrome as A MAGIC OF NIGHTFALL takes place twenty five years after the events of A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT. This gives the saga a feeling of freshness yet retains the innovative political intrigue. Each main character maintains their part of the story so that the audience sees a changing POV that makes for a fascinating read; for instance how different mother and son look at Nessantico. Based on a blending of medieval France, Florence, and Venice, this superb fantasy captures the betrayals even within families as Machiavelli would claim S. L. Farrell is more than just a great world-builder; he understand the essence of power is manipulating your opponents and allies to do your bidding. Harriet Klausner