Reviews

Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey

mhmissey's review against another edition

3.0

Finally the Companions show

bibliophilicwitch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Each of the books of the Founding trilogy feels a bit different. Beyond was political intrigue and escape, Into the West was survival, and Valdemar held a looming threat though really it was about the arrival of the Companions and we just needed some kind of conflict for plot. I liked that the final book took place ten years after the last so we could get a feel for the early days of our beloved Valdemar and capital of Haven. We also got to see what Kordas's kids were like as young adults and I especially liked seeing them all picking up roles in the kingdom. Of course, I was particularly excited for the Companions, but Kordas's penchant of overthinking and Lackey's decision to write out every long rambling diatribe of his thoughts - which feels like sloppy writing - also led to the setup of their arrival to feel off to me. Once they were there, though, I was all in my feels as the Heralds became a unit and recognized by the people. Did I find some of the writing frustrating? Sure, but as another installment of a series that simply brings me joy I can't really complain.

karenina4777's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

leafelf's review against another edition

The second book was the worst Valdemar book I've ever read and yeah idk I just don't care about this trilogy anymore 😭 (still love valdemar tho 😘)

milliemudd's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

4.0

iread2much's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Lots of characters, some really great writing about the impact of pets on our lives, and a lot of world development, but really dragged in some places. 

lesemensch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-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

isethia's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

gypsydawn's review against another edition

5.0

30 years in the making

Had it been thirty years since Arrows of the Queen? I think so. Many books, spanning many timeframes followed only to land us here - at the beginning of it all, the Foundation.

This book finds the action book 2 lacked while bringing that Valdemar magic along for the ride. I enjoyed how certain continuity issues were resolved, things that didn’t quite mesh with books set in later years. Lackey found a deft solution.

As for the big bad? We ALL know who that is, and it makes the appearance later on that much more interesting.

jediknapps's review against another edition

fast-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

4.0