Seasons

Tales of Valdemar #13

by Mercedes Lackey (Editor)

This thirteenth anthology of short stories set in the beloved Valdemar universe features tales by debut and established authors and a brand-new story from Lackey herself.

The Heralds of Valdemar are the kingdom's ancient order of protectors. They are drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages--and all are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. These inborn talents--combined with training as emissaries, spies, judges, diplomats, scouts, counselors, warriors, and more--make them indispensable to their monarch and realm. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horse-like Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. The Heralds of Valdemar and their Companions ride circuit throughout the kingdom, protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch.

Now, twenty-three authors ride with Mercedes Lackey to her magical land of Valdemar, adding their own unique voices to the Heralds, Bards, Healers, and other heroes of this beloved fantasy realm.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthologies, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Horses

321 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 26, 2019

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

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch stories, some that keep you guessing and others that brought me to tears!

[MaryD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about Valdemar, so I was prepared to give this 5 *'s. However, a couple of the stories fell short, as in dragging on or not as well-written as I'd hoped. Over all, I'd highly recommend this to any fan of Valdemar.

Note: The story "The Maralud Comes A-Knocking" by Stephanie Shaver is the latest in a series of stories about Wil & Lelia that were written in a number of anthologies. It isn't a stand-alone, so I highly recommend reading the others first in order. The bibliography can be found here.

[J.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seasonal celebrations were the theme of this collection of tales set in the fantasy world of Valdemar, which acted less as glue holding the collection together and more as an awkward way to pretend all of these stories belonged together. Especially in the cases of the “continuing” stories that feature characters from previous collections.

I abandoned many of the stories without finishing them. Even, I’m sorry to say, the one by Lackey herself. I didn’t have a favorite story in this collection, but the “best” story was definitely “Seeing the Truth” by Angela Penrose. It was a darker tale than I usually expect in these collections, but its message was important.

I’ll continue to buy these collections because I enjoy visiting this world. Here’s hoping that this was just a lackluster year of submissions.

[Olga Godim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. No story stood out in this mediocre collection.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of short stories. Some better than others.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mercedes Lackey books are usually worth the wait...out of all the short stories, only a couple were worth the paper they were printed on. And of course, Lackey's story...spiderlings...won't think of them in the same way ever again.

[CatBookMom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erm. I have come to look forward to a few continuing characters/stories - Lady Cera (title always has "consequences"), the Dann family and their Haven watchhouse, the Temple of Thenoth (title always a group noun for many critters of some sort). But the rest, well,.... not so much. I sometimes catch up with a couple of those 'rest,' after some months and I'm looking for easy reads.

[Kate]

I am making this a SOFT DNF - After reading the first short story, I realize that I will be much more invested in these stories after I read the rest of the series and learn the world, magic and people in Lackey's world.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first half of the collection, but the last half (besides Mercedes Lackey's story) didn't jive with me.

[David Szatkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an anthology of short stories. The writers are mostly well known fantasy authors, many of whom have written in Valdemar anthology before. The anthology is not the place to start into the Valdemar world, but rather the main novels.

[Aishuu · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, it's a mixed bag. This deep into the annual anthologies, it's hard to remember what's a continuing series and what isn't. I'm still into Fiona Patton's Dann family stories and especially Elizabeth Vaughan's Lady Cera series, but most of it is forgettable. Honestly, Misty, can't you tell a story using some old favorite characters rather than original shorts? I'd really love to see the cast of Selenay's reign period again, not just mentioned as date stamps.

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

More poor than good. Too many kids. Just skip in future.

Overall, it was disappointing. I had to force myself to finish many of the stories. It was just painful in some cases. Going back to read By the Sword in order to remember that this world was interesting and exciting at one point.

The only story worth anything was the one with the one-armed man but one story can’t carry an entire book

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully varied sprinkling of tales, as always.

[MLL · Rating 3 out of 5]

ONE TOWN AT A TIME (Jennifer Brozek) 3-1/2 STARS
A Herald trainee learns about the politics which bind the Heralds' hands in the Holderkin Boarderlands.
MIDWINTER'S GIFT(Kristen Schwengel) 3-1/2 STARS
A young lady in Haven may never be a Herald but she finds another way to help her country.
UNKNOWABLE CONSEQUENCES (Elizabeth Vaughan) 4 STARS
The continuing story of Lady Cera of Sandbriar. A Herald is attacked. A festival of more suitors arrive. Marriage negotiations may be underway for Emerson and Withrin Ashkevron. (Error. Companions shouldn't have muck stuck to them. It should just fall off)
THE PRICE OF FRIENDSHIP (Dale A. Dermatis) 4 STARS
Herald trainee Syrriah with her Companion, Cefylla are are riding their first circuit with a trainee of their own when they have to investigate a missing 14 year old girl recently Chosen who refused her Call.
THE GIFT OF LOVE (Anthea Sharp) 5 STARS Bard Shandara and mindhealer trainee Lyssa help a young bard trainee with survivor's guilt.
NO PLACE FOR A PROPER KYREE (Ron Collins) 3 STARS
Kade, kyree Mwah and Winnie arrive in Haven.
AN OMNISCIENCE OF GODWITS (Elisabeth Waters) 4 STARS
Lena and her new husband Keven travel to one of her properties and solve bird murders, settle in, and swim.
GOING HOME (Louisa Swann) 4 STARS
After being saved from the Tedral Mercenaries who kept her a slave Liana and her twins start a new life in Valdemar. Then her son goes missing.
HOLIDAY REUNIONS (Dylan Birtolo) 2 STARS
Mad Mage Paxia has gathered a band of Karsite warriors, Rethwellan bandits and Taymyrr mercenaries to help her insane misguided vendetta against all Heralds and Companions.
CLOUDWALKER (Michelle Lang) No STARS
I didn't read this one. I do not like this serial. I find the characters ridiculous, unlikeable and boring. I have read too may of this series and have no interest in reading more.
PREPARING FOR THE WORST (Brigid Collins) 4 -1/2 STARS
In the last book Herald Marli used her farsight to show Herald trainee Simen why his love had stopped writing. Now we look in on Simen's one-armed love Dreyvin to see how he helps the keep's women fight off bandits when the men are gone hunting.
THE ROSE FAIR (Fiona Patton) 4-1/2 STARS It is always a pleasure to read this series. We meet more of Sergeant Hektor Dann's family as he prepares for the annual Watchmen vs Smith's tug of war at The Rose Fair.
THE MARALUD COMES A KNOCKING (Stephanie Shaver) 4-1/2 STARS
Herald Wil is still frail from his encounter with Lord Dark and Magda. Lord Grier, Lyle and Khaari continue the fight. Wil takes a turn for the worse. Ivy discovers a monster.
SEEING THE TRUTH (Angela Penrose) 4 STARS
Herald Josswyn visits his hometown where his childhood friend's son is accused of multiple rapes. Under Truthspell he is innocent but also under Truthspell he is guilty per all the victims.
A DARKLING LIGHT (Phaedra Weldon) 3 STARS
A good story except completely wrong. Holderkin don't trust or welcome Heralds and Companions nor teach their girls to fight or mix with the opposite sex. Their women are segregated and oppressed.
A MIDNIGHT CLEAR (Mercedes Lackey) 3 STARS
A gruesome tale of giant pet spiders eating men. Vanyel and Yfandes appear but he apparently has no mage powers???

[Jessica Patzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read five stories from this anthology.

“A Midnight Clear” by Mercedes Lackey: Another cute little tale of Van and Vixen and monster spiders. I definitely noticed that “Vixen” and “A Midnight Clear” share Lackey’s exact descriptions of Kettleford and Matya’s home. Anyway, it was definitely cute. Not sure if dressing up spiders in wool makes them more or less terrifying…

“Going Home” by Louisa Swann: Liana from another short story was only 14-15?!!! Frigging Tedrels. I’m very glad she essentially got revenge on her abuser.

“Unknowable Consequences” by Elizabeth A. Vaughan: Makes me happy that Emerson’s parents are accepting of who he is and of his and Withen’s (yes, spelled how it was in the original Lady Cera story he appeared in) burgeoning relationship. I also quite enjoy Xenos and Jebren as a pair. Overall a nice little continuation to Lady Cera’s tale.

“A Midwinter’s Gift” by Kristin Schwengel: About as boring as the plot of Closer to Home, what with a young lady almost ruining her reputation for some ne’er do well… but hey, new spy acquired, I guess. Not the same characters.

“One Town at a Time” by Jennifer Brozek: It’s usually a good thing to have the status quo questioned every once in a while. Not super great when it’s someone like Wendel, though. Reiterating what Heralds are essentially for, even if just among themselves, isn’t bad either. This was the first story of the anthology, too, so extra awesome time to reexplain Heralds briefly.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so very thoroughly loving these anthologies.

Each time I read a new one, more vistas open to me, and the world that Valdemar is a part of gets ever more intricate.

This one, I have very much loved, especially as every story in it was, once again, a follow up of the various authors from previous anthologies - and so I had so many treats to read, enjoy, and ponder about.

But, once again, my favourite story was the final one, written by Mercedes herself - and, though the subject involved spiders, insects that I grew up terrified of, the two adorable, though deadly, spiderlings involved in this, had me riveted to the pages.

I guess the fact that my daughter & her partner have tarantulas as pets, and that they are currently staying with me, has gone a long way to easing my phobia - though I'm not sure how I'd feel if they escaped from their various tanks - I'm not that brave to even want to try it! Lol

Anyhoo, I loved this book, and now I have the sad task of starting on my final Valdemar anthology, Passages - well, final until Mercedes & co write the next one, anyway!

At least there are plenty of other series that Mercedes has written, & I'm slowly getting them all I just hope I'll love them as much as I do the Valdemar series!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new anthology that came out back in November and I had no idea this book had been released. I was browsing a local bookshop on New Year's Eve as I had some time to kill before seeing Little Women at the theater and came across this, checked online to see if it was a new anthology or one I had read before and Goodreads confirmed that it was new and that I hadn't read it; and so I got it and decided to start reading it as my first book of 2020. The anthology has some continuing stories in it including Herald Will with his daughter Ivy, Lady Cera of Sandbriar, Nwah and Kade, and Lena and her animal mindspeech are all back. There are of course other tales but these four are the ones that I've been the most invested in since their stories began and its nice that they are still around although I'd say Lena's story will be ending soon enough. Overall I liked the anthology, some of the short stories were better than others but that's the way anthologies usually work but I'm looking forward to reading the next one whenever it happens to get released. My actual rating is 3.5/5 but the stars system still doesn't allow half stars.

[Sara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad that Mercedes Lackey is generous with her world-building. As a writer, she has a flair for creating a sweep of world that is intensely rich with possibility, and with her "Tales of Valdemar" series, she allows others to play in her pool. As readers, we are all the better off for that.

As always, a collection of short stories is going to yield personal favorites and personal . . . non-favorites. After binge reading as much of this 15 volume series as I could easily lay hands on over the last couple of weeks, I know which returning authors I will jump straight to. I also know the one whose story I will simply skip.

Lackey's own contribution to this volume is an especial delight. The giant sentient spider has been a standard villain in fantasy since JRR Tolkien populated Mirkwood with them in the 30's. To see them here turned into not just allies but . . . the cuddly village pet?! And to make it work?

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Valdemar is always a joy. These stories are a wonderful addition the OG canon, mixing new characters with old, new situations with old. Some of the stories form mini-series with other stories by the same individual authors sprinkled throughout the anthology sereis. I always love reading more in the “Consequences” series with Lady Cera. Another favorite are the Temple of Thenoth series, each story title containing a collective noun for some type of animal. And the Dann family… I love these stories. Such fun, bite-sized reads!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always a joy to return to Valdemar in whatever form gets us there. These short stories written by authors not named Mercedes Lackey do an admirable job of finding characters both Herald and citizens who inhabit the world and telling tidbits about their stories. Some are ancient past and some are more current but almost all are little sugar plums you can savor. I always enjoy these anthologies and this one is no exception. Thanks for the chance to savor the magic.

[annapi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to go back to Valdemar for a visit. I like that many of these authors have actually written recurring characters over the 13 anthologies in this series, so a lot of them are familiar. Particularly good are the tales of Sergeant Hektor Dann and his family. As with all anthologies, some stories are better than others, so overall the rating evens out to 3 stars.

[Kate H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

More stories in Valdemar, with some known characters and some new. My favorites are usually the continuing stories, but that means that this really isn't a standalone -- you need to have read all the anthologies, preferably in order.

These stories are all set at an equinox or mid-winter's day or mid-summer's day.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I really wanted to read one of Lackey’s novels but I have too many library books to read right now, so figured I could read one of the Tales of Valdemar books, reading approximately one story a day. And it was fun, so maybe I will do this again next month. Liked the stories, though of course, the best was the last one written by Lackey herself. From my collection.

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Requires the reader to be caught up with Valdemar universe books up to mage wars at least. I would prefer short stories to be in realm, but disconnected from the main storyline to make it more newbie-friendly. Aside from that, not very interested in the shorts aside from Lackey's. It scratches the itch while I wait for the next founding of Valdemar book, but it will never be a favourite.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valdemar

My biggest objection? Not enough stories! But I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. Such a treat! I especially enjoyed Vanyel 's short story...miss him a lot. So many memorable characters. Now I have to wait for the next valdemar story. Sigh.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last is best, among them all

So ManY stories leave you wishing for more. These i wish could go on and on and on. As I said before, the last was the best. But I have a very short memory. The Pelegiris guardians? Adorable! Until they aren't.

[Judy Aikens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

Again I have spent enjoyable time in the world of Velgarth. The anthologies allow me to get a satisfying read when I am short of time and the Kindle app allows me to take it anywhere without weighing down my overstuffed purse.

[Linda Malcor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Vanyel and Vixen story is included in this one. Apparently Healers ride the same Circuits as Heralds and they can ride together. Also Van was allowed to break the Waystation rule about staying there.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

New stories of old friends

I enjoyed reading about vanyel's circuit, wil's survival of yet another attempt, and meeting new heralds. I also enjoyed new stories of velgarth as a whole. The story about holderkin who remain holderkin was very good, also.