It's been nearly two years since I read the last volume of this series, so I'm not entirely sure if my interest has waned during the gap or the series has lost it's forward momentum. This is a dark chapter with our hero fighting to exhaustion to defend the kingdom of Renril against evil monsters called Nokkers. Everyone is worn down physically and mentally by the ongoing siege, and trust and relationships fray everywhere. It's unrelentingly gloomy and depressing, with only a few nuggets revealed about the bigger story.

I'll be back, but I hope we escape this mire soon. ( )