Legend of Nightfall

by Mickey Zucker Reichert

Book Overview

Legendary thief, lethal assassin, powerful sorcerer.... The elusive man known as Nightfall struggles between his criminal past and his present obligation to protect the King in this epic fantasy... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0886775876
• ISBN13: 9780886775872
• Release Date: December 1993
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.2" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

One My Top Favorites!

There are books worth reading, really good books, and then there are great books; Nightfall is one of these. I divide great books into those that are too heavy or emotional to re-read often - Lord of the Rings, Donaldson's Gap series, and The Unlikely Ones for ex - and those i could read again within a year or 2 - like The Chronicals of Narnia, the Death Gate Cycle, and Nightfall. Awesome, love it, recommend it. You find yourself deeply invested in the characters, and you can really see the world they are in. A friend now asks for book recomendations "any more like the Legend of Nightfall?" I noticed a couple of reviews that were very poor. I find it hard to imagine a reader of adventure/scifi/fantasy disliking this book; you can see some of what I've enjoyed, I suspect the bitter ones should shop in the section about grain elevators. i'm going to buy the sequel now. let you know in a couple weeks if it's good

Couldn't put it down

This book was completely captivating and well written. I think this story shows how rumors and legends can overtake reality... Nightfall isn't quite the big, bad demon that legend makes him out to be; he's got weaknesses and strengths like anyone else. This made his character (and the story) very believable. Prince Edward's incredible naivete was humorous, but as the story progresses, he begins to learn more and to grow up. At times in the beginning of the book, I wanted to throttle him because of that innocence, but as the story progressed, his character began to mature.One thing that was completely unique was Nightfall's magical ability to change his weight, thus greatly contributing to his success as a thief. I don't recall ever seeing this ability used in any other book I've read, and I loved the uniqueness of it. His ability allows him to become heavier (to stand firm or balance) and become lighter (to lessen the impact of a fall or climb more easily). I was completely involved in this book and could not put it down (even though that meant staying up past four in the morning to finish it!) Definitely glad I bought this!

One of the Best

I picked up The Legend of Nightfall a few days ago from Barnes & Noble because it looked like it had a neat plot. I had never heard of teh book or the author before, but within the first few chapters i was hooked. i read it until my eyes were blurry, then picked it up first thing in the morning and finished it. i loved it! It was a very creative take on the cliche characters that Nightfall and Edward fell into. I would like to disagree with the person who gave it two stars. okay, i know not everyone will love the book, and yes, some of it was wordy but hey, that's life. Nightfall does indeed prove himself to be a competent, confident theif. We are also told, however, that Nightfall is not the natural-born killer that everyone thinks he is. It talks a lot about the character of Dyfrin, Nightfalls' father figure and advisor. Several times it mentions that Dyfrin could see through Mightfall to realize that he wasn't the demon-criminal, but merely he struggled very hard to fit that role that everyone assigned to him. Personally, I was not dissapointed in the character and skills of Nightfall. Overall, I thought this book was excellent.

This is some of the best fantasy I have read.

I have been reading works of fantasy for a long time now, and this book ranks among the best. It is simply amazing. The character of Nightfall is intricate and believable. The situation into which this character is placed is fascinating, and it brings out all of the elements of his character. In short, the whole book's plot elements and character development is unmatched. More importantly, though, there is something undefinable about this book that is absolutely entrancing. Something about the way the whole book is written just pulls you in and involves you in a thousand ways at once. When I was done with this book, my skin was literally flushed. I just sat there and stared at the back cover for a few moments. This book is that amazinng. If you are reading this review, like fantasy, and do not buy this book, you are making a serious mistake. This book is that good.

Reichert's best by far.

This is something unusual among fantasy books - a single volume story that is self-contained! And its a really good one too. This is the story of Nightfall, a thief, assassin, legend, and - unbeknonst to all - a user of Magic. But after he is captured by a king, he is forced by a magical geas to serve the king's son, a naive prince named Edward. Nightfall must act as the prince's squire - and not let anyone else know that he was once Nightfall. Naturally, the bitter, cynical Nightfall and the idealistic Edward do not get on. But Reichert smoothly shows how Nightfall and Edward both influence each other, and for the better. At the same time, Reichert delivers a breakneck-paced plot involving a nefarious scheme by the king's chanchellor (who is also an evil sorcerer) to kill the prince and take the throne for himself. There are echos of Don Quixote here, but this is a fast read, and thoroughly enjoyable. Very recommended.