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jamesnotlatimer's review against another edition
4.0
This was, somewhat randomly, my first Lackey, and therefore my first of the series. However, as it includes the origin story in amongst the 11 short stories. Most are good sword-and-sorcery fare, with the unusual attraction, as the intro points out, of a pair of women in the comrades-in-arms roles mostly assigned to men. They are a good pair, if a little too flawless at times, but these are not dark or particularly dangerous stories (their gruesome origin aside). The earlier (published and set) ones are better, focusing on the two alone against the odds a bit more. The longer story that finishes and names the book starts slowly and domestically, but has a fun finish. The writing is less atmospheric than some S&S, but full of thoughtful details and well-plotted. The main characters are fun to follow, though in short form it wasn't always easy to tell them apart, as they both think alike, and generally out-think rather than out-fight or -magic their opponents. I'd definitely try the other books in is series, though I've never been too interested in Valdemar (and I can't say that's changed).
bibliotropic's review against another edition
3.0
There are some ups and downs to this book. On the up-side, this book is a bunch of short stories and doesn’t pretend to be anything but that, no half-hearted attempts to string them all together into something resembling a coherent and continuing plot. It was nice to see a few interesting adventures that Tarma and Kethry have suffered through, particularly the one inspired by Murphy’s Law.
Also, I finally got to read the story in which the two main characters met in the first place.
The down side is that about half the book consisted of stories that had been seen in other places, most notably the first book of the Vows and Honor trilogy. This would be fine if it was a standalone book unconnected to another series, but as it was, I’d already read some of what was being presented to me, with few to no changed in the presentation between the original short story and the time it made it to the first book of the trilogy. Rather disappointing, I think, to read what I’d already read, especially when I was expecting new things.
What was interesting, though, was to see the obvious progression of the author’s writing talents. From the earlier stories to the later ones, it’s easy to see Lackey’s style become more solid, more confident as she grows into it. Her sense of humour is evident throughout, though; some things just never change.
Overall, I’m glad I can say that I’ve finally read this trilogy, which I think means I’ve read all the Valdemar novels except for one (and that one’s in the mail as we speak). I’m equally glad, though, to say that I don’t have to read it again; this was definitely my least favourite trilogy in the series. Decent, but not the best.
Also, I finally got to read the story in which the two main characters met in the first place.
The down side is that about half the book consisted of stories that had been seen in other places, most notably the first book of the Vows and Honor trilogy. This would be fine if it was a standalone book unconnected to another series, but as it was, I’d already read some of what was being presented to me, with few to no changed in the presentation between the original short story and the time it made it to the first book of the trilogy. Rather disappointing, I think, to read what I’d already read, especially when I was expecting new things.
What was interesting, though, was to see the obvious progression of the author’s writing talents. From the earlier stories to the later ones, it’s easy to see Lackey’s style become more solid, more confident as she grows into it. Her sense of humour is evident throughout, though; some things just never change.
Overall, I’m glad I can say that I’ve finally read this trilogy, which I think means I’ve read all the Valdemar novels except for one (and that one’s in the mail as we speak). I’m equally glad, though, to say that I don’t have to read it again; this was definitely my least favourite trilogy in the series. Decent, but not the best.
azurelunatic's review against another edition
4.0
"Oathblood ([b:Vows and Honor|176797|The Oathbound (Vows and Honor, Book 1)|Mercedes Lackey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172444482s/176797.jpg|2605], Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey (1998)"
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
4.0
(I'm not sure when I first read this, but I know I re-read it in 2013.)
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