Reviews

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey

silverhawk3799's review against another edition

3.0

Been following all of Lackey's books. However, I found that Redoubt did not hold my interest like the others have in the past. Usually I sit down and read the book cover to cover. Redoubt one took me weeks while I put it down and read other books. Not quite sure why, maybe it was the slower pace, the covering and re-covering of material already covered in previous books, lack of significant character development? Not sure exactly. Still enjoyed the book, but am somewhat disappointed I spent my money on a hardcover copy rather than just getting it from the library. I doubt I'll ever read this one a second time.

la5's review against another edition

2.0

I finished the book only because I really like the Valdemar stories. I get the sense that Mercedes Lackey phoned this one in, and her editor must have been asleep at the switch. There is extraordinarily little plot development and it seems like she tried to stretch another book out of the series. The supporting characters were so thinly drawn and side-lined in this story that they were practically non-existent. The story only progressed after a rather sudden kidnapping and even then, it ended before the story moved far along. If you are like me, this review won't stop you from reading the book (as long as vol. 5 isn't out yet). But a warning to the author -- the next book had better be a lot more tightly written than this one, or you are going to lose a good portion of your audience (who are usually rather forgiving).

rainbowdragonz's review against another edition

4.25

 I love the beginning of this book with all the lovely descriptions of Kirball and spy technique. But for me the book got a bit dry in the middle. No spoilers but there was a lot of flashbacks and repetitive environments. However the story did keep moving and there was still action in between the pauses. Its not a brilliant book but its not bad either,  like the middle episodes of a TV show that you need for plot continuation. Overall its a decent book that's outshone by the others in the series. 

inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition

5.0

Mags is back. Mags has survived the mines, assassination and kidnap attempts and is stronger for it. He has come a long way from the scrawny miner kid that Companion Dallen found. Between saving the Kings Own’s daughter Amily, being a kirball hero and his association with Healer Bear and of course working with the Kings Own Nikolas Mags is starting to find his place at the Collegium. But his past is still a mystery. Still things are going well for Mags when he is hit over the head and kidnapped. Head blind and unable to call for help not even Dallen Mags is on his own in a mystery that may finally give some clue as to where he came from and who his parents were.
I LOVE Mercedes Lackey! She writes a world like no other. Vivid and real you can’t help but fall in love with her characters. What I loved most about this book is that while Mags is bemoaning to himself the loss of the things that he feels make him special he is doing extraordinary things to survive. Another wonderful story from Mercedes Lackey.

vlphildreth's review against another edition

3.0

1. Lackey's editor is obviously afraid of her. I'm reading this series and the 500 Kingdoms series at the same time and there are so many random errors. They could be fixed so easily. I think her editor is either afraid or incompetent.

2. Lackey's pacing is so off. There's almost no character development in the first half of the novel. The action picks up halfway through, so the first part is a bit of a slog. If there had been even a street scuffle or something in the first half, the pacing would not have suffered so much.

3. That said...I still loved it. Whenever I finish a Valdemar novel, no matter how much I have to say about the editing and/or pacing, I still find myself yearning to return.

genderqueer_hiker's review against another edition

3.0

So this book took me more than 3 months to finish. The first 40% of the book dragged like you wouldn't believe. It was unbelievably boring and asinine. Finally, our main character is kidnapped and things get interesting and I quickly read the rest. the second half was fun. I just really, really wish they had cut the first half down to a chapter. Or maybe even a few paragraphs.

Additionally, the chronic ableist narrative of Amalie ground me down. Of course, we must "fix" the disability...

xofelf's review against another edition

4.0

I'm convinced with the way she ended this book that there has to be another book in this series. She left too much to be tied up, and she's the kind of person who won't end a series until everything that needs explained is.
So curse you Mercedes Lackey for leaving me with questions and no clue as to when or if you're going to answer them.

beckykirk's review against another edition

3.0

Why is Misty dragging out Mags' story? I was surprised when I learned there was a 4th book in this series but I think I'm a little miffed that there is going to be another one! It just seems like she's purposefully making it longer than it should be.

loquitacass's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

faehistory's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0