The Nations of the Night: 2book Two of the Lightbringer Trilogy

The first book of the Lightbringer Trilogy (Forging of the Shadows) introduced Lord Faran Gaton Nekron, high priest of the evil God of Darkness Iss, who was bound to overthrow Reh, God of Light. Although Nekron's vampire armies had conquered the great city of Thrull, hope remained in the recovery of three great artifacts--the Rod of the Shadows, the sword of Dragonstooth, and Talos, the Man of Bronze, said to live in the distant Forest of Lorn. This sequel opens with Jayal Illgill, son of the Baron of Thrull, in possession of Dragonstooth and journeying north to Lorn with his comrades-in-arms, who include the masked fire mage Urthred, the healer Alanda and Thalassa, the Lightbringer of prophesy. There they plan to meet Baron Illgill, who carries the Rod of the Shadows, and unite their powers to drive back the Dark once and for all. Trials and tribulations along the way include healing Thalassa (who was bitten by a vampire in the first novel), and staying one step ahead of Lord Faran, who will stop at nothing to destroy them. The secret of Urthred's mysterious past, somehow linked to Lorn and the ruined city of Ravenspur (now host to the Dark-dwelling Nations of the Night), also figures strongly. Although Johnson's main characters are well drawn, his narrative is choppy and episodic, with much melodrama and rushing around, only to have nearly all the fuss wrapped up in the last few chapters. Hopefully, he will restore some much-needed focus to the concluding book of the series. (Dec.)