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wolphin8's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book to have less of a hook, and be much slower paced than the other books in the series. I think it needed more substance and detail, as it seemed they were doing the same motions several times, and seemed a little bit boring, as the suspense was not there.
This is the first book of hers I didn't have trouble putting down at any point, unlike others that I gave up my sleep for.
All said, I am not disappointed overall in the story, and it does flow well, it just felt a little rushed or forced. It seemed to have less depth shown than the others, and more just going through the motions. It does have a very satisfying ending, and there were parts I laughed. I wonder if there will be more, or is this is the last of the Mags books; there is already 8 (in 2 series) and most characters only get 3 at most about them before they become secondary characters.
This is the first book of hers I didn't have trouble putting down at any point, unlike others that I gave up my sleep for.
All said, I am not disappointed overall in the story, and it does flow well, it just felt a little rushed or forced. It seemed to have less depth shown than the others, and more just going through the motions. It does have a very satisfying ending, and there were parts I laughed. I wonder if there will be more, or is this is the last of the Mags books; there is already 8 (in 2 series) and most characters only get 3 at most about them before they become secondary characters.
kiki870's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While I would have enjoyed a little more intrigue, as I like to be kept guessing, I loved the story of Mags and Amily as they sussed out the bad guys. What I appreciated the most was the message of the storyline, the place of women in the world. Because that was what was at the heart of the story… the place of women, the rights of women, bullying, victim-shaming. It’s a book, although released only five years ago, seems incredibly poignant in late of the times we live in.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in The Herald Spy subseries and eighth in the Collegium Chronicles, both of which are a subseries within Lackey's overall Valdemar universe. This subseries revolves around Mags and his Companion, Dallen.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
As angry as the conflict made me, Closer to the Chest is a story with a warm and cozy feel for its day-in-the-life of Mags, Amily, and the royals, as Mags and Amily and the king and his son and wife endear themselves to the populace and take care of their people. Makes you wish our politicians would care half as much. I do love how thoughtful Mags is towards those who are not so well off; Amily has also learned to be more aware, and we get to learn right along with her.
I absolutely LOVE the message Lackey sends in Closer to the Chest about how wrong it is to say that women should know their place. To think they're only good for what is considered traditional women's work. I'm already a believer, and Lackey pokes and pokes away at how disgusting these beliefs are.
I'm confused as Lackey initially gives the impression that Teo is a collector for a moneylender, but then she has him working as a bodyguard for the goldsmith who may be the moneylender??
It's irritating how long it takes Mags and his friends to figure out who the likely culprit is. It's one thing to have to scrounge for evidence, and another to be so obtuse.
I had to laugh about the servants appalled that Lady Dia actually sleeps with her husband! More laughter ensued with Mags' wish that "a plague would target only stupid people". Yep, it's one of my dreams as well, lol.
It's a world with the kind of values you want your children to have — the Heralds and the king and prince who are so concerned with ensuring everyone's well-being. And this particular story is a good one for kids to read, if only to help hammer in that this attitude towards women is wrong.
The Story
A series of seemingly unrelated attacks and burglaries against women has the town of Haven and the Court up in arms with Herald Mags and King's Own Amily helpless to stop it.
The evildoer leaves few clues behind, and Mags and Amily must thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly — before terror turns to murder.
The Characters
Mags, a.k.a., Harkon (Willy the Weasel's nephew), Magnus, Lord Chipman's cousin, or Geb Lackland who infiltrates an organization, is the King's Herald Spy gifted with Mindspeech and married (Closer to the Heart, 2) to Amily, the King's Own Herald, who has discovered her own Gift. Dallen is Mags' Companion; Rolan is Amily's.
Herald Nikolas had been the King's Own until he died (Closer to Home, 1), and Rolan's bond passed to his daughter, Amily. He's also "Willy the Weasel", his undercover role as a pawnbroker who deals in information. "Willy" has a staff now: Jem, Eller, Sam, and Luke.
Kyril is the king of Valdemar; Prince Sedric is his son and heir who is married to the pregnant Lydia, Soren's niece (Closer to Home, 1). The Housekeeper, Mrs. Pellam, is another of Nikolas'. Lady Dia breeds muff dogs, organized the Queen's Handmaidens (a group of women spies who include Keira Tremainet, Joya, and the deceptive Keleste), and is married to Steveral, Lord Jorthun, who had been the king's spymaster and Nikolas' mentor. Tuck is/was Dia's protégé and brilliant with his hands. Nils is one of Dia's trainers. Miana is her maid. Violetta appeared in Closer to Home, 1.
The Collegium are…
…three schools where children are trained in becoming Heralds, Bards, or Healers. The deans include Caelen (Heralds), Melita "Lita" (Bards); and, Devin (Healers). Other Heralds include Pip who has just returned from a circuit; Jakyr is the one who discovered Mags in Foundation; Willowby is permanently assigned to the Haven court system; and, Kerit's gift is psychometry. Lena Marchand Tyrall is a Master Bard (her father, Bard Marchand, met his fate in Changes, 3); she's married to Bear Tyrall, an innovative Healer. The Chronicler keeps records for the Healers. Margeritte is another of the Healers.
Trainee Bards include the gifted Dani, and Sara is a Trainee Herald. The Blues are students and include children of people who live at Court or on the Hill and sponsored children including Katlie Gardener and Kaven.
Aunty Minda is the house mother for Mags' band of runners and informers; Trey is one of them. One of the original rescues is Coot who now runs the official runner business.
Teo does debt collection for a moneylender, Mika Tarneff, and works as a bodyguard for Bren Kriss, a goldsmith (and moneylender?) in Tanner's Quarter. I gotta wonder who Dettler is.
Lord Semel Lional (he's one of Kyril's New Men), his wife, Lady Tyria, and their sensible children — Hawken is the oldest, the gorgeous Helane, the brilliant Lirelle, and the ambitious Loren — come to Court, expecting to move into Lord Renolf's townhouse. Lord Merriman and his wife, Lady Felicity, have come to Court with their twin daughters. Duke Henley believes in his own importance. Lord Anslott doesn't like change and doesn't approve of women. Maegery Ereson is a tease, Lady Jemma Teal is quite clever, and Amber Larele is a flirt and poaches. Lady Harmitege moves herself and her eight chicks out of the Palace. Danver Haylie and his set are ones to beware. Lady Herra and Lady Amberly are cranky spinsters. Jared was a tutor.
Watchmen include Carter and Captains Kay March and Ned March. Flora is the madame at Flora's and also one of Nikolas' contacts. Cilla is the House Healer at Flora's. The Sickle Moon is another bawdy house.
Hatchet, Dog-Billy, and Rufus are the latest bad guys from whom Mags took children. The "Poison Pen" is a nasty, vicious person whose intelligence is much too accurate and knows his or her way around much too well.
The religious groups in Haven
The Sisters of Ardana are…
…a dying religious group cheated out of their building. Mother Yllana is their abbess. They also have Abbess Reed who may be Mother Yllana?? Other sisters include the unhappy Klera Coppersmith, Aster, Loveage, Basil, Ivy, Nelie, Thoma, and Thistle who is in charge of the Scriptorium. Kyle Benson is the new carter. Meya and her husband are some of the worshippers.
The Temple of Betane of the Axe is…
…a militant order of women who work as bodyguards and fill in for the Guard as needed. The prioress is their leader. Acolyte Asha inspires hero worship and offers good advice.
Birana the Flower-Crowned concerns…
…itself with growing flowers whose High Priestess is appalled.
The Order of Saint Hitia has…
…the largest library in Haven and is devoted to scholarship.
The Temple of Sethor the Patriarch is…
…the latest religious group to come to Haven with strange beliefs. Theodor Kresh is the High Priest. Other priests include Brother Pakler, Precepts Darent and Renn Haladane (he has a twin brother, Roan; their father had been a chief priest, Taryan Haladane), and Novice Tomson.
The Heralds are the ultimate law enforcement in Valdemar. Companions are magical white "horses" with silver hooves and blue eyes who can mindspeak with the Herald to whom they bond. Companion Seraf appears to be attracted to Dallen. Kirball is a game (a sort of cross between polo and soccer) invented when Mags was still a Trainee. The Sleepgivers are a clan of assassins with Mags' cousin, Bey, its head (Bastion, 5).
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is warm browns with a tone-on-tone graphic of Dallen galloping across. The center is the shape of a decorative shield acting as a frame for a determined Amily holding a dagger and Mags with a tool belt and holding a hammer; they're dressed in a subdued orange. They're separated by a highly carved pillar in the middle with poison pen letters floating between them, one of which is pinned at the bottom of the shield frame, dripping with blood. The author's name is in embossed silver at the top while the title is in an embossed pale gold at the bottom with the series information below it embossed in white.
Oh, yeah, this title is definitely Closer to the Chest for Mags and friends, as it affects so many people in Haven and at Court.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
As angry as the conflict made me, Closer to the Chest is a story with a warm and cozy feel for its day-in-the-life of Mags, Amily, and the royals, as Mags and Amily and the king and his son and wife endear themselves to the populace and take care of their people. Makes you wish our politicians would care half as much. I do love how thoughtful Mags is towards those who are not so well off; Amily has also learned to be more aware, and we get to learn right along with her.
I absolutely LOVE the message Lackey sends in Closer to the Chest about how wrong it is to say that women should know their place. To think they're only good for what is considered traditional women's work. I'm already a believer, and Lackey pokes and pokes away at how disgusting these beliefs are.
I'm confused as Lackey initially gives the impression that Teo is a collector for a moneylender, but then she has him working as a bodyguard for the goldsmith who may be the moneylender??
It's irritating how long it takes Mags and his friends to figure out who the likely culprit is. It's one thing to have to scrounge for evidence, and another to be so obtuse.
I had to laugh about the servants appalled that Lady Dia actually sleeps with her husband! More laughter ensued with Mags' wish that "a plague would target only stupid people". Yep, it's one of my dreams as well, lol.
It's a world with the kind of values you want your children to have — the Heralds and the king and prince who are so concerned with ensuring everyone's well-being. And this particular story is a good one for kids to read, if only to help hammer in that this attitude towards women is wrong.
The Story
A series of seemingly unrelated attacks and burglaries against women has the town of Haven and the Court up in arms with Herald Mags and King's Own Amily helpless to stop it.
The evildoer leaves few clues behind, and Mags and Amily must thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly — before terror turns to murder.
The Characters
Mags, a.k.a., Harkon (Willy the Weasel's nephew), Magnus, Lord Chipman's cousin, or Geb Lackland who infiltrates an organization, is the King's Herald Spy gifted with Mindspeech and married (Closer to the Heart, 2) to Amily, the King's Own Herald, who has discovered her own Gift. Dallen is Mags' Companion; Rolan is Amily's.
Herald Nikolas had been the King's Own until he died (Closer to Home, 1), and Rolan's bond passed to his daughter, Amily. He's also "Willy the Weasel", his undercover role as a pawnbroker who deals in information. "Willy" has a staff now: Jem, Eller, Sam, and Luke.
Kyril is the king of Valdemar; Prince Sedric is his son and heir who is married to the pregnant Lydia, Soren's niece (Closer to Home, 1). The Housekeeper, Mrs. Pellam, is another of Nikolas'. Lady Dia breeds muff dogs, organized the Queen's Handmaidens (a group of women spies who include Keira Tremainet, Joya, and the deceptive Keleste), and is married to Steveral, Lord Jorthun, who had been the king's spymaster and Nikolas' mentor. Tuck is/was Dia's protégé and brilliant with his hands. Nils is one of Dia's trainers. Miana is her maid. Violetta appeared in Closer to Home, 1.
The Collegium are…
…three schools where children are trained in becoming Heralds, Bards, or Healers. The deans include Caelen (Heralds), Melita "Lita" (Bards); and, Devin (Healers). Other Heralds include Pip who has just returned from a circuit; Jakyr is the one who discovered Mags in Foundation; Willowby is permanently assigned to the Haven court system; and, Kerit's gift is psychometry. Lena Marchand Tyrall is a Master Bard (her father, Bard Marchand, met his fate in Changes, 3); she's married to Bear Tyrall, an innovative Healer. The Chronicler keeps records for the Healers. Margeritte is another of the Healers.
Trainee Bards include the gifted Dani, and Sara is a Trainee Herald. The Blues are students and include children of people who live at Court or on the Hill and sponsored children including Katlie Gardener and Kaven.
Aunty Minda is the house mother for Mags' band of runners and informers; Trey is one of them. One of the original rescues is Coot who now runs the official runner business.
Teo does debt collection for a moneylender, Mika Tarneff, and works as a bodyguard for Bren Kriss, a goldsmith (and moneylender?) in Tanner's Quarter. I gotta wonder who Dettler is.
Lord Semel Lional (he's one of Kyril's New Men), his wife, Lady Tyria, and their sensible children — Hawken is the oldest, the gorgeous Helane, the brilliant Lirelle, and the ambitious Loren — come to Court, expecting to move into Lord Renolf's townhouse. Lord Merriman and his wife, Lady Felicity, have come to Court with their twin daughters. Duke Henley believes in his own importance. Lord Anslott doesn't like change and doesn't approve of women. Maegery Ereson is a tease, Lady Jemma Teal is quite clever, and Amber Larele is a flirt and poaches. Lady Harmitege moves herself and her eight chicks out of the Palace. Danver Haylie and his set are ones to beware. Lady Herra and Lady Amberly are cranky spinsters. Jared was a tutor.
Watchmen include Carter and Captains Kay March and Ned March. Flora is the madame at Flora's and also one of Nikolas' contacts. Cilla is the House Healer at Flora's. The Sickle Moon is another bawdy house.
Hatchet, Dog-Billy, and Rufus are the latest bad guys from whom Mags took children. The "Poison Pen" is a nasty, vicious person whose intelligence is much too accurate and knows his or her way around much too well.
The religious groups in Haven
The Sisters of Ardana are…
…a dying religious group cheated out of their building. Mother Yllana is their abbess. They also have Abbess Reed who may be Mother Yllana?? Other sisters include the unhappy Klera Coppersmith, Aster, Loveage, Basil, Ivy, Nelie, Thoma, and Thistle who is in charge of the Scriptorium. Kyle Benson is the new carter. Meya and her husband are some of the worshippers.
The Temple of Betane of the Axe is…
…a militant order of women who work as bodyguards and fill in for the Guard as needed. The prioress is their leader. Acolyte Asha inspires hero worship and offers good advice.
Birana the Flower-Crowned concerns…
…itself with growing flowers whose High Priestess is appalled.
The Order of Saint Hitia has…
…the largest library in Haven and is devoted to scholarship.
The Temple of Sethor the Patriarch is…
…the latest religious group to come to Haven with strange beliefs. Theodor Kresh is the High Priest. Other priests include Brother Pakler, Precepts Darent and Renn Haladane (he has a twin brother, Roan; their father had been a chief priest, Taryan Haladane), and Novice Tomson.
The Heralds are the ultimate law enforcement in Valdemar. Companions are magical white "horses" with silver hooves and blue eyes who can mindspeak with the Herald to whom they bond. Companion Seraf appears to be attracted to Dallen. Kirball is a game (a sort of cross between polo and soccer) invented when Mags was still a Trainee. The Sleepgivers are a clan of assassins with Mags' cousin, Bey, its head (Bastion, 5).
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is warm browns with a tone-on-tone graphic of Dallen galloping across. The center is the shape of a decorative shield acting as a frame for a determined Amily holding a dagger and Mags with a tool belt and holding a hammer; they're dressed in a subdued orange. They're separated by a highly carved pillar in the middle with poison pen letters floating between them, one of which is pinned at the bottom of the shield frame, dripping with blood. The author's name is in embossed silver at the top while the title is in an embossed pale gold at the bottom with the series information below it embossed in white.
Oh, yeah, this title is definitely Closer to the Chest for Mags and friends, as it affects so many people in Haven and at Court.
kivt's review against another edition
2.0
truly pushing boundaries in how condescending a book can be and i’ll still finish it. even more than usual, valdemar’s vaunted pluralism is a vehicle for lackey to deliver endless multi-page lectures about her incredibly confused ideology. it feels like *every* male character gets a turn to lecture Amily for being emotional and bad at her job and jumping to conclusions.
Spoiler
even though Amily, like the reader, knows exactly who the bad guy is from the beginning of the book. no one ever apologizes to her, either. they catch the guy, she’s proven right, and she single-handedly holds off 3 assassins who are only after her because of her male counterparts’ failure to listen to her hunches (direct observations and quotes from obvious villains) and take basic precautions. it’s fucking bonkers. i feel like in older lackey books, the point of this story would be “believe women” and you’d get an equally preachy but shorter and more bearable conclusion where everyone admits Amily was right and they should listen to her more in the future, and everyone respects her more as she fully takes on the role of King’s Own. instead we get Mags having that growth moment and Amily resolving to let her dad keep being King’s Own? even tho this stupid fucking subplot was established in the first book of this trilogy as a good thing bc now the king’s spymaster can focus on spying instead of having to be King’s Own too? man, fuck this book and fuck Lackey’s weird conservative liberalism.mcfoster's review against another edition
3.0
I see this latest novel featuring Mags and Amily as Lackey's tribute to [b:Gaudy Night|93575|Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #12)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388197565s/93575.jpg|341789] and I enjoyed it precisely because I enjoyed seeing what Lackey had done with another old favourite. Those who enjoy the old detective classic as well as regular trips to Valdemar will have fun spotting how the plot and characters have been transferred to the context and culture of the Collegium, with literary manuscripts becoming lapdogs and Oxford dons becoming priestesses (and brown paint becoming red). Closer to the Chest has a different conclusion/resolution from Gaudy Night, similar to what was done with Romeo and Juliet in "Closer to the Heart", but was possibly too predictable unless you were half keeping an eye out for the Valdemaran equivalent of Annie.
I hope Ms Lackey will raid the classics again for plots to give a Valdemar twist (I'd love to see what she could do with Othello, for example). So what if they're not original plots? In some cases, the combination of a familiar classic plot in this unique and enjoyable setting makes for extra enjoyment.
I hope Ms Lackey will raid the classics again for plots to give a Valdemar twist (I'd love to see what she could do with Othello, for example). So what if they're not original plots? In some cases, the combination of a familiar classic plot in this unique and enjoyable setting makes for extra enjoyment.
riley_97ri's review against another edition
4.0
Solid book, I enjoyed it a lot definitely a much stronger addition then the first in this trilogy. It seems that Mersades Lacky was still feeling out how she wanted to write stories like this and she definitely found a good way in which to do it in the book. Not her best, but can’t except everything one writes to be the best.
More spy work, and religious extremeist criticism which I liked all in all good book
4/5 stars
More spy work, and religious extremeist criticism which I liked all in all good book
4/5 stars
jmoses's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing was much better in this one, I feel. It still wrapped up a little rapidly, and the foreshadowing was super heavy, making this one (again) feel like YA. Maybe they are, and I've mis-read the target audience.
I mean, it's more books in a world I love, but I'd like something that feels a little more grown up.
I mean, it's more books in a world I love, but I'd like something that feels a little more grown up.
amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me this book to review.
Closer to the Chest is a very enjoyable book which goes at a variable pace which starts off slow and builds to a crescendo by the end. The story can be a bit predictable as it follows the outline of many other Mercedes Lackey books, it does not mean it is any less enjoyable for that.
My favourite character is Nicholas, because whilst most Heralds are meant to be practically perfect, Nicholas shows that they still have some human foibles. The villains are a new one, and it can be predictable because you know that they're going to be beaten however it is always interesting to find out how they lose, and why they're doing this.
I enjoyed Closer to the Chest and would recommend it to readers of the earlier Magsseries and readers of other Mercedes Lackey books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Closer to the Chest is a very enjoyable book which goes at a variable pace which starts off slow and builds to a crescendo by the end. The story can be a bit predictable as it follows the outline of many other Mercedes Lackey books, it does not mean it is any less enjoyable for that.
My favourite character is Nicholas, because whilst most Heralds are meant to be practically perfect, Nicholas shows that they still have some human foibles. The villains are a new one, and it can be predictable because you know that they're going to be beaten however it is always interesting to find out how they lose, and why they're doing this.
I enjoyed Closer to the Chest and would recommend it to readers of the earlier Magsseries and readers of other Mercedes Lackey books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book had better pacing than its predecessors, but the ending was still rather rushed.
I love the world of Valdemar, and I like the idea of a Herald Spy, but I feel like I've read this book before, because its structure and its general plot elements are much the same as any other Mags book. But I like how uncompromisingly Lackey treats the topic of the misogynistic attacks on women, and the rhetoric she uses in this book never feels out of place or overwrought. There really are such people, and they would gladly execute such a plot if they had the means. In this respect, in the true-to-life portrayal of women's issues, I've always really respected Lackey, even if I wish she'd move on to a new protagonist.
I love the world of Valdemar, and I like the idea of a Herald Spy, but I feel like I've read this book before, because its structure and its general plot elements are much the same as any other Mags book. But I like how uncompromisingly Lackey treats the topic of the misogynistic attacks on women, and the rhetoric she uses in this book never feels out of place or overwrought. There really are such people, and they would gladly execute such a plot if they had the means. In this respect, in the true-to-life portrayal of women's issues, I've always really respected Lackey, even if I wish she'd move on to a new protagonist.