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Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles #2
Intrigues: Book Two of the Collegium Chronicles
"Spellbinding storyteller" (Rave Reviews) Mercedes Lackey continues her epic Valdemar series. Magpie is a thirteen-year-old orphan chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar and taken to the capital city, Haven, to be trained as a Herald. Like all Heralds, Magpie learns that he has a hidden Gift-the Gift of telepathy. But life at the court is not without obstacles. When Mags is "recognized" by foreign secret operatives whose purpose is unknown, Mags himself comes under suspicion. Who are Magpie's parents-who is he, really? Can Mags solve the riddle of his parentage and his connection with the mysterious spies-and prove his loyalty-before the king and court banish him as a traitor?
Hardcover
First published October 1, 2010
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2665 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
431 books9,569 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 470 reviews
May 4, 2021
3.75 stars
Book 2 of the Valdemar Collegium Chronicles, Intrigues follows Mags, a young herald trainee as he tries to navigate the world of training and working as a spy for the King’s Own. Armed mostly with his gift of telepathy, Mags finds himself at risk when most everyone seems to be afraid of outsiders, and Mags’ heritage leads back to foreign parents he never knew.
This book was almost opposite for me in terms of enjoyment structure. The previous book, I loved the first half and didn’t enjoy the second, this book I wasn’t feeling the beginning but after halfway I was devouring and loving it. Here’s to hope I just straight up love the remaining books in the series. I also apparently quit this book 8 years ago or so because I found a yellowing cheap bookmark about 50 pages in! I can happily say I read the whole thing.
What I liked most about this book was we saw more of a development of Mags in his new life. With the spying and his friends and how he’s navigating through all of this and how he’s feeling. I thought that was very well done. I’m not normally one for “spy novels” but since this is high fantasy mixed with spy, it worked for me. I have to admit though, all the kirball parts of the books, I straight up skimmed or skipped those. I hate sports, even fictional ones and I am not here for it.
Reading other reviews on this book, I really think this series is one of the more polarizing of Lackey’s novels, people seem to either love it or hate it. And I understand both sides of those arguments because for me, it’s not her strongest work. But Lackey books are like pizza, even when it ain’t great it’s still good. And I’m going to keep on reading.
Book 2 of the Valdemar Collegium Chronicles, Intrigues follows Mags, a young herald trainee as he tries to navigate the world of training and working as a spy for the King’s Own. Armed mostly with his gift of telepathy, Mags finds himself at risk when most everyone seems to be afraid of outsiders, and Mags’ heritage leads back to foreign parents he never knew.
This book was almost opposite for me in terms of enjoyment structure. The previous book, I loved the first half and didn’t enjoy the second, this book I wasn’t feeling the beginning but after halfway I was devouring and loving it. Here’s to hope I just straight up love the remaining books in the series. I also apparently quit this book 8 years ago or so because I found a yellowing cheap bookmark about 50 pages in! I can happily say I read the whole thing.
What I liked most about this book was we saw more of a development of Mags in his new life. With the spying and his friends and how he’s navigating through all of this and how he’s feeling. I thought that was very well done. I’m not normally one for “spy novels” but since this is high fantasy mixed with spy, it worked for me. I have to admit though, all the kirball parts of the books, I straight up skimmed or skipped those. I hate sports, even fictional ones and I am not here for it.
Reading other reviews on this book, I really think this series is one of the more polarizing of Lackey’s novels, people seem to either love it or hate it. And I understand both sides of those arguments because for me, it’s not her strongest work. But Lackey books are like pizza, even when it ain’t great it’s still good. And I’m going to keep on reading.
October 17, 2010
I went into this book loving Magpie as a character. Some people are broken by things that have happened to them in life, but it is how you learn to survive those breaking to become what you are suppose to be. No, it's not always easy, but then who said it was suppose to be?
I'm glad I didn't read a single review before devouring this book. It makes me angry when I read things like: "At one point, I was fairly certain Mags IS Harry...well, emo medieval Harry, complete with wannabe quidditch." and "My first real issue with the book came in the form of the game, Kirball, it felt too much like Ms. Lackey was trying to invent her own version of Quiditch." It makes me want to ask what book were they really reading? And did they think that war games (which is what Kirball was suppose to be simulating) were orginally made up by JK Rawlings? Seriously, do people now believe JK Rawlings create football (soccer) and baseball too? It's frustrating to me that people go into books thinking "it's going to be just like so-and-so". They seem to have stopped looking at a book for it's self. What entertainment it will give to them, not if it's the next big thing.
Intrigues is a good solid book that made me cry. Was it a master peice of epic writing? No. But I'll tell you this, I'm going to re-read it again and again for many years to come because it entertained me. As always, Ms. Lackey, you have given me a book to read on a cold winters night curled up in my chair in a blanket. Yes, the book holds sadness, but it also holds determination to do what is right.
I'm glad I didn't read a single review before devouring this book. It makes me angry when I read things like: "At one point, I was fairly certain Mags IS Harry...well, emo medieval Harry, complete with wannabe quidditch." and "My first real issue with the book came in the form of the game, Kirball, it felt too much like Ms. Lackey was trying to invent her own version of Quiditch." It makes me want to ask what book were they really reading? And did they think that war games (which is what Kirball was suppose to be simulating) were orginally made up by JK Rawlings? Seriously, do people now believe JK Rawlings create football (soccer) and baseball too? It's frustrating to me that people go into books thinking "it's going to be just like so-and-so". They seem to have stopped looking at a book for it's self. What entertainment it will give to them, not if it's the next big thing.
Intrigues is a good solid book that made me cry. Was it a master peice of epic writing? No. But I'll tell you this, I'm going to re-read it again and again for many years to come because it entertained me. As always, Ms. Lackey, you have given me a book to read on a cold winters night curled up in my chair in a blanket. Yes, the book holds sadness, but it also holds determination to do what is right.
March 8, 2011
Not something to read if you may be triggered by mental and verbal abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
I really liked the first book in this series, and eagerly looked forward to the sequel. I couldn't have been more disappointed.
Spoilers to follow.
Still with me? Okay. In the first book we are introduced to Mags, a abused orphan of unknown origin that is being forced to work in a gem mine. He is then rescued by his Companion Dallen and wisked away to the Haven to begin his training as a Herald. He is over-joyed to have enough good food to eat, his own room to sleep in, and to be allowed to learn as much as he can, he even makes his first friends (a bard trainee and a healer trainee).
So far, so good. In the second book you have a lurking enemy, xenophobia, and severe neglect and abuse by those that should be protecting young Mags. The little bard uses him to try to gain the notice of her Father, the Bear the healer wants Mags to intervene for him to keep his family from dragging him home.
The teachers and other students turn on him because someone has a vision that a person of foreign blood will attack the king. Everyone zeros in on Mags despite being vouched for by his Companion, and the fact that there must be dozens if not hundreds of foreigners in Haven such as traders emigrants, and diplomats. His "friends" turn on him, heaping verbal and emotional abuse on him, even though he has never done anything more that try to help them.
They have him in a near suicidal state, feeling completely worthless, and so he runs away thinking that his Companion can then break their bond and choose someone more worthy. When he is contacted mentally by someone he should trust, he is then put in even more danger to "prove" himself.
At the end of the book, everything is suddenly forgiven. His "friends" forgive him (for what I'm not sure), and Mags instantly accepts them back in his life with no reservations. Apparently all the abuse he suffered while working at the mine makes it okay to heap further abuse on him with no repercussions for the abusers.
To be honest, this book had me so angry on behalf of the fictional Mags that I'm surprised I didn't suffer a rage blackout. I know that ML is known for putting her characters through some angst, but this was completely over the top. The plot was jumbled at best, the pace felt rushed, and the end was abrupt and didn't really resolve anything.
I would not recommend this book to anyone, and I cannot ever see myself re-reading this. If you wish to read I would suggest checking your local library or second hand bookstore to save yourself money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2011
Mercedes Lackey, I am disappoint.
It's been a bit since I went through my Valdemar binge, and in the interval I've looked back on the series and seen some of its flaws: the worldbuilding isn't all that creative, the characters generally caricatured, the plots rather uninspired, the angst overexaggerated. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them, and doesn't even mean they won't stand up to a re-read - it just means they're not on my 'bucket books' list, and that's really fine. A lot of good books that I love dearly aren't on that list. (The Pern series, for example, which shares a lot of flaws with Valdemar now that I come to think of it.)
When I picked up this book at the library, I was so excited - though it'd been some time since I read the first of the Collegium Chronicles, I remembered wanting more when it ended and hoped that I'd be able to recall enough that the second made sense. By the time I needed to, I had, so that wasn't a problem.
The reason this book got two stars, instead of three or even four, is that after a certain point it goes absolutely nuts. It's crazy for a while before that, of course, since the crux of the plot is one of those highly contrived coincidences that drives me up the wall. Yes, human decisions don't always make sense, and yes, human stupidity is infinite, but that can't be the center of the plot of a novel, especially one where large numbers of humans are advised by infinitely wise magical horses.
I could go with the whole 'chance blurting makes Mags subject of suspicion' plot if it weren't for the rest of it. To avoid spoilers, all I can say is: everyone around him suddenly seems to go crazy and abandon him for no real reason, blaming him for things that aren't his fault and completely flip-flopping on assertions they'd made earlier, which sends Mags spiraling into a deep and suicidal depression and ends in a disaster which is a) not his fault and b) blamed on him by everyone, including his closest friends. There follows a chapter or so of Mags wallowing, Bella Swan-like, in misery, as everyone he knows who have every reason to trust and care about him treat him like horse shit they don't want to muck out of the paddock.
And it drove me up the fucking wall.
This makes no sense. None. It goes against everything that's already established about Valdemar, the Heralds, and the Companions in earlier series. Think about how completely insane - not to mention dangerous - Tylendel became before his Companion repudiated him! And I don't recall a single instance in two books where a Companion doubted Alberich, even though he does hail from Valdemar's oldest enemy. So to have the Companions turn on Mags on circumstantial evidence - evidence which leads to no valid conclusion - rings completely false.
The worst part, though, was I nearly set the book down then and there.
After the moping, there is a hasty resolution in which Mags is treated like shit yet again (though accidentally this time, which may or may not be better) and a saccharine ending in which nothing is really explained and this whole book, in retrospect, starts to look like angst-fueled filler more than anything which really has a place in the series.
I'm not even going to get into Kirball and the continuity clusterfuck it represents.
To be honest, I feel cheated by this series. The name - The Collegium Chronicles - is a terrible misnomer. I expected this would be about the transitional period between the old mentoring system to the new classroom system - a bridge between Vanyel's Valdemar and Talia's. It could have been an interesting subject, almost sociological, but instead it's bogged down with a contrived 'threats from abroad' plot and more whining than even Lavan Firestorm subjected us to. I'll probably read the next one - which presumably will be the last - but only because I'm curious about the country the foreigners come from. I could care less what happens to Mags, Bear, Lena, and Amily.
It's been a bit since I went through my Valdemar binge, and in the interval I've looked back on the series and seen some of its flaws: the worldbuilding isn't all that creative, the characters generally caricatured, the plots rather uninspired, the angst overexaggerated. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them, and doesn't even mean they won't stand up to a re-read - it just means they're not on my 'bucket books' list, and that's really fine. A lot of good books that I love dearly aren't on that list. (The Pern series, for example, which shares a lot of flaws with Valdemar now that I come to think of it.)
When I picked up this book at the library, I was so excited - though it'd been some time since I read the first of the Collegium Chronicles, I remembered wanting more when it ended and hoped that I'd be able to recall enough that the second made sense. By the time I needed to, I had, so that wasn't a problem.
The reason this book got two stars, instead of three or even four, is that after a certain point it goes absolutely nuts. It's crazy for a while before that, of course, since the crux of the plot is one of those highly contrived coincidences that drives me up the wall. Yes, human decisions don't always make sense, and yes, human stupidity is infinite, but that can't be the center of the plot of a novel, especially one where large numbers of humans are advised by infinitely wise magical horses.
I could go with the whole 'chance blurting makes Mags subject of suspicion' plot if it weren't for the rest of it. To avoid spoilers, all I can say is: everyone around him suddenly seems to go crazy and abandon him for no real reason, blaming him for things that aren't his fault and completely flip-flopping on assertions they'd made earlier, which sends Mags spiraling into a deep and suicidal depression and ends in a disaster which is a) not his fault and b) blamed on him by everyone, including his closest friends. There follows a chapter or so of Mags wallowing, Bella Swan-like, in misery, as everyone he knows who have every reason to trust and care about him treat him like horse shit they don't want to muck out of the paddock.
And it drove me up the fucking wall.
This makes no sense. None. It goes against everything that's already established about Valdemar, the Heralds, and the Companions in earlier series. Think about how completely insane - not to mention dangerous - Tylendel became before his Companion repudiated him! And I don't recall a single instance in two books where a Companion doubted Alberich, even though he does hail from Valdemar's oldest enemy. So to have the Companions turn on Mags on circumstantial evidence - evidence which leads to no valid conclusion - rings completely false.
The worst part, though, was I nearly set the book down then and there.
After the moping, there is a hasty resolution in which Mags is treated like shit yet again (though accidentally this time, which may or may not be better) and a saccharine ending in which nothing is really explained and this whole book, in retrospect, starts to look like angst-fueled filler more than anything which really has a place in the series.
I'm not even going to get into Kirball and the continuity clusterfuck it represents.
To be honest, I feel cheated by this series. The name - The Collegium Chronicles - is a terrible misnomer. I expected this would be about the transitional period between the old mentoring system to the new classroom system - a bridge between Vanyel's Valdemar and Talia's. It could have been an interesting subject, almost sociological, but instead it's bogged down with a contrived 'threats from abroad' plot and more whining than even Lavan Firestorm subjected us to. I'll probably read the next one - which presumably will be the last - but only because I'm curious about the country the foreigners come from. I could care less what happens to Mags, Bear, Lena, and Amily.
October 1, 2023
Oh Misty, I sigh at you.
On one level, this is a pretty typical Valdemar book, and the continuations of Mags' story. You can't take issue with the Mary Sue-ness of the characaters - that's how Lackey has always written. You can't bemoan the fact that the central characters are children, or that these particular children are so good and true and noble that they simply must have some sort of emotional crisis every few pages because otherwise, well, it wouldn't be Lackey.
The plot is straightforward: Mags is still in his first year at the Collegium, and still not entirely sure of his worth or belonging. He has his friends, he follows the mystery of his parents, and gets caught up in a web of suspicion when the Foreseers maybe see something that somehow could be him. I had a serious problem with this - the less-than-noble nature of the Councilors and Blues is well-established in Valdemar, but this is the first time that Heralds and Companions start behaving in this manner. It's off-putting and more than a bit destructive to the very trust in the Herald/Companion bond that Lackey has spent the last 25 years writing about. And please stop writing about how special and rare it is to have someone else's Companion "speak" to you - it's not special and rare since it's happened in almost every single book. Still, that can be overlook as mere bits of grit in the overall mindcandy.
What is harder to ignore is the disturbing trend that has developed through the last few Valdemar books - that of inserting all these contemporary items and machines and habits into a world that had no mention of them before. When you talk about football, for example, or spend a huge chunk of your book developing a new game that bears a suspicious resemblance to Quidditch, it's bad enough. When these books are prequels to your much beloved Talia books and those books make absolutely no mention of football or games or mechanized wood splitters... the inconsistencies add up, well, you start to lose the wonder and beauty that was the original world of Valdemar. And that is a very real loss.
On one level, this is a pretty typical Valdemar book, and the continuations of Mags' story. You can't take issue with the Mary Sue-ness of the characaters - that's how Lackey has always written. You can't bemoan the fact that the central characters are children, or that these particular children are so good and true and noble that they simply must have some sort of emotional crisis every few pages because otherwise, well, it wouldn't be Lackey.
The plot is straightforward: Mags is still in his first year at the Collegium, and still not entirely sure of his worth or belonging. He has his friends, he follows the mystery of his parents, and gets caught up in a web of suspicion when the Foreseers maybe see something that somehow could be him. I had a serious problem with this - the less-than-noble nature of the Councilors and Blues is well-established in Valdemar, but this is the first time that Heralds and Companions start behaving in this manner. It's off-putting and more than a bit destructive to the very trust in the Herald/Companion bond that Lackey has spent the last 25 years writing about. And please stop writing about how special and rare it is to have someone else's Companion "speak" to you - it's not special and rare since it's happened in almost every single book. Still, that can be overlook as mere bits of grit in the overall mindcandy.
What is harder to ignore is the disturbing trend that has developed through the last few Valdemar books - that of inserting all these contemporary items and machines and habits into a world that had no mention of them before. When you talk about football, for example, or spend a huge chunk of your book developing a new game that bears a suspicious resemblance to Quidditch, it's bad enough. When these books are prequels to your much beloved Talia books and those books make absolutely no mention of football or games or mechanized wood splitters... the inconsistencies add up, well, you start to lose the wonder and beauty that was the original world of Valdemar. And that is a very real loss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2014
Ah, the Collegium Chronicles, also known as "Lackey rewrites Harry Potter". Let's list the similarities:
In the first book:
Young, callow, orphaned male protagonist is rescued from a horrifically abusive situation and whisked off to a school for kids with supernatural powers. There, he becomes great friends with a boy and girl (who, spoilers, fall for each other), forming a power trio. He is obsessed with finding out about his parents.
In the second book:
Everyone is convinced that the hero is actually a monster due to some bad blood in his mysterious early history. He has a poorly timed public revelation (parseltongue / "I'm a furriner"). He confronts the real villain climatically at end, rescuing captive friends.
And let's not forget Quidditch-Kirball, a game with not enough foul rules to keep the participants safe and an insane (10/150, 1/10/50) scoring system that leads to ludicrous blowouts. (Admittedly, Kirball also leads to boring 1-1 games, since the big score isn't necessary like the Snitch).
Edit: I somehow missed the similarities between Kirball and Hurlee in Exile's Valor - the loss of Kirball without a trace seems a meaningful plot hole for the series.
In the first book:
Young, callow, orphaned male protagonist is rescued from a horrifically abusive situation and whisked off to a school for kids with supernatural powers. There, he becomes great friends with a boy and girl (who, spoilers, fall for each other), forming a power trio. He is obsessed with finding out about his parents.
In the second book:
Everyone is convinced that the hero is actually a monster due to some bad blood in his mysterious early history. He has a poorly timed public revelation (parseltongue / "I'm a furriner"). He confronts the real villain climatically at end, rescuing captive friends.
And let's not forget Quidditch-Kirball, a game with not enough foul rules to keep the participants safe and an insane (10/150, 1/10/50) scoring system that leads to ludicrous blowouts. (Admittedly, Kirball also leads to boring 1-1 games, since the big score isn't necessary like the Snitch).
Edit: I somehow missed the similarities between Kirball and Hurlee in Exile's Valor - the loss of Kirball without a trace seems a meaningful plot hole for the series.
May 23, 2017
It physically pains me to give a Lackey book 2 stars. Ouch. But this book just didn't deserve any more than that. Okay, maybe 2.8 stars.
Let's be honest - I don't remember hardly anything that happened in "Foundation." I do vaguely remember getting very bored of Mags' constant "wow I was so poor and now I am so excited about everything yay!" It was overkill. Lackey tones it down - a little - in Intrigues, but the obnoxiousness is still there. I felt like she beat me over the head with constant yammering about Mags' past. Let's move on! Anyway, I truly had no idea what happened in Foundation because I read the book and completely forgot about it. This is a shame. Lackey's other Herald books have made an imprint on me and I can recount most of them, if not remember minor details. Foundation, all I remembered was Mags was a rescued mine kid. Hey, who is Bear, again? What's this Lunatic?
Again, I freely admit that I find Mags to be annoying and slow. This book kind of drags on forever in the middle with absolutely nothing happening until the last 70 pages or so. The climax and ending happen in the last 10 pages, which was kind of irritating. (I just checked. It's literally 11 pages from HOMG CONFRONTATION to Last Sentence CU L8R!)
I will absolutely read the next Collegium Chronicles, because I'm that big of a Valdemar addict. But I'm kind of over Mags and Lena (oh Lena, I hate you and wish you would get half a brain please) and Bear. And this is my least favorite Valdemar storyline, so there.
*******
Re-read December 2013: Well, this book definitely is so much better if you read it soon after reading Foundation. If you go into it not remembering Foundation, it makes no sense for a really long time. But if you go into it familiar with the story of Foundation, it's sooo much better. I originally gave this book 2 stars but I am converted now to giving it 3.5 stars. I really liked this the second time. I still hate Lena and think she's ridiculous but I have pity on her too. She's a believable character, that's for sure. And oh, Dallen's awesomeness cannot be matched. I love Dallen.
I really felt for Mags this time too. I didn't feel that Lackey was beating me over the head with his past this time. Intrigues isn't my favorite book ever, but I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I gave it another chance.
I do think the climax and ending are ridiculously badly spaced. It doesn't bother me so much since I wisely checked out all 5 of the books in the series from the library at the same time. But if I had to wait years in between book releases, the ending of this would have seriously ticked me off.
Re-read May 2017: I liked this book even more than I did at the last re-read. I do think Lackey is trying too hard to invent her own Quidditch, and Lena is still pretty awful. I also thought the timing was a little off on this one - it seemed like Mags must have been at the Collegium for at least 2.5 years by the end of this one, but I guess it's only been a little under a year? Huh. In any case, I now own the series and I don't regret buying it. Even though Lena is a brat.
Let's be honest - I don't remember hardly anything that happened in "Foundation." I do vaguely remember getting very bored of Mags' constant "wow I was so poor and now I am so excited about everything yay!" It was overkill. Lackey tones it down - a little - in Intrigues, but the obnoxiousness is still there. I felt like she beat me over the head with constant yammering about Mags' past. Let's move on! Anyway, I truly had no idea what happened in Foundation because I read the book and completely forgot about it. This is a shame. Lackey's other Herald books have made an imprint on me and I can recount most of them, if not remember minor details. Foundation, all I remembered was Mags was a rescued mine kid. Hey, who is Bear, again? What's this Lunatic?
Again, I freely admit that I find Mags to be annoying and slow. This book kind of drags on forever in the middle with absolutely nothing happening until the last 70 pages or so. The climax and ending happen in the last 10 pages, which was kind of irritating. (I just checked. It's literally 11 pages from HOMG CONFRONTATION to Last Sentence CU L8R!)
I will absolutely read the next Collegium Chronicles, because I'm that big of a Valdemar addict. But I'm kind of over Mags and Lena (oh Lena, I hate you and wish you would get half a brain please) and Bear. And this is my least favorite Valdemar storyline, so there.
*******
Re-read December 2013: Well, this book definitely is so much better if you read it soon after reading Foundation. If you go into it not remembering Foundation, it makes no sense for a really long time. But if you go into it familiar with the story of Foundation, it's sooo much better. I originally gave this book 2 stars but I am converted now to giving it 3.5 stars. I really liked this the second time. I still hate Lena and think she's ridiculous but I have pity on her too. She's a believable character, that's for sure. And oh, Dallen's awesomeness cannot be matched. I love Dallen.
I really felt for Mags this time too. I didn't feel that Lackey was beating me over the head with his past this time. Intrigues isn't my favorite book ever, but I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I gave it another chance.
I do think the climax and ending are ridiculously badly spaced. It doesn't bother me so much since I wisely checked out all 5 of the books in the series from the library at the same time. But if I had to wait years in between book releases, the ending of this would have seriously ticked me off.
Re-read May 2017: I liked this book even more than I did at the last re-read. I do think Lackey is trying too hard to invent her own Quidditch, and Lena is still pretty awful. I also thought the timing was a little off on this one - it seemed like Mags must have been at the Collegium for at least 2.5 years by the end of this one, but I guess it's only been a little under a year? Huh. In any case, I now own the series and I don't regret buying it. Even though Lena is a brat.
October 19, 2010
As a long-time Mercedes Lackey fan, I found this book to be fun at times, but mostly dreary and very reminiscent of prior Valdemar novels. Foundation, the first of the trilogy, was gripping with the character's unique origins and perspective in the Collegium. However, Intrigues was like a cross between Vanyel's span as a beggar with a heavy focus on the woe-is-me, everyone-hates-me aspect from the Herald-Mage trilogy, the roof-walking lowborn aspect from Take A Thief, and the relationships between Mags and Mags' friends Bear and Lena are reminiscient of J.K. Rowlings' characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The interpersonal relationships among characters feel shallow, whether negative or positive ones, and the game introduced in Intrigues does not seem to fit the world very well, especially when one considers the timeline. If the game had been introduced "later" in the timeline, perhaps it would fit better, but for the fact the novel was written after "later" books, future Valdemar times show no indication of the impact of such a large scale game.
Overall, I feel this book could have used some more fresh ideas, and I can only hope the upcoming third of the trilogy is half as good as the first, because the second does not leave a feeling of satisfaction in the least.
The interpersonal relationships among characters feel shallow, whether negative or positive ones, and the game introduced in Intrigues does not seem to fit the world very well, especially when one considers the timeline. If the game had been introduced "later" in the timeline, perhaps it would fit better, but for the fact the novel was written after "later" books, future Valdemar times show no indication of the impact of such a large scale game.
Overall, I feel this book could have used some more fresh ideas, and I can only hope the upcoming third of the trilogy is half as good as the first, because the second does not leave a feeling of satisfaction in the least.
January 15, 2018
Ta seria jest jak powieści dla pensjonarek o życiu w szkole z internatem, tylko w realiach fantasy i bohaterem jest chłopiec. Ten pensjonarek.
W każdym razie, na tym etapie nie ma sensu mówienie, że powieść jest niesamodzielna i jawnie stanowi część serii, bo to już oczywiste. A jednak trzeba się powtórzyć i powiedzieć to jeszcze raz, bo to jest źródło wad powieści. Kiedy mówię, że powieść jest niesamodzielna, nie mam na myśli tego, że główna intryga rozgrywa się na przestrzeni kilku tomów, bo to normalne w serii. Mam na myśli to, że fabuła jest w zasadzie pretekstowa, a akcja jest tak powolna, że można ją przegapić, jeśli się nie uważa. Tutaj mamy dwa główne wątki: szkolne rozgrywki kirballa, czyli takiego quidditcha z magicznymi konikami i tajemniczą przepowiednię, która głosi, że niepochodzący z Valdemaru człowiek targnie się na życie króla. Z różnych powodów, podejrzenie pada na Magsa. Wiąże się to z tajemnicą jego pochodzenia oraz tym, jak wyalienowany jest wśród swoich rówieśników w związku z tym, że nie miał normalnego dzieciństwa i jego socjalizacja ma potężne braki. I wszystkie istotne informacje dla tego drugiego wątku uzyskujemy na początku powieści, a jego rozwiązanie w przedostatnim rozdziale. I można by z tego zrobić piętnastostronicowy rozdział w poprzednim tomie i nic by się nie stało. Przynajmniej pod względem fabularnym. Czy rzeczywiście jest to wada, zależy od tego, co się oczekuje od powieści Lackey. Ja raczej nie przyszłam tu po skomplikowane intrygi i wartkie akcje. Przyszłam po koniki i eskapizm.
Dostałam koniki.
Miałam sporo radości z czytania tej książki, ale głównie dlatego, że tęskniłam za Valdemarem. Było tu jednak wiele rzeczy, które mnie niepokoiły w najlepszym razie. Najwyraźniej ksenofobia w Valdemarze to teraz integralna część ich kultury i jest powszechnie akceptowalna. Dobrze wiedzieć, poczułam się jak w domu. Można zacząć się zastanawiać, czy kolegium Heroldów ma sens, jeśli w całej tej instytucji nikt nie reaguje na jawne znęcanie się nad głównym bohaterem. Nikt z Heroldów i wykładowców w każdym razie. I to znęcanie się, które prowadzi go do myśli samobójczych. Ta książka powinna mieć trigger warning. Wiem, że Lackey to nie tylko koniki i tęcza i jako autorka nie boi się mrocznych tematów, ale tutaj sobie nie poradziła. Głównie dlatego, że przedstawia wszystkie relacje, które nawiązuje Mags jako toksyczne.
Trochę czułam się jakbym czytałam plagiat z "Harry'ego Pottera". Mamy magiczną szkołę, magiczną grę i trójkę przyjaciół. Z tym, że żadne z nich nie ma tak wyrazistej osobowości jak Harry, Ron i Hermiona. Mamy Magsa, który przez większość czasu nie wie, co się dzieje i jest trenowany do tajnej misji (hmmm to brzmi znajomo), Lenę, która jest zakompleksioną córką sławnego barda i ma okropne kompleksy na tle tego, że ojciec jej nie kocha i Beara, który pochodzi z rodziny uzdrowicieli, ale nie posiada Daru, więc jest rodzajem czarnej owcy, którą bracia chcą zabrać z kolegium i schować gdzieś na wsi, żeby im wstydu nie przynosił i może ożenić z jakąś panną, co chociaż dzieci z Darem będzie miał. Każde z bohaterów ma okropną sytuację rodzinną. I dlatego rozumiem, czemu ich przyjaźń nie jest czysta i wspaniała i ponad całym złem tego świata. Nie mieli gdzie się czegoś takiego nauczyć. Są samolubni i małostkowi, i z całej trójki Mags stara się najbardziej. Moim problemem nie jest to, że powieść nie przedstawia ich przyjaźni jak czegoś wyjętego z epizodu "My Little Pony". Ba, podobał mi się moment, w którym Mags wybuchnął i wyrzucił im w twarz, co jest nie w porządku w ich zachowaniu. Chociaż za mało wygarnął Bearowi, że ten jest pasywno-agresywnym dupkiem i ugh, Bear jest najgorszy, niech go zamkną na tej wsi, nie dbam o niego. Tego rodzaju calloutowanie ludzi rzadko pojawia się u Lackey, bo u niej ludzie Dojrzewają I Widzą Swoje Błędy Sami Z Siebie (bo to się tak często zdarza). Nie podoba mi się to, że Lena i Bear praktycznie doprowadzili Magsa do samobójstwa, a potem to rozeszło się po kościach. Że Mags ich przepraszał za to, co im wygarnął, chociaż należało im się. To oni powinni przepraszać. Bardzo. I nie liczyć na przebaczenie. Mags powinien znaleźć sobie lepszych przyjaciół. Końcówka powieści to ostra emocjonalna jazda i nie byłam na to gotowa.
Więc to było wyczerpujące, ale też w sumie podoba mi się to, że Lackey tworzy tak niedoskonałych bohaterów, bo to jednak coś, co rzadko u niej czytałam. Wiem też, że angst się u niej pojawia, ale nie podoba mi się wykorzystanie myśli samobójczych jako chwytu fabularnego, bo to tylko o to chodziło w tym wątku, nie było tam nic o emocjonalnym rozwoju postaci. Koniec powieści jest bardzo gwałtowny (znowu byłam pewna, że brakuje mi stron w ebooku) i niczego nie rozwiązuje, na pewno nie napięcia, które powstało pomiędzy bohaterami. Ron, Harry i Hermiona mieli swoje kłótnie, ale w większości były lepiej pisane i miały więcej sensu i nikt nie uciekał przez nie z Hogwartu, żeby się zabić. Innymi słowy, jestem nie tylko rozczarowana, jestem trochę zniesmaczona. Chcę doczytać serię dalej, ale muszę zrobić sobie przerwę, bo nie wiem, czy zniosę czytanie o Lenie i Bearze w tym momencie. Naprawdę mnie wkurzyli.
Czy w powieści było coś fajnego? Traktowana po macoszemu intryga szpiegowska była miła. Podoba mi się to, że główny zły ma ciąg myślowy osób, które nie lubią powieści Lackey, tj. "Valdemar to kraina zamieszkała przez mięczaków żyjących w perwersyjnych związkach z własnymi końmi!". Jak wspomniałam, podobało mi się, jak Bear i Lena usłyszeli kilka słów o swoim gówniarskim zachowaniu. Nie podoba mi się, że to wyraźna wersja Pottera w świecie Valdemaru i że fabuła jest tak mocno niekonkluzywna. W zasadzie mamy dokładnie to samo rozwiązanie, co w poprzednim tomie i zaczynam się bać, że seria nie wykazuje tendencji do rozwoju. Jeśli będę czytać dalej to tylko po to, aby dowiedzieć się, kim są rodzice Magsa. Czytałam siłą rozpędu z pewnym zaciekawieniem, ale im więcej myślę o powieści po jej odłożeniu, tym mniej mi się podoba.
W każdym razie, na tym etapie nie ma sensu mówienie, że powieść jest niesamodzielna i jawnie stanowi część serii, bo to już oczywiste. A jednak trzeba się powtórzyć i powiedzieć to jeszcze raz, bo to jest źródło wad powieści. Kiedy mówię, że powieść jest niesamodzielna, nie mam na myśli tego, że główna intryga rozgrywa się na przestrzeni kilku tomów, bo to normalne w serii. Mam na myśli to, że fabuła jest w zasadzie pretekstowa, a akcja jest tak powolna, że można ją przegapić, jeśli się nie uważa. Tutaj mamy dwa główne wątki: szkolne rozgrywki kirballa, czyli takiego quidditcha z magicznymi konikami i tajemniczą przepowiednię, która głosi, że niepochodzący z Valdemaru człowiek targnie się na życie króla. Z różnych powodów, podejrzenie pada na Magsa. Wiąże się to z tajemnicą jego pochodzenia oraz tym, jak wyalienowany jest wśród swoich rówieśników w związku z tym, że nie miał normalnego dzieciństwa i jego socjalizacja ma potężne braki. I wszystkie istotne informacje dla tego drugiego wątku uzyskujemy na początku powieści, a jego rozwiązanie w przedostatnim rozdziale. I można by z tego zrobić piętnastostronicowy rozdział w poprzednim tomie i nic by się nie stało. Przynajmniej pod względem fabularnym. Czy rzeczywiście jest to wada, zależy od tego, co się oczekuje od powieści Lackey. Ja raczej nie przyszłam tu po skomplikowane intrygi i wartkie akcje. Przyszłam po koniki i eskapizm.
Dostałam koniki.
Miałam sporo radości z czytania tej książki, ale głównie dlatego, że tęskniłam za Valdemarem. Było tu jednak wiele rzeczy, które mnie niepokoiły w najlepszym razie. Najwyraźniej ksenofobia w Valdemarze to teraz integralna część ich kultury i jest powszechnie akceptowalna. Dobrze wiedzieć, poczułam się jak w domu. Można zacząć się zastanawiać, czy kolegium Heroldów ma sens, jeśli w całej tej instytucji nikt nie reaguje na jawne znęcanie się nad głównym bohaterem. Nikt z Heroldów i wykładowców w każdym razie. I to znęcanie się, które prowadzi go do myśli samobójczych. Ta książka powinna mieć trigger warning. Wiem, że Lackey to nie tylko koniki i tęcza i jako autorka nie boi się mrocznych tematów, ale tutaj sobie nie poradziła. Głównie dlatego, że przedstawia wszystkie relacje, które nawiązuje Mags jako toksyczne.
Trochę czułam się jakbym czytałam plagiat z "Harry'ego Pottera". Mamy magiczną szkołę, magiczną grę i trójkę przyjaciół. Z tym, że żadne z nich nie ma tak wyrazistej osobowości jak Harry, Ron i Hermiona. Mamy Magsa, który przez większość czasu nie wie, co się dzieje i jest trenowany do tajnej misji (hmmm to brzmi znajomo), Lenę, która jest zakompleksioną córką sławnego barda i ma okropne kompleksy na tle tego, że ojciec jej nie kocha i Beara, który pochodzi z rodziny uzdrowicieli, ale nie posiada Daru, więc jest rodzajem czarnej owcy, którą bracia chcą zabrać z kolegium i schować gdzieś na wsi, żeby im wstydu nie przynosił i może ożenić z jakąś panną, co chociaż dzieci z Darem będzie miał. Każde z bohaterów ma okropną sytuację rodzinną. I dlatego rozumiem, czemu ich przyjaźń nie jest czysta i wspaniała i ponad całym złem tego świata. Nie mieli gdzie się czegoś takiego nauczyć. Są samolubni i małostkowi, i z całej trójki Mags stara się najbardziej. Moim problemem nie jest to, że powieść nie przedstawia ich przyjaźni jak czegoś wyjętego z epizodu "My Little Pony". Ba, podobał mi się moment, w którym Mags wybuchnął i wyrzucił im w twarz, co jest nie w porządku w ich zachowaniu. Chociaż za mało wygarnął Bearowi, że ten jest pasywno-agresywnym dupkiem i ugh, Bear jest najgorszy, niech go zamkną na tej wsi, nie dbam o niego. Tego rodzaju calloutowanie ludzi rzadko pojawia się u Lackey, bo u niej ludzie Dojrzewają I Widzą Swoje Błędy Sami Z Siebie (bo to się tak często zdarza). Nie podoba mi się to, że Lena i Bear praktycznie doprowadzili Magsa do samobójstwa, a potem to rozeszło się po kościach. Że Mags ich przepraszał za to, co im wygarnął, chociaż należało im się. To oni powinni przepraszać. Bardzo. I nie liczyć na przebaczenie. Mags powinien znaleźć sobie lepszych przyjaciół. Końcówka powieści to ostra emocjonalna jazda i nie byłam na to gotowa.
Więc to było wyczerpujące, ale też w sumie podoba mi się to, że Lackey tworzy tak niedoskonałych bohaterów, bo to jednak coś, co rzadko u niej czytałam. Wiem też, że angst się u niej pojawia, ale nie podoba mi się wykorzystanie myśli samobójczych jako chwytu fabularnego, bo to tylko o to chodziło w tym wątku, nie było tam nic o emocjonalnym rozwoju postaci. Koniec powieści jest bardzo gwałtowny (znowu byłam pewna, że brakuje mi stron w ebooku) i niczego nie rozwiązuje, na pewno nie napięcia, które powstało pomiędzy bohaterami. Ron, Harry i Hermiona mieli swoje kłótnie, ale w większości były lepiej pisane i miały więcej sensu i nikt nie uciekał przez nie z Hogwartu, żeby się zabić. Innymi słowy, jestem nie tylko rozczarowana, jestem trochę zniesmaczona. Chcę doczytać serię dalej, ale muszę zrobić sobie przerwę, bo nie wiem, czy zniosę czytanie o Lenie i Bearze w tym momencie. Naprawdę mnie wkurzyli.
Czy w powieści było coś fajnego? Traktowana po macoszemu intryga szpiegowska była miła. Podoba mi się to, że główny zły ma ciąg myślowy osób, które nie lubią powieści Lackey, tj. "Valdemar to kraina zamieszkała przez mięczaków żyjących w perwersyjnych związkach z własnymi końmi!". Jak wspomniałam, podobało mi się, jak Bear i Lena usłyszeli kilka słów o swoim gówniarskim zachowaniu. Nie podoba mi się, że to wyraźna wersja Pottera w świecie Valdemaru i że fabuła jest tak mocno niekonkluzywna. W zasadzie mamy dokładnie to samo rozwiązanie, co w poprzednim tomie i zaczynam się bać, że seria nie wykazuje tendencji do rozwoju. Jeśli będę czytać dalej to tylko po to, aby dowiedzieć się, kim są rodzice Magsa. Czytałam siłą rozpędu z pewnym zaciekawieniem, ale im więcej myślę o powieści po jej odłożeniu, tym mniej mi się podoba.
February 16, 2020
I like it.
I like Mags and especially Dallen a lot.
I like the day to day descriptions of living in the (newly founded) Collegium and the training and playing of Kirball.
I love that Mags can just meet the King while the King slips into the Companion stable to bring his Companion a pocket pie.
I like the overall plot with the assassin and what Mags has to go through after the visions of the Foreseer because it led to friendship and loyalty between the team.
The accident? OMG. My heart broke for Mags and I'm sad and angry about what his friends did then.
Mags following Temper and dropping his shield in order to save the Companions and especially Dallen? OMG.
I'm still not fond of the written accent of Mags and the others. Makes it a bit difficult to read it for me.
So, yeah, I really like it and I'm so curious about the overall plot of these books.
I like Mags and especially Dallen a lot.
I like the day to day descriptions of living in the (newly founded) Collegium and the training and playing of Kirball.
I love that Mags can just meet the King while the King slips into the Companion stable to bring his Companion a pocket pie.
I like the overall plot with the assassin and what Mags has to go through after the visions of the Foreseer because it led to friendship and loyalty between the team.
The accident? OMG. My heart broke for Mags and I'm sad and angry about what his friends did then.
Mags following Temper and dropping his shield in order to save the Companions and especially Dallen? OMG.
I'm still not fond of the written accent of Mags and the others. Makes it a bit difficult to read it for me.
So, yeah, I really like it and I'm so curious about the overall plot of these books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
still having the best time!
November 23, 2010
As always, I'm quite happy to delve back into Lackey's Valdemar, complete with Heralds, Companions, Bards, Healers and bad guys. Intrigues is a follow-on to Foundation, in which we're introduced to Mags, an orphan/slave who was Chosen by Dallen, his Companion; plucked from the horrid conditions of the mine and sent to live at the Collegium and undergo Heraldic training. Mags has to bear the double burden of not feeling like he belongs and trying to catch up in his studies.
It's been a long while since I read Foundation, but within the first few pages of Intrigues I was comforted enough by the memory of the first book to read this book without issues. It seems that some of the drama in this book is a hold-over from what happened in the first book (which I can't quite remember), but you're given enough information to avoid having to stop and re-read the first book over.
I adore Lackey's characters, and this vibrant world she has created. There were about 15 other things I should've done this evening, but I don't regret for one instant ignoring them all and staying up to read this book, cover to cover. With this series, Lackey provides yet another extremely satisfying window into Valdemar, and I'm already anxious for Book 3.
It's been a long while since I read Foundation, but within the first few pages of Intrigues I was comforted enough by the memory of the first book to read this book without issues. It seems that some of the drama in this book is a hold-over from what happened in the first book (which I can't quite remember), but you're given enough information to avoid having to stop and re-read the first book over.
I adore Lackey's characters, and this vibrant world she has created. There were about 15 other things I should've done this evening, but I don't regret for one instant ignoring them all and staying up to read this book, cover to cover. With this series, Lackey provides yet another extremely satisfying window into Valdemar, and I'm already anxious for Book 3.
November 1, 2011
I find myself wavering here. If I could give 2.5 stars, I think I would.
The beginning and middle were good. It put me in mind of Harry Potter a little bit, how he had to deal with suspicion and continue his studies as best he can while learning a new sports game. Potter was more sociable than Mags, though. And then it went off the rails when tragedy struck.
I didn't mind the tragedy, nor the ensuing fights. They actually brought tears to my eyes, honestly. But how is everything forgiven so easily in two pages or less? Bear ripped into Mags twice, once because of his own problems and frustrations, and never even says "Sorry." Instead Mags is the one apologizing. I'm still confused as to why. And Mags yelled at Lena so she obviously deserves an apology. But Bear was a d**k.
Also, when did Lena become such a chump? She's after daddy's approval again by the end of the book. Didn't the boys have this talk with her already? Did someone cast a magical Spell of Forgetting, is it something psychological, or is hope springing eternal yet again?
Yes, I am going to read the sequel.
The beginning and middle were good. It put me in mind of Harry Potter a little bit, how he had to deal with suspicion and continue his studies as best he can while learning a new sports game. Potter was more sociable than Mags, though. And then it went off the rails when tragedy struck.
I didn't mind the tragedy, nor the ensuing fights. They actually brought tears to my eyes, honestly. But how is everything forgiven so easily in two pages or less? Bear ripped into Mags twice, once because of his own problems and frustrations, and never even says "Sorry." Instead Mags is the one apologizing. I'm still confused as to why. And Mags yelled at Lena so she obviously deserves an apology. But Bear was a d**k.
Also, when did Lena become such a chump? She's after daddy's approval again by the end of the book. Didn't the boys have this talk with her already? Did someone cast a magical Spell of Forgetting, is it something psychological, or is hope springing eternal yet again?
Yes, I am going to read the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2011
The last half of this book was excellent. The beginning good. The middle sucked.
Mainly: Too much kirball. I began to loathe that game. At first, there wasn't enough description so I could even picture what was happening. It seemed like Misty was being sketchy of the details because she didn't want to be copying another famous game that shall not be named. And there was all this talk of the dangerous game field, yet during every game, it seemed like the terrain never came into play.
And speaking of the dangerous field. WTF? How is putting them all at danger a good training exercise? I can understand if the came was just with Companions, but with regular horses? And foot players? Seriously?
And a minor nitpick: Get a better editor. There were spelling mistakes that didn't even make a different word. Any processor with a spell check would have gotten them.
Once the plot and action picked up, things improved for the good. Thankfully. But the damage was already done.
Mainly: Too much kirball. I began to loathe that game. At first, there wasn't enough description so I could even picture what was happening. It seemed like Misty was being sketchy of the details because she didn't want to be copying another famous game that shall not be named. And there was all this talk of the dangerous game field, yet during every game, it seemed like the terrain never came into play.
And speaking of the dangerous field. WTF? How is putting them all at danger a good training exercise? I can understand if the came was just with Companions, but with regular horses? And foot players? Seriously?
And a minor nitpick: Get a better editor. There were spelling mistakes that didn't even make a different word. Any processor with a spell check would have gotten them.
Once the plot and action picked up, things improved for the good. Thankfully. But the damage was already done.
June 7, 2013
I like Lackey's writing in general. The constant, recurring theme of desperate trouble which only one (or a few) people can solve, using their unique gifts/powers/talents, can get a little old. I do understand the need to motivate young people to work hard, use what they have, and believe in themselves, however, so that there are at least forty? books out there that stress that over and over is not a bad thing, and certainly not when paired with the idea of being accepting of others and their beliefs, no matter who they are/were or where they come from. This is a good addition to the Valdemar series, and I do also like the continued current emphasis on heroes who are not well-born. If it is too pat, well, it had to end sometime, and there sounds like another book coming.
February 6, 2012
One of the reasons I liked this book as much as I did is because it varies from the typical "down and out apprentice wins over his colleagues and teachers and is a huge success" story.
Mags comes under suspicion of the college when farseekers have a vision of a death and the king with Mags present. Everyone thinks he is responsible for the death of the king and the pressure on Mags mounts to the point that he makes some bad decisions and hurts himself and those around him.
Mags comes under suspicion of the college when farseekers have a vision of a death and the king with Mags present. Everyone thinks he is responsible for the death of the king and the pressure on Mags mounts to the point that he makes some bad decisions and hurts himself and those around him.
July 9, 2019
Re-read 2019
More on the life of Mags, the small boy raised as a slave in a mine, who was rescued when he became a Herald for Valdemar. This book has more training as both a Herald and a Spy, some time with friends, a maybe just a bit too much Kirball. Still very enjoyable and a great way to take a break from college assignments for a few hours.
More on the life of Mags, the small boy raised as a slave in a mine, who was rescued when he became a Herald for Valdemar. This book has more training as both a Herald and a Spy, some time with friends, a maybe just a bit too much Kirball. Still very enjoyable and a great way to take a break from college assignments for a few hours.
July 25, 2023
These are candy for my brain. Or popcorn? Something light and easy to consume, anyway. And possibly feel a little guilty about afterwards?
October 4, 2024
Not one of Lackey's best efforts. I love the Valdemar series, it is (as many others have said) a "comfort food" kind of read. I know that it isn't classic literature, but it is a warm, comfortable place to return to when you want some light, happy-ending kind of reading.
Unfortunately, this book has a lot of problems:
- We don't get much at all about how the training of Heralds has changed even though this is supposed to be the era that bridges the individual training style shown in the Vanyel series and the classroom-based training style that was shown in the Talia series.
- The main character (Mags) is engaging enough, but goes from a pretty even-keeled person to suicidal in the matter of pages.
- I absolutely HATEHATEHATESTABBITYHATE how Mags' supposed best friends, Bear and Lena, turn on him without any apparent provocation at all! Especially Bear! Mags saved his LIFE in the previous book, and now Bear turns on him just because Mags can't magically pull strings and get Bear's family to stop threatening to make him return home? Mega-LAME!
- Lena has no character whatsoever. She did, at one point, but it has disappeared into the ether. Now she is so one-dimensional (not even two-dimensional) that it makes me sad. Even after she's finally been told what everyone has been wanting to say about her relationship with her father, it is like that never happened. She reverts to "Daddy is perfect and if I do enough things for him he'll love me someday." mode at the very end again. VERY frustrating.
- How in the world could the entire Collegium just forget about something as popular as Kirball? I know a lot have compared it to Quidditch, and I can see how they can think that, but to me it was just a re-hash of Hurlee with some of the obstacle course scenes from The Black Gryphon mashed in. Either way, it was completely unnecessary to the story and if she is using it to foreshadow that there will be a war in the third installment, it was an incredibly clumsy job of it.
- The plot seems as though it was just thrown together because the publishers wanted this to be another trilogy and Lackey didn't want to write it. I would rather she stop writing Valdemar books than continue to do such a poor job of it. The entire Collegium would not turn against a Herald whose Companion vouched for him. Healers and Heralds would NOT ignore a Trainee whose Companion had been injured. Mags' Hurlee team....er, I mean, Kirball team...had been there for him the entire time and now, when he needs them most we don't see hide nor hair of them. Nor do we see anything of the adults who have figured so prominently in his life since he came to the Collegium. That does NOT jibe with anything we have seen in ANY other book about the Heralds.
I will probably get the third book in the series and read it, but right now I am not holding out high hopes for the quality. I hope that Lackey finds her joy in this world again, because right now what I'm reading is the writing of someone who is just putting words on paper, not someone who loves the world that they've created and wants to share it with others.
Unfortunately, this book has a lot of problems:
- We don't get much at all about how the training of Heralds has changed even though this is supposed to be the era that bridges the individual training style shown in the Vanyel series and the classroom-based training style that was shown in the Talia series.
- The main character (Mags) is engaging enough, but goes from a pretty even-keeled person to suicidal in the matter of pages.
- I absolutely HATEHATEHATESTABBITYHATE how Mags' supposed best friends, Bear and Lena, turn on him without any apparent provocation at all! Especially Bear! Mags saved his LIFE in the previous book, and now Bear turns on him just because Mags can't magically pull strings and get Bear's family to stop threatening to make him return home? Mega-LAME!
- Lena has no character whatsoever. She did, at one point, but it has disappeared into the ether. Now she is so one-dimensional (not even two-dimensional) that it makes me sad. Even after she's finally been told what everyone has been wanting to say about her relationship with her father, it is like that never happened. She reverts to "Daddy is perfect and if I do enough things for him he'll love me someday." mode at the very end again. VERY frustrating.
- How in the world could the entire Collegium just forget about something as popular as Kirball? I know a lot have compared it to Quidditch, and I can see how they can think that, but to me it was just a re-hash of Hurlee with some of the obstacle course scenes from The Black Gryphon mashed in. Either way, it was completely unnecessary to the story and if she is using it to foreshadow that there will be a war in the third installment, it was an incredibly clumsy job of it.
- The plot seems as though it was just thrown together because the publishers wanted this to be another trilogy and Lackey didn't want to write it. I would rather she stop writing Valdemar books than continue to do such a poor job of it. The entire Collegium would not turn against a Herald whose Companion vouched for him. Healers and Heralds would NOT ignore a Trainee whose Companion had been injured. Mags' Hurlee team....er, I mean, Kirball team...had been there for him the entire time and now, when he needs them most we don't see hide nor hair of them. Nor do we see anything of the adults who have figured so prominently in his life since he came to the Collegium. That does NOT jibe with anything we have seen in ANY other book about the Heralds.
I will probably get the third book in the series and read it, but right now I am not holding out high hopes for the quality. I hope that Lackey finds her joy in this world again, because right now what I'm reading is the writing of someone who is just putting words on paper, not someone who loves the world that they've created and wants to share it with others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2012
Intrigues is the second book in The Collegium Chronicles. It follows the character Mags as he takes his place in the Heralds Collegium, a school where the Chosen go to learn to be Heralds. This should mark the end of serious drama in Mags's life, but the three Collegia are in a state of change and all is not well in the capitol city of Haven.
.
Intrigues is a novel that any fan of Valdemar is happy to read. That being said, it was mediocre at best. The story line was very familiar, as it has been seen numerous times in the Valdemar series. The characters are tepid and whiney and the whole thing smacks of a younger target audience, unlike her previous works. The addition of Kirball was distressing as it seems to be a take-off of Quidditch. The problem with this, one of them, is that The Collegium Chronicles are set before The Heralds of Valdemar trilogy where Kirball is not played, or even referenced. Now, the assumption is that the sport's disappearance will be explained somehow so that it falls into line with the Valdemarean novels that come after the Chronicles. However, it reads as a tedious filler that jars with the already established (in previously written, if chronologically later, Valdemar novels) practices of the Collegia. I'm sure many will disagree with me on this, but I found it puzzling and uninspired. I hope Kirball does not play such a big role in the third installment.
Overall, I would say that Intrigues is neither good, nor bad. If you are a fan of Valdemar, then I would suggest reading it, but don't expect much. The bar was set with The Heralds of Valdemar and The Last Herald-Mage trilogies, of which, so far, The Collegium Chronicles do not even come close.
.
Intrigues is a novel that any fan of Valdemar is happy to read. That being said, it was mediocre at best. The story line was very familiar, as it has been seen numerous times in the Valdemar series. The characters are tepid and whiney and the whole thing smacks of a younger target audience, unlike her previous works. The addition of Kirball was distressing as it seems to be a take-off of Quidditch. The problem with this, one of them, is that The Collegium Chronicles are set before The Heralds of Valdemar trilogy where Kirball is not played, or even referenced. Now, the assumption is that the sport's disappearance will be explained somehow so that it falls into line with the Valdemarean novels that come after the Chronicles. However, it reads as a tedious filler that jars with the already established (in previously written, if chronologically later, Valdemar novels) practices of the Collegia. I'm sure many will disagree with me on this, but I found it puzzling and uninspired. I hope Kirball does not play such a big role in the third installment.
Overall, I would say that Intrigues is neither good, nor bad. If you are a fan of Valdemar, then I would suggest reading it, but don't expect much. The bar was set with The Heralds of Valdemar and The Last Herald-Mage trilogies, of which, so far, The Collegium Chronicles do not even come close.
October 23, 2014
3.5 stars
Reread megathon part 2 peeps (for part 1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... that's my review)
Mags is settling in, he's got friends, he's happy and warm and fed, the dodgy mercenaries scarpered, woo hoo! There's a new complicated sports game he's getting involved in that's making him popular, he's helping out the King's Own with important matters then KAPOW! He finds from looking into his background he's foreign born and there's a bad premonition involving foreigners and the king. So of course now he's being suspected. Then the mercenaries turn up but he's not off the hook, meanwhile Bear has family problems as does Lena.
There's some pretty upsetting and sad parts in this book - of course I can cry at some of the Siren-bookstrand fluff romances, so, not really saying much there! However Mags' depression is well-portrayed; I find it believable that someone of his background would quickly and easily spiral down into such a situation, especially with Dallen temporarily unable to communicate effectively to prevent it. And once blocking and cut off naturally he'd be numb and unaware. I will say I thought that it was more for Lena to apologise than Mags following their reconciliation. Both her and Bear were clearly projecting externalised feelings onto Mags, but again, in real life it probably would fall to someone other than the over emotional Lena type character.
Reread megathon part 2 peeps (for part 1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... that's my review)
Mags is settling in, he's got friends, he's happy and warm and fed, the dodgy mercenaries scarpered, woo hoo! There's a new complicated sports game he's getting involved in that's making him popular, he's helping out the King's Own with important matters then KAPOW! He finds from looking into his background he's foreign born and there's a bad premonition involving foreigners and the king. So of course now he's being suspected. Then the mercenaries turn up but he's not off the hook, meanwhile Bear has family problems as does Lena.
There's some pretty upsetting and sad parts in this book - of course I can cry at some of the Siren-bookstrand fluff romances, so, not really saying much there! However Mags' depression is well-portrayed; I find it believable that someone of his background would quickly and easily spiral down into such a situation, especially with Dallen temporarily unable to communicate effectively to prevent it. And once blocking and cut off naturally he'd be numb and unaware. I will say I thought that it was more for Lena to apologise than Mags following their reconciliation. Both her and Bear were clearly projecting externalised feelings onto Mags, but again, in real life it probably would fall to someone other than the over emotional Lena type character.
April 6, 2014
I feel that "Intrigues" could be classified, along with "Foundation", as a young adult novel. Whether this is a recent trend for Lackey, or just something I have noticed having been a long time fan (I first started reading Lackey's stories when I was 13) and now a mature (!) adult (according to my drivers license lol), I couldn't say. The writing is once again beautiful, drawing the reader back into the world of Valdemar, and is one of the reasons I quite happily keep returning to Lackey's works.
These books would be ones to read for comfort, and for the familiarity of revisiting old friends, rather then for deep and meaningful prose. The storyline is relatively uncomplicated, with unsubtle 'bad guys' (be they 'evil', or just plain self-centred, rude and arrogant) whose motives and/or motivations are clearly spelled out for the reader. I wasn't too fond of Mags' so called friends Bear and Lena this time around, and found my distinct dislike of them detracting a bit from the flow of the story. Whilst everything can't, and shouldn't, be all roses and puppies, I felt that their behaviour seemed to be out of character for the characters they have thus far been conveyed to be, and thus represented a jarring and frustrating note in an otherwise enjoyable, engrossing and diverting read.
These books would be ones to read for comfort, and for the familiarity of revisiting old friends, rather then for deep and meaningful prose. The storyline is relatively uncomplicated, with unsubtle 'bad guys' (be they 'evil', or just plain self-centred, rude and arrogant) whose motives and/or motivations are clearly spelled out for the reader. I wasn't too fond of Mags' so called friends Bear and Lena this time around, and found my distinct dislike of them detracting a bit from the flow of the story. Whilst everything can't, and shouldn't, be all roses and puppies, I felt that their behaviour seemed to be out of character for the characters they have thus far been conveyed to be, and thus represented a jarring and frustrating note in an otherwise enjoyable, engrossing and diverting read.
February 25, 2021
Upon reflection, Intrigues carries a lot of parallels to Magic's Pawn, the first book in The Last Herald Mage trilogy featuring Vanyel Ashkevron, as well as Take a Thief, featuring Skif, and Exile's Valor, featuring Alberich. This is a boon for a reader familiar with Lackey's Valdemar universe. However, I can imagine this might also frustrate Valdemar fans as very little in this book felt truly new.
Mags and Dallen, his Companion, really establish themselves in Intrigues. They were only getting to know each other in Foundation. Now they obviously have a much deeper relationship. Their banter often had me laughing aloud.
I struggled with a major plot point of Intrigues. Thanks to Mags making a throw-away comment that he's of foreign birth he is suddenly under suspicion by… the whole Collegium? Sure, perhaps the Bard Trainees would buy into it. But the Healer Trainees are too busy (and boring, by Lackey's descriptions) and the Herald Trainees all have Companions who know better. It just… felt forced.
Once I finished reading Intrigues, I immediately wanted to keep reading. Like with Foundation, Lackey has left enough bread crumbs to keep me wanting to follow. There is plenty of mystery left to solve as Mags and his friends continue to grow into full-fledged members of their communities. I look forward to seeing where Lackey takes this story next.
Mags and Dallen, his Companion, really establish themselves in Intrigues. They were only getting to know each other in Foundation. Now they obviously have a much deeper relationship. Their banter often had me laughing aloud.
I struggled with a major plot point of Intrigues. Thanks to Mags making a throw-away comment that he's of foreign birth he is suddenly under suspicion by… the whole Collegium? Sure, perhaps the Bard Trainees would buy into it. But the Healer Trainees are too busy (and boring, by Lackey's descriptions) and the Herald Trainees all have Companions who know better. It just… felt forced.
Once I finished reading Intrigues, I immediately wanted to keep reading. Like with Foundation, Lackey has left enough bread crumbs to keep me wanting to follow. There is plenty of mystery left to solve as Mags and his friends continue to grow into full-fledged members of their communities. I look forward to seeing where Lackey takes this story next.
December 28, 2010
Here's what I think she was thinking when she wrote this book: "Hm...I like that Rowlings lady's books. That Quidditch sure is a good idea. I know, I'll write a series that is pretty much like the best selling series I've ever written, but with QUIDDITCH! Oh, wait. I have to call it something else, don't I? Uh...how about Kirball? YES!"
In a nutshell...bah. And If I notice that the third in this series comes out,I'll probably still read it. Sigh. Such is the nature of series. Even mediocre ones that try to live of the glory of their forbearers.
In a nutshell...bah. And If I notice that the third in this series comes out,I'll probably still read it. Sigh. Such is the nature of series. Even mediocre ones that try to live of the glory of their forbearers.
Read
March 26, 2011Used to love Lackey's books, but everything she's written for at least the last decade is formulaic as hell. Is it that her writing's changed, become less fresh? Or is it that I've grown past enjoying reading about angsty teenagers with magic horses?
Ah well.
Lackey's style is still straightforward and very readable, but this has basically the same plot as her last few. Same slow beginning, same angst-ridden subplots in the middle, same rushed ending.
Only this time, there's Quidditch.
Well, that's new. I guess.
Ah well.
Lackey's style is still straightforward and very readable, but this has basically the same plot as her last few. Same slow beginning, same angst-ridden subplots in the middle, same rushed ending.
Only this time, there's Quidditch.
Well, that's new. I guess.
March 6, 2020
3.75 stars. Too much detail spent on the wrong (mundane) scenes. I skimmed heavily.
February 10, 2021
Warning, does not contain intrigues, nor is it very intriguing.
Series Thoughts
Only memorable for out of character cruelty between friends, this second volume doesn't improve what is overall the worst series in Valdemar I've read. It poorly tries to imitate and capitalize off of Harry Potter. If your looking for a thorough exploration and expansion of canon in the time period of shifting to the new education style and the loss of magic knowledge you won't find it here. However, there are enough positive reviews that at least suggest that if you are a reader who is not picky about details, consistency, or canon that you may enjoy it as just another romp in Valdemar. I certainly don't recommend it be anyone's first adventure there though.
Overall Thoughts
A continuation of the disappointments and problems of the first installment. This second volume feels like it should have been the end of volume one since it at least more fully resolves the major plot lines. Taken together, vol 1&2 form the equivalent to one volume in another Valdemar series. This has really only cinched my opinion that the Collegium Chronicles are an attempt to capitalize on the Harry Potter phenomenon and a poor attempt at that. As with the first, I can still only recommend this series for die-hard Valdemar fans who want to read everything no matter the quality, or for fans who are not really concerned about the details or tight storytelling and don't mind the plot being drizzled out over multiple books. I would not recommend this be anyone's first adventure into Valdemar though.
Quick Content Warnings
Fatphobia: moderate, Sexism: minor, Racism: lack of diversity/foreigners are bad guys/slightly below average for lackey books etc, Queerphobia: minor, Ableism: minor/calling depression cowardice etc. some violence and abuse including involving children, less than typical for genre mentions of sexual abuse etc., some suicidal ideation.
More Detail
This is apparently my second time reading this book. Apparently I read almost the whole series and it left so little impression on me that I don't remember doing so, which is rare for Valdemar books.
This book manages to bring Mags's story to near the level of development, and conclusion that one volume in another series like Vanyel's or Talia's would. It picks up directly after the first book and again the whole book takes place in a matter of weeks, yet somehow it seems Mags has improved his spying skills by at least a years worth of practice and development or more, the learning of which continues to not be shown. We learn more about the rules of sportsball and the obstacle course than we do about Mags's training in spycraft. Mags also seems to put on and shed trauma and depression as easily as the rags he wore at the beginning of book 1, they come away with the slightest tug and all is well again with no lasting effects.
The story continues to beg comparison to Talia, Skif, and even Vanyel and continues to suffer for it. The adults in this book are even more absent or incompetent than they are with Talia and Vanyel with fewer good reasons. In both of their stories, eventually adults realize the problems, apologize, and correct for them. That never happens in this book. Not even his friends or mentor take accountability for their poor actions. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, the treatment by the heralds and trainees in general really erodes the values and mindsets that Lackey has spent all her other books building up. All of this was some of the most unbelievable things for me since time and again in Valdemar books accountability from good characters and learning from mistakes has been something that routinely happens and is valued.
Consistency is a problem in all of Lackey's books, and other reviewers have pointed many things out, but usually it isn't so glaring or frequent to really interrupt my enjoyment or suspension of disbelief, but this series continues to do so. The whole story feeling too modern continues and gets really bad in this installment, especially when modern soccer/football is described as being a big thing that exists. Soccer in the form described did not exist until the 1900s. I am entirely baffled at why it was even mentioned when it has no relevance and is a great hinderance to the suspension of disbelief, especially when more time-period appropriate versions of it did exist and could have been used to much better effect. The sportsball of choice (Kirball) feature heavily in this book is like capture the flag, polo, and rugby all mashed together, but at least that's more believable. Even kirball feels like it's just padding though, and apparently it stopped existing by the time other books in Valdemar happen. I guess that could happen over the hundreds of years, but really it just seems like she wanted the equivalent to quidditch and to have a high enough wordcount. It's a shame it wasn't spent with more interesting lessons in spycraft or even on the changes of and their effects on collegia, since it’s supposed to be a huge deal and the basis of the story being in this time period. That too is barely mentioned in this book.
Some of the worst of these issues were things like
I think this book may have made me more aggravated than the first about the social plots even though it managed to wrap up the plot into a more satisfying conclusion. Well... onwards to book three and another rant in the next review! XD
Content Warnings For Isms
Lackey books are problematic favs. While I enjoy these books, it is good to be able to recognize and criticize their issues. Here's a bit about what I've noticed and can verbalize with a few notes for this specific book.
Fatphobia: All of Lackey's books that I've read (Valdemar, Elemental, Bardic Voices) pretty much always have fatphobic content. No matter how "progressive" other of her views are, she apparently has no issue with fatphobia and it repeatedly crops up. Generally any character that is fat or overweight is a villain, bully, or otherwise despicable character and pretty much all comments about weight are the stereotypical bs of equating weight to morality.
Sexism: Lackey's books do support feminism and sex positivity, but they are subject to shortfalls. The feminism isn't very intersectional and overlooks areas that are often so subtle as to go unnoticed because they're so built in to the culture. I'm not talking about characters displaying attitudes that are specifically shown to be thought of as ignorant or bad etc. I'm talking about narration, comments/thoughts from supposedly feminist characters, etc. There's things like liberal and frequent use of the term female/females to describe women and sometimes there's some weird upholding of gender roles while happily trying to tear other parts of those structures down.
Racism: While I think this book has less than the average Valdemar book, this is another big issue with Lackey's books. Valdemar seems very.... pale. The Valdemar works seem to fall prey to the standard fantasy trope of white-washed European middle ages and the various types of racism found in such. I don't think there's ever been a brown or black herald, which when they wear all white, ride white horses, and run around saving everyone seems rather problematic. (And in this series there are rumors about "black heralds and black companions" as being evil inverse versions of them.) Outside of the country's borders there are other peoples and cultures that are obviously based on real peoples and cultures. Some of them are probably more respectful than others, but frankly I'm sure some are really bad. There's probably a lot better said on google about the various problematic tropes used in her books such as Magical Indians, White Saviors, and her Bardic Voices books being wholly built around g*psy tropes.
Queerphobia: This is pretty minor in this particular book, I can't remember specifics, only that a time or two I noted it. Generally all of Lackey's books I've read are very LG friendly. Unfortunately, as is the case with too many things, they are not the most BTQIA+ friendly. You're most likely to run into transphobia, biphobia, erasure, and just a complete lack of other identities. This is particularly saddening for my queer/bi/trans adult self since Vanyel's series was literally my first experience with anything depicting queerness positively as a so-deeply-closeted-I-didn't-know raised evangelical teen.
Ableism: While Valdemar books have had some pretty decent depictions of the affects of mental health issues and such, they suffer from some common ableism. There's some, but not much disability and neurodiversity representation, and unfortunately often there is equating mental health issues with moral shortcomings and the whole "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" attitude about it. You see things like saying that mental illness doesn't make a person violent and then calling the very violent villains insane. At least in this series there is a side character who is lame and uses mobility aids and is the love interest for the main character. In this particular book the characters entirely reasonable reaction to how he is being treated and the depression and hurt and anger he feels is treated as cowardice and him giving into the dark side that everyone has.
My Reviews Of Other Books In This Series:
Foundation (#1)
Changes (#3)
Redoubt (#4)
Series Thoughts
Only memorable for out of character cruelty between friends, this second volume doesn't improve what is overall the worst series in Valdemar I've read. It poorly tries to imitate and capitalize off of Harry Potter. If your looking for a thorough exploration and expansion of canon in the time period of shifting to the new education style and the loss of magic knowledge you won't find it here. However, there are enough positive reviews that at least suggest that if you are a reader who is not picky about details, consistency, or canon that you may enjoy it as just another romp in Valdemar. I certainly don't recommend it be anyone's first adventure there though.
Overall Thoughts
A continuation of the disappointments and problems of the first installment. This second volume feels like it should have been the end of volume one since it at least more fully resolves the major plot lines. Taken together, vol 1&2 form the equivalent to one volume in another Valdemar series. This has really only cinched my opinion that the Collegium Chronicles are an attempt to capitalize on the Harry Potter phenomenon and a poor attempt at that. As with the first, I can still only recommend this series for die-hard Valdemar fans who want to read everything no matter the quality, or for fans who are not really concerned about the details or tight storytelling and don't mind the plot being drizzled out over multiple books. I would not recommend this be anyone's first adventure into Valdemar though.
Quick Content Warnings
Fatphobia: moderate, Sexism: minor, Racism: lack of diversity/foreigners are bad guys/slightly below average for lackey books etc, Queerphobia: minor, Ableism: minor/calling depression cowardice etc. some violence and abuse including involving children, less than typical for genre mentions of sexual abuse etc., some suicidal ideation.
More Detail
This is apparently my second time reading this book. Apparently I read almost the whole series and it left so little impression on me that I don't remember doing so, which is rare for Valdemar books.
This book manages to bring Mags's story to near the level of development, and conclusion that one volume in another series like Vanyel's or Talia's would. It picks up directly after the first book and again the whole book takes place in a matter of weeks, yet somehow it seems Mags has improved his spying skills by at least a years worth of practice and development or more, the learning of which continues to not be shown. We learn more about the rules of sportsball and the obstacle course than we do about Mags's training in spycraft. Mags also seems to put on and shed trauma and depression as easily as the rags he wore at the beginning of book 1, they come away with the slightest tug and all is well again with no lasting effects.
The story continues to beg comparison to Talia, Skif, and even Vanyel and continues to suffer for it. The adults in this book are even more absent or incompetent than they are with Talia and Vanyel with fewer good reasons. In both of their stories, eventually adults realize the problems, apologize, and correct for them. That never happens in this book. Not even his friends or mentor take accountability for their poor actions. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, the treatment by the heralds and trainees in general really erodes the values and mindsets that Lackey has spent all her other books building up. All of this was some of the most unbelievable things for me since time and again in Valdemar books accountability from good characters and learning from mistakes has been something that routinely happens and is valued.
Consistency is a problem in all of Lackey's books, and other reviewers have pointed many things out, but usually it isn't so glaring or frequent to really interrupt my enjoyment or suspension of disbelief, but this series continues to do so. The whole story feeling too modern continues and gets really bad in this installment, especially when modern soccer/football is described as being a big thing that exists. Soccer in the form described did not exist until the 1900s. I am entirely baffled at why it was even mentioned when it has no relevance and is a great hinderance to the suspension of disbelief, especially when more time-period appropriate versions of it did exist and could have been used to much better effect. The sportsball of choice (Kirball) feature heavily in this book is like capture the flag, polo, and rugby all mashed together, but at least that's more believable. Even kirball feels like it's just padding though, and apparently it stopped existing by the time other books in Valdemar happen. I guess that could happen over the hundreds of years, but really it just seems like she wanted the equivalent to quidditch and to have a high enough wordcount. It's a shame it wasn't spent with more interesting lessons in spycraft or even on the changes of and their effects on collegia, since it’s supposed to be a huge deal and the basis of the story being in this time period. That too is barely mentioned in this book.
Some of the worst of these issues were things like
I think this book may have made me more aggravated than the first about the social plots even though it managed to wrap up the plot into a more satisfying conclusion. Well... onwards to book three and another rant in the next review! XD
Content Warnings For Isms
Lackey books are problematic favs. While I enjoy these books, it is good to be able to recognize and criticize their issues. Here's a bit about what I've noticed and can verbalize with a few notes for this specific book.
Fatphobia: All of Lackey's books that I've read (Valdemar, Elemental, Bardic Voices) pretty much always have fatphobic content. No matter how "progressive" other of her views are, she apparently has no issue with fatphobia and it repeatedly crops up. Generally any character that is fat or overweight is a villain, bully, or otherwise despicable character and pretty much all comments about weight are the stereotypical bs of equating weight to morality.
Sexism: Lackey's books do support feminism and sex positivity, but they are subject to shortfalls. The feminism isn't very intersectional and overlooks areas that are often so subtle as to go unnoticed because they're so built in to the culture. I'm not talking about characters displaying attitudes that are specifically shown to be thought of as ignorant or bad etc. I'm talking about narration, comments/thoughts from supposedly feminist characters, etc. There's things like liberal and frequent use of the term female/females to describe women and sometimes there's some weird upholding of gender roles while happily trying to tear other parts of those structures down.
Racism: While I think this book has less than the average Valdemar book, this is another big issue with Lackey's books. Valdemar seems very.... pale. The Valdemar works seem to fall prey to the standard fantasy trope of white-washed European middle ages and the various types of racism found in such. I don't think there's ever been a brown or black herald, which when they wear all white, ride white horses, and run around saving everyone seems rather problematic. (And in this series there are rumors about "black heralds and black companions" as being evil inverse versions of them.) Outside of the country's borders there are other peoples and cultures that are obviously based on real peoples and cultures. Some of them are probably more respectful than others, but frankly I'm sure some are really bad. There's probably a lot better said on google about the various problematic tropes used in her books such as Magical Indians, White Saviors, and her Bardic Voices books being wholly built around g*psy tropes.
Queerphobia: This is pretty minor in this particular book, I can't remember specifics, only that a time or two I noted it. Generally all of Lackey's books I've read are very LG friendly. Unfortunately, as is the case with too many things, they are not the most BTQIA+ friendly. You're most likely to run into transphobia, biphobia, erasure, and just a complete lack of other identities. This is particularly saddening for my queer/bi/trans adult self since Vanyel's series was literally my first experience with anything depicting queerness positively as a so-deeply-closeted-I-didn't-know raised evangelical teen.
Ableism: While Valdemar books have had some pretty decent depictions of the affects of mental health issues and such, they suffer from some common ableism. There's some, but not much disability and neurodiversity representation, and unfortunately often there is equating mental health issues with moral shortcomings and the whole "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" attitude about it. You see things like saying that mental illness doesn't make a person violent and then calling the very violent villains insane. At least in this series there is a side character who is lame and uses mobility aids and is the love interest for the main character. In this particular book the characters entirely reasonable reaction to how he is being treated and the depression and hurt and anger he feels is treated as cowardice and him giving into the dark side that everyone has.
My Reviews Of Other Books In This Series:
Foundation (#1)
Changes (#3)
Redoubt (#4)
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March 24, 2017Even though the storm and the foreigners have passed there is still trouble. Mags has been looking for more information about his parents when he finds something. His parents were captured by bandits and were unknown to the Guards. This means that he is foreign blood and a possible danger, although Dallen knows Mags is no such thing. But there are things that have made him doubt, the foretellers have had visions of one with foreign blood standing over the King with blood on their hands. This makes Mags and his friends very uneasy and upset by all of the people who think Mags might be a traitor. All this time, the Compainions and Heralds have been feeling a murderous presence and they do not know the cause.
This is a very good book to read if you enjoyed the first book Foundation. It is a great next book in the series and ties in very nicely with the first plot.
This is a very good book to read if you enjoyed the first book Foundation. It is a great next book in the series and ties in very nicely with the first plot.
November 24, 2022
i love mags
February 11, 2023
Fun, often heartwarming story. I am really enjoying this series and the others which take place in Valdemar.
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