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Tales of Valdemar #7
Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar
Under the Vale is the latest collection of short stories set in the world of Valdemar.
The Heralds of Valdemar are an ancient order, drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages, these unusual individuals are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horselike Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. With their Companions, the Heralds of Valdemar ride circuit throughout the kingdom protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch.
Now readers can travel to the world of Valdemar with Tanya Huff, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Fiona Patton, Rosemary Edghill, Judith Tarr, and others in these original stories, including an all-new novella from Mercedes Lackey.
The Heralds of Valdemar are an ancient order, drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages, these unusual individuals are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horselike Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. With their Companions, the Heralds of Valdemar ride circuit throughout the kingdom protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch.
Now readers can travel to the world of Valdemar with Tanya Huff, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Fiona Patton, Rosemary Edghill, Judith Tarr, and others in these original stories, including an all-new novella from Mercedes Lackey.
338 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2011
110 people are currently reading
1672 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
432 books9,551 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 12, 2013
Mercedes Lackey was the first author of fantasy I’ve ever read. Her Valdemar tales were my favorites for years, before I grew out of them… somewhat. But I still occasionally read new Valdemar novels and the anthologies like this one. I don’t want to review the short stories in this collection – they are neither better nor worth than in any other collection of Valdemar. But I want to express my thoughts about Valdemar itself.
In the beginning, I was enchanted by the author’s ideas of Heralds and Companions but the longer I read about Valdemar the more the stories irritate me. My beautiful enchantment is long gone. What really happens when a Herald is Chosen?
A Companion selects a gifted person, usually a teenager, with an innate strength of character, and removes him or her from the family. Sometimes, it’s an abusive or inconsiderate family. Often the Chosen is an orphan. But sometimes, the family is good and loving. In all cases, the teenager is withdrawn from his original surroundings and placed in – a Collegium you want to say – well, yes, but really it’s an institution. A glorified orphanage.
Then the said teenager gets educated – brainwashed really – so he or she would consider the interests of the Crown above all else for the rest of their lives. It’s not a coincidence that teenagers, with their personalities still unformed, are the best source material for being Chosen. After their education = brainwashing is complete, they are set on a course of serving the Crown – for free.
They are not encouraged to marry, because married people usually shift their priorities to their own families. They are seldom Chosen from loving families, and they are actively discouraged from bringing anyone from their former lives to the Collegium for the same reason. There is a story in the current anthology to that effect, The Bride’s Task by Michael Williamson and Gail Sanders. In the story, a betrothed girl follows her fiance, a recently Chosen boy, to the Collegium, and the Dean can’t wait to get read of her. She is an impediment for the future Herald’s ‘proper’ education.
Ideally, the Heralds should have in their lives only the Crown and each other. The Crown thus creates an army of dedicated, lonely fanatics, a gilded, twisted sort of slavery, if I ever heard of one. Of course, they all have Companions as a reward. After all, we are human and need someone to love us. The entire system leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t think it’s even remotely realistic. It’s definitely not favorable towards creativity or independent thinking.
In real life, what becomes of orphans raised in institutions? Nothing good usually. No noble, incorruptible Heralds in any case. In the best scenarios, they end up honest citizens. More often than not, the lack of love in their childhood leads them towards criminal paths. Almost never they amount to much more than manual laborers. No musicians, no scientists, no doctors, no lawyers, no businessmen. Sometimes, seldom – writers. This unsavory rule has exceptions, of course, but they are rare and only confirm the rule.
A psychiatrist I interviewed once said that when a child or a teenager is taken from a family or from a culture, it creates a metaphorical hole in his soul. Those holes need fillings, and they are filled most often by violence or drugs. Look at the results of Indian residential schools for Aboriginal children in Canada, which operated from the end of the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.
I don’t think that an author who had children of her own could’ve come up with the idea that an institution could be better than a family. No mother or father I know thinks that, because a family of your own, even a flawed family, is infinitely better than an exalted orphanage with a fancy name: Heraldic Collegium, or an exclusive community of Heralds.
I’m tempted to write a story for the next anthology, a story in which someone rebels against being Chosen, in which that kid or her parents select family over the dubious honor of becoming a Herald. But I suspect such a story would be ultimately rejected.
In the beginning, I was enchanted by the author’s ideas of Heralds and Companions but the longer I read about Valdemar the more the stories irritate me. My beautiful enchantment is long gone. What really happens when a Herald is Chosen?
A Companion selects a gifted person, usually a teenager, with an innate strength of character, and removes him or her from the family. Sometimes, it’s an abusive or inconsiderate family. Often the Chosen is an orphan. But sometimes, the family is good and loving. In all cases, the teenager is withdrawn from his original surroundings and placed in – a Collegium you want to say – well, yes, but really it’s an institution. A glorified orphanage.
Then the said teenager gets educated – brainwashed really – so he or she would consider the interests of the Crown above all else for the rest of their lives. It’s not a coincidence that teenagers, with their personalities still unformed, are the best source material for being Chosen. After their education = brainwashing is complete, they are set on a course of serving the Crown – for free.
They are not encouraged to marry, because married people usually shift their priorities to their own families. They are seldom Chosen from loving families, and they are actively discouraged from bringing anyone from their former lives to the Collegium for the same reason. There is a story in the current anthology to that effect, The Bride’s Task by Michael Williamson and Gail Sanders. In the story, a betrothed girl follows her fiance, a recently Chosen boy, to the Collegium, and the Dean can’t wait to get read of her. She is an impediment for the future Herald’s ‘proper’ education.
Ideally, the Heralds should have in their lives only the Crown and each other. The Crown thus creates an army of dedicated, lonely fanatics, a gilded, twisted sort of slavery, if I ever heard of one. Of course, they all have Companions as a reward. After all, we are human and need someone to love us. The entire system leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t think it’s even remotely realistic. It’s definitely not favorable towards creativity or independent thinking.
In real life, what becomes of orphans raised in institutions? Nothing good usually. No noble, incorruptible Heralds in any case. In the best scenarios, they end up honest citizens. More often than not, the lack of love in their childhood leads them towards criminal paths. Almost never they amount to much more than manual laborers. No musicians, no scientists, no doctors, no lawyers, no businessmen. Sometimes, seldom – writers. This unsavory rule has exceptions, of course, but they are rare and only confirm the rule.
A psychiatrist I interviewed once said that when a child or a teenager is taken from a family or from a culture, it creates a metaphorical hole in his soul. Those holes need fillings, and they are filled most often by violence or drugs. Look at the results of Indian residential schools for Aboriginal children in Canada, which operated from the end of the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.
I don’t think that an author who had children of her own could’ve come up with the idea that an institution could be better than a family. No mother or father I know thinks that, because a family of your own, even a flawed family, is infinitely better than an exalted orphanage with a fancy name: Heraldic Collegium, or an exclusive community of Heralds.
I’m tempted to write a story for the next anthology, a story in which someone rebels against being Chosen, in which that kid or her parents select family over the dubious honor of becoming a Herald. But I suspect such a story would be ultimately rejected.
April 26, 2012
4 3/4 stars!
“Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar” is the newest anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey which features sixteen short stories and one essay exploring the many varied themes of her well-established fantasy world. The breadth of themes available to expound upon in Valdemar are showcased in tales which touch upon the life-changing act of Choosing (‘In an Instant’ by Elizabeth A. Vaughan) or others that show the variety of jobs that the Chosen can perform, some with more grace than others, (‘Catch Fire, Draw Flame’ by Rosemary Edgehill and Denise McCune, ‘Fog of War’ by Ben Ohlander, ‘Sight and Sound’ by Stephanie D. Shaver and ‘Family Matters’ by Tanya Huff). The various Talents possessed by the inhabitants of Valdemar and its surroundings are explored in the unconventional ‘The Simple Gifts’ by Misty Lackey herself, as well as ‘A Healer’s Work’ by Daniel Shull, ‘Slow and Steady’ by Brenda Cooper, ‘A Leash of Greyhounds by Elisabeth Waters, and ‘Discordance’ by Jennifer Brozek. We are reminded that there are many cultures that interact with Valdemar including the Tayledras (‘Warp and Weft’ by Kristin Schwengel), Karsite (‘Judgment’ Day by Nancy Asire) and Shin’a’in (‘The Bride’s Task’ by Michael Z. Williamson and Gail L. Sanders). The anomalous hobgoblin Ree, his beloved Jem and their family are revisited in Kate Paulk’s ‘Heart’s Peril’ and Sarah A. Hoyt’s ‘Heart’s Place’ while Fiona Patton focuses on the rarely examined peacekeepers in ‘The Watchman’s Ball’. Last, but certainly not least, Larry Dixon expounds on an example of the intricate detail and hard work that comprise this remarkable body of work that he and his wife and collaborator have created with his essay ‘Under the Vale’.
This is a fascinating collection of tales that celebrate the myriad themes in the Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series. There is something for every fan and enough variety to garner new devotees to this wonderful fantasy world. Each author showcases a different aspect of Heralds, their delightful (and opinionated) Companions and/or the kingdom that they are devoted to and will undoubtedly tempt readers to read their other works. It was very entertaining to explore the elements of a Vale and eye-opening to learn that Hertasi have their own motto, difficult to read about the ravages of war and intriguing to explore the impact that becoming a Herald will have upon a betrothed couple. The new perspectives provided by these varied voices add depth to an already well-built world and give a very enjoyable read.
“Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar” is the newest anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey which features sixteen short stories and one essay exploring the many varied themes of her well-established fantasy world. The breadth of themes available to expound upon in Valdemar are showcased in tales which touch upon the life-changing act of Choosing (‘In an Instant’ by Elizabeth A. Vaughan) or others that show the variety of jobs that the Chosen can perform, some with more grace than others, (‘Catch Fire, Draw Flame’ by Rosemary Edgehill and Denise McCune, ‘Fog of War’ by Ben Ohlander, ‘Sight and Sound’ by Stephanie D. Shaver and ‘Family Matters’ by Tanya Huff). The various Talents possessed by the inhabitants of Valdemar and its surroundings are explored in the unconventional ‘The Simple Gifts’ by Misty Lackey herself, as well as ‘A Healer’s Work’ by Daniel Shull, ‘Slow and Steady’ by Brenda Cooper, ‘A Leash of Greyhounds by Elisabeth Waters, and ‘Discordance’ by Jennifer Brozek. We are reminded that there are many cultures that interact with Valdemar including the Tayledras (‘Warp and Weft’ by Kristin Schwengel), Karsite (‘Judgment’ Day by Nancy Asire) and Shin’a’in (‘The Bride’s Task’ by Michael Z. Williamson and Gail L. Sanders). The anomalous hobgoblin Ree, his beloved Jem and their family are revisited in Kate Paulk’s ‘Heart’s Peril’ and Sarah A. Hoyt’s ‘Heart’s Place’ while Fiona Patton focuses on the rarely examined peacekeepers in ‘The Watchman’s Ball’. Last, but certainly not least, Larry Dixon expounds on an example of the intricate detail and hard work that comprise this remarkable body of work that he and his wife and collaborator have created with his essay ‘Under the Vale’.
This is a fascinating collection of tales that celebrate the myriad themes in the Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series. There is something for every fan and enough variety to garner new devotees to this wonderful fantasy world. Each author showcases a different aspect of Heralds, their delightful (and opinionated) Companions and/or the kingdom that they are devoted to and will undoubtedly tempt readers to read their other works. It was very entertaining to explore the elements of a Vale and eye-opening to learn that Hertasi have their own motto, difficult to read about the ravages of war and intriguing to explore the impact that becoming a Herald will have upon a betrothed couple. The new perspectives provided by these varied voices add depth to an already well-built world and give a very enjoyable read.
March 31, 2012
Mercedes-Lackey approved fanfiction (essentially) about her worlds of Valdemar and Velgarth (the larger world). These stories run the gamut from traditional tales of Heralds and Haven to hobgoblins in the Eastern Empire and traveling judges in Karse. Quality is pretty good on all of them, and I found it interesting and appealing that there are many different kinds of stories. They are not all the sort of plot you traditionally find in fantasies (though there are some of those); there are family stories, identity stories, romances, humor, etc. It illustrates some of the things I like so much about fanfiction based on books; when writers write genre books for publication, in order to be published they necessarily have to follow a pretty standard structure and focus on actionactionaction. Fanfiction, on the other hand, can take the already-created world and explore the less-traveled corners of it, show characters in their down time. Scott Westerfeld so often notices this in fanart based on his own books--he can't let his characters just 'hang,' but fans want to see that time as well, so they create it on their own. I see some of that here as well.
In any case, I was also interested because while I loved the Valdemar books when I was much younger, I kind of outgrew Lackey's writing style after a while. Still, though, worldbuilding is her thing, and I did love her world, so I thought it would be refreshing to read someone else's story set in that world, and it was--another nice aspect of fanfiction.
Lackey and her husband/co-writer Larry Dixon each had an entry in the collection as well. Dixon's was an essay on the world-building behind the magic-healing 'vales' of the Tayledras people. It was interesting, though without diagrams I got lost about halfway through (maybe also because I read those books so long ago). Lackey's story I enjoyed all right, though she often slipped into a non-fantasy vernacular that kind of threw off the feeling of the story. I mean, I can't imagine Aragorn or Prince Caspian ever saying: "Yes. Alas, I am a man-whore."
In any case, I was also interested because while I loved the Valdemar books when I was much younger, I kind of outgrew Lackey's writing style after a while. Still, though, worldbuilding is her thing, and I did love her world, so I thought it would be refreshing to read someone else's story set in that world, and it was--another nice aspect of fanfiction.
Lackey and her husband/co-writer Larry Dixon each had an entry in the collection as well. Dixon's was an essay on the world-building behind the magic-healing 'vales' of the Tayledras people. It was interesting, though without diagrams I got lost about halfway through (maybe also because I read those books so long ago). Lackey's story I enjoyed all right, though she often slipped into a non-fantasy vernacular that kind of threw off the feeling of the story. I mean, I can't imagine Aragorn or Prince Caspian ever saying: "Yes. Alas, I am a man-whore."
September 5, 2020
This is another excellent book of short stories relating to the world of Valdemar and its neighboring countries, and while previous knowledge of the world will help greatly in understanding some of the depth of the world it's not necessary to enjoy the book. I did find the selection of the first story to be jarring, as it is written from a first-person perspective and is a very different sort of story than usually found in these collections. It is not a bad story at all, in fact I greatly enjoyed it when I got to the end, but it was definitely a "huh what?" moment when I started reading the book, and so I think it might have been a better plan to put it in a different order. The range of stories provided some new takes on the Heralds, especially some that were less than flattering, which adds some wonderful texture and depth to the world. The last "story" is actually an essay written by Larry Dixon which covers how the Tayledras Vales are formed and used, and I found that to be incredibly fascinating. It's always clear when an author takes time to research and write up the underpinnings to the world they write about, but to have the chance to read that work for myself was a rare treat. I'm an engineer by trade so learning how the Vales are created and work was very cool, and I'm considering rereading the [i]Winds[/i] trilogy with this information now available. I certainly hope that future collections will include similar essays, and I for one will be waiting in hopes that they do.
January 21, 2021
Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Each story gave me a new look at one aspect or other of life in Valdemar, Karse, and other places and, once again, I visited familiar places, and loved characters.
The first story, A Simple Gift, by Mercedes Lackey, was a funny little tale about two Companions forcing a rather inept ladies man from Hardorn, into helping them aid a Herald who had been hurt while on a mission. What happened was totally unexpected, and I loved the way it ended. But then, I've not found a story written by her that I haven't loved!
The second story, Catch Fire, Draw Flame by Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune, is set in the borderlands between Valdemar, Karse, and Hardorn, and deals with a Bard, a Herald, a Mercenary Soldier, a Healer, and a Herald who refuses to be one, despite his Companion following him everywhere. They find themselves having to deal with a Gifted thief from Iftel, & find a unique way of doing so. I enjoyed this, as I've come across the main characters in previous stories, so enjoyed reading of them again.
The third story, In an Instant, by Elizabeth A. Vaughan, is set at the Battle where Ancar of Hardorn kills the King of Valdemar, and how Selenay meets Daren of Hardorn, her dead husband's brother. I loved this, ad it showed the woman behind the crown.
The fourth story, A Healer's Work, by Daniel Schull, is set in Elspeth's time, where Healer and trainee get back to Haven just as all the Mages get struck with a terrible headache, and this is a time when the trainee, Serrill, finds a unique way of dealing with it, and earns her Greens. I enjoyed this. It wasn't very long, but got the story across really well.
The fifth story, A Leash of Greyhounds, by Elisabeth Waters, deals with the young girl, Lena, whose Gift allows her to talk to animals. While on a break from the Temple where she lives and works, there is a murder and, with the help of her animal friends, she manages to solve a murder, and rescue said greyhounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this - both animals, and a whodunit - who wouldn't? Lol
The sixth story, Warp and Weft, by Kristin Schwengel, is set in k'veyas Vale, and deals with a trainee Mage, Stardance, who finds a unique way of using the skills taught to her by the Hertasi Triska. This was a great story, and I enjoyed it immensely.
The seventh story, Discordance, by Jennifer Brozek, tells a tale of vengeance, and how a Bard, and his trainee, go about fixing it. This was a slightly darker story, and, although it made me uncomfortable, it was well done.
The eighth story, Slow and Steady, by Brenda Cooper, tells the story of Shay, a young girl who loses her mother, and finds herself alone, unable to continue doing all the herb work that her mother provided for the village so, feeling terribly alone, she leaves the village, only to have an accident that changes her life. This is a great story, and I didn't want it to end.
The ninth story, Sight and Sound, by Stephanie D. Shaver, is a follow-up story about Herald Wil, and how he is haunted by the witness of a terrible accident, and how this shows him a new Gift. This was a good story, and I always enjoy reading about Wil.
The tenth story, The Bride's Task, by Michael Z. Williamson, tells of a young man, Keth're'sin shena Tale'sedrun, and how he has to adjust to leaving the Plains, and living in Haven, when he is Chosen. I loved this story - but then, I always love any story even slightly about the descendants of Kethry!
The eleventh story, Fog of War , by Ben Ohlander, is set at the ending of a bloody battle between Valdemar and the Tedrel forces, and deals with a Herald and Companion, Gonwyn and Rath, and how, even in the midst of war, there is still time to help another Herald. I enjoyed this for it's glimpse of life of those who have to deal with the horrors of war, and it's aftermath.
The twelfth story, Heart's Peril, by Kate Paulk, is another Ree and Jem story - and i can never resist these! In this story, Ree is finding it hard to cope with keeping little Meren from harm - both from the tough world around him, but also from those who find it hard to accept him as human. This was a great tale, and touched me deeply. I could read about the characters in these stories every day.
The thirteenth story, Heart's Place, by Sarah A. Hoyt, follows on with the same characters, but a couple of years later. I have to admit that I cried my eyes out through most of this - sometimes sad tears, but also some happy, too. A wonderful tale!
The fourteenth story, Family Matters, by Tanya Huff, tells the tale of Herald Jors, and how he's forced on a family visit, dreading it, and very reluctant. What he finds there, is different to what he had expected. I also enjoyed this, as Herald Jors is another character I love to read about.
The fifteenth story, The Watchman's Ball, by Fiona Patton, was one that I thoroughly enjoyed, and it had me laughing out loud in places. It's a place, and a people, that I always look forwards to reading about - I guess because it's the nearest thing that I've read to a Pratchett story!
The sixteenth story, Judgement Day, by Nancy Asire, takes place in Karse, and tells the tale of Perran and Levron, a travelling Judge and his information gatherer. Levron has to face his past in this tale, and he is dreading their visit to his old village. How he copes with it is part of the tale. I have enjoyed other tales of these two men before, and this was just as good as the others.
The final story, Under the Vale, by Larry Dixon, Mercedes co-writer, and husband, had written a fascinating story of how the Hertasi were developed, and how that helped the development of the Vales. I really loved this. It was full of so much information I hadn't known before, and my admiration of the Hertasi rose even higher after reading it!
This was another superb collection of short stories, and I'm just so glad that I got them now.
So, on I go to book eight of the Other Tales of Valdemar, No True Way.
Each story gave me a new look at one aspect or other of life in Valdemar, Karse, and other places and, once again, I visited familiar places, and loved characters.
The first story, A Simple Gift, by Mercedes Lackey, was a funny little tale about two Companions forcing a rather inept ladies man from Hardorn, into helping them aid a Herald who had been hurt while on a mission. What happened was totally unexpected, and I loved the way it ended. But then, I've not found a story written by her that I haven't loved!
The second story, Catch Fire, Draw Flame by Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune, is set in the borderlands between Valdemar, Karse, and Hardorn, and deals with a Bard, a Herald, a Mercenary Soldier, a Healer, and a Herald who refuses to be one, despite his Companion following him everywhere. They find themselves having to deal with a Gifted thief from Iftel, & find a unique way of doing so. I enjoyed this, as I've come across the main characters in previous stories, so enjoyed reading of them again.
The third story, In an Instant, by Elizabeth A. Vaughan, is set at the Battle where Ancar of Hardorn kills the King of Valdemar, and how Selenay meets Daren of Hardorn, her dead husband's brother. I loved this, ad it showed the woman behind the crown.
The fourth story, A Healer's Work, by Daniel Schull, is set in Elspeth's time, where Healer and trainee get back to Haven just as all the Mages get struck with a terrible headache, and this is a time when the trainee, Serrill, finds a unique way of dealing with it, and earns her Greens. I enjoyed this. It wasn't very long, but got the story across really well.
The fifth story, A Leash of Greyhounds, by Elisabeth Waters, deals with the young girl, Lena, whose Gift allows her to talk to animals. While on a break from the Temple where she lives and works, there is a murder and, with the help of her animal friends, she manages to solve a murder, and rescue said greyhounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this - both animals, and a whodunit - who wouldn't? Lol
The sixth story, Warp and Weft, by Kristin Schwengel, is set in k'veyas Vale, and deals with a trainee Mage, Stardance, who finds a unique way of using the skills taught to her by the Hertasi Triska. This was a great story, and I enjoyed it immensely.
The seventh story, Discordance, by Jennifer Brozek, tells a tale of vengeance, and how a Bard, and his trainee, go about fixing it. This was a slightly darker story, and, although it made me uncomfortable, it was well done.
The eighth story, Slow and Steady, by Brenda Cooper, tells the story of Shay, a young girl who loses her mother, and finds herself alone, unable to continue doing all the herb work that her mother provided for the village so, feeling terribly alone, she leaves the village, only to have an accident that changes her life. This is a great story, and I didn't want it to end.
The ninth story, Sight and Sound, by Stephanie D. Shaver, is a follow-up story about Herald Wil, and how he is haunted by the witness of a terrible accident, and how this shows him a new Gift. This was a good story, and I always enjoy reading about Wil.
The tenth story, The Bride's Task, by Michael Z. Williamson, tells of a young man, Keth're'sin shena Tale'sedrun, and how he has to adjust to leaving the Plains, and living in Haven, when he is Chosen. I loved this story - but then, I always love any story even slightly about the descendants of Kethry!
The eleventh story, Fog of War , by Ben Ohlander, is set at the ending of a bloody battle between Valdemar and the Tedrel forces, and deals with a Herald and Companion, Gonwyn and Rath, and how, even in the midst of war, there is still time to help another Herald. I enjoyed this for it's glimpse of life of those who have to deal with the horrors of war, and it's aftermath.
The twelfth story, Heart's Peril, by Kate Paulk, is another Ree and Jem story - and i can never resist these! In this story, Ree is finding it hard to cope with keeping little Meren from harm - both from the tough world around him, but also from those who find it hard to accept him as human. This was a great tale, and touched me deeply. I could read about the characters in these stories every day.
The thirteenth story, Heart's Place, by Sarah A. Hoyt, follows on with the same characters, but a couple of years later. I have to admit that I cried my eyes out through most of this - sometimes sad tears, but also some happy, too. A wonderful tale!
The fourteenth story, Family Matters, by Tanya Huff, tells the tale of Herald Jors, and how he's forced on a family visit, dreading it, and very reluctant. What he finds there, is different to what he had expected. I also enjoyed this, as Herald Jors is another character I love to read about.
The fifteenth story, The Watchman's Ball, by Fiona Patton, was one that I thoroughly enjoyed, and it had me laughing out loud in places. It's a place, and a people, that I always look forwards to reading about - I guess because it's the nearest thing that I've read to a Pratchett story!
The sixteenth story, Judgement Day, by Nancy Asire, takes place in Karse, and tells the tale of Perran and Levron, a travelling Judge and his information gatherer. Levron has to face his past in this tale, and he is dreading their visit to his old village. How he copes with it is part of the tale. I have enjoyed other tales of these two men before, and this was just as good as the others.
The final story, Under the Vale, by Larry Dixon, Mercedes co-writer, and husband, had written a fascinating story of how the Hertasi were developed, and how that helped the development of the Vales. I really loved this. It was full of so much information I hadn't known before, and my admiration of the Hertasi rose even higher after reading it!
This was another superb collection of short stories, and I'm just so glad that I got them now.
So, on I go to book eight of the Other Tales of Valdemar, No True Way.
January 9, 2012
This is another love fest from various authors offering up short stories that take place in Mercedes Lackey’s world of Valdemar. I am such a fan girl of this series I will take whatever offerings I get and apparently I am not the only one. I love that there are some very talented authors out there that seem to enjoy Valdemar as much as I do. Ms. Lackey edits each of these anthologies and keeps them true to her world. As long as she and they keep writing I’ll keep returning.
January 11, 2012
A collection of Valdemar stories by other fantasy authors, the pieces often suffer from the writers being less familiar with the world. Of course Lackey has edited them and has presumably caught any particularly egregious errors, but it still bothered me that, for instance, Teren, who entered the Collegium as an adult with wife and children, completely failed to understand the bond between the young couple in "The Bride's Task". A nice little book for the completist nonetheless.
January 11, 2015
Palatable, but shallow. Instead of getting drawn in by characterization, it just felt as if I were continually reading through rehashed plotlines. For something as vast as the Valdemar world, that shouldn't happen (especially when I noted some venerated names in that author collection). Perhaps it's time to put Valdemar to the side and work on something new?
January 16, 2012
Fantastic! I've hardly ever read another anthology with no duds, as this one has. Every story is good, some great, and very few flaws in any. Not one but TWO "Jem & Ree" stories!!! I love Jem and Ree so much. They are adorable and I want to squeeze them.
July 5, 2019
Short stories of Valdemar as seen by other authors who are fans of the series. Some stories are better than others, but I love their takes on things in the books that were glossed over or when they add something completely new to the tales.
January 18, 2017
Part of the 4-5 year read-through; see book #5
February 15, 2018
Every time I "visit" Valdemar I want to stay. Even these short stories invoke that feeling.
October 24, 2022
A Valdemar anthology of sixteen short stories and one essay on worldbuilding. Half of the stories refer to a character or time period within the Valdemar series while the other half could fit in anywhere.
If you're as obsessed as I am, you may want to re-read the Mage Wars, Mage Storms, and the sections on Elspeth, Selenay, and Kerowyn. It is not a necessity. It's just been so long since I've read them…sigh…
Series within Valdemar:
"Heart's Peril" (Heart, xx; ten years after Ree & Jem get to the farm)
"Heart's Place" (Heart, xx; all the Ree & Jem stories were set just after Storm Breaking , Mage Storms-3 (Valdemar 1376-5 AF))
"In an Instant" (Valdemar - 1376-2 AF; Kerowyn's Tale - 01 (just before this?? Kerowyn is Chosen on the battlefield))
"Warp and Weft" (just after Storm Breaking (Mage Storms, 3))
"The Watchman's Ball" (Dann Family of Haven, 4)
"The Bride's Task" (Kerowyn has made captain)
"Fog of War" (King Sendar is killed and Selenay becomes queen)
"A Healer's Work" (Elspeth has returned as a Herald-Mage with her strange allies)
"Sight and Sound" (Wil and Leila)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "The Simple Gifts" is a most unexpected "hero". Donnat Stains is a man-whore rapidly running out of towns, counties, countries to pursue his desires. It's that last town that sends him fleeing much too early and lands him where Destin and Ardred, two Companions, kidnap him for their own purposes…bwa-ha-ha… Seems they have need of a pair of hands.
Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune's "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" finds an odd group taking its ease at a midsummer fair. A Herald who can't hear his Companion, a turned-off mercenary, a Bard who didn't know he preferred the road, and a Healer who can't stop. Seems they were brought to this fair for a purpose, to set a smooth-talkin' fellow back on the right path.
The funny bit is that's not what he meant, lol. There's an interesting point about the distinction between men with psychic gifts who are Chosen. Only those with morals are acceptable.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "In an Instant" finds Queen Selenay at a loss and in despair, for she's found her lifebond at the end of the battle against Hardorn's Ancar. He's too much like his brother…
Daniel Shull's "A Healer's Work" there's a lot of set-up chat in this before Shull finally settles into the whole point of the story. The desperate aid required by Layelle, Herald Mellie's Companion. For her herald may be dying from the damaged mage channels in her brain. And no other healers in Haven have ever worked with such channels before.
Elisabeth Waters' "A Leash of Greyhounds" finds it lucky that Lena has Animal Mindspeech to save the dogs and call in a Herald and their Companion to arbitrate a disastrous decision after a tragic accident.
Kristin Schwengel's "Warp and Weft" finds Stardance remembering the lessons of her beloved Triska when spinning fiber into thread as she and others search the Vale for any possible magic.
Jennifer Brozek's "Discordance" is a series of bad news of similar bar brawls resulting in deaths. It's a lesson to us all to use care when rejecting anyone.
Brenda Cooper's "Slow and Steady" is what Shay's mama always told her. Take it slow and steady for Shay has problems with too fast, too quick. It's a disability that has created problems for Shay in the past, and when her mother is murdered, that past rises up for Shay, leaving her terrified.
Stephanie D. Shaver's "Sight and Sound" will leave you weeping. An accident of drowning, one is saved and the other is not. It could never have been prevented and affects so many. A brief peek into the life of Heralds and a Bard.
And yet, Shaver brings in a bit of humor that helps:
She has a short story, "Safe and Sound", in Crossroads & Other Tales of Valdemar , 3.
Michael Z. Williamson & Gail L. Sanders' "The Bride's Task" creates quite the conundrum at the Collegium. Students are supposed to leave their previous lives behind them. Only Nerea isn't taking no for an answer from anyone but her pledged.
This one's a pip! It has a nice moral about allowing events to roll out and that life is not set in stone. To accept change.
Ben Ohlander's "Fog of War" is disjointed and confusing. In some respects it's a good thing as it conveys a sense of the battle that was fought, but in others, it doesn't work. The idea was good, but it's that last statement by Danilla that makes me say huh, what?? as I don't remember that being a question. And that's after reading it twice.
Kate Paulk's "Heart's Peril" is another installment of Ree and Jem. They've been ten years on Grandad's farm and this one finds Lenar and his small family having dinner with them. It's Little Garrad who sets the cats among the bears, and it's Ree who reassures young Meren that he's not an animal. It's a good thought to keep in mind for anyone can act like a beast just as anyone can act decent.
Sarah A. Hoyt's "Heart's Place" is another tale of Ree and Jem. This one has Lenar's Mage examining Meren to reassure the villagers. The opening salvo on the family's determination to ensure the family's survival, for they consider Ree and Meren their own. It's Grandad's actions that really kick things into gear, and Lenar will have to lean on those Particular Laws.
Tanya Huff's "Family Matters" is too, too funny. That Annamarin is wondrous indeed, and if she is trapped here on the farm, it would be truly, tragically tragic, lol.
This is a great story that is a reminder for all of us that we are who we are no matter where we stand, and it's because of family.
Fiona Patton's "The Watchman's Ball" has a twist at the end that left me fluttering and laughing at how good it was for morale. Now if I only knew if that tradition kept on…
Nancy Asire's "Judgment Day" is a Solomon of a case to be tried by Perran, a traveling circuit judge dispensing the laws of Vkandis. it's close to home as it is his assistant's hometown which he left with great relief years ago.
Larry Dixon's "Under the Vale" is a fascinating essay on the back history of magic and the disasters that befell the world of Velgarth of which the country of Valdemar is a part.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a black background framed by a tangle of scrolling brown branches at the top and twining rose vines at the bottom. In the middle is a steel gray riveted inset frame in the shape of a shield, a stormy purple sky in its background and a white Companion galloping out of it, harnessed in purple. Atop this shield is another, smaller shield with the same gray border encapsulating a purple starry background with a pegasus flaring its wings in profile. Behind this is a deep blue box with the title in Gold and the subtitle below it in white. At the bottom is the same box with the "edited by" in white.
The title is more about that last essay and lifts the veil on what is Under the Vale, how it evolved and why as well as the engineering genius of it. You only thought it would be fascinating to live in a Vale…
If you're as obsessed as I am, you may want to re-read the Mage Wars, Mage Storms, and the sections on Elspeth, Selenay, and Kerowyn. It is not a necessity. It's just been so long since I've read them…sigh…
Series within Valdemar:
"Heart's Peril" (Heart, xx; ten years after Ree & Jem get to the farm)
"Heart's Place" (Heart, xx; all the Ree & Jem stories were set just after Storm Breaking , Mage Storms-3 (Valdemar 1376-5 AF))
"In an Instant" (Valdemar - 1376-2 AF; Kerowyn's Tale - 01 (just before this?? Kerowyn is Chosen on the battlefield))
"Warp and Weft" (just after Storm Breaking (Mage Storms, 3))
"The Watchman's Ball" (Dann Family of Haven, 4)
"The Bride's Task" (Kerowyn has made captain)
"Fog of War" (King Sendar is killed and Selenay becomes queen)
"A Healer's Work" (Elspeth has returned as a Herald-Mage with her strange allies)
"Sight and Sound" (Wil and Leila)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "The Simple Gifts" is a most unexpected "hero". Donnat Stains is a man-whore rapidly running out of towns, counties, countries to pursue his desires. It's that last town that sends him fleeing much too early and lands him where Destin and Ardred, two Companions, kidnap him for their own purposes…bwa-ha-ha… Seems they have need of a pair of hands.
Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune's "Catch Fire, Draw Flame" finds an odd group taking its ease at a midsummer fair. A Herald who can't hear his Companion, a turned-off mercenary, a Bard who didn't know he preferred the road, and a Healer who can't stop. Seems they were brought to this fair for a purpose, to set a smooth-talkin' fellow back on the right path.
"There's a man here at the fair with the power to make Elade change her mind."
The funny bit is that's not what he meant, lol. There's an interesting point about the distinction between men with psychic gifts who are Chosen. Only those with morals are acceptable.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "In an Instant" finds Queen Selenay at a loss and in despair, for she's found her lifebond at the end of the battle against Hardorn's Ancar. He's too much like his brother…
Daniel Shull's "A Healer's Work" there's a lot of set-up chat in this before Shull finally settles into the whole point of the story. The desperate aid required by Layelle, Herald Mellie's Companion. For her herald may be dying from the damaged mage channels in her brain. And no other healers in Haven have ever worked with such channels before.
Elisabeth Waters' "A Leash of Greyhounds" finds it lucky that Lena has Animal Mindspeech to save the dogs and call in a Herald and their Companion to arbitrate a disastrous decision after a tragic accident.
Kristin Schwengel's "Warp and Weft" finds Stardance remembering the lessons of her beloved Triska when spinning fiber into thread as she and others search the Vale for any possible magic.
Jennifer Brozek's "Discordance" is a series of bad news of similar bar brawls resulting in deaths. It's a lesson to us all to use care when rejecting anyone.
Brenda Cooper's "Slow and Steady" is what Shay's mama always told her. Take it slow and steady for Shay has problems with too fast, too quick. It's a disability that has created problems for Shay in the past, and when her mother is murdered, that past rises up for Shay, leaving her terrified.
Stephanie D. Shaver's "Sight and Sound" will leave you weeping. An accident of drowning, one is saved and the other is not. It could never have been prevented and affects so many. A brief peek into the life of Heralds and a Bard.
And yet, Shaver brings in a bit of humor that helps:
":After putting up with a Chosen like you, I'll be galloping for the Bright Havens when my time comes!:
:That's truly morbid.:
:Be glad I don't take a head start!:"
She has a short story, "Safe and Sound", in Crossroads & Other Tales of Valdemar , 3.
Michael Z. Williamson & Gail L. Sanders' "The Bride's Task" creates quite the conundrum at the Collegium. Students are supposed to leave their previous lives behind them. Only Nerea isn't taking no for an answer from anyone but her pledged.
This one's a pip! It has a nice moral about allowing events to roll out and that life is not set in stone. To accept change.
Ben Ohlander's "Fog of War" is disjointed and confusing. In some respects it's a good thing as it conveys a sense of the battle that was fought, but in others, it doesn't work. The idea was good, but it's that last statement by Danilla that makes me say huh, what?? as I don't remember that being a question. And that's after reading it twice.
Kate Paulk's "Heart's Peril" is another installment of Ree and Jem. They've been ten years on Grandad's farm and this one finds Lenar and his small family having dinner with them. It's Little Garrad who sets the cats among the bears, and it's Ree who reassures young Meren that he's not an animal. It's a good thought to keep in mind for anyone can act like a beast just as anyone can act decent.
Sarah A. Hoyt's "Heart's Place" is another tale of Ree and Jem. This one has Lenar's Mage examining Meren to reassure the villagers. The opening salvo on the family's determination to ensure the family's survival, for they consider Ree and Meren their own. It's Grandad's actions that really kick things into gear, and Lenar will have to lean on those Particular Laws.
Tanya Huff's "Family Matters" is too, too funny. That Annamarin is wondrous indeed, and if she is trapped here on the farm, it would be truly, tragically tragic, lol.
"'He is a song walking above the mud we less lovely creatures tread upon.'
'Have I mentioned that I like her?:
This is a great story that is a reminder for all of us that we are who we are no matter where we stand, and it's because of family.
Fiona Patton's "The Watchman's Ball" has a twist at the end that left me fluttering and laughing at how good it was for morale. Now if I only knew if that tradition kept on…
Nancy Asire's "Judgment Day" is a Solomon of a case to be tried by Perran, a traveling circuit judge dispensing the laws of Vkandis. it's close to home as it is his assistant's hometown which he left with great relief years ago.
Larry Dixon's "Under the Vale" is a fascinating essay on the back history of magic and the disasters that befell the world of Velgarth of which the country of Valdemar is a part.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a black background framed by a tangle of scrolling brown branches at the top and twining rose vines at the bottom. In the middle is a steel gray riveted inset frame in the shape of a shield, a stormy purple sky in its background and a white Companion galloping out of it, harnessed in purple. Atop this shield is another, smaller shield with the same gray border encapsulating a purple starry background with a pegasus flaring its wings in profile. Behind this is a deep blue box with the title in Gold and the subtitle below it in white. At the bottom is the same box with the "edited by" in white.
The title is more about that last essay and lifts the veil on what is Under the Vale, how it evolved and why as well as the engineering genius of it. You only thought it would be fascinating to live in a Vale…
May 25, 2024
My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read 6 stories from this anthology.
“Slow and Steady” by Brenda Cooper: Kinda cute. Not a whole lot of substance to it, but it’s alright.
“Fog of War” by Ben Ohlander: I feel as foggy as this title, reading this. A good chunk of it is a detailed rehashing of the Tedrel battle. Not gonna lie, I skimmed it. Danilla and Gonwyn are alright as characters. I didn’t really have interest in this story, even the parts that weren’t battle related.
“In an Instant” by Elizabeth A. Vaughn: This is on the list of things I didn’t know I needed. Selenay and Daren are just adorable. I think I like Jasen quite a lot, too.
“A Healer’s Work” by Daniel Shull: Nice little story. Nice to know Gifts have similar ways of channeling into a person.
“Heart’s Peril” by Kate Paulk: Alright little story. Meren’s slowly growing up and figuring out some abilities.
“Heart’s Place” by Sarah A. Hoyt: I’m sorry, Ree randomly knowing about law things that not even Lenar remembers is SOD breaking, even after there’s a backpedal to try to explain why that is. Ugh. Other than that, pretty standard and kinda boring, honestly.
“Slow and Steady” by Brenda Cooper: Kinda cute. Not a whole lot of substance to it, but it’s alright.
“Fog of War” by Ben Ohlander: I feel as foggy as this title, reading this. A good chunk of it is a detailed rehashing of the Tedrel battle. Not gonna lie, I skimmed it. Danilla and Gonwyn are alright as characters. I didn’t really have interest in this story, even the parts that weren’t battle related.
“In an Instant” by Elizabeth A. Vaughn: This is on the list of things I didn’t know I needed. Selenay and Daren are just adorable. I think I like Jasen quite a lot, too.
“A Healer’s Work” by Daniel Shull: Nice little story. Nice to know Gifts have similar ways of channeling into a person.
“Heart’s Peril” by Kate Paulk: Alright little story. Meren’s slowly growing up and figuring out some abilities.
“Heart’s Place” by Sarah A. Hoyt: I’m sorry, Ree randomly knowing about law things that not even Lenar remembers is SOD breaking, even after there’s a backpedal to try to explain why that is. Ugh. Other than that, pretty standard and kinda boring, honestly.
February 6, 2019
Most of the stories in this collection were great. A few seemed like they didn't really belong in this book.
Lets start with "Slow and Steady" by Brenda Cooper. Even though I did get through it quickly it took awhile to build and I think it would be better suited to have been written as a full length novel then a short story.
Next up are "Heart's Peril" by Kate Paulk & "Hearts Place" by Sarah Hoyt. Even though they are written by different authors they are a series. I have read most of the Valdemar books and I do not remember there ever being any kind of hobgoblins in her books & the setting was just on a little farm so these 2 stories could have been set in any world by. They differently didn't have a Valdemar feel to them though.
Last but not least "Under the Vale" by Larry Dixon. The story was a little tough to get through & I had to force myself to finish the last few page of it since it was the last story in the book. This one seemed more like they should have saved it for a book where they wrote about the history of Valdemar since it was bout the creation of the vales.
Lets start with "Slow and Steady" by Brenda Cooper. Even though I did get through it quickly it took awhile to build and I think it would be better suited to have been written as a full length novel then a short story.
Next up are "Heart's Peril" by Kate Paulk & "Hearts Place" by Sarah Hoyt. Even though they are written by different authors they are a series. I have read most of the Valdemar books and I do not remember there ever being any kind of hobgoblins in her books & the setting was just on a little farm so these 2 stories could have been set in any world by. They differently didn't have a Valdemar feel to them though.
Last but not least "Under the Vale" by Larry Dixon. The story was a little tough to get through & I had to force myself to finish the last few page of it since it was the last story in the book. This one seemed more like they should have saved it for a book where they wrote about the history of Valdemar since it was bout the creation of the vales.
December 19, 2016
like all of the Tales of Valdemar books I loved this one.
I find myself going to past volumes and following each individual author's storyline as it unfolds, story by story giving us their particular view of the world Mercedes Lackey created. This was a reread, initiated as I started reading Tempest, the newest edition.
It was like visiting old friends and seeing a bit more of the action of their world and meeting new friends along the way.
I find myself going to past volumes and following each individual author's storyline as it unfolds, story by story giving us their particular view of the world Mercedes Lackey created. This was a reread, initiated as I started reading Tempest, the newest edition.
It was like visiting old friends and seeing a bit more of the action of their world and meeting new friends along the way.
April 22, 2022
Under the Vale is the the 7th anthology collection of short stories by a wide variety of authors. All of the stories are set within the Valdemar world created by Mercedes Lackey. The stories include old characters as well as new, and some of the stories from mini-series with other stories within the anthologies. Are they necessary for the understanding of the world? No, but they are a fun, episodic addition.
August 14, 2019
It seems unfair to rate a collection of stories for their average value
... but I don’t really have a choice. Would I buy this book? No.
Am I glad that I read it? Yes.
The primary reason for being glad I read it is the few excellent stories (most right in the front). The others were... fine. Unsatisfying, but not actually bad.
... but I don’t really have a choice. Would I buy this book? No.
Am I glad that I read it? Yes.
The primary reason for being glad I read it is the few excellent stories (most right in the front). The others were... fine. Unsatisfying, but not actually bad.
October 22, 2020
I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist.
December 26, 2022
As is common with anthologies, this book is a real mixed bag. Some stories are well written, others seem like they were written for another venue then had Valdemar-type plot features jammed in retroactively. In one very annoying story, Herald management plots to break the existing engagement of a new Herald and is condescending/belittling to the fiancée who objects to this treatment. I'm glad it was a library book and not something I shelled out money for.
October 1, 2023
As always with story collections - some I adore, some I like, some are not for me. :)
What I really love about these story collections? We get to see different aspects of Valdemar (and the countries around it) through the eyes of not just Heralds but Healers, Bards, Guards and regular people. I love it. :)
What I really love about these story collections? We get to see different aspects of Valdemar (and the countries around it) through the eyes of not just Heralds but Healers, Bards, Guards and regular people. I love it. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2019
All the stories were great. I loved the other authors expanding on the "playground" of Velgarth. I particularly enjoyed Larry Dixon's contribution explaining the magic of the world, since I write and it's fun to see how other writers worldbuild.
January 9, 2022
I love the Valdemar series. Although most of the collections have stories of varying quality, this one was strong all the way through. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of Mercedes Lackey and Valdemar.
February 21, 2022
I rather enjoyed most stories in this volume. Even the worldbuilding essay by Larry Dixon has value, though it is perhaps less my type of tale. In any case I adore these anthologies as they add to the Valdemar and Velgarth world.
May 21, 2022
An entertaining collection of stories occurring in the world of Valdemar written by various authors. The thing for me keeping it from being 5 stars is that while the stories are all worth reading not all of them seem to capture the feel of Valdemar.
May 28, 2017
Comfort reading.
October 31, 2017
A couple of interesting stories. A couple which are only slightly related to Valdemar. An interesting history of magery leading up to the catastrophe and the technology of vales.
May 4, 2018
Some of these were a little confusing because I haven't read more of Lackey's work, but they did make me excited to find out what inspired them
June 11, 2018
Another good collection of Valdemar stories by various authors. Most of them good additions to the world of Valdemar/Velgarth. Fans will enjoy.
October 14, 2022
Reread
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