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riley_97ri's review against another edition
3.0
It’s was fine.
Definitely the weakest Valdemar book I’ve ever read. Beginning was good, middle sucked end was very good. The story was not at all what I thought it would be instead of spy’s and intrigue it was a Romeo and Juliet plot with a darker twist. It’s was fine, not one I would reread. I followed right after the cologium chronicles, which was fine but I saw no need for. All round eh no lasting impression I will read the next book as I do like the characters but that is all.
2.5 stars
Definitely the weakest Valdemar book I’ve ever read. Beginning was good, middle sucked end was very good. The story was not at all what I thought it would be instead of spy’s and intrigue it was a Romeo and Juliet plot with a darker twist. It’s was fine, not one I would reread. I followed right after the cologium chronicles, which was fine but I saw no need for. All round eh no lasting impression I will read the next book as I do like the characters but that is all.
2.5 stars
kivt's review against another edition
1.0
what a pointlessly unpleasant story. repugnant politics. were all the valdemar books like this & i just didn’t notice as a kid?
nicole_the_bookworm's review against another edition
4.5
It was so much fun to revisit Mags! I loved getting to see him as a full Herald and watch how he made the position of Herald Spy his own. I think this cycle of books/characters might be some of my favourites from Mercedes Lackey 😊
kayteeem's review against another edition
3.0
Never trust a wedding feast in a fantasy book.
Even though I read these because I want stories where good triumphs and evil gets its comeuppance, I find myself wishing that the characters were more nuanced, and not so purely Good and Evil. Won't stop me from getting the next book in the series, though.
If you read Mercedes Lackey, you'll know exactly what to expect when you open the first book of a new Valdemar sub-series. And it's here. Good and Evil, the place of women in Valdemaran society, a girl moving from a protected sphere toward a wider world, Companions, cute animals, straightforward plots, a dash or two of evil behavior, and a setup for the rest of the series.
Even though I read these because I want stories where good triumphs and evil gets its comeuppance, I find myself wishing that the characters were more nuanced, and not so purely Good and Evil. Won't stop me from getting the next book in the series, though.
If you read Mercedes Lackey, you'll know exactly what to expect when you open the first book of a new Valdemar sub-series. And it's here. Good and Evil, the place of women in Valdemaran society, a girl moving from a protected sphere toward a wider world, Companions, cute animals, straightforward plots, a dash or two of evil behavior, and a setup for the rest of the series.
books_n_critters's review against another edition
2.0
I could be enjoying the Valdemar books, but I find myself asking over and over how long it takes to tell a story. Dragging on and on and on with something that could be told in a page, and endless description of details that have nothing to do with the plot.
jmoses's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I was wildly dissatisfied with this book. Romeo and Julie for the most part, which was boooooring. Also "Herald Spy", to me, implies more than "more of the same", which is all we get in this. I *almost* stopped reading this in disgust, and only the fact that this is (pretty much) my favorite fantasy series kept me going.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
3.0
Lackey is a total guilty pleasure for me. I find her books comforting and fun, though not great literature.
iread2much's review against another edition
4.0
Finally a book from Lackey that I can like, and even almost love! I've truly disliked all of her other books featuring Mags, but this book is actually a good read. Interesting story, not HORRIBLY predicable, and wonderfully, you can't predict who is the villain from the first chapter! I almost loved it, not because it's as amazing as some of her best books from the past, but because it's been so long since she's written a book that I actually want to buy.
Basically, skip the whole Collegium series, it's horrible, and as is her usual for her most recent valdemar books, all of those books are rehashed in this book. You can get everything you need to know about that whole series in this book, and it's not horribly boring to read!
This book has interesting characters, lots of political intrigue and explores the life of nobles who are just middling, which is lots of fun. Expect some actual almost surprises, and enjoy a story that doesn't drag on and on and on about sports.
Basically, skip the whole Collegium series, it's horrible, and as is her usual for her most recent valdemar books, all of those books are rehashed in this book. You can get everything you need to know about that whole series in this book, and it's not horribly boring to read!
This book has interesting characters, lots of political intrigue and explores the life of nobles who are just middling, which is lots of fun. Expect some actual almost surprises, and enjoy a story that doesn't drag on and on and on about sports.
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
Mercedes Lackey is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever come across and I adore her world of Valdemar.
In this latest tale Mags & Amily come home to take up the reins of their adult responsibilities and to face Amily’s father and Mag’s mentor Nikolas to ask permission to marry. Politics, magic, love, intrigue, and a bit of swashbuckling sword play and you have one terrific read.
In this latest tale Mags & Amily come home to take up the reins of their adult responsibilities and to face Amily’s father and Mag’s mentor Nikolas to ask permission to marry. Politics, magic, love, intrigue, and a bit of swashbuckling sword play and you have one terrific read.