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Valdemar: The Herald Spy #3
Closer to the Chest
New York Times-bestselling author Mercedes Lackey's Herald Spy series, set in the beloved fantasy world of Valdemar
Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar’s Herald-Spy, has been developing a clandestine network of young informants who operate not only on the streets of the capital city of Haven, but also in the Great Halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. In his own established alternate personas, Mags observes the Court and the alleys alike, quietly gathering information to keep Haven and the Kingdom safe.
His wife Amily, is growing into her position as the King’s Own Herald, though she is irritated to encounter many who still consider her father, Herald Nikolas, to be the real King’s Own. Nonetheless, she finds it increasingly useful to be underestimated, for there are dark things stirring in the shadows of Haven and up on the Hill.
Someone has discovered many secrets of the women of the Court and the Collegia—and is using those secrets to terrorize and bully them. Someone is targeting the religious houses of women, too, leaving behind destruction and obscene ravings.
But who? Someone at the Court? A disgruntled Palace servant? One of the members of the Collegia? Someone in the patriarchal sect of the god Sethor? Could the villain be a woman? And what is this person hoping to achieve? It isn’t blackmail, for the letters demand nothing; the aim seems to be the victims’ panic and despair. But why?
Mags and Amily take steps to minimize the damage while using both magic and wits to find the evildoer. But just as they appear to be on the verge of success, the letter-writer tires of terror and is now out for blood.
Mags and Amily will have to track down someone who leaves few clues behind and thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly—before terror turns to murder.
Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar’s Herald-Spy, has been developing a clandestine network of young informants who operate not only on the streets of the capital city of Haven, but also in the Great Halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. In his own established alternate personas, Mags observes the Court and the alleys alike, quietly gathering information to keep Haven and the Kingdom safe.
His wife Amily, is growing into her position as the King’s Own Herald, though she is irritated to encounter many who still consider her father, Herald Nikolas, to be the real King’s Own. Nonetheless, she finds it increasingly useful to be underestimated, for there are dark things stirring in the shadows of Haven and up on the Hill.
Someone has discovered many secrets of the women of the Court and the Collegia—and is using those secrets to terrorize and bully them. Someone is targeting the religious houses of women, too, leaving behind destruction and obscene ravings.
But who? Someone at the Court? A disgruntled Palace servant? One of the members of the Collegia? Someone in the patriarchal sect of the god Sethor? Could the villain be a woman? And what is this person hoping to achieve? It isn’t blackmail, for the letters demand nothing; the aim seems to be the victims’ panic and despair. But why?
Mags and Amily take steps to minimize the damage while using both magic and wits to find the evildoer. But just as they appear to be on the verge of success, the letter-writer tires of terror and is now out for blood.
Mags and Amily will have to track down someone who leaves few clues behind and thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly—before terror turns to murder.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2016
270 people are currently reading
2100 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,545 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 287 reviews
November 17, 2016
Got somewhat determinedly preachy in spots--Rolan reminding Amily that there is no "one true way" in Valdemar, the constant repetitions of "we think the person writing all these hateful obscene letters to women and trashing shops owned by women and burning woman-shaped effigies is a man, but in fairness, it could be a woman"--but there is 99% less Kirball, and multiple people actually do things as opposed to sitting around talking about them.
Also, please have more Companion Seraf, let her Choose Lirelle and have scholar-Herald adventures.
Also, please have more Companion Seraf, let her Choose Lirelle and have scholar-Herald adventures.
October 3, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me this book to review.
Closer to the Chest is a very enjoyable book which goes at a variable pace which starts off slow and builds to a crescendo by the end. The story can be a bit predictable as it follows the outline of many other Mercedes Lackey books, it does not mean it is any less enjoyable for that.
My favourite character is Nicholas, because whilst most Heralds are meant to be practically perfect, Nicholas shows that they still have some human foibles. The villains are a new one, and it can be predictable because you know that they're going to be beaten however it is always interesting to find out how they lose, and why they're doing this.
I enjoyed Closer to the Chest and would recommend it to readers of the earlier Magsseries and readers of other Mercedes Lackey books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Closer to the Chest is a very enjoyable book which goes at a variable pace which starts off slow and builds to a crescendo by the end. The story can be a bit predictable as it follows the outline of many other Mercedes Lackey books, it does not mean it is any less enjoyable for that.
My favourite character is Nicholas, because whilst most Heralds are meant to be practically perfect, Nicholas shows that they still have some human foibles. The villains are a new one, and it can be predictable because you know that they're going to be beaten however it is always interesting to find out how they lose, and why they're doing this.
I enjoyed Closer to the Chest and would recommend it to readers of the earlier Magsseries and readers of other Mercedes Lackey books.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
May 13, 2025
These books are so weird because I love them, and I'm shelving them as favorites, but they're still just three-star books for the most part. The thing is, I love the world and the characters so much. Like I already purchased the next Mags and Amily series, so I have it whenever I'm ready to read it, but at the same time, the books are slightly boring. I find myself looking ahead to see when things are going to pick up. They do, but in this case, it was within the last 20-30 pages. The whole book before that is just very slow for really no reason. I also was disappointed with the reveal in this one again. Like books 1 and 2, this is a standalone, really. The conflict is completely new and different though there are threads that tie this book with the first two in the series. You really could just read this book and not feel too lost or confused. I feel like the reveals need to be more complex and shocking. There is no surprise--it's just, "Oh, that's what happened."
All that being said, I really do love Valdemar and want to read more about Mags and Amily, so in that sense, these books are favorites, and I've enjoyed all 8 Mags books so far. I only recommend this series if you've already read The Collegium Chronicles and find it enjoyable. If you don't, you likely won't enjoy this series.
Oh, also, the Stone that Mags talks with in the first series comes back up in this series, and I really liked that addition in Collegium, so I enjoyed it here, too. I looked it up to find out more about it, and realizing what it is and how complex the world is, I can finally understand why Valdemar fans don't like the Mags books. They seem very simple and stripped down compared to the world-building in the original series. However, I think that's part of the point as the world itself has changed so drastically, so it shows how simple everything has become in and around Haven since all that chaos. I still am surprised at how layered Lackey's world really was, and I am definitely intrigued about it and want to read the original series.
All that being said, I really do love Valdemar and want to read more about Mags and Amily, so in that sense, these books are favorites, and I've enjoyed all 8 Mags books so far. I only recommend this series if you've already read The Collegium Chronicles and find it enjoyable. If you don't, you likely won't enjoy this series.
Oh, also, the Stone that Mags talks with in the first series comes back up in this series, and I really liked that addition in Collegium, so I enjoyed it here, too. I looked it up to find out more about it, and realizing what it is and how complex the world is, I can finally understand why Valdemar fans don't like the Mags books. They seem very simple and stripped down compared to the world-building in the original series. However, I think that's part of the point as the world itself has changed so drastically, so it shows how simple everything has become in and around Haven since all that chaos. I still am surprised at how layered Lackey's world really was, and I am definitely intrigued about it and want to read the original series.
October 8, 2016
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review, which was first posted on book blog Will Read for Feels.
***Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Any release of an all-new book set in Valdemar is cause for celebration in my book, and Closer to the Chest, book 3 in the Herald Spy series, is no exception. Valdemar is Mercedes Lackey’s fantasy kingdom where spirit-horses called Companions pair up with humans, called Heralds, and together not only ensure the safety and supremacy of the government and their overarching law (“There is no one true way”) but preserve the integrity of the nation.
In this book, newlywed Heralds Mags and Amily find themselves facing an altogether different sort of intrigue. Rather than the game of preemption and prevention they’re used to–especially given that both Mags and Amily’s father are spies–they must investigate a set of crimes and attempt to stop the perpetrator (or perpetrators) before they can escalate from mayhem to murder.
I relished the challenges put to the characters in this volume of the Herald Spy series because Mags and Amily found they had to employ a new way of thinking, focus on playing detective rather than spy, even as they worked to adjust to their newly married state.
This second aspect of the challenge they faced was a bit subtle but I liked how, because they were married now, their relationship problems stemmed from trying to find ways to make each other happy or at least avoid making each other unhappy rather than from working to stay together despite everything that might keep them apart. They ARE together, as is plain to see, and that brings an entirely new set of challenges in the love department. Of course, our heroes hurdle them beautifully.
As far as the big mystery goes, I think I would’ve liked a teensy bit more intrigue, but that’s just because I enjoy it when a book keeps me guessing. Apart from this point, though, I don’t have much to complain about.
In fact, one thing I really enjoyed was how relevant the story was to this day and age, so if I had a child in elementary or middle school I would put this book into their hands immediately, just because the way the book tackles the issues of women’s rights, bullying, and victim-shaming are something that could stir open and critical thinking in people who are still forming their ideas about the world and their place in it.
Closer to the Chest was another win for Mercedes Lackey, reinforcing my fandom and leaving me wishing I didn’t have to wait another several months for the next installation in this series.
***Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Any release of an all-new book set in Valdemar is cause for celebration in my book, and Closer to the Chest, book 3 in the Herald Spy series, is no exception. Valdemar is Mercedes Lackey’s fantasy kingdom where spirit-horses called Companions pair up with humans, called Heralds, and together not only ensure the safety and supremacy of the government and their overarching law (“There is no one true way”) but preserve the integrity of the nation.
In this book, newlywed Heralds Mags and Amily find themselves facing an altogether different sort of intrigue. Rather than the game of preemption and prevention they’re used to–especially given that both Mags and Amily’s father are spies–they must investigate a set of crimes and attempt to stop the perpetrator (or perpetrators) before they can escalate from mayhem to murder.
I relished the challenges put to the characters in this volume of the Herald Spy series because Mags and Amily found they had to employ a new way of thinking, focus on playing detective rather than spy, even as they worked to adjust to their newly married state.
This second aspect of the challenge they faced was a bit subtle but I liked how, because they were married now, their relationship problems stemmed from trying to find ways to make each other happy or at least avoid making each other unhappy rather than from working to stay together despite everything that might keep them apart. They ARE together, as is plain to see, and that brings an entirely new set of challenges in the love department. Of course, our heroes hurdle them beautifully.
As far as the big mystery goes, I think I would’ve liked a teensy bit more intrigue, but that’s just because I enjoy it when a book keeps me guessing. Apart from this point, though, I don’t have much to complain about.
In fact, one thing I really enjoyed was how relevant the story was to this day and age, so if I had a child in elementary or middle school I would put this book into their hands immediately, just because the way the book tackles the issues of women’s rights, bullying, and victim-shaming are something that could stir open and critical thinking in people who are still forming their ideas about the world and their place in it.
Closer to the Chest was another win for Mercedes Lackey, reinforcing my fandom and leaving me wishing I didn’t have to wait another several months for the next installation in this series.
April 23, 2025
Closer to the Chest continues Lackey’s Herald Spy series, and it left me with mixed feelings. On the positive side, I enjoyed spending more time with Mags and Amily, and seeing Amily take an increasingly active role as a Herald. And Lackey is a pretty good storyteller, balancing action with details that immerse you into the world and the characters’ experiences.
But the negatives almost outweighed the positives for me. For one thing, the book delivers a timely but heavy-handed message about patriarchy, mysogyny, the misuse of religion, and the role of women. I agree with her in large part, though I lack her cynicism about religion, but it’s not necessary to practically bludgeon your reader with your point.
The other thing that really bothered me is the story’s internal logic is questionable. An inordinate number of people are let into the secret that Mags is both a Herald and a spy… this despite several explicit reiterations of the adage “two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.” If just one of them chose to betray him, or were captured and tortured, Mags’s undercover identity would be compromised and his life could be in danger, yet he doesn’t hesitate to trust quite a few people with the knowledge.
Finally, the book, or rather this trilogy, introduces a major series inconsistency. Rolan, the Companion to the Monarch’s Own, can mindspeak to Amily, who doesn’t have human-to-human mindspeech. Her Gift (animal mindspeech) isn’t as strong as Talia’s empathic Gift in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy. Yet somehow Rolan can mindspeak to Amily when he is bonded to her, but not to Talia when, centuries later, he is Talia’s Companion? That’s the sort of inconsistency that drives me nuts as a reader. I realize it’s hard to keep things consistent in a series written over several decades, but Talia’s inability to hear Rolan’s thoughts is pretty significant in the Talia series (which was written first), so it’s irritating to see that Lackey breaks with her own canon here.
I haven’t given up on Lackey, and I enjoyed this third book in the trilogy almost as much as I did the second book (and more than the first one.) But I do miss the earlier Lackey, whose books had a bit more meat and depth and (I suspect) better editing than I’ve seen in the last 10 years or so.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher; I also bought a copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
But the negatives almost outweighed the positives for me. For one thing, the book delivers a timely but heavy-handed message about patriarchy, mysogyny, the misuse of religion, and the role of women. I agree with her in large part, though I lack her cynicism about religion, but it’s not necessary to practically bludgeon your reader with your point.
The other thing that really bothered me is the story’s internal logic is questionable. An inordinate number of people are let into the secret that Mags is both a Herald and a spy… this despite several explicit reiterations of the adage “two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.” If just one of them chose to betray him, or were captured and tortured, Mags’s undercover identity would be compromised and his life could be in danger, yet he doesn’t hesitate to trust quite a few people with the knowledge.
Finally, the book, or rather this trilogy, introduces a major series inconsistency. Rolan, the Companion to the Monarch’s Own, can mindspeak to Amily, who doesn’t have human-to-human mindspeech. Her Gift (animal mindspeech) isn’t as strong as Talia’s empathic Gift in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy. Yet somehow Rolan can mindspeak to Amily when he is bonded to her, but not to Talia when, centuries later, he is Talia’s Companion? That’s the sort of inconsistency that drives me nuts as a reader. I realize it’s hard to keep things consistent in a series written over several decades, but Talia’s inability to hear Rolan’s thoughts is pretty significant in the Talia series (which was written first), so it’s irritating to see that Lackey breaks with her own canon here.
I haven’t given up on Lackey, and I enjoyed this third book in the trilogy almost as much as I did the second book (and more than the first one.) But I do miss the earlier Lackey, whose books had a bit more meat and depth and (I suspect) better editing than I’ve seen in the last 10 years or so.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher; I also bought a copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
July 31, 2018
I find myself really frustrated with the Herald-Spy books. Mags feels like a watered-down version of Skif-mixed-with-Alberich, making me wish for stories of Alberich and Myste working together in Haven, or even Kerowyn taking up Alberich's network of contacts. Amily is plot-expedient, but she doesn't seem as interesting as a King's Own as Talia did. One character's favorite food feels like a cartoonish catch-phrase.
But what really makes me sit back and question if the same author who wrote the Last Herald-Mage is writing these books is how heteronormative everything is. For all that this book is exploring "gurlz rool, they can do anything!", I find myself waiting to see an explicit pair of female lovers in one of the religious orders. Or a girl attacked on the basis of her loving other girls. There's a mention of Tylendel that brushes past with no mention of his relationship with Vanyel, but nothing so open and clear as Keren and Ylsa's love.
And this bothers me a lot, as someone who learned that queer was a thing they could be from the Vanyel books. As someone who grew up with Talia and her lesbian mentor-figures. Is this an attempt to court a more mainstream audience? I don't know, but it's a definite part of why Valdemar's motto of "there is no one true way" doesn't sit as neatly with me in the Mags books. Because from what's being shown 'on-screen', it seems there now is: straight romance only.
But what really makes me sit back and question if the same author who wrote the Last Herald-Mage is writing these books is how heteronormative everything is. For all that this book is exploring "gurlz rool, they can do anything!", I find myself waiting to see an explicit pair of female lovers in one of the religious orders. Or a girl attacked on the basis of her loving other girls. There's a mention of Tylendel that brushes past with no mention of his relationship with Vanyel, but nothing so open and clear as Keren and Ylsa's love.
And this bothers me a lot, as someone who learned that queer was a thing they could be from the Vanyel books. As someone who grew up with Talia and her lesbian mentor-figures. Is this an attempt to court a more mainstream audience? I don't know, but it's a definite part of why Valdemar's motto of "there is no one true way" doesn't sit as neatly with me in the Mags books. Because from what's being shown 'on-screen', it seems there now is: straight romance only.
March 3, 2018
This book fit the pattern of Ms. Lackey's "recent" Valdemar books perfectly - she takes a story from another book or play (not written by her), transports it into Valdemar, gives it enough twists and differences to avoid actual allegations of copying, does a great deal of preaching, makes several editorial mistakes, does only a very little character development, does a *lot of obvious and long-winded plot development, builds to a climax that is all over far too quickly with no denoument, and leaves the reader wondering where the last chapter is.
Yet I keep reading them, and vaguely enjoying them. And as long as we all keep reading them because we are nostalgic for the old Valdemar books, Ms. Lackey will keep churning them out, just like this, and we'll keep reading them, and she'll keep writing them, and . . . . So, we are at an impasse, and I'm not entirely certain that I mind.
Yet I keep reading them, and vaguely enjoying them. And as long as we all keep reading them because we are nostalgic for the old Valdemar books, Ms. Lackey will keep churning them out, just like this, and we'll keep reading them, and she'll keep writing them, and . . . . So, we are at an impasse, and I'm not entirely certain that I mind.
April 1, 2017
So disappointing. The story was bland and slow. It was easy to read in that the way it was written wasn't an impediment i.e. the sentences weren't too long or complicated. After awhile though I realized I was really bored, waiting for something of interest to happen. I almost gave up but because I'd read the first two in the trilogy I didn't want to give up on this one.
Again, the story was so-so at best. It was more of a young adult book than an adult book. There was nothing that wasn't suitable for teens. There was no sense of danger because it is pretty clear none of the major characters are going to die or suffer permanent injury.
On the plus side I really liked Mags way of speaking. He doesn't speak like any other Herald portrayed in the other Valdemar books, or at least I don't think so. He clearly was uneducated, unpolished. And he retains elements of that in that he continues to speak that way even as a Herald though he can speak more correctly when he tries. For me this dialect (I guess that's what you call it) was not difficult to get used to and wasn't an annoyance but helped cement the character.
As far as how this book rates in the trilogy I'd say the 1st one was the best followed by this one and then the 2nd. But as a Lackey series it ranks toward the bottom. At least I was interested enough to read them so that's something.
I can only recommend them if you're really bored, like Mags or like to read every Lackey book no matter what.
One thing that I noticed in the 2nd book but didn't mention and it was more heavy handed in this last book is the author's stance on Christianity. It seems clear to me that she targets Christianity more than any other religion because she paraphrases the bible (or so I recall). Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions? I don't think so.
In the 2nd book it's made clear that "there is no one way" religion-wise. This is not a real surprise because I think this view was clear as far back as the Vanyel books (Magic's Price, etc.) but it was vaguely, briefly uncomfortable in the 2nd book because of a few pages and way too heavy handed in this one. The villains in this book are religious fanatics of a Christian fundamentalist-on-steroids point of view. Don't get me wrong, I think the point of view (extreme) needs to be discouraged/put down. But in the book it seemed that any Christianity is wrong/bad and that bothered me. All religions that believe in "one true way" are intolerant, but if you believe that there is no one true way and are intolerant of religions that disagree than that seems to be okay, according to the book.
I couldn't find the passages that really bothered me, sorry. I skimmed back as far as page 200 and couldn't find them. Oh well, it might not even be something you notice. If you read the books you can decide for yourself if it's an issue or not.
So, go ahead and read the books if you want, but don't say I didn't warn you that they were bland and slow and written as if the author was on auto-pilot.
Again, the story was so-so at best. It was more of a young adult book than an adult book. There was nothing that wasn't suitable for teens. There was no sense of danger because it is pretty clear none of the major characters are going to die or suffer permanent injury.
On the plus side I really liked Mags way of speaking. He doesn't speak like any other Herald portrayed in the other Valdemar books, or at least I don't think so. He clearly was uneducated, unpolished. And he retains elements of that in that he continues to speak that way even as a Herald though he can speak more correctly when he tries. For me this dialect (I guess that's what you call it) was not difficult to get used to and wasn't an annoyance but helped cement the character.
As far as how this book rates in the trilogy I'd say the 1st one was the best followed by this one and then the 2nd. But as a Lackey series it ranks toward the bottom. At least I was interested enough to read them so that's something.
I can only recommend them if you're really bored, like Mags or like to read every Lackey book no matter what.
One thing that I noticed in the 2nd book but didn't mention and it was more heavy handed in this last book is the author's stance on Christianity. It seems clear to me that she targets Christianity more than any other religion because she paraphrases the bible (or so I recall). Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions? I don't think so.
In the 2nd book it's made clear that "there is no one way" religion-wise. This is not a real surprise because I think this view was clear as far back as the Vanyel books (Magic's Price, etc.) but it was vaguely, briefly uncomfortable in the 2nd book because of a few pages and way too heavy handed in this one. The villains in this book are religious fanatics of a Christian fundamentalist-on-steroids point of view. Don't get me wrong, I think the point of view (extreme) needs to be discouraged/put down. But in the book it seemed that any Christianity is wrong/bad and that bothered me. All religions that believe in "one true way" are intolerant, but if you believe that there is no one true way and are intolerant of religions that disagree than that seems to be okay, according to the book.
I couldn't find the passages that really bothered me, sorry. I skimmed back as far as page 200 and couldn't find them. Oh well, it might not even be something you notice. If you read the books you can decide for yourself if it's an issue or not.
So, go ahead and read the books if you want, but don't say I didn't warn you that they were bland and slow and written as if the author was on auto-pilot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2017
I enjoy Ms. Lackey's series ever since the first book about Herald Talia.
And I really enjoy Mags and Co.
However, I admit to be a trifle disturbed/perplexed by how closely this particular book follows the plot of Dorothy L Sayers's most famous work Gaudy Night: Lord Peter Wimsey Book 12, down to the discussion of the Poison Pen, discussions of whether or not the servants could be responsible, burning effigies in the yard, and debates about the position of women in society and whether someone is a "womanly woman." It is bit too close for comfort, even though it certainly is given its own twist set in this world.
Nonetheless it is still a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Update: Upon a re-read I still enjoyed it as a part of the series, but the blatant re-telling of Sayer's Gaudy Night, re-told in Valdemar is still annoying.
And I really enjoy Mags and Co.
However, I admit to be a trifle disturbed/perplexed by how closely this particular book follows the plot of Dorothy L Sayers's most famous work Gaudy Night: Lord Peter Wimsey Book 12, down to the discussion of the Poison Pen, discussions of whether or not the servants could be responsible, burning effigies in the yard, and debates about the position of women in society and whether someone is a "womanly woman." It is bit too close for comfort, even though it certainly is given its own twist set in this world.
Nonetheless it is still a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Update: Upon a re-read I still enjoyed it as a part of the series, but the blatant re-telling of Sayer's Gaudy Night, re-told in Valdemar is still annoying.
January 9, 2019
It's like watching old 80's cartoons on Netflix. Nostalgia only, at this point. Not bad, not good. Just Valdemar.
November 13, 2016
Mercedes Lackey seems to be running out of really good fodder for her Valdemar series. Lately her books have been less than stellar - good enough for fans but with too much contrivance to be excellent. I enjoy them still, but not as much as her earlier stuff.
She's really milking this character for all he's worth - this is the eighth book starring Mags, the orphan boy who was Chosen to be a Herald and who eventually becomes a spy for the king. A bit of a Gary Stu but not enough to be overly annoying, Mags in this volume deals with a more mundane problem than in previous books - instead of a threat to the kingdom from a foreign nation, he is investigating an anonymous writer of poison pen letters targeted at women, who gradually escalates his activity to attacks on them. It makes a nice change from the "preventing the end of the world as we know it" type of story.
It's a blatantly political statement on misogyny, feminism, and women's rights, which is all well and good for a young adult audience. What I'm a bit skeptical about is the setting in which she places this story, as this happens in an earlier time in the history of Valdemar, which to me seems a little out of place. But over the years she's changed Valdemar so much in order to fit her stories in that it really requires more suspension of disbelief than it used to to enjoy them. Still, for longtime fans she retains the core of what we love about the world, so I give this 3.5 stars, though I would round down instead of up.
She's really milking this character for all he's worth - this is the eighth book starring Mags, the orphan boy who was Chosen to be a Herald and who eventually becomes a spy for the king. A bit of a Gary Stu but not enough to be overly annoying, Mags in this volume deals with a more mundane problem than in previous books - instead of a threat to the kingdom from a foreign nation, he is investigating an anonymous writer of poison pen letters targeted at women, who gradually escalates his activity to attacks on them. It makes a nice change from the "preventing the end of the world as we know it" type of story.
It's a blatantly political statement on misogyny, feminism, and women's rights, which is all well and good for a young adult audience. What I'm a bit skeptical about is the setting in which she places this story, as this happens in an earlier time in the history of Valdemar, which to me seems a little out of place. But over the years she's changed Valdemar so much in order to fit her stories in that it really requires more suspension of disbelief than it used to to enjoy them. Still, for longtime fans she retains the core of what we love about the world, so I give this 3.5 stars, though I would round down instead of up.
October 20, 2020
Ah I love this universe. I've loved every book set in it that I've read, which is most of them. I desperately want a Companion. Mags is a very interesting character to follow. This was a good mystery story even if it was a bit obvious who the bad guys were. I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 4, 2016
Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book wasn't as fast-paced as most Valdemar novels. It was still interesting and kept my attention, but if you love the ones full of action, this book is more in the line of intrigue. Mags, Amily and a number of their friends from the last book, spend most of this book hunting a bully.
You know exactly who is responsible from the beginning, but finding enough evidence to prove it takes most of the book. I liked getting to see how Mags and Amily were settling into their roles. I also liked that we got to see more of Prince Sedric.
There was another scene with Haven's Heartstone, and I'm really hoping that if there are more books in this era of Valdemar, that they finally start learning what it is and how to use it. Instead of going to it as almost an afterthought, or when in the middle of a crisis.
One thing that irked me slightly, is that there is a discussion about Amily getting one of Lady Dia's mastiffs for protection from the Poison Pen letter writer. And she says she will talk to Dia about it the next day. But then there is no more mention of it, and no dog appears except the muff-dogs the courtiers own. Not sure if it was forgotten about or if it was forgotten by the characters or what.
I liked Lirelle and her siblings, they were very smart and it would be fun to read more about them. And for once, Mags was not kidnapped or held hostage!
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book wasn't as fast-paced as most Valdemar novels. It was still interesting and kept my attention, but if you love the ones full of action, this book is more in the line of intrigue. Mags, Amily and a number of their friends from the last book, spend most of this book hunting a bully.
You know exactly who is responsible from the beginning, but finding enough evidence to prove it takes most of the book. I liked getting to see how Mags and Amily were settling into their roles. I also liked that we got to see more of Prince Sedric.
There was another scene with Haven's Heartstone, and I'm really hoping that if there are more books in this era of Valdemar, that they finally start learning what it is and how to use it. Instead of going to it as almost an afterthought, or when in the middle of a crisis.
One thing that irked me slightly, is that there is a discussion about Amily getting one of Lady Dia's mastiffs for protection from the Poison Pen letter writer. And she says she will talk to Dia about it the next day. But then there is no more mention of it, and no dog appears except the muff-dogs the courtiers own. Not sure if it was forgotten about or if it was forgotten by the characters or what.
I liked Lirelle and her siblings, they were very smart and it would be fun to read more about them. And for once, Mags was not kidnapped or held hostage!
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
July 25, 2020
Disappointing end to this sequence of books. Primarily in that Lackey is just...better than this?
Here's the real problem: these books are part of a trilogy, but there's very little linking them together other than Mags and Amily. There's not a strong threat joining them all together, which really hurts the coherence of the books and makes them rather forgettable. But the biggest flaw in this particular volume is just how poorly done the "mystery" of who is behind the blackmail, bullying, and vandalism that forms the heart of it.
I'm sorry, but this one was staggeringly obvious. I'm not usually the greatest at the whodunits and I could see this all coming a million miles away, which made it a very frustrating read watching the leads stumble around from incident to incident without putting it together for page upon page upon page made for a dreary slog. If it had been structured around the concept of "we know who did it, but how do we prove it?" it might have worked...but that's not what we have here.
I'm very fond of the Heralds of Valdemar, but this one is for completionists or devout fans of Mags/Amily only.
Meh. Feels like Lackey just churned this one out with very little passion or creativity behind the writing. When someone who is such a proven craftsman makes such a giant story botch like this, it's a real downer.
Lackey is still skilled enough of a writer to keep it from being a total waste of time...but barely. If someone wanted to argue for reducing the score by another star, I'm not sure I'd have a lot of ammo to fire back with. I'm pretty sure I landed at two because a) I'm a bit of a soft touch, and b) residual fondness for the series. Because this just isn't up to her standard.
Bummer.
Here's the real problem: these books are part of a trilogy, but there's very little linking them together other than Mags and Amily. There's not a strong threat joining them all together, which really hurts the coherence of the books and makes them rather forgettable. But the biggest flaw in this particular volume is just how poorly done the "mystery" of who is behind the blackmail, bullying, and vandalism that forms the heart of it.
I'm sorry, but this one was staggeringly obvious. I'm not usually the greatest at the whodunits and I could see this all coming a million miles away, which made it a very frustrating read watching the leads stumble around from incident to incident without putting it together for page upon page upon page made for a dreary slog. If it had been structured around the concept of "we know who did it, but how do we prove it?" it might have worked...but that's not what we have here.
I'm very fond of the Heralds of Valdemar, but this one is for completionists or devout fans of Mags/Amily only.
Meh. Feels like Lackey just churned this one out with very little passion or creativity behind the writing. When someone who is such a proven craftsman makes such a giant story botch like this, it's a real downer.
Lackey is still skilled enough of a writer to keep it from being a total waste of time...but barely. If someone wanted to argue for reducing the score by another star, I'm not sure I'd have a lot of ammo to fire back with. I'm pretty sure I landed at two because a) I'm a bit of a soft touch, and b) residual fondness for the series. Because this just isn't up to her standard.
Bummer.
December 29, 2016
ML is the only author whose books I order in hardback as soon as they are released, but I find that with each successive Mags book I am waiting longer before I read them....because I am finding each to be less interesting than the last. Very disappointing- where have the characters such as Vanyel, Kero, and Karal gone to?? Why are the bad guys so one dimensional and so unnecessary to the story that we don't even meet them face-to-face until the last 20 pages of the book (after our heroes spend 350 pages trying to convince themselves that the members of the new in town misogynistic religion might actually be the ones writing nasty letters to women)??
I still want to live in Valdemar as I love the world ML has created (I don't think I'm brave enough to be Chosen, but then again I am fully as nearsighted and un-athletic as Myste and look where she ended up:-) but I am very ready to be done with Mags and move onto another storyline.
I still want to live in Valdemar as I love the world ML has created (I don't think I'm brave enough to be Chosen, but then again I am fully as nearsighted and un-athletic as Myste and look where she ended up:-) but I am very ready to be done with Mags and move onto another storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2016
There was only one thing wrong with this book but it was kind of a big one. The author introduced the villain and his motivations first thing before they even introduced the victims and crimes. So it was obvious from the beginning who the culprit or culprits were. But our clever heroes and heroines didn't even consider the obvious villains for almost 200 pages. Even if they discounted him/them they should have at least considered them. It was SO obvious. Once they did they still made up ridiculous and bogus reasons for why the suspects didn't fit.
March 27, 2022
The third in the Herald Spy series which deals with two of my all time favourite characters in Mags and Amily.
I was a bit disappointed as something was missing from these two amazing characters as they seemed to be a shadow of themselves.
The story itself was interesting and dealt with many of the wondrous things that always happens in Valdemar. it just had something missing and really is a 3.5 star read.
I am looking forward to more of these characters and can't wait to see what's next.
I was a bit disappointed as something was missing from these two amazing characters as they seemed to be a shadow of themselves.
The story itself was interesting and dealt with many of the wondrous things that always happens in Valdemar. it just had something missing and really is a 3.5 star read.
I am looking forward to more of these characters and can't wait to see what's next.
October 11, 2016
The pacing was much better in this one, I feel. It still wrapped up a little rapidly, and the foreshadowing was super heavy, making this one (again) feel like YA. Maybe they are, and I've mis-read the target audience.
I mean, it's more books in a world I love, but I'd like something that feels a little more grown up.
I mean, it's more books in a world I love, but I'd like something that feels a little more grown up.
December 5, 2016
This is the worst Valdemar book I have read and it was so bad I gave up half way through.
I was just so annoyed that they are conducting an investigation which has a newly arrived group that absolutely screams they are guilty and until I had given up on the book they had not even considered them.
I was just so annoyed that they are conducting an investigation which has a newly arrived group that absolutely screams they are guilty and until I had given up on the book they had not even considered them.
December 12, 2016
I had a dream that I pulled out Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers to reread it... but all the characters had been replaced with Valdemar people... then I realised I wasn't dreaming, just reading this book lol.
April 21, 2017
An agreeable addition with a few twists, some new characters and same old favorites.
July 23, 2022
I love that she’s tackling toxic masculinity and the worst of the men’s rights and the repulsive incel issue.
She’s always had great female and lgbt characters, but extra respect right now
She’s always had great female and lgbt characters, but extra respect right now
May 15, 2018
I wrote the same review for all three novels of this series. I actually liked these books. The writing is lousy, explaining why I didn’t read this writer for so long, but the stories are interesting. They kept me reading till the end.
What I didn’t like:
Too much moralizing and explaining, as if all the readers are fools and need all the pontifications they can get from the writer. If Ms. Lackey cut off all her preaching and explanations, the books would’ve been much shorter and much better.
Also I didn’t like the phonetic speech. The hero, Mags, speaks with an atrocious accent, and the author feels it is necessary to spell out each of his word as spoken, with lots of apostrophes between the letters. As a result, half the text is written in such a mangled English, it made me want to hit something.
What I did like:
Closer to Home
There are two interwoven stories in this novel. One is about two young Heralds, Mags and Amily, loving each other and doing their jobs. It’s OK, sweet but banal. Another, a much more interesting story is a rendition of Romeo and Juliet, which is a rather more realistic version than the Shakespearean one. While the silly girl Violetta is almost a facsimile of Juliet, her lover is anything but Romeo. No lovelorn beau or romantic ideal, this guy Brand. He is a villainous antagonist the story revolves around. He makes this novel fascinating, provides all the conflict and all the spice, deceives everyone, and changes everything around him. A revolting fellow, really, and a sociopath, but he makes the nice characters even nicer in comparison.
Closer to the Heart
Someone is trying to start a war between Valdemar and one of its neighboring kingdoms. Amily and Mags are trying to find this agent of chaos and stop him before it is too late.
Closer to the Chest
Someone is sending nasty letters to the ladies of the court and to female Heralds and Trainees. Several shops owned by women in the city and a couple of religious women orders are vandalized. Although nobody is being killed or hurt physically, yet, women are terrified. The culprit (or culprits) obviously hates all females, but he is clever and resourceful. Nobody knows who he is. Amily and Mags are trying to find out.
All three books are structurally cozy mysteries. The heroes, Mags and Amily, are a pair of Heralds of Valdemar. They are married and in love, but they also are doing their jobs, keeping the kingdom of Valdemar safe. When a problem arises, they investigate, find the bad guy, and stop him. Searching for clues is a slow business, so all three books move slowly. All three books share the same flaws (see above), but the stories seem interesting, the bad guys clever and intriguing, different from book to book, and my wish to discover the culprits kept me following the heroes to the last page.
What I didn’t like:
Too much moralizing and explaining, as if all the readers are fools and need all the pontifications they can get from the writer. If Ms. Lackey cut off all her preaching and explanations, the books would’ve been much shorter and much better.
Also I didn’t like the phonetic speech. The hero, Mags, speaks with an atrocious accent, and the author feels it is necessary to spell out each of his word as spoken, with lots of apostrophes between the letters. As a result, half the text is written in such a mangled English, it made me want to hit something.
What I did like:
Closer to Home
There are two interwoven stories in this novel. One is about two young Heralds, Mags and Amily, loving each other and doing their jobs. It’s OK, sweet but banal. Another, a much more interesting story is a rendition of Romeo and Juliet, which is a rather more realistic version than the Shakespearean one. While the silly girl Violetta is almost a facsimile of Juliet, her lover is anything but Romeo. No lovelorn beau or romantic ideal, this guy Brand. He is a villainous antagonist the story revolves around. He makes this novel fascinating, provides all the conflict and all the spice, deceives everyone, and changes everything around him. A revolting fellow, really, and a sociopath, but he makes the nice characters even nicer in comparison.
Closer to the Heart
Someone is trying to start a war between Valdemar and one of its neighboring kingdoms. Amily and Mags are trying to find this agent of chaos and stop him before it is too late.
Closer to the Chest
Someone is sending nasty letters to the ladies of the court and to female Heralds and Trainees. Several shops owned by women in the city and a couple of religious women orders are vandalized. Although nobody is being killed or hurt physically, yet, women are terrified. The culprit (or culprits) obviously hates all females, but he is clever and resourceful. Nobody knows who he is. Amily and Mags are trying to find out.
All three books are structurally cozy mysteries. The heroes, Mags and Amily, are a pair of Heralds of Valdemar. They are married and in love, but they also are doing their jobs, keeping the kingdom of Valdemar safe. When a problem arises, they investigate, find the bad guy, and stop him. Searching for clues is a slow business, so all three books move slowly. All three books share the same flaws (see above), but the stories seem interesting, the bad guys clever and intriguing, different from book to book, and my wish to discover the culprits kept me following the heroes to the last page.
October 8, 2024
This book is one that my husband and I listened to together on our adventures together in the car and such.
It’s a series we have listened to before but I never documented so I’m doing so now lol
I really enjoyed this book and how it wrapped up the series and also hinted at the future.
I adored seeing Amalie come into her own as a full adult, a Harold, and Kings Own as well.
I also liked how she got to learn from her father by example and any questions she may have had that Roland (the Kings Own Companion) may not have been able to fully answer.
Mags having to go undercover at the Sethor temple was so icky for him but how that was wrapped up was GLORIOUS! Truth spells under coercion for the win! 😂
This gem was narrated by Nick Podehl and sometimes you would believe it’s more than one as he is so talented at altering his voice for certain characters. He is the dream for Fantasy books!
It’s a series we have listened to before but I never documented so I’m doing so now lol
I really enjoyed this book and how it wrapped up the series and also hinted at the future.
I adored seeing Amalie come into her own as a full adult, a Harold, and Kings Own as well.
I also liked how she got to learn from her father by example and any questions she may have had that Roland (the Kings Own Companion) may not have been able to fully answer.
Mags having to go undercover at the Sethor temple was so icky for him but how that was wrapped up was GLORIOUS! Truth spells under coercion for the win! 😂
This gem was narrated by Nick Podehl and sometimes you would believe it’s more than one as he is so talented at altering his voice for certain characters. He is the dream for Fantasy books!
June 8, 2023
Wow what a unfortunate ending to the series.
The theme of "man hates woman" in this book was too much for me. It was the same 4 lines about over and over for 360 pages. Snore.
The issues our protagonists faced seemed forced and I hope it isn't a representation of what's to come because the Herald Spy series really drained me. So much so that I will be taking a break from Lackey.
The biggest issue I have with Lackey is the fact that in 80% of her books, the action happens in the last 20 pages. This is entirely true for Close to the Chest as the author conveniently wrapped everything up in the last 7 pages of the book. It was really too fast.
One positive, that I've always praised Lackey for, is her uncanny ability to describe the weather. Wether the characters are stuck in a waystation in the middle of a snow storm, or the college is suffering from the extreme summer heat, I can always imagine it extremely well. It's one of my favourite parts of her books.
I probably won't read this series again.
The theme of "man hates woman" in this book was too much for me. It was the same 4 lines about over and over for 360 pages. Snore.
The issues our protagonists faced seemed forced and I hope it isn't a representation of what's to come because the Herald Spy series really drained me. So much so that I will be taking a break from Lackey.
The biggest issue I have with Lackey is the fact that in 80% of her books, the action happens in the last 20 pages. This is entirely true for Close to the Chest as the author conveniently wrapped everything up in the last 7 pages of the book. It was really too fast.
One positive, that I've always praised Lackey for, is her uncanny ability to describe the weather. Wether the characters are stuck in a waystation in the middle of a snow storm, or the college is suffering from the extreme summer heat, I can always imagine it extremely well. It's one of my favourite parts of her books.
I probably won't read this series again.
March 13, 2019
The Herald Spy books were perfect for curling up on the couch while sick. They're fun and light, with just a bit of danger. Valdemar has a special place in my heart as the Arrows of the Queen series was my first real foray into fantasy. However, I caught a pretty obvious continuity error in this book. While still enjoyable, this book seemed haphazard due to that. Also, I knew the whole book who the "bad guys" were. Overall, it could've been better.
September 6, 2023
This was a fun kind of a mystery tale, using familiar characters in the Valdemar series. Using his skills as a spy and detective, Mags try to find the source of hateful messages being sent to women. The questions is, can he figure out who is the source of these letters and other hateful actions before it escallates to something serious?
This is a good tale, and an easy read.
This is a good tale, and an easy read.
January 7, 2019
A new male dominated religious organization moves into the capital city of Valdemars. Soon Heralds Mag and Amity are investigation a series of offenses against women. Lackey has written a forceful story.
November 19, 2025
so relevant
This book feels so much more relevant now than even when it was written. As horrified as I am, I am also glad to see these themes written into fantasy — in a place where we know they will be addressed. Truly, the purpose of fantasy accomplished right here.
This book feels so much more relevant now than even when it was written. As horrified as I am, I am also glad to see these themes written into fantasy — in a place where we know they will be addressed. Truly, the purpose of fantasy accomplished right here.
November 2, 2016
Third in The Herald Spy subseries and eighth in the Collegium Chronicles, both of which are a subseries within Lackey's overall Valdemar universe. This subseries revolves around Mags and his Companion, Dallen.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
As angry as the conflict made me, Closer to the Chest is a story with a warm and cozy feel for its day-in-the-life of Mags, Amily, and the royals, as Mags and Amily and the king and his son and wife endear themselves to the populace and take care of their people. Makes you wish our politicians would care half as much. I do love how thoughtful Mags is towards those who are not so well off; Amily has also learned to be more aware, and we get to learn right along with her.
I absolutely LOVE the message Lackey sends in Closer to the Chest about how wrong it is to say that women should know their place. To think they're only good for what is considered traditional women's work. I'm already a believer, and Lackey pokes and pokes away at how disgusting these beliefs are.
I'm confused as Lackey initially gives the impression that Teo is a collector for a moneylender, but then she has him working as a bodyguard for the goldsmith who may be the moneylender??
It's irritating how long it takes Mags and his friends to figure out who the likely culprit is. It's one thing to have to scrounge for evidence, and another to be so obtuse.
I had to laugh about the servants appalled that Lady Dia actually sleeps with her husband! More laughter ensued with Mags' wish that "a plague would target only stupid people". Yep, it's one of my dreams as well, lol.
It's a world with the kind of values you want your children to have — the Heralds and the king and prince who are so concerned with ensuring everyone's well-being. And this particular story is a good one for kids to read, if only to help hammer in that this attitude towards women is wrong.
The Story
A series of seemingly unrelated attacks and burglaries against women has the town of Haven and the Court up in arms with Herald Mags and King's Own Amily helpless to stop it.
The evildoer leaves few clues behind, and Mags and Amily must thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly — before terror turns to murder.
The Characters
Mags, a.k.a., Harkon (Willy the Weasel's nephew), Magnus, Lord Chipman's cousin, or Geb Lackland who infiltrates an organization, is the King's Herald Spy gifted with Mindspeech and married ( Closer to the Heart , 2) to Amily, the King's Own Herald, who has discovered her own Gift. Dallen is Mags' Companion; Rolan is Amily's.
Herald Nikolas had been the King's Own until he died ( Closer to Home , 1), and Rolan's bond passed to his daughter, Amily. He's also "Willy the Weasel", his undercover role as a pawnbroker who deals in information. "Willy" has a staff now: Jem, Eller, Sam, and Luke.
Kyril is the king of Valdemar; Prince Sedric is his son and heir who is married to the pregnant Lydia, Soren's niece ( Closer to Home , 1). The Housekeeper, Mrs. Pellam, is another of Nikolas'. Lady Dia breeds muff dogs, organized the Queen's Handmaidens (a group of women spies who include Keira Tremainet, Joya, and the deceptive Keleste), and is married to Steveral, Lord Jorthun, who had been the king's spymaster and Nikolas' mentor. Tuck is/was Dia's protégé and brilliant with his hands. Nils is one of Dia's trainers. Miana is her maid. Violetta appeared in Closer to Home , 1.
The Collegium are…
…three schools where children are trained in becoming Heralds, Bards, or Healers. The deans include Caelen (Heralds), Melita "Lita" (Bards); and, Devin (Healers). Other Heralds include Pip who has just returned from a circuit; Jakyr is the one who discovered Mags in Foundation ; Willowby is permanently assigned to the Haven court system; and, Kerit's gift is psychometry. Lena Marchand Tyrall is a Master Bard (her father, Bard Marchand, met his fate in Changes , 3); she's married to Bear Tyrall, an innovative Healer. The Chronicler keeps records for the Healers. Margeritte is another of the Healers.
Trainee Bards include the gifted Dani, and Sara is a Trainee Herald. The Blues are students and include children of people who live at Court or on the Hill and sponsored children including Katlie Gardener and Kaven.
Aunty Minda is the house mother for Mags' band of runners and informers; Trey is one of them. One of the original rescues is Coot who now runs the official runner business.
Teo does debt collection for a moneylender, Mika Tarneff, and works as a bodyguard for Bren Kriss, a goldsmith (and moneylender?) in Tanner's Quarter. I gotta wonder who Dettler is.
Lord Semel Lional (he's one of Kyril's New Men), his wife, Lady Tyria, and their sensible children — Hawken is the oldest, the gorgeous Helane, the brilliant Lirelle, and the ambitious Loren — come to Court, expecting to move into Lord Renolf's townhouse. Lord Merriman and his wife, Lady Felicity, have come to Court with their twin daughters. Duke Henley believes in his own importance. Lord Anslott doesn't like change and doesn't approve of women. Maegery Ereson is a tease, Lady Jemma Teal is quite clever, and Amber Larele is a flirt and poaches. Lady Harmitege moves herself and her eight chicks out of the Palace. Danver Haylie and his set are ones to beware. Lady Herra and Lady Amberly are cranky spinsters. Jared was a tutor.
Watchmen include Carter and Captains Kay March and Ned March. Flora is the madame at Flora's and also one of Nikolas' contacts. Cilla is the House Healer at Flora's. The Sickle Moon is another bawdy house.
Hatchet, Dog-Billy, and Rufus are the latest bad guys from whom Mags took children. The "Poison Pen" is a nasty, vicious person whose intelligence is much too accurate and knows his or her way around much too well.
The religious groups in Haven
The Sisters of Ardana are…
…a dying religious group cheated out of their building. Mother Yllana is their abbess. They also have Abbess Reed who may be Mother Yllana?? Other sisters include the unhappy Klera Coppersmith, Aster, Loveage, Basil, Ivy, Nelie, Thoma, and Thistle who is in charge of the Scriptorium. Kyle Benson is the new carter. Meya and her husband are some of the worshippers.
The Temple of Betane of the Axe is…
…a militant order of women who work as bodyguards and fill in for the Guard as needed. The prioress is their leader. Acolyte Asha inspires hero worship and offers good advice.
Birana the Flower-Crowned concerns…
…itself with growing flowers whose High Priestess is appalled.
The Order of Saint Hitia has…
…the largest library in Haven and is devoted to scholarship.
The Temple of Sethor the Patriarch is…
…the latest religious group to come to Haven with strange beliefs. Theodor Kresh is the High Priest. Other priests include Brother Pakler, Precepts Darent and Renn Haladane (he has a twin brother, Roan; their father had been a chief priest, Taryan Haladane), and Novice Tomson.
The Heralds are the ultimate law enforcement in Valdemar. Companions are magical white "horses" with silver hooves and blue eyes who can mindspeak with the Herald to whom they bond. Companion Seraf appears to be attracted to Dallen. Kirball is a game (a sort of cross between polo and soccer) invented when Mags was still a Trainee. The Sleepgivers are a clan of assassins with Mags' cousin, Bey, its head ( Bastion , 5).
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is warm browns with a tone-on-tone graphic of Dallen galloping across. The center is the shape of a decorative shield acting as a frame for a determined Amily holding a dagger and Mags with a tool belt and holding a hammer; they're dressed in a subdued orange. They're separated by a highly carved pillar in the middle with poison pen letters floating between them, one of which is pinned at the bottom of the shield frame, dripping with blood. The author's name is in embossed silver at the top while the title is in an embossed pale gold at the bottom with the series information below it embossed in white.
Oh, yeah, this title is definitely Closer to the Chest for Mags and friends, as it affects so many people in Haven and at Court.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
As angry as the conflict made me, Closer to the Chest is a story with a warm and cozy feel for its day-in-the-life of Mags, Amily, and the royals, as Mags and Amily and the king and his son and wife endear themselves to the populace and take care of their people. Makes you wish our politicians would care half as much. I do love how thoughtful Mags is towards those who are not so well off; Amily has also learned to be more aware, and we get to learn right along with her.
I absolutely LOVE the message Lackey sends in Closer to the Chest about how wrong it is to say that women should know their place. To think they're only good for what is considered traditional women's work. I'm already a believer, and Lackey pokes and pokes away at how disgusting these beliefs are.
I'm confused as Lackey initially gives the impression that Teo is a collector for a moneylender, but then she has him working as a bodyguard for the goldsmith who may be the moneylender??
It's irritating how long it takes Mags and his friends to figure out who the likely culprit is. It's one thing to have to scrounge for evidence, and another to be so obtuse.
I had to laugh about the servants appalled that Lady Dia actually sleeps with her husband! More laughter ensued with Mags' wish that "a plague would target only stupid people". Yep, it's one of my dreams as well, lol.
It's a world with the kind of values you want your children to have — the Heralds and the king and prince who are so concerned with ensuring everyone's well-being. And this particular story is a good one for kids to read, if only to help hammer in that this attitude towards women is wrong.
The Story
A series of seemingly unrelated attacks and burglaries against women has the town of Haven and the Court up in arms with Herald Mags and King's Own Amily helpless to stop it.
The evildoer leaves few clues behind, and Mags and Amily must thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly — before terror turns to murder.
The Characters
Mags, a.k.a., Harkon (Willy the Weasel's nephew), Magnus, Lord Chipman's cousin, or Geb Lackland who infiltrates an organization, is the King's Herald Spy gifted with Mindspeech and married ( Closer to the Heart , 2) to Amily, the King's Own Herald, who has discovered her own Gift. Dallen is Mags' Companion; Rolan is Amily's.
Herald Nikolas had been the King's Own until he died ( Closer to Home , 1), and Rolan's bond passed to his daughter, Amily. He's also "Willy the Weasel", his undercover role as a pawnbroker who deals in information. "Willy" has a staff now: Jem, Eller, Sam, and Luke.
Kyril is the king of Valdemar; Prince Sedric is his son and heir who is married to the pregnant Lydia, Soren's niece ( Closer to Home , 1). The Housekeeper, Mrs. Pellam, is another of Nikolas'. Lady Dia breeds muff dogs, organized the Queen's Handmaidens (a group of women spies who include Keira Tremainet, Joya, and the deceptive Keleste), and is married to Steveral, Lord Jorthun, who had been the king's spymaster and Nikolas' mentor. Tuck is/was Dia's protégé and brilliant with his hands. Nils is one of Dia's trainers. Miana is her maid. Violetta appeared in Closer to Home , 1.
The Collegium are…
…three schools where children are trained in becoming Heralds, Bards, or Healers. The deans include Caelen (Heralds), Melita "Lita" (Bards); and, Devin (Healers). Other Heralds include Pip who has just returned from a circuit; Jakyr is the one who discovered Mags in Foundation ; Willowby is permanently assigned to the Haven court system; and, Kerit's gift is psychometry. Lena Marchand Tyrall is a Master Bard (her father, Bard Marchand, met his fate in Changes , 3); she's married to Bear Tyrall, an innovative Healer. The Chronicler keeps records for the Healers. Margeritte is another of the Healers.
Trainee Bards include the gifted Dani, and Sara is a Trainee Herald. The Blues are students and include children of people who live at Court or on the Hill and sponsored children including Katlie Gardener and Kaven.
Aunty Minda is the house mother for Mags' band of runners and informers; Trey is one of them. One of the original rescues is Coot who now runs the official runner business.
Teo does debt collection for a moneylender, Mika Tarneff, and works as a bodyguard for Bren Kriss, a goldsmith (and moneylender?) in Tanner's Quarter. I gotta wonder who Dettler is.
Lord Semel Lional (he's one of Kyril's New Men), his wife, Lady Tyria, and their sensible children — Hawken is the oldest, the gorgeous Helane, the brilliant Lirelle, and the ambitious Loren — come to Court, expecting to move into Lord Renolf's townhouse. Lord Merriman and his wife, Lady Felicity, have come to Court with their twin daughters. Duke Henley believes in his own importance. Lord Anslott doesn't like change and doesn't approve of women. Maegery Ereson is a tease, Lady Jemma Teal is quite clever, and Amber Larele is a flirt and poaches. Lady Harmitege moves herself and her eight chicks out of the Palace. Danver Haylie and his set are ones to beware. Lady Herra and Lady Amberly are cranky spinsters. Jared was a tutor.
Watchmen include Carter and Captains Kay March and Ned March. Flora is the madame at Flora's and also one of Nikolas' contacts. Cilla is the House Healer at Flora's. The Sickle Moon is another bawdy house.
Hatchet, Dog-Billy, and Rufus are the latest bad guys from whom Mags took children. The "Poison Pen" is a nasty, vicious person whose intelligence is much too accurate and knows his or her way around much too well.
The religious groups in Haven
The Sisters of Ardana are…
…a dying religious group cheated out of their building. Mother Yllana is their abbess. They also have Abbess Reed who may be Mother Yllana?? Other sisters include the unhappy Klera Coppersmith, Aster, Loveage, Basil, Ivy, Nelie, Thoma, and Thistle who is in charge of the Scriptorium. Kyle Benson is the new carter. Meya and her husband are some of the worshippers.
The Temple of Betane of the Axe is…
…a militant order of women who work as bodyguards and fill in for the Guard as needed. The prioress is their leader. Acolyte Asha inspires hero worship and offers good advice.
Birana the Flower-Crowned concerns…
…itself with growing flowers whose High Priestess is appalled.
The Order of Saint Hitia has…
…the largest library in Haven and is devoted to scholarship.
The Temple of Sethor the Patriarch is…
…the latest religious group to come to Haven with strange beliefs. Theodor Kresh is the High Priest. Other priests include Brother Pakler, Precepts Darent and Renn Haladane (he has a twin brother, Roan; their father had been a chief priest, Taryan Haladane), and Novice Tomson.
The Heralds are the ultimate law enforcement in Valdemar. Companions are magical white "horses" with silver hooves and blue eyes who can mindspeak with the Herald to whom they bond. Companion Seraf appears to be attracted to Dallen. Kirball is a game (a sort of cross between polo and soccer) invented when Mags was still a Trainee. The Sleepgivers are a clan of assassins with Mags' cousin, Bey, its head ( Bastion , 5).
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is warm browns with a tone-on-tone graphic of Dallen galloping across. The center is the shape of a decorative shield acting as a frame for a determined Amily holding a dagger and Mags with a tool belt and holding a hammer; they're dressed in a subdued orange. They're separated by a highly carved pillar in the middle with poison pen letters floating between them, one of which is pinned at the bottom of the shield frame, dripping with blood. The author's name is in embossed silver at the top while the title is in an embossed pale gold at the bottom with the series information below it embossed in white.
Oh, yeah, this title is definitely Closer to the Chest for Mags and friends, as it affects so many people in Haven and at Court.
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