The Hills Have Spies

Valdemar: Family Spies #1

by Mercedes Lackey

In this new series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, Heralds Mags and Amily must continue to protect the realm of Valdemar while raising their children and preparing them to follow in their footsteps.

Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry’s dream is to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion.

Mags is more than happy to teach Perry all he knows. He regularly trains his children, including Perry, with tests and exercises, preparing them for the complicated and dangerous lives they will likely lead. Perry has already held positions in the Royal Palace as a runner and in the kitchen, useful places where he can learn to listen and collect information.

But there is growing rural unrest in a community on the border of Valdemar. A report filled with tales of strange disappearances and missing peddlers is sent to Haven by a Herald from the Pelagirs. To let Perry experience life away from home and out in the world, Mags proposes that his son accompany him on an expedition to discover what is really going on.

During their travels, Perry’s Animal Mindspeech allows him to communicate with the local wildlife of the Pelagirs, whose connection to the land aids in their investigation. But the details he gleans from the creatures only deepen the mystery. As Perry, Mags, and their animal companions draw closer to the heart of the danger, they must discover the truth behind the disappearances at the border—before those disappearances turn deadly.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, High Fantasy, Mystery

360 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2018

About the author

Mercedes 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

Reviews

[Marilyn Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The synopsis for this book is incorrect. I think this is a much better story. Frequently the author's focus is on Heralds and Companions. The young man at the heart of this story is never going to be a Herald, even though I was thinking that he might. This is a great coming of age story, with a lot to be learned by both parents and children.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book description is inaccurate. More accurate: Peregrine has the Gift of animal Mindspeech and his dream is to follow in his father's footsteps as a spy. When reports of an unusual number of missing people reaches Mag's ears, he decides to take Peregrine with him (disguised as traders) to discover who or what is behind the disappearances.

"The Hills Have Spies" is a fantasy novel with an adult and a 13-year-old main character, so it may appeal to tweens and teens as well as adults. It helps if you've read some of the other Valdemar series so you can better understand the references to certain people or unusual creatures. However, you can understand this story without that additional depth of knowledge. The world-building created a unique and interesting setting for the story.

Mags is uncertain about how to be a good father since he had no parents as a child. Perry has been trained in and is skilled at being a spy, so he wants to use that training. But adventure can be scary. Perry makes a poor decision--though for the right reasons--and realizes things are much more dangerous than he thought. Yet he has no choice but to continue what he began even though the danger only increases.

There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable fantasy adventure.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun adventure with appealing characters. This was a pleasant surprise, because I *really* did not like the last five Valdemar books released by Mercedes Lackey, but I continue reading them in the hopes that a little bit of the magic that made me fall in love with the world will be present. That magic *is* present in this volume, and unlike the Mags books, I actually want to read the stories in the subsequent books, which I'm guessing will focus on Mags and Amily's other children.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so first of all, while I have no doubt that others before me have pointed this out, what in the seven hells happened with the jacket copy? There is no one named Justyn in this book, no one joins a traveling carnival, the Hawkbrothers are referenced but nobody meets one, and the plot definitely does not center around someone fomenting racist unrest against them. Was this book drastically revised between the first plot summary and its actual publication? Does Misty have the next two or three in the series already drafted, and Book 2's summary got put onto Book 1's jacket in error? I mean, I am fully aware that copyeditors skim lightly over Lackey's books (how many ways can we misspell "Nikolas"? Let's count!), but this is an egregious mistake.

The book itself is fine. Mags is Peak Dad, Perry's a good and smart kid (even if he doesn't think about sex once, which seems rather odd in a 13-year-old boy? Maybe we're gearing up for some ace representation in Valdemar). I was delighted to see kyree and dyheli again, and get a good look into the wilds of Velgarth outside Valdemar's lawful-good borders. One thing that bothered me faintly throughout was the lack of women. Amily, hers and Mags' daughter Abi, Lady Dia, and the young princess Kati appear early on, but then the plot launches, and it's Mags and Perry and Dallen and Herald Arvelle, guys having guy adventures, with bonus neuter kyree (all of whom get male pronouns despite being neuter, does Valdemaran not have 'they' as a pronoun?) and the dyheli king-stag. Abi and/or Princess Katiana had better have their adventures in a later book.

It's a Mercedes Lackey novel. It was fun while I was reading it, there are telepathic animals and close family love and evil was defeated. At this point, those are my expectations, and they were met.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is the pure wholesomeness of Valdemar that keeps me coming back over the years. the simplicity of characters that want no more than warm break, stew and a soft bed. I feel lulled by these books, rocked by the familiarity. It's not to say they aren't exciting and/or dangerous at times, but the good guy always wins or dies trying basically. What's not to love about that?

I didn't actually finish Mag's story, the series before this one, but I don't think you need to in order to appreciate it. You get the basic idea of friendships and how things went down, although I am missing some of Mag's later adventures. I do enjoy reading about Perry though, and I hope to see more of him in the future.

Another great book by one of my favorite authors, five stars.

[Melissa Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars and surprisingly good. I stayed up way too late reading this and I couldn't put it down. I just had to finish the book. I was impressed with Mags oldest son, Peregrine, and how he used his Gift during their adventures. I loved the father/son dynamics at play and was very glad he bonded with a Kayree instead of a Companion (although I adore them personally). You need to have read the Collegium Chronicles to truly appreciate the story in full and I suggest you read all the series written in the Valdemar books. If you do, you will not be disappointed. Recommended for anyone that loves the Heralds and Companions of Valdemar as much as I do.

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercedes Lackey continues her perfection as a author!

Mercedes Lackey is one of my very favorite authors of the many many that I have read. In this first book of a series she has created a gem of a story that made me laugh, made me cry and gave me a fantastic ride with all the bells and whistles! She is a storyteller of utmost talent and craft!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the world of Valdemar, “The Hills Have Spies” opens when Mags, the King’s Spy warned by a retired Herald living in a village along the border of the Pelagirs about disappearances and missing peddlars sets out for Whithern with his thirteen-year-old son Peregrine (Perry) who has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech and has been training for years to follow in his father’s footsteps. Disguised as traders they quickly fit into their roles exchanging merchandise for garnets and learning about an inn where the victims stopped before being kidnapped as well as a strange city nearby.

Although not as detailed as Mercedes Lackey’s other novels and slow in pace at first, the action picks up when Perry and Larral the wolf-like Kyree that’s his Chosen go undercover to the gated city when his father refuses to put a stop to the disappearances. Intensity and suspense quickly build when Perry’s accepted as a simple but talented “dog-boy” by the mercenaries who quickly put him in charge of training the mastiffs in the kennels.

Facing an evil, cannibalistic Mind Speaker and using the help of allies like a King-Stag, ravens and firebirds, Mercedes Lackey weaves an adventure that will keep you enraptured until the blazing ending. The interplay between Mags and his son is heart-warming and often emotionally-charged as each discover their strengths and weaknesses while extremely tense as the Master grows more unhinged, and both struggle to find an escape route for Perry and Larral out of the city. This is a story that will enthrall middle-schoolers and young teens although its description on the front and back flaps of the book is very misleading.

Bringing the story to life are a delightful array of characters like Perry who wants to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Spy but hasn’t been chosen by a Companion when the plot opens. He’s doggedly determined, smart, observant but impulsive. His father Mags never having had parental guidance is insecure in his parenting skills although he’s supportive in his training regime and on their mission constantly displays his love for his son who he admires for his strong sense of right and wrong.

I liked “The Hills Have Spies” and look forward to learning more about Mags and his family in the sequel.

[Angelica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll be real, I thought this was a hot mess of a book.

Looking at other reviewers' comments, however, I feel like I missed a trick somewhere... everyone else seems happy!

I have not read any of the Valdemar books before, so perhaps that's where I come up short, but I found the overall plot, characters, and world to be confusing and boring.

[Makes a note to avoid Valedmar in the future.]

[eyes.2c · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read for Valdemar fans. Mags' son Perry is thrust to the fore. Animal mind speech is his talent, a welcome one when danger sits on Valdemar's doorstep.

[USOM · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

It has been so long since I read both a spy book, and one written by Mercedes Lackey. It brings me back to when I read Arrows of the Queen in high school. So being back in the world of heralds and companions felt like a blast of nostalgia. That being said, you don't need to read the earlier Herald books. It helps because there are concepts and pieces of history that you already know, but it's been so long for me that reading this almost felt brand new.

The Hills Have Spies is a charming story told from the perspective of both father and son. This allows us to not only witness their interactions on both sides, but to see the exchange of information and how their relationship works. This one aspect truly set the book apart for me, not only because I can't remember the last book I read with this constellation, but also because their relationship is so precious.

full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to The Collegium Series in which Mags and Amalie come of age and this series is their kids coming into their own.

This book was so fascinating to see Perry start to see the world through more mature eyes and how he handles it.

I loved the end also where Mags and Amalie come to terms with Perry not becoming a Herald but solidly coming into his own but also seeing as he’s not ready to be fully on his own.

Nick Podehl narrated this book and did a fantastic job and is very talented

[Kathryn Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was rather an interesting read. It is strange to think of Mags and Amily as parents. Perry with his animal mind speach made for an intriguing character, especially when Larel the kyrie bonds with him. It was good to be in the Pelligeer Hills again with all the strange animals that live there like the Dihelie and the bond birds and fire birds. Perry shows to be a really talented boy. The only thing I wish the book had done was explain the blood magic that The Master was using a bit more, and what happened to the people that ate that meat. Otherwise, another good book from Lackey. I look forward to the rest of the series and becoming more acquainted with the other children.

[Orpah Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Awesome!!!😍😍😍

[musa b-n · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the first Mercedes Lackey books I've read in a while, and I enjoyed it! I got pretty absorbed in it, and I love all the animals, as always.

I thought it wasn't quite as interesting as I remembered a lot of these books to be. It doesn't go as in depth into worldbuilding (explanations of magic, politics, culture). This was an element I've greatly enjoyed in the other books, and I missed it a little here. But the protagonist is a 13 year old boy, and it does make sense for perspective to be limited. It just felt, I think, that because we kept switching between the perspective of the father and the son, we also move between someone who is young, immature, and limited, and someone who is very accomplished, knows almost everything, and isn't looking to learn more - so as an audience, I didn't end up learning more. Which is sad! We were outside of Valdemar; we were meeting neat creatures. I wanted to learn more! Like when Perry first interacts with Larral, we switched perspectives to Mags, so we didn't see the moment, and we never really got to get Perry's emotional processing of that meeting which like, was built up to have an enormous emotional import, but we don't get any of that. And like, gotta be real, but the emotional catharsis is what I want out of books like these!

But regardless, it was a really cool book, and different in positive ways than others' of Mercedes Lackey's books - like I thought the engagement with violence from Perry's perspective was really fresh and neat, and spywork is always a fun time to read about.

[Valerie Zepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freely admit to being just a bit addicted to Valdemar. I also admit that there are characters and stories that I enjoy more than others. I have enjoyed traveling with Mags and Dallin since they were introduced. The original synopsis did not match the book at all. There is no Justyn, there is no troupe of performers, and while the Hawkbrothers are mentioned, they certainly never appear. There is some irony in having a book jacket that does not match the book. My daughter plans to be an author. I told her about the jacket and recommended that she personally approve all marketing materials for her books. It is disappointing to anticipate a story which is not delivered.

With that said, I very much enjoyed reading the book. There was good exploration of the struggles of parents and adolescents as they learn and grow together. The exploration of the feelings of a parent letting go and a child coming into their own is something to which every parent and child can relate. It may even help them understand or remember the other side of that experience. There was also a little bit of "don't tell your mother" that many parents can relate to. Mags has stayed true to character, becoming a more mature version of himself.

Perry is struggling with personally challenges and struggling to come into his own. He can be impetuous, but also learns from the consequences of his choices. This is balanced out by a logical side of him due to the training received from his father. He longs for the companionship that he sees between his father and Dallin but finds a friend and companion while on his journey.

As far as the overall story and plot it was enjoyable. However, I spent the last quarter of the book thinking that I would have to wait for the sequel for a resolution. (It should be noted I was working up to a tirade about being left in a cliffhanger.) But then, in just a few pages, everything came to a head and was resolved. The final resolution for an unexpected character was nice. I did enjoy meeting the King-Stag, Roya and learning more about the Dyhel. Larral is not as sardonic as some of the Kyree we have met in the past, but still is basically true to what we know; Perhaps he is just young.

I enjoy having this as my latest addition to my Valdemar collection. I have everything, except for the fan fiction anthologies. It was worth the wait, worth the read, and I look forward to the next chapter in both Valdemar and Family Spies.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back in the world of Valdemar continuing the tale of Herald Mags. Now his a dad with 3 kids and this story is the beginning tale of his oldest son Perry. This was very fun to read. I loved the kyree, new bondbirds and firebirds that appeared. It was nice to revisit old characters from short stories in the series too. I give this 3.5-4 stars.

I hope the next books will be about Perry's siblings and their adventures. =0)

P.S. Everything in the story was nice and tidy. I'll attribute this to you know who's gift of Luck! 0.0
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Note to Self
Spoiler- Valdemar & Pelagirs Border

Herald Mags(Herald Spy of Valdemar)& Dallen(Companion)+
Amily(King’s Own Herald,pal1) & Rolan(Amily's Companion)=
Peregrine(Perry, oldest, son,bro,Gift Animal Mindspeech,12/13yo, future King's Spymaster)
Larral(kyree,neuter,10yo,Rye's great nephew,bonded to Perry)
Abi(middle sis, gift unknown)
Tory(youngest bro)
Arville(Herald from Pelagirs,semiretired,pal,gift luck )& Pelas(Companion)
Rye(kyree,neuter,historian,old,great uncle,bonded to Arville)
King Sedric(father of 4)+
Queen Lydia(pal1)=
Prince Trey(15yo,Chosen,trainee,eldest bro,Mindspeech) & Lyspeth(Companion,foal,Trey's)
Prince Niko(Chosen,trainee,younger bro)
Princess Katiana(Kat,sis)
Prince Kyril(Kee,youngest son,sensitive/empath)
Gryphon(mastiff,Perry's gift to Kee)
Drake(mastiff,Perry's gift to the Queen)
Lady Dia(creator & trainer Queens Handmaidens spy corps, dog trainer)+
Lord Jorthun(Spymaster,spycraft teacher)
Armsmaster Leandro(Lord Jorthun's,Perry's mentor)
Herald Laurel(Head of Heraldic Circle,empath, pal)+
Herald Rod(serving in city courts,inventor,pal)
Herald Alma(Collegium teacher practical field skills,pal)
Guardian(magical spirit, like vrondi)
Roya(dyheli,King-Stag)
Raven(bondbird)
Firebird
Alyson(Queens Handmaiden trainee)
Seris(Queens Handmaiden trainee)
Willy(new trainee)
Eran Jathon(Pelagirs book author)
Teo(Mag's pal)
Companion Darly(Princes uncles)
Herald Nikolas(Amily's dad,retired,Kings Own,grandad)
Kyril(former King,Sedric's dad,grandad)

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I only discovered Mercedes Lackey as an adult and this is the first Valdemar book I've read. I gather this is the latest in a vast series. Yet how could I resist a book about spies with a pun title?

The great thing about not having read her early work is I don't need to complain about her writing going downhill. It's a fun fantasy but not startlingly original. Problems do seem to be solved rather quickly; not one animal will refuse to help. Animals are helped with haste. Humans sometimes receive less sympathy; "Perry took his mind off her; he couldn't rescue every ill-treated tavern wench in the world."
I can see some similarities to Tamora Pierce's books. There is animal speech which reminds me of Daine's Wild Magic. The themes of family and spying remind me of Trickster's choice.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling, intense, entertaining, disturbing, gut-wrenching… with a satisfactory conclusion.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in the Family Spies subseries that continues on from The Herald Spy and ninth in the Collegium Chronicles, and fifteenth in the Valdemar fantasy universe for Young Adult (and upper-middle-grade) readers with this subseries revolving around a grown-up Mags with his family. The focus is on Perry and his father, Mags.

My Take
Whew, that opening hook certainly caught my attention. 'Cause, I mean, who the heck is Perry, and why does this sound so much like a way younger Mags? Then I got to wondering how Perry had gotten mixed up into something so horrible…just like his dad.

It's a time of growing up for Perry, as he discovers his father is not all-knowing and that there is so very much more out in the world that he doesn't know. His greatest lesson is acquiring patience, to assess a situation, and make a plan instead of rushing in.

Nor is all the adjusting coming from Perry, as Mags has to learn that his son is growing up and accept what will never be.

One of the reasons I adore Lackey's Valdemar series is the kindness and compassion in the stories. And The Hills Have Spies has some lovely examples from how Mags and company help the village with that garnet mine, the nest and dyheli fawn rescue, how Perry treats the Master's dogs and right on through those perfect gifts at the end. There's pragmatism as well with Perry's reaction at that bitter penultimate ending.

Well, The Hills Have Spies is definitely using third person global subjective point-of-view! With Perry's as the primary perspective. If Lackey weren't using this POV, we'd never have been able to hear Dallen, Ryu, Larral, Roya, Mags, and Perry! Nor would we know what happens with other characters.

Yeah. Jesus, yeah, that's diabolical all right. Learn how to prevent rebellion and how to use fear to gain obedience. Yuck. Parents, this could be a good discussion point for you with your kids. And, okay, this could be a bit gruesome for the more squeamish of kids, but there really are some great lessons in here, including acts of kindness, and how it can pay off big. Let alone making you feel good about yourself.

I was beginning to wonder if Lackey would ever explain that spooky city! It could well be another talking point with the kids about architecture and what is necessary for people to be able to live in them, with others, and how houses and neighborhoods are arranged. Makes ya think.

While the end is quite cozy, Lackey's approach felt too juvenile for the writing she'd been doing up to this point, dropping it down to more of a lower middle-grade level.

The Story
As a spy Perry must be able to fit in anywhere, anytime, any place, and now he's learning to be a dog boy from Lady Dia. Good timing, since his impetuous (and young) nature leads him straight into trouble when he and his father, Mags, drive off on an undercover mission as traders.

Notorious for feeblemindedness, dog boys can go anywhere and no one will pay heed.

The Characters
The eager and impatient thirteen-(in two weeks)-year-old Peregrine "Perry" is Mags' oldest son with a gift for Animal Mindspeech. Pog is the chestnut cob Perry chooses for his mount. Larral is a neuter kyree and a grand-nephew of sorts to Ryu. His father, Mags, is the young slave-boy-miner we've followed since Foundation , 1, and now he's a proud papa and the Herald Spy for Valdemar. His gift is Mindspeech, being able to speak mind-to-mind with anyone. Dallen is his Companion. Mags is married to Amily, the King's Own Herald (Rolan is her Companion), and they have three children of their own that also includes Abi and Tory. Lily and Daisy are the draught horses who will pull the caravan.

Lord Jorthun is teaching Perry and the Queen's Handmaidens how to blend, spycraft, and defense. His wife, Lady Dia, breeds dogs and is in charge of the Queen's Handmaidens, a corps of young women of highborn status but no money who spy for the queen and help ladies of the Queen's Court in return for a salary and lodgings in the Palace — instead of being drudges for their families. ( Closer to the Heart , 6). Alyson and Seris are two of the Handmaidens. Master Leandro is in charge of Jorthun's armory as well as his Artificer and weaponsmaster. And quite cunning! Teo is a good friend of Mags' as well as Perry's kidnapper.

Haven is…
…the capital of Valdemar and is ruled by King Sedric and Queen Lydia (who has been best friends with Amily and Mags for years). They have four children — Crown Prince Trey is the oldest with his too-young Companion Lyspeth (he and Prince Niko are in Trainee Grays), Princess Katiana "Kat", and Prince Kyril "Kee" is the youngest — who spend a great deal of time with Mags and Amily's children. Sedric's father, King Kyril, stepped down in favor of Sedric when Kee was born. Herald Nikolas, Amily's father, retired from the public parts of his duty at the same time. Darly is an uncle's Companion.

The Heralds are…
…the ultimate law enforcement in Valdemar and are Chosen by a Companion, a supernatural gift of a horse-like being with a conscience, in a lifelong and telepathic bond. The King's Own is the king's confidante and sounding board. Herald Elyn had helped write up a gold contract.

Herald Laurel is the Head of the Heraldic Circle. Herald Rod is her creative husband and serves in the City Courts these days. Herald Alma, one of their firmest friends, teaches practical field skills at the Collegium. They, along with Arville, were known as the Fearsome Foursome.

The Herald's Collegium is…
…a boarding school that trains Heralds, Bards, and Healers and is based in Haven. It's new since Mags first showed up in Foundation . (Back in Bastion , 5, Mags was sent out with Herald Jakyr on a two-year-mentorship (how the Heralds used to teach); Bear, Lena, Amily, and Bard Lita went the opposite way in the caravan Mags and Perry are now driving.) Willy is a new and shy Trainee whom Kee helps.

The Pelagir Hills are…
…known for their twisted magic that can irrevocably alter anything and anyone. Eran Jathon wrote a book about the area. The Weary Traveler Inn is HUGE and well down the road from Haven. Slytha are nasty weasley fox-like creatures. The dyheli were created by a human Mage to protect and make war on lesser creatures of evil. Roya is King-Stag of the dyheli who owes Perry a debt. A vrondi appears to be a "soul" or a guardian of the land.

Whithern is…
…a village on the edge of the Pelagir Hills to which Herald Arville, who has a gift for Luck but isn't much for communication, retired. And Arville is still useful as a haven for those traveling through. His Companion is Pelas, and Arville has also bonded with a kyree, Ryu.

The villagers include Missus Weaver, a neighbor who cooks and cleans for Arville; Berd is her husband. Una Miller is the miller's wife; Jeffer is the miller and the headman of the village. Ruvus had garnets.

The Master is…
…a paranoid Change-Child altered by the Pelagirs with an INCREDIBLY strong mind-magic who lives in The Big House. Whew, the scenarios that Mags, Perry, and Arville come up with that they have to avoid(!) are terrifying! The captain and the cook take care to never make the Master angry with them.

Bannerites are a harmless, old cult of bachelors and widowers. Kyrees are as highly intelligent as humans, can speak, communicate telepathically, and are as big as a mastiff and somewhat wolfish looking. The Hawkbrothers are something like priests whose task is to cleanse the land of twisted magic; they bond with Bondbirds, such as ravens. Lord Fersson of Crag Keep bought a company of mercenaries in a ten-year contract.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a medieval elaboration in blues, golds, and white as an adult Mags in his Whites is on Dallen, his Companion, and his young son, Perry on Pog, ride in profile across the lower two-thirds of the cover through a dark blues and strange forest, a golden Larral at their side.

Hanging from a simple pole with finials at the top, a deep golden banner the bottom of which ends in an arc of dagger points with holes at the apexes where the daggers meet is the background for a black, debossed gothic font that centers the author's name and the title, which follows the upward curve of the banner bottom. Two jellyfish-like plants hover on either side of the last name. The subseries information is in white just above Dallen's head. A tiny bit of white in the lower right corner announces the overall series information.

The title is literally true, for The Hills Have Spies looking over your shoulder, their presence creeping you out.

[Shaun Dewhirst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome, gentle reader, to the world of Valdemar. Home of Heralds, Horses, Hertasi, Hawkbrothers and other things that do actually start with letters other then H. It's time to take a look at the first in a new series of books by Mercedes Lackey - The Hills Have Spies, book 1 of the Family Spies series.

This novel continues the story of Mags and Amily from the Collegium Chronicles, but this time the focus has shifted to be more about their kids, which is frankly a good thing. No offence to Mercedes, but Mags simply wasn't a very interesting character and his Companion Dallen was just kind of there? He lacked any of the personality of Companions from previous novels like Yfandes or Sayvil.

Mags is the "Herald Spy" of Valdemar while his wife Amily is the "King's Own", a sort of companion/counselor for the monarch. This story focuses on the eldest of their three children, Peregrine (Perry) who has the gift of Animal Mindspeech, he can literally talk telepathically with animals. Insert Doctor Doolittle reference here. Rumours reach the capital of travellers going missing out near the borders of Valdemar and Mags decides to not only go to investigate, but to take Perry along with him to continue his training and give him what they think will be a fairly easy introduction to being outside of the relative safety of the capital city.

Of course, if everything went according to plan this would likely be a terribly boring story so, perhaps predictably, everything goes sideways and it falls to Mags, Perry and some not-entirely-human allies to take care of this new threat before it grows too powerful to be stopped.

It's always a pleasure to dip back into the world of Valdemar, and it's even more of a pleasure to be able to say that this first book is a vast improvement over the dull Collegium Chronicles. Perry is the one who drives the story forward, and he is a well-written, rounded character. By turns competent and headstrong, foolhardy and determined, he walks that fine line of being not quite a child but not quite an adult very well.

Mags is tolerable in this story in part because he isn't directly involved in the latter half of the book, relegated instead to the role of the wise mentor supplying advice and this seems to suit him. The next book in the series is "Eye Spy" and yes, the puns are strong with this one. This next novel will feature the next of their children - Abidela, and her own rather interesting gift.

All in all, The Hills Have Spies is very much classic Lackey, and that's meant in a good way. The characters are interesting and vibrant, the lore is rich, even the side characters are interesting and our villain feels like a genuine threat. Is it a good jumping off point for those new to Valdemar and these characters in particular? That's a bit of a harder sell. While time is taken to introduce who everyone is, those who haven't met these characters before will likely feel that there's a lot of story they're missing out on. Definitely best read by those who have read (suffered?) the previous series.

A solid start from Mercedes Lackey, hopefully the next book keeps that trend going.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first Mercedes Lackey novel. Admittedly, I picked it up based on the enchanting cover, and my interest in finally reading a Valdemar novel. Unfortunately, as an entry point into this vast world, The Hills Have Spies feels limp and unsatisfying.

The beginning is interesting enough, as Lackey introduces us to Perry, who is being trained to use his animal mindspeech powers by his father Mags. Perry in young, playful, and likeable. The book spends a good deal of time just hanging out with him and his family, but things don't pick up for a good long while. In fact, it wasn't until I was two hundred pages into this three-hundred-and-forty page book that something interesting happened.

At that point, I was hoping that the second half of the book would rescue the first half. But it really didn't. The antagonist that is introduced at the halfway mark is barely in the story, and the way he is dealt with in the end is far too tidy and lacks any drama. I didn't feel invested, nor did I really fear for Perry at any point in the story.

The world of Valdemar seems cozy and like a place I'd like to get to know; I'd just like to do it through the lens of a more compelling narrative.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

[June 21, 2108]
First in a new series that picks up with Mags and Amily several years later, when their eldest son is 13 and doing well training in the family business of spying. Mags and Perry go off on a trip to assist an elderly Herald living near the Pelagirs. While there, Perry goes off on his own to find out more information and gets caught up in a very dangerous situation he can't get out of.

This was an enjoyable adventure, filled with other sentient species that are able to help Mags and Perry get out of trouble. And a very evil villain who is able to control whole armies with his mind.

I liked it better than the last Mags book, but the eventual solution to the evil was rather out of left field -- even for fantasy -- and was never fully explained. Of course, you expect magical thinking in a fantasy, but it should make sense as far as the rest of that world works.

It was an enjoyable read, but I doubt I'll read it again.

[Book_joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mags and Amily now have children. This is primarily a story of Mags and son, Perry (Peregrine), who seems to have been called Justyn in some of the blurb. Also Mags and Perry pose as traders with just one caravan, not part of a performing troupe which is also mentioned in the blurb. Mags and Perry (and Dallen) are not in Haven, but in the wilds of Valdemar, in/near the Pelagirs, where Perry's animal mindspeech becomes very useful more than once. I won't give spoilers, but it is Perry's animal mindspeech which plays a vital role in the climax of the story. Perry's experiences make him 'come of age' and make Perry a worthy addition to his family. And this book is a worthy addition to the series, and un-put-down-able. Despite the discrepancies between the blurb and the published book, I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Hills Have Spies' and give it full star rating.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 First in a trilogy following Mag’s children as they grow and perhaps become part of his spy network in Valdemar. Interesting but not as good as the ones featuring Mags himself for me. From my collection.

[Amena · Rating 5 out of 5]

weird twists in Valdemar

I really enjoyed the story of Amily’s and Mags’ son — and all the weird twists and dilemmas of the plot in this book. So glad Amily and Mags aren’t quite done yet!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

While I’ve been a huge fan of the Valdemar series for a number of years, I’ve been slightly disappointed with the last couple of books. But this one was a great return to the kind of writing I expect from Ms. Lackey.

The story was great from beginning to end. We get a deeper glimpse into Mags adult life, get to know his oldest child and his gifts, and personality. We get to see other beings mentioned in other stories in the world of Velgarth.

A well encapsulated story that hopefully will lead into a new series that will be just as interesting.

My only complaint is the cost. Extremely high for an ebook.

[Jane Cordingley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best of Mercedes Lackey, but it was a very pleasant read.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story.

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