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A review by sleeping_while_awake
The Complete Arrows Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey
3.0
The Complete Arrows Trilogy includes Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall, and lyrics to songs Mercedes Lackey has actually published that relate to the stories.
The books are rather consistent throughout in their execution, although Arrows of the Queen does not really escape from first book by an author syndrome.
Talia, a young girl living on the Border, in a strict polygamist family, runs away from home after she is told on her 13th birthday it is time for her to marry. She hears the sound of hooves, and trips down a hill to land in front of a Chosen, the famous magical and telepathic horses of the Heralds. The Chosen is without a rider, and Talia decides she will ride the horse back to the capital.
In fact, Talia is actually chosen by the Chosen, Rolan, to be a Herald. Being of such a backwater village, Talia is confused as to what is happening. She arrives at the Collegium and is informed not only is she going to be a Herald, she is going to be the Queen's Own, a special adviser to the Queen that is always paired with Rolan.
Of course Talia is completely overwhelmed. She grew up in a household of severe male authority and suppressed emotions. Talia is tasked with drilling some obedience into the Queen's daughter, Elspeth, who is also known as the Brat. Arrows of the Queen follows Talia in her studies to become a Herald and her development into an adult, along with all the bullies and relationship troubles that come as a teen.
When I first read that Talia had to whip up some manners and obedience for Elspeth, I thought it was a really silly plot point. She is essentially the most important Herald, and it is of the utmost importance that she has to make this little brat behave? However, that point has implications that are actually revealed further in the third book, Arrow's Fall, and I would never have realized the significance if I didn't read all three of the books.
Although Talia has a more rare ability, Empathy, and is given such importance, she is a character that has a lot of issues. Lackey doesn't really go into enough character development, so it's easy to classify Talia as someone who always gets everything rights. In fact, she is dealing with PTSD and her magical abilities going awry all three books.
That is my main complaint of the first book, is that the character development is rather cursory. Some of the females Heralds appeared interchangeable to me. There are lesbian couples, and I am assuming gay couples as well (no characters yet that have stated so) among the Heralds, and I appreciated that diversity, considering the contrast to Talia's upbringing. The Heralds have this open acceptance of sexuality, and having relationships that are not so restrictive.
I was reminded of Pern because of the references to Holders living out in the middle of nowhere, and the group of people with an animal that protect the realm (dragonriders vs. Heralds). Granted there is no sci-fi element, but I can see the influences. Later on, I was reminded of Robin Hobb's Fitz, as Talia must be completely loyal to the Queen, and the Herald's abilities reminded me of the Skill. So maybe this series influenced Hobb in some way.
Arrow's Flight and Arrow's Fall are more adult than Arrows of the Queen.
Arrow's Flight follows Talia and the Herald, Kris, on her apprenticeship, riding a circuit in the North near the border. Honestly, I think half of this book was Talia and Kris stuck in a cabin that is snowed in, but this middle book had good character development and conflict created by Talia's lack of control over her power. The border towns have problems that need to be judged/solved by the Heralds.
Arrow's Fall does have rape and torture, although it's not in graphic detail. Talia and Kris venture into the county of Hardon, to investigate a marriage proposal for Elspeth. A subplot is the relationship between Talia and Dirk, and misconceptions about her relationship with Kris. The last book finally pulls in the larger political scheming that was behind the previous books.
Certainly, these stories do show their age compared to more modern fantasy. However, I think it's good nostalgia reading for late 80s fantasy. I did find them at times to be slow because they often focus so tightly on Talia - the rest of the world is blotted out.
I am surprised I did not read Lackey at an earlier age. Magical horses?! In a way, I kind of wished the horses were more magical (no horses throwing magical fireballs unfortunately). The plots are not particularly unique, but I think there is something inherently enjoyable about a young girl magically bonded to a horse growing into and adult and learning her abilities.
Also, this trilogy has lyrics to songs Mercedes Lackey has recorded with other artists. They're all available on Youtube - it's nice to see lyrics that have actually been put to a song!
The books are rather consistent throughout in their execution, although Arrows of the Queen does not really escape from first book by an author syndrome.
Talia, a young girl living on the Border, in a strict polygamist family, runs away from home after she is told on her 13th birthday it is time for her to marry. She hears the sound of hooves, and trips down a hill to land in front of a Chosen, the famous magical and telepathic horses of the Heralds. The Chosen is without a rider, and Talia decides she will ride the horse back to the capital.
In fact, Talia is actually chosen by the Chosen, Rolan, to be a Herald. Being of such a backwater village, Talia is confused as to what is happening. She arrives at the Collegium and is informed not only is she going to be a Herald, she is going to be the Queen's Own, a special adviser to the Queen that is always paired with Rolan.
Of course Talia is completely overwhelmed. She grew up in a household of severe male authority and suppressed emotions. Talia is tasked with drilling some obedience into the Queen's daughter, Elspeth, who is also known as the Brat. Arrows of the Queen follows Talia in her studies to become a Herald and her development into an adult, along with all the bullies and relationship troubles that come as a teen.
When I first read that Talia had to whip up some manners and obedience for Elspeth, I thought it was a really silly plot point. She is essentially the most important Herald, and it is of the utmost importance that she has to make this little brat behave? However, that point has implications that are actually revealed further in the third book, Arrow's Fall, and I would never have realized the significance if I didn't read all three of the books.
Although Talia has a more rare ability, Empathy, and is given such importance, she is a character that has a lot of issues. Lackey doesn't really go into enough character development, so it's easy to classify Talia as someone who always gets everything rights. In fact, she is dealing with PTSD and her magical abilities going awry all three books.
That is my main complaint of the first book, is that the character development is rather cursory. Some of the females Heralds appeared interchangeable to me. There are lesbian couples, and I am assuming gay couples as well (no characters yet that have stated so) among the Heralds, and I appreciated that diversity, considering the contrast to Talia's upbringing. The Heralds have this open acceptance of sexuality, and having relationships that are not so restrictive.
I was reminded of Pern because of the references to Holders living out in the middle of nowhere, and the group of people with an animal that protect the realm (dragonriders vs. Heralds). Granted there is no sci-fi element, but I can see the influences. Later on, I was reminded of Robin Hobb's Fitz, as Talia must be completely loyal to the Queen, and the Herald's abilities reminded me of the Skill. So maybe this series influenced Hobb in some way.
Arrow's Flight and Arrow's Fall are more adult than Arrows of the Queen.
Arrow's Flight follows Talia and the Herald, Kris, on her apprenticeship, riding a circuit in the North near the border. Honestly, I think half of this book was Talia and Kris stuck in a cabin that is snowed in, but this middle book had good character development and conflict created by Talia's lack of control over her power. The border towns have problems that need to be judged/solved by the Heralds.
Arrow's Fall does have rape and torture, although it's not in graphic detail. Talia and Kris venture into the county of Hardon, to investigate a marriage proposal for Elspeth. A subplot is the relationship between Talia and Dirk, and misconceptions about her relationship with Kris. The last book finally pulls in the larger political scheming that was behind the previous books.
Certainly, these stories do show their age compared to more modern fantasy. However, I think it's good nostalgia reading for late 80s fantasy. I did find them at times to be slow because they often focus so tightly on Talia - the rest of the world is blotted out.
I am surprised I did not read Lackey at an earlier age. Magical horses?! In a way, I kind of wished the horses were more magical (no horses throwing magical fireballs unfortunately). The plots are not particularly unique, but I think there is something inherently enjoyable about a young girl magically bonded to a horse growing into and adult and learning her abilities.
Also, this trilogy has lyrics to songs Mercedes Lackey has recorded with other artists. They're all available on Youtube - it's nice to see lyrics that have actually been put to a song!