The Return of Nightfall

In 1993, a character took the fantasy world by storm. He was known by countless names and terrifying deeds—thief, magic wielder, swordsman, assassin, adventurer. But chief among those names and the most dangerous of his personae was Nightfall, a man—or perhaps the legendary demon himself—gifted with a power any sorcerer would kill to possess. Now, Nightfall makes his triumphant return in a spellbinding new adventure that sweeps readers from the high courts to the darkest dungeons, from piracy and derring-do at sea to sorcerous encounters and cutthroat attacks in enemy territory. Bound by sorcery and oath to guard and guide Prince Edward on his quest, Nightfall is forced to reveal his true name, Sudian, and to use every trick at his command to keep himself and his idealistic young charge alive. And when Edward suddenly becomes a king, he makes Sudian his advisor. But advisor or not, Sudian cannot dissuade King Edward from a journey to repay a debt of honor to Duke Varsah, an expedition that ends in disaster when all of Edward’s guards are slain and the king himself vanishes without a trace. Now Sudian must turn to Duke Varsah for aid. But is he putting himself into the clutches of the very man responsible for Edward’s disappearance, a man whose greatest desire is vengeance against Sudian himself?

From Publishers Weekly

After Nightfall's auspicious debut in Reichart's The Legend of Nightfall (1993), the former thief and master of disguise makes his long-awaited return in this absorbing, fast-paced high fantasy. Now using the name Sudian, Nightfall possesses abundant street smarts and the magical power to alter his weight (in a society where sorcerers are objects of fear and loathing). In his role as chancellor to 18-year-old King Edward Nargol of Alyndar, Nightfall soon finds himself in trouble. When the king's sense of honor obliges him to make an elaborate apology to Duke Versah of Schiz, Edward promptly disappears under circumstances that make the duke the prime suspect. Nightfall is not so sure, however, and after surviving a brush with pirates he is promptly imprisoned on charges of treason and regicide. With the aid of the head prison guard, Volkmier, his own beloved lady Kelryn and the obliging pirate Celdurant, Nightfall manages to get on the track of the real perpetrators. Along the way he learns more (though by no means everything) about which part of him is more real, Sudian the statesman or Nightfall the thief. Reichart's well-conceived and well-executed world, including its salty seafaring side, will leave fans hoping they won't have to wait so long for a third Nightfall book. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Nightfall--assassin, thief, perceived legendary demon, and master of disguise with the magical talent to alter his weight-- returns in the long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Nightfall (1993). And a tumultuous return it is. Trapped into guarding a young, idealistic prince and renouncing his past, Nightfall assumes his true name, Sudian, and when Prince Edward becomes king, he makes Sudian his counselor. Then, against his advice, King Edward decides to repay a debt of honor to Duke Varsah. The consequent long journey ends tragically: the king's guards are slain, and the king disappears. Sudian's desperate search for Edward is hampered by his promise never to revert to being Nightfall. But only as Nightfall will he be able to plumb the evil depths of society for the information needed to rescue Edward--if he is still alive. Involving encounters with evil sorcerers and pirates, dungeons and high courts, treachery and murderous attacks, fast-paced action and adventure, this is, despite some minor discrepancies, a cracking good yarn. Sally EstesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Publishers Weekly

“Reichert’s well-conceived and well-executed world, including its salty seafaring side, will leave fans hoping they won’t have to wait so long for a third Nightfall book.”

Locus

“Reichert takes s fairly standard fantasy figure and develops an epic adventure with a heart around him…. The characters shine and Reichert has handled the story very well.”

Booklog

“This is a great story. There’s adventure on land and sea, vivid characters, sarcastic humor, and a charmingly befuddled but deadly hero. The Return of Nightfall is a welcome homecoming.”

Midwest Book Review

“The terrific action is fast-paced, hooking the audience from the start, but the heart of this novel is the characters who keep readers riveted to learn what is happening to each of the significant players…. Mickey Zucker Reichert is a first class worldbuilding fantasist.”

Book Rapper

“A tale of magic and mayhem from one of the best of the genre’s younger writers…. This one is well worth your time and money.”

Dragon Magazine

“The Legend of Nightfall is a strikingly quick read considering the book’s imposing size, which is a tribute to Reichert’s narrative ability. Light, deft storytelling is a valuable commodity in the ranks of sword-and-sorcery novelists, and it’s one that Reichert possesses in notable measure.”

Washington State Young Adult Review Group

“The story has a good mixture of suspense, magic, humor, and adventure. Your fantasy readers will enjoy this one.”

Library Bookwatch

“The Return of Nightfall provides a new odyssey and is a recommended pick for prior fans of Nightfall.”

About the Author

Mickey Zucker Reichert is a pediatrician, parent, animal lover, and author of twenty-some novels including Renshai, Nightfall, Barakhai, and Bifrost series, one illustrated novella, and fifty-plus short stories. She can be found at mickeyzuckerreichert.com.

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