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. Agent, Jonathan Matson of the Harold Matson Agency. (Sept. 7)
