Mercedes Lackey's Short Stories

 Reviewed by Holly White

When I set out to review everything Mercedes Lackey had written about the fictional land of Valdemar, I did not realize that the short story collections were written primarily by other people.  Once I realized this, I decided to review only those short stories that Mercedes Lackey herself had written, for two reasons.  One, I am only interested for the purposes of these reviews in what she herself has written.  Two, I want to get back to the full- length novels.  I am not a huge fan of the short story as a medium; I feel that any story worth telling is worth developing in detail.  However, in Mercedes Lackey's case, I enjoy them as appendices to an already well-established narrative (I am thinking here of the entire Valdemar stretch of novels as one long narrative, which is nothing if not well developed).  These short stories bring a rich cohesiveness to the world of Valdemar, working as the thread that weaves the various books together seamlessly into a full tapestry.  You find characters from one book interacting with characters from another.  The short stories help you see the chronology of the world.  They show you who was living concurrently with whom.  You get to see what large-scale events were taking place during whose life (aided in part by a timeline that appears in the front of most of her books).  As often happens with short stories that a part of a larger “world” of work, Lackey spends an unusually large part of each short story’s word budget on explaining backstory and setting.  This redundancy will seem like a tedious waste of time for those who have already familiarized themselves with Valdemar.  However, we forgive this mild infraction because she has crafted the world of Valdemar so well that we want to invite all our friends, and one never knows when one will be drawn into a fantastical new world because of reading a single short story that whets one’s appetite for more of the same.  That said, I found in writing these reviews that I had to do likewise, spending words to explain backstory, in an attempt to draw in the casual Valdemar reader.  The following are the reviews for each Mercedes Lackey short story; therefore, this review actually spans several books, each listed along with publication dates and the title (in quotation marks) of the individual short story being reviewed:

Sword of Ice: And Other Tales of Valdemar (Valdemar Anthologies), 1997, “Sunlancer,” and “Blue Heart,” both written by Philip M. Austin and Mercedes Lackey

“Sunlancer”

Clarrin Mul-Par, a young lancer in the Karsite army, commanded men who had been detailed with carrying out the orders of the Sunpriests in the cleansing, a ceremony whereby children around age ten are tested for magical powers.  Children with powers who were not made into Sunpriests were burned to death.  Clarrin’s ten-year-old niece has dreams, which later come true.  One night a scholar came to visit Clarrin’s grandfather, and the men sat talking in the garden long into the night.  The scholar, a foreigner, asked various difficult questions about Karsite beliefs, religion, and customs.  In most cases, Clarrin’s grandfather kept silence, and Clarrin himself had to admit that he did not know the answer.  Where was this mysterious, foreign scholar from?  What questions could he ask that would stump not only Clarrin, but his grandfather as well?  And how would this night’s events change the course of the future?

 “Blue Heart”

Queen Selenay had a special Herald in her service, a mysterious Herald known only as “her Shadow.”  Only a handful of people in the court knew the Shadow was even real; only a few more had even heard rumors of his existence.  The Shadow, lethally dangerous to the queen’s enemies, served the queen in a very specific way, and although he but followed her orders, she still dreaded to hear the details when he reported about a completed mission.  He, or rather, his Companion, Pilane, frequently asked for leaves of absence of varying lengths.  Knowing the gruesome nature of the Shadow’s work, Selenay always granted him leave whenever possible.  The Shadow never told Selenay what he did during these vacations, although she knew that his Companion was a writer.  She assumed Pilane spent the time composing stories, with the Shadow writing them down for him.  But this story reveals that the writing was only a small part of what the Shadow and Pilane were doing during these leaves of absence.   Were they merely taking a much-needed break, or was something more dire involved? 

The Valdemar Companion, 2001, “A Herald’s Journey,” by Mercedes Lackey

The Valdemar Companion is just what its title brings to mind, although with less illustrations than I was expecting.  (I was expecting to see a glossy-paged book with several of Larry Dixon’s beautiful artwork.  Larry Dixon is Mercedes Lackey’s artist husband, whom she met at a convention, and he illustrates most of her book covers).  Other than that, however, The Valdemar Companion has everything one might expect.  It contains maps, a guide to the various locations mentioned in the books, a Valdemar glossary, a list of her Valdemar books to date (2001) with their synopses, a guide to various websites containing information pertaining to Valdemar, interviews with both Ms. Lackey and with her editor, as well as a guide to the music of Valdemar.  Yes, Valdemar does have its own music, and you can go to mercedeslackey.com and buy compact discs.  However, The Valdemar Companion also includes “A Herald’s Journey,” a story that Ms. Lackey describes as being about “an ordinary Herald, (if there can be such a thing).”  She describes it as a “novella,” but it is only 40 pages long.  I have read most of Ms. Lackey’s body of work about Valdemar, and I’ve read the moving stories of how a Herald gets Chosen, and when I read this one, even though I have read several such stories before, it still “gets” me, every time.  Each time a newly Chosen experiences that immediate and overwhelming honor, joy, unconditional love and acceptance, I am touched, awed, and inspired, and I end up slackjawed with misty eyes.  The first part of the story shows how young Tafri is Chosen, travels to Haven, and begins his training to be a Herald.  In the second part, we jump ahead four years to where Tafri is now himself mentoring newly Chosen Trainees.  Finally, we jump ahead in time again, to where Tafri has earned his Herald uniform and is interning with a more experienced Herald.  And we see the moment where Tafri becomes a Herald, not just in name, but in truth.

Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (Tales of Valdemar Series Book 2), 2003, "Sun in Glory,"  by Mercedes Lackey

This story tells a more detailed account of an incident alluded to in Storm Warning, in which a Valdemaran Herald is made a Sunpriest of Karse.  This history-making event sealed the newfound peace between the two countries in a way nothing else could have, because it involved a combining of the deepest beliefs of both cultures in such a way as to not compromise either one.  This story includes a detailed account of how a woman came to be chosen as the Son of the Sun (the supreme ruler of Karse), and how the chauvinistic male Sunpriests were convinced to accept her as such, and to abide by her rule thereafter.  In addition, Alberich, the Karsite weaponsmaster who is also a Herald (the protagonist of Exile’s Honor and Exile’s Valor), returned to Karse from Valdemar for the first time since, many long years ago, he had fled from Karse for his life, aided by the Companion who had just Chosen him.  He accompanies Herald Dirk, and his wife, Herald Talia, the Queen’s Own Herald (the protagonist of Arrows of the Queen and its sequels), who was to be made into a Sunpriest.  I cannot vouch for how one feels on reading this short story without all the backstory of Valdemar’s rich history, but for myself, reading this after reading almost all of the body of work about Valdemar, this was deeply moving.  It made me cry.  I actually highlighted several passages.  I think this story can be summed up with this quote from Alberich:  “What, exactly, is one supposed to do when the prayers of a lifetime are so fully answered?”  If you have read these books, and felt the buildup of the conflicts within them, then I believe this story will bring things together in a way that will move you as well.

Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar (Heralds of Valdemar), 2005, "Landscape of the Imagination," by Mercedes Lackey

This story is about Tarma and Kethry, the two female warrior protagonists of Oathbound, The Oathbreakers, and Oathblood.  The story begins with the two itinerant mercenaries starving, with no money to buy food, and unable to hunt for lack of game.  They needed work, and fast, but when they finally got a job offer, it’s questionable.  They met a woman who was both warrior and mage, who looked able to handle herself, but needed what she called “protection” on a journey.  There were three problems with that.  She would not say where the journey’s destination was.  She would not say from whom or what she needed protection.  And she would not pay up front.  What was this mysterious job?  Where would they have to go and how would they get there?  Why was the woman hiring them when she could clearly handle herself?  And if they took the job, would they succeed?  Find out by reading  “Landscape of the Imagination.”

Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar, 2008, “Moving Targets,” by Mercedes Lackey

 “Kill me now!” begged Herald Alyn mentally.  As a herald assigned to training interns, she had been assigned to train- not the customary ONE new herald, but FOUR at once!  Elyn was now responsible for charming Laurel, practical Alma, lazy but lucky Arville, and wealthy but unspoiled Rod.  She knew there would be trouble when she took the four of them on circuit.  However, she never expected that one of them would bond to a Kyree (sentient wolf-like equivalent to a Companion) during the journey.  She never expected that her charges would be not only willing but also eager to add to their itinerary an unscheduled visit to a village that needed their help- a village outside the borders of Valdemar.  Furthermore, she never expected that the reason the village needed help was that it was haunted, or at least, seemed to be haunted.  Would the Kyree bring help or yet more trouble?  Would Haven approve their use of time and resources to aid a village outside Valdemar’s lands?  And would they be able to discover what was haunting, or pretending to haunt, the town, and why?  And most important of all, would Herald Elyn be able to maintain her own sanity through it all?  

Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar, 2009, “The One Left Behind,” by Mercedes Lackey

This story tells the tale of Marya, whose father was Chosen long ago, leaving her mother and young self to fend alone.  The letters had stopped coming before long, and there had never been so much as a visit.  Marya’s bitterness toward Heralds had only grown after her young, handsome fiancé had been Chosen, only to follow the same pattern of letters that eventually trickled into nothing.  Over the years that followed, Marya’s dislike of Heralds had grown into hatred.  Therefore, when two Heralds showed up on her doorstep one day asking for her help, she slammed the door in their face.  Why were Heralds wanting her help anyway?  And what could possibly induce her to help them?  Would she ever find out what had caused her father to forget about his young family?  And her fiancé to forget about her?  And would she ever find peace about it all? 

Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar, 2010, “Finding the Way,” by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon

Sherra, a hertasi (sentient lizard-type being) worked as a pathfinder, guiding travelers and helping protect them as they passed through the ever-changing swamp.  Vesily, a Companion, needed help getting across the swamp to where her Chosen was.  And since Vesily had not yet officially Chosen, she could not yet mindspeak to her Chosen.  Sherra must not only guide her through the swamp and its perils, but also allow for the fact that their destination might move, since it was a person and not a point in space.  While Vesily was a Companion, with all the power and wisdom thereof, she was also young and inexperienced.  She could not understand that Sherra, while respecting Vesily’s title and abilities as a Companion, must take control of the mission during their journey across the swamp, or both of them could die.  Although Vesily had a link to her Chosen, she could not tell certain things she ought to have been able to discern.  She knew something was wrong, but she could not pinpoint what it was.  She only knew her Chosen was in some kind of danger.  But it was worse than that; for some reason, Vesily could not figure out even what her Chosen’s gender was.  Will Sherra be able to guide Vesily successfully toward a destination that changes as often as a person moves from one spot to another?  Will the two of them be able to face down the dangers of the swamp?  Will they be able to agree on who is boss for long enough to complete Vesily’s mission?  Will they find the Chosen in time to avert whatever danger he or she is facing?  And will they find out what else was wrong with the Chosen, and why the gender confusion?  

Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar, 2011, “The Simple Gifts,” by Mercedes Lackey

Don made his living by doing some questionable things, so when two Companions, Destin and Ardred, called on him for help, he thought they must be crazy.  Turns out they were not crazy, only desperate.  Desperate enough to ask him, a person who had no experience whatever that was not … questionable.   Then the two Companions took him to a cottage, which held Destin’s injured Herald, Millissa.  Don then learned that the Companions expected him to not only drop everything and stay with her, but also cook and clean for her, and care for her injury!  Were they all crazy?  These weren’t the kinds of things in which he excelled.  But he had a good heart, and he decided to do what he could.  But Ardred was in this area on a mission, and it was a dangerous one.   The two Companions had counted on Millissa for help with that danger, but now that she was incapacitated, that job fell to Don.  Again, Don questioned their mental sanity.  Would Don be able to learn to do what Millissa and the two Companions needed?  When it came down to facing the danger, would Don find the necessary courage?   And, when all the excitement settled down, would Don continue on his … questionable … path, or would he choose a different destiny?  

No True Way: All-New Tales of Valdemar, 2014, “Vixen,” by Mercedes Lackey

Healer Vixen, tormented by haunting memories of a bitter childhood, passed over her hometown of Hartrise every time she came to it during her circuit.  Although since she had left home, she had been accepted by the Healers, trained and honed her gift, and become renowned for her healing abilities, she still angered at the thought of facing either her parents or the now-grown children with whom she had grown up.  Having been a village joke, Vixen never wanted to deal with those hurtful people again.  Her bitterness seeped into her healing, because as often as not, those who received the benefit of her healing also received a lashing with her tongue.  One day a Companion came to her asking for help; his Herald had broken his ankle.  Herald Vanyel (from the Last Herald Mage Trilogy) was relieved that since his injury had in no way been his own fault, he did not receive one of her famous scoldings.  However, just at that moment, a mysterious monster arrived in the village!  Vixen used her gift of animal mindspeech to determine its intentions, only to find out that it wanted nothing more than to eat everyone and everything living in the village.  Vanyel, under the influence of healing drugs, could not use his magic, not even to summon help.  Vixen tried to use her animal mindspeech to get help, but it was a long shot.  Then, a second monster arrived!  The two monsters began fighting, and the best Vixen could hope for was that they will each kill the other.  Otherwise, the entire village would become a meal for the victor.  Will Vixen recognize help when it comes?  Will the villagers?  When Vanyel makes Vixen an offer, will she accept it?  Will she ever return to Hartrise and face down her demons?   

Storm Warning by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Holly White

Storm Warning, the first of the Mage Storms Trilogy, immediately follows Winds of Fury (the third & final book of the Mage Winds Trilogy) in the Valdemar chronology.  Although a link to the introduction to Valdemar is included in each of my reviews, I am going to include an excerpt here because this story brings it to bear quite powerfully:

“Long ago, a good man named Baron Valdemar lived in a land with a tyrant for a king.  For a time, Baron Valdemar was content to use his magic (for he had some powers) to merely protect his people from the tyrant, but the day finally came when nothing would protect them unless it was a revolution.  Baron Valdemar knew, however, that he and his people could not hold out long in an actual revolution, so he took his followers and settled in a new land far away, which he named after himself.”

Storm Warning opened up on the heels of Valdemar’s defeat of Hardorn. Hardorn lay in waste in the wake of their King Ancar’s reckless use of magics.  During the war, Valdemarian assassins had killed Ancar and his mage ally Hulda, the spirit of Mornelithe Falconsbane, and Ancar’s envoy from a land to the east of Hardorn, simply known as the Empire.  That envoy’s death caused the Valdemarians great concern.  The Empire’s envoy had been in the process of creating a mage gate to go back to his homeland, when he had been struck with a knife whose hilt bore the Heraldic seal of Valdemar.  As he died, he fell through the mage gate, taking the knife back with his dead body, into the throne room of his master, King Charliss.  Now Valdemar had come to the attention of the ruthless ruler of the Empire.

After the war was over, Valdemarian historians pored over old documents to learn what they could about the Empire, only to discover to their horror that the Empire was none other than the land from which Baron Valdemar had originally come.  As soon as the Empire recognized the insignia on the knife, and came to the same conclusion, they would be out for blood.  War was inevitable; it was only a matter of time.

Karse, a country which was Valdemar’s old enemy, had joined forces with the Valdemarians during the war against their mutual enemy Ancar.  Now that the war had ended, Karse sent an envoy named Ulrich, and his secretary, Karal, to Valdemar to try to turn that temporary alliance into a permanent treaty.  Ulrich and Karal had to overcome years of prejudice to learn to accept the Valdemarians.  This attempt at mutual understanding was further complicated by the fact that there was a spy for the Empire in the palace.  The spy attempted, in an effort to eliminate any help Valdemar might have, to assassinate all the envoys from all of Valdemar’s allies, including those from Karse.

An’desha, a good mage formerly possessed by the evil Mornelithe Falconsbane, struggled painfully with not only that evil man’s memories and inclinations, but also the memories and inclinations of all the men whose bodies Falconsbane formerly possessed.  Karal and Ulrich tried to use their powers to help An’desha deal with and learn to control his own mind and powers.  But An’desha was continually plagued with a feeling of unnamed dread, like something terrible was about to happen, something worse than even war with the Empire. 

Just when things seemed like they couldn’t get any worse, an attack came on all of them alike: Valdemar, the Empire, Karse, Hardorn, and all the surrounding countries.  No one knew who or what had caused it.  All anyone knew was that it wiped out everything magic in its wake.  They were going to have to find a way to stop this thing before it destroyed the whole world.  And the secret to defeating it lay in the most inaccessible of places- in the evil memories held in the mind of An’desha, a man whose spirit was far too fragile, to delve into them.

Storm Warning is the first in the Mage Storms Trilogy, followed by Storm Rising and Storm Breaking.  This book is one of Mercedes Lackey’s finest.  Her characters are so well written they seem like real people, like my friends.  And when her characters go through hard times, they make me cry.  They make me unable to put the book down.  They also make me laugh, or think, or worry, or get mad, or shake my head indulgently.  But to me, a character that is written so well that he/she makes me cry, that is when the character is no longer fictional, but comes alive, and makes the reader really care.  Mercedes Lackey has accomplished that in this book.  I highly recommend this book to any adult who loves fantasy and good vs. evil stories.   I will see you all next time–right now I have to go put Storm Warning on my “Favorites” shelf!

Winds of Change, by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Holly White

Winds of Change is the second book in Mercedes Lackey’s Mage Winds trilogy set in her Valdemar universe.  In the first book, Winds of Fate, the great mage-gifted Ancar was threatening the kingdom and Valdemar needed mages of its own in order to stand against him. Unfortunately, they no longer knew who to identify and train their own Gifted, so Elspeth, the Heir to the throne of Valdemar, traveled on a quest with her best friend Skif, another of the Heralds. Together they sought out the Hawkbrothers, mage-gifted men and women who bonded with birds instead of the horse Companions, and who could help Valdemar regain their mages.

In Winds of Change, Elspeth began her training under a Hawkbrother named Darkwind, and the two of them, unbeknownst to the other, began to have feelings (undeclared) for one another.  Meanwhile, Skif teamed up with Darkwind’s brother, Wintermoon, to leave the Vale, the home of the Hawkbrothers, on another quest to try and seek out Nyara, a changechild who was Skif’s true love who had been taken by the evil Mornelithe Falconsbane.  Nyara was undergoing training with the enchanted sword called Need, which was also protecting her from Falconsbane’s schemes.

Then before they were ready, Elspeth and Darkwind found they were going to have to face Mornelithe Falconsbane, who had declared a personal vendetta against Nyara, against the Gryphons (powerful allies of Darkwind who had repeatedly helped defeat Falconsbane in the past), and against everyone in the Vale.  They called in outside help, but would their help come in time?  Would their alliance be powerful enough to defeat Falconsbane once and for all?  Would their ideas and strategies be enough?  And what would be the terrible price if they did succeed?

I really enjoyed Winds of Change, and I think it is a great read for any adult who loves fantasy, magery, and good vs. evil battles.  My next review will be on the third book in the trilogy, Winds of Fury, in which I’m told that some of the Hawkbrothers, the Gryphons, and the Heralds, will have to unite against a powerful alliance of evil. 

Magic’s Pawn, by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Holly White
 

In the first Valdemarian book, Arrows of the Queen, Talia reads a book of ancient legends about Vanyel, the greatest of all the Herald Mages.  In Magic’s Pawn, Mercedes Lackey begins a trilogy which will tell Vanyel’s story, set centuries before the events in Arrows.

Vanyel was the firstborn son of holdowner Withen, destined to take over rulership of the hold after his father.  But it was the last thing Vanyel wanted to do.  Withen and his swordmaster Jervis tried to train Vanyel to war, but Vanyel had no talent for such things.  His dream was to become a Bard or at least a minstrel.  Ultimately, Jervis broke Vanyel’s arm during training, temporarily, at least, putting a stop to either future.  Once he was healed, Vanyel was sent away in disgrace to Haven, the capital of Valdemar, to stay with his aunt, a Herald named Savil.

In Haven, several important things happened.  Vanyel was allowed to be educated, even in music, but found that he had no Gift for Barding.  Disheartened to have his dreams snatched away, he came to depend more and more on his romantic relationship with Herald Tylendel to feed his self-esteem.  Vanyel was a bit jealous of the bond between Tylendel and his Companion.  He also had trouble comprehending why someone would want to be a Herald in the first place.  Tylendel tried to explain the virtue of putting others before oneself and fighting for them, but to no avail.

Then Tylendel’s cousin involved Vanyel in the intrigues of a long-standing family feud, and tragedy upon tragedy ensued, culminating in Herald Tylendel being repudiated by his Companion, something which had never happened before. Unable to deal with being repudiated,Tylendel committed suicide leaving Vanyel bereft beyond belief.

However, with Vanyel’s bereavement came a blessing; he was Chosen by Companion Yfandes, giving him the incredible love and acceptance of a Companion of his own.  However, at the moment of Tylendel’s death and Vanyel’s Choosing, also came the awakening of all Vanyel’s mage Gifts.  Most Heralds had one or maybe two strong Gifts; Tylendel’s four Gifts had been rare, but now Vanyel had them all.  Having these Gifts come upon him so strongly and all at once, without training to shield himself, Vanyel’s mind was now a raw, aching grief with no one strong enough to give him the healing he needed.  With no training to shield others from the power of his Gifts, he was also now a danger to others. 

Savil took Vanyel away from Haven, to some mage friends for healing and training.  With time, Vanyel’s mind and emotions began to heal, but he still resisted the idea of being a Herald.  Then a nearby village was attacked and Vanyel was the only available protection for the innocent villagers.  But the foe was a stronger one than even his teachers had ever had to face, and Vanyel would have to call upon powers that no one, least of all himself, suspected that he had. 

Magic’s Pawn is, so far at least, the earliest book chronologically in the Valdemarian world.  It is the first in a The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy, and is followed by Magic’s Promise, and Magic’s Price.  I would recommend this book for adults or young adults who love stories of adventure, magic, and peril.  My next review will be for Magic’s Promise, which continues the tale of Vanyel and his adventures.

 Note:  Holly's introduction to the world of Valdemar can be found here.

For earlier reviews, please check the entries for the first Friday of each month. 

Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey

By Holly White, guest reviewer

Arrow’s Fall is the third and final book of the Heralds of Valdemar trilogy, after Arrows of the Queen and Arrow’s Flight and is the culmination of the story of Talia, the Queen’s Own Herald.

In Arrow’s Flight, the Weatherwitch gave Talia the following prophecy: "You WILL reclaim what was yours, and no one will ever shake it from you again. You will find your heart’s desire, but not until you have seen the Havens. The Havens will call you, but duty and love will bar you from them. Love will challenge death to reclaim you. Your greatest joy will be preceded by your greatest sorrow, and your fulfillment will not be unshadowed by grief."  In Arrow’s Fall, we learn if the prophecy will be fulfilled.

Talia has returned from her internship circuit journey is now a full Herald. Her new responsibilities sometimes seem more than she even has time to accomplish in a day. Added to that, the Kingdom of Valdemar is facing a new threat:  bandits on the borders are attacking and massacring men, women, and children. Can someone in the Queen’s council be passing information about which villages are least protected?

Also, Talia’s protégé, the Queen’s daughter and Heir, Elspeth, is about to be forced into a political marriage. Talia continually experiences a vague feeling of uneasiness about Elspeth. Although Talia knows this feeling has nothing to do with the impending marriage, she can’t identify just what it IS about.

Meanwhile best friends Kris, Talia, and Dirk are also having a crisis. Talia is in love with homely Dirk, but Dirk thinks she loves handsome Kris. Dirk is in love with Talia as well, but, he is torn between his best friend and the woman he loves and he is fearful of rejection. Kris doesn’t realize that Dirk thinks Talia’s heart belongs to Kris. Also, Kris can’t see why Dirk and Talia don’t trust his uncle Lord Orthallen. Things come to a head when Lord Orthallen creates a rift between all three of them, causing each of them to be angry at both the others. This leaves all three of them bereft of their favorite two confidants in a time when each of them sorely needs a confidant.

Regardless of events in her personal life, Talia is still a Herald with duties to carry out. The Queen sends her on a state visit to a neighboring country to look over Prince Ancar, the intended of Elspeth. Talia leaves on the heels of an unresolved argument with Elspeth. To make matters more complicated, Dirk is sick in bed, with no visitors allowed so Talia must leave that situation unsettled as well as she leaves on another assignment . . . with Kris of all people.

When Kris and Talia arrive in the land of Prince Ancar, they find that something is not as it should be. By the time the truth dawns on Talia and Kris, they are trapped by an enemy who has an ominous ally in possession of a power like none they’ve ever seen. And before it’s over, Talia will give up all hope.
 
Will the bandits finally be defeated once and for all? Will Talia be able to mend her fences with Elspeth, Kris, and Dirk? Will Elspeth be saved from a political marriage? Will Kris and Talia escape Ancar’s country in time to warn the Queen and prevent an all-out war? Will the Heralds be able to defeat this new form of evil in the land of Prince Ancar? And how will the prophecy from the Weatherwitch be fulfilled?

Find out by reading Arrow’s Fall by Mercedes Lackey where the author expertly answers all these questions and brings the trilogy to a moving, but satisfying conclusion. If this kind of book intrigues you, please also see my previous reviews (Arrows of the Queen, Arrows Flight)  and/or my overview of the land of Valdemar. My next review will be on Oathbound, the first in Mercedes Lackey’s Vows and Honor trilogy, also set in the land of Valdemar.

Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey

Reviewed by Holly White

Arrow’s Flight is the sequel to Arrows of the Queen. (Click on the title to read that review; for an overview of the world in which these novels are set click here.)

Talia, the Queen’s Own Herald, has finally completed most of her Herald training, and had earned her Heraldic Whites, the white uniform worn by Heralds. The time had come for her internship, eighteen months riding circuit with a full Herald, for on-the-job training before she can take up her full position and title of Queen’s Own Herald. However, new accomplishments have brought new challenges for Talia.

Elspeth, the daughter of Queen Selenay, was once a spoiled, selfish brat. Talia had tamed the brat, but Elspeth still had not yet been Chosen by a Companion. Since only one who is Chosen can be an heir, Council is pressuring Selenay to select another heir. However, all the Heralds who are viable choices have relatives who might seek to become the power behind the throne. The most outspoken is Lord Orthallen, who, as a member of the Council himself, had also been the one in years past to encourage young Selenay in directions which turned out to be mistakes. Orthallen sought to place his nephew Kris, a handsome young Herald, on the throne someday. It’s a dangerous time for Talia to leave Elspeth and Selenay, but there’s no other option. 

Further complicating Talia’s life are her growing feelings for Dirk, to whom she is strongly attracted in spite of his homeliness. Although Dirk shared her feelings, he said nothing, especially since she has been assigned to ride circuit with his best friend, the good-looking Kris. Dirk has been brutally hurt by women in the past. Now he feared that Talia would do the same, especially since she will be going away with the handsome Kris on her circuit. And so she and Dirk are at an impasse.

To make things even worse, there are problems with Talia’s Gift. Talia is an empath; she has the Gift of sensing and being able to control others’ feelings. She can bring emotional healing to someone who is suffering. However, Talia’s Gift seems to be going rogue. She’s unable to shield herself from others’ emotions and she’s inadvertently projecting her own emotions onto others. Unless she can get her Gift under control, she could accidentally harm herself or others. It would also do significant harm to the reputation of all Heralds. Talia’s problems with her Gift are only magnified when Kris starts asking her questions that make her doubt herself, questions that his Uncle Orthallen have put into his head.

Things come to a head when she and Kris are snowed in all alone at a Herald’s Waystation out in the middle of nowhere, during a severe blizzard without even so much as a shovel to try to dig themselves out. And their Waystation was right at the edge of The Forest of Sorrows, a forest cursed in times past, a forest that seems alive and aware … and is watching them.

As always, Mercedes Lackey has given us a well-plotted, well-characterized trip into a magical place full of adventure, humor, romance, and danger. If this review piques your interest at all, I think you’d thoroughly enjoy reading this book. Mercedes Lackey doesn’t just create memorable challenges for her characters; she creates satisfying solutions, and in such a way that you can’t put the book down.

Be on the lookout next month for the review for the third in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy, called Arrow’s Fall.