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rainbowdragonz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
When I first decided to try a new M. Lackey series I was apprehensive. And this isn't as good as Arrows, but boy is this a good book! It's designed to be another jumping in point for new readers, and does this job really nicely. It's new concept and a new look at Valdemar, right at the building of the new collegium, and the development of a new way of training Heralds. This book also brings in people from healers and bardic bringing a new focus on Valdemar. It's the perfect mix between take a thief, Exiles honor and Exiles valor. Also, it made me realise M. Lackey has a thing for her main characters being fastidious
alaneayres's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
kelz31's review against another edition
2.0
My main complaint is that this book did not have a strong single book plot. On the bright side, its plot is far more of a slow burn and I greatly enjoyed the development of Mags as he discovered what it was like to have friends and fun.
lyrrael's review against another edition
5.0
I've been disappointed for a while with Lackey's books. It seems like, when she decided to team up with her husband, the general quality level of her Valdemar books dropped significantly, and they began to read like YA titles. Very YA titles. And so I drifted away. I'd read the new ones, be a bit ho-hum about them, and wander off to something else.
I really feel like the first two books of the Foundation trilogy are a return to the writing style of the Arrows and Last Herald-Mage titles. They're not quite as grand -- the first books of a series tend to be the best, in my experience, and Lackey has done some significant exploration of the history and world of Velgarth. That she's able to return to some of the simplicity and grandiosity of the first few books really was a very pleasant surprise.
I just want to say, on the off chance that she checks the reviews for these books, that Lackey was really my introduction to epic fantasy as a genre, and it's really been something I've enjoyed for my whole life as a consequence. I was 13 when I started with the Last Herald-Mage, and it's been fifteen years of absolutely amazing adventures, and through her, I've had my eyes gently opened to some of the more pressing issues of our times. I would not feel guilty giving these books to a young adult in the early teenage years, depending on maturity levels, but also feel as though they're written for an adult.
Either way, definitely worth a read. Writing style and story are on the same level as Brightly Burning, though Mags is not as legendary or as outstanding as Lavan Firestorm -- which is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope I don't have to wait two more years to find out where Mags ends up. :)
I really feel like the first two books of the Foundation trilogy are a return to the writing style of the Arrows and Last Herald-Mage titles. They're not quite as grand -- the first books of a series tend to be the best, in my experience, and Lackey has done some significant exploration of the history and world of Velgarth. That she's able to return to some of the simplicity and grandiosity of the first few books really was a very pleasant surprise.
I just want to say, on the off chance that she checks the reviews for these books, that Lackey was really my introduction to epic fantasy as a genre, and it's really been something I've enjoyed for my whole life as a consequence. I was 13 when I started with the Last Herald-Mage, and it's been fifteen years of absolutely amazing adventures, and through her, I've had my eyes gently opened to some of the more pressing issues of our times. I would not feel guilty giving these books to a young adult in the early teenage years, depending on maturity levels, but also feel as though they're written for an adult.
Either way, definitely worth a read. Writing style and story are on the same level as Brightly Burning, though Mags is not as legendary or as outstanding as Lavan Firestorm -- which is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope I don't have to wait two more years to find out where Mags ends up. :)
faehistory's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
xeni's review against another edition
5.0
Mercedes Lackey took a step away from Selenay and Elspeth and moved waaaay back into the reaches of time, back to where the Collegium was changing from just a center where a few people came together to share ideas to a full-fledged school for Heralds, Healers and Bards.
The main character in this story, Magpie, fascinates me, mainly because he came from a gem mine. Lackey really draws her characters from all walks of life, which is what makes her stories just so rich with details. Although most of the plots stay the same (evil threatens the kingdom, big main character hero/heroine flies to the rescue) the characters create new stories all the time. And Magpie is no exception.
I'm already hooked on this series, and I hope that the next books come out quickly!
The main character in this story, Magpie, fascinates me, mainly because he came from a gem mine. Lackey really draws her characters from all walks of life, which is what makes her stories just so rich with details. Although most of the plots stay the same (evil threatens the kingdom, big main character hero/heroine flies to the rescue) the characters create new stories all the time. And Magpie is no exception.
I'm already hooked on this series, and I hope that the next books come out quickly!
nausicaa's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
This is the second Valdemar book I've read, after Arrows of the Queen. My problem with this book was that it felt almost identical to Arrows of the Queen. A different series with a new and exciting premise should feel new and interesting, but, alas, it was very much the same.
Love the formula of orphan discovers powers + joins magical group + makes friends + is cooler and better than everyone. Lackey never fails to deliver on that front, and it's a good, comfortable fantasy read if that's what you're looking for. I just wish there were something extra on top of that, something to make it stand out.
Love the formula of orphan discovers powers + joins magical group + makes friends + is cooler and better than everyone. Lackey never fails to deliver on that front, and it's a good, comfortable fantasy read if that's what you're looking for. I just wish there were something extra on top of that, something to make it stand out.
littlepanda's review against another edition
4.0
At first I thought that Mags was a bit like Skif (in Take a thief) but he has his own vision of the horrors that happened to him. In this book we are introduced to everyone and we start to see how Mags integrates the Collegium so there is not a lot of action yet it was really good and not boring at all (which I always fear with this kind of books )