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Tales of Valdemar #5
Changing the World
In March 1987, a young author from Oklahoma published her first novel, Arrows of the Queen . This modest book about a magical land called Valdemar was the beginning of a fantasy masterpiece that would span decades and include more than two dozen titles. Now sixteen of today’s hottest fantasy authors—including Tanya Huff, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Fiona Patton, and Judith Tarr—visit the world of Valdemar, adding their own special touches.
343 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
82 people are currently reading
1856 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
432 books9,548 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 80 reviews
January 6, 2016
3½ stars
I love Mercedes Lackey's writing, and I specifically love her Valdemar series; I own every single one of the Valdemar books – I've even re-bought several in e-book form so I can dive in whenever and wherever the mood strikes – and I've read the whole lot of them many, many times.
If you're wondering how my love for Valdemar translates into a 3.5-star score, it's because this anthology, like all the other collections she's published, only contains one of her own stories. The rest of the short stories in the book are written by other authors at Lackey's invitation...and sometimes those other authors don't get it quite right. You'll already be familiar with this arrangement if you've read any of the other Valdemar collections (I think this is the fifth?), and, if that's the case, I strongly recommend that you use your opinion of those to decide whether to get this one – many of the authors who contribute to these books continue the stories of the characters they created for earlier books. In other words, if you loved Ree and Herald Jors, or if you hated Maia or Lelia, you'll be seeing all those characters again.
Changing the World has sixteen stories in it, and naturally, I liked some better than others. “Changing the World” is also the title of Lackey's own offering, and as per usual, it was one of the best, if not THE best. I also enjoyed Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune's “For Want of a Nail,” which explores the first appearance of the Companions AND includes a m/m relationship (nothing explicit, it's all in the background if you're wondering). Tanya Huff's “Nothing Better to Do” features Jors, one of my more favorite anthology characters, and – despite featuring an orphan – is lighthearted and fun. I also enjoyed “The Thief of Anvil's Close” by Fiona Patton; this isn't the best story featuring Hektor Dann, but the Watch Sergeant and his huge family are always good for a good time. And I struggled with where to put “Be Careful What You Wish For” by Nancy Asire, but decided it belongs with these other winners; this one features a band of Karsite bandits and a Gift I don't recall ever seeing before.
There was more than one story I didn't care for at all. “The Reluctant Herald” by Mickey Zucher Reichert was more upsetting than entertaining. “The Last Part of the Way” by Brenda Cooper was another I could've done without; it's a Rhiannon & Dionne story, and I'm not a great fan of those two characters, and this one was even more aggravating than usual. While most of my ventures into Valdemar make me fall in love with companions all over again, “Twice Blessed” by Judith Tarr showed us just how unpleasant they can be...and I don't think that was her intention. And the last story in the book, “Interview with a Companion” by Benjamin Ohlander, is set in the real world where a companion shows up in Kentucky to offer a journalist an interview, and the effect was mostly just jarring.
But with most of the others, I liked them, I suppose, but I'd have a hard time really praising them; some don't seem to have enough of a point, and others lack Valdemar's unique flavor. “Softly Falling Snow” by Elizabeth A. Vaughan, starring Queen Elspeth the Peacemaker from Vanyel's time. It was well written and well characterized, but awfully melancholy. “A Storytelling of Crows” by Elisabeth Waters was very good writing-wise, but a little too short to draw me in. “Waiting to Belong” by Kristin Schwengel ended up being quite good as well, but was rocked by some clunky dialogue before it really had a chance to get rolling. I'd have called “Wounded Bird” by Michael Z. Williamson, a story about Riga, is well-written, but had I not read another Riga story in an early anthology, I wouldn't have had any idea what it has to do with Valdemar. There were two Ree stories in here, one each by Sarah A. Hoyt and Kate Paulk, and while the writing is good, the characters just aren't my favorite; it's hard to pinpoint, but something about these ones just doesn't evoke the placidity I usually feel when I'm in Valdemar. And finally, “Midwinter Gifts” by Stephanie Shaver reintroduces us to Bard Lelia and Herald Wil. This one had promise, but the plotting was a bit clunky.
Really, I can't pretend that Mercedes Lackey's books – the full-length novels, I mean – are perfect. They all have lots of reviews pointing out their weak spots, and I have to admit, much of that criticism is earned. There's just something about this world, though, that lets me overlook the lack of perfection. They soothe my soul. But as forgiving as I am of Lackey's own writing, and as much as I like some of these authors' works in their own rights, a Valdemar story written by someone other than its creator just doesn't get the same leeway from me. All the same, though, I'm never NOT going to want a trip into Valdemar, even if it's not perfect...so I'm rounding my 3½ stars up. I'm sure I'll be diving back into this collection again in the future, and now that I know which contributions really shine, I'll like it that much more the next time around!
I love Mercedes Lackey's writing, and I specifically love her Valdemar series; I own every single one of the Valdemar books – I've even re-bought several in e-book form so I can dive in whenever and wherever the mood strikes – and I've read the whole lot of them many, many times.
If you're wondering how my love for Valdemar translates into a 3.5-star score, it's because this anthology, like all the other collections she's published, only contains one of her own stories. The rest of the short stories in the book are written by other authors at Lackey's invitation...and sometimes those other authors don't get it quite right. You'll already be familiar with this arrangement if you've read any of the other Valdemar collections (I think this is the fifth?), and, if that's the case, I strongly recommend that you use your opinion of those to decide whether to get this one – many of the authors who contribute to these books continue the stories of the characters they created for earlier books. In other words, if you loved Ree and Herald Jors, or if you hated Maia or Lelia, you'll be seeing all those characters again.
Changing the World has sixteen stories in it, and naturally, I liked some better than others. “Changing the World” is also the title of Lackey's own offering, and as per usual, it was one of the best, if not THE best. I also enjoyed Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune's “For Want of a Nail,” which explores the first appearance of the Companions AND includes a m/m relationship (nothing explicit, it's all in the background if you're wondering). Tanya Huff's “Nothing Better to Do” features Jors, one of my more favorite anthology characters, and – despite featuring an orphan – is lighthearted and fun. I also enjoyed “The Thief of Anvil's Close” by Fiona Patton; this isn't the best story featuring Hektor Dann, but the Watch Sergeant and his huge family are always good for a good time. And I struggled with where to put “Be Careful What You Wish For” by Nancy Asire, but decided it belongs with these other winners; this one features a band of Karsite bandits and a Gift I don't recall ever seeing before.
There was more than one story I didn't care for at all. “The Reluctant Herald” by Mickey Zucher Reichert was more upsetting than entertaining. “The Last Part of the Way” by Brenda Cooper was another I could've done without; it's a Rhiannon & Dionne story, and I'm not a great fan of those two characters, and this one was even more aggravating than usual. While most of my ventures into Valdemar make me fall in love with companions all over again, “Twice Blessed” by Judith Tarr showed us just how unpleasant they can be...and I don't think that was her intention. And the last story in the book, “Interview with a Companion” by Benjamin Ohlander, is set in the real world where a companion shows up in Kentucky to offer a journalist an interview, and the effect was mostly just jarring.
But with most of the others, I liked them, I suppose, but I'd have a hard time really praising them; some don't seem to have enough of a point, and others lack Valdemar's unique flavor. “Softly Falling Snow” by Elizabeth A. Vaughan, starring Queen Elspeth the Peacemaker from Vanyel's time. It was well written and well characterized, but awfully melancholy. “A Storytelling of Crows” by Elisabeth Waters was very good writing-wise, but a little too short to draw me in. “Waiting to Belong” by Kristin Schwengel ended up being quite good as well, but was rocked by some clunky dialogue before it really had a chance to get rolling. I'd have called “Wounded Bird” by Michael Z. Williamson, a story about Riga, is well-written, but had I not read another Riga story in an early anthology, I wouldn't have had any idea what it has to do with Valdemar. There were two Ree stories in here, one each by Sarah A. Hoyt and Kate Paulk, and while the writing is good, the characters just aren't my favorite; it's hard to pinpoint, but something about these ones just doesn't evoke the placidity I usually feel when I'm in Valdemar. And finally, “Midwinter Gifts” by Stephanie Shaver reintroduces us to Bard Lelia and Herald Wil. This one had promise, but the plotting was a bit clunky.
Really, I can't pretend that Mercedes Lackey's books – the full-length novels, I mean – are perfect. They all have lots of reviews pointing out their weak spots, and I have to admit, much of that criticism is earned. There's just something about this world, though, that lets me overlook the lack of perfection. They soothe my soul. But as forgiving as I am of Lackey's own writing, and as much as I like some of these authors' works in their own rights, a Valdemar story written by someone other than its creator just doesn't get the same leeway from me. All the same, though, I'm never NOT going to want a trip into Valdemar, even if it's not perfect...so I'm rounding my 3½ stars up. I'm sure I'll be diving back into this collection again in the future, and now that I know which contributions really shine, I'll like it that much more the next time around!
January 22, 2015
An anthology of sixteen short stories in the Valdemar young adult fantasy series.
There's one constant that keeps cropping up in various stories when a Herald complains about a task he has to do, and a Companion reminds him that this is exactly what he is supposed to do. Help people. Help Valdemar. Because helping and protecting the people of Valdemar is important and can only help Valdemar and a Herald can't pick and choose which tasks he'd prefer to do.
Chronology:
"For Want of a Nail" (the very beginning of the kingdom of Valdemar and the arrival of the Companions)
"Softly Falling Snow" (towards the latter end of Elspeth's reign)
"The Last Part of the Way" (a Rhi and Dionne short)
"Midwinter Gifts" (Wil and Leila)
"Defending the Heart" and "Matters of the Heart" (Heart 1 & 2??; Ree and Jem stories which begin after the last Mage Storm)
"The Thief of Anvil's Close" (Dann Family of Haven, 2)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "The One Left Behind" makes me cry and laugh. I love the revenge Marya achieves, and I ache for her losses. Selfish, nasty people thinking only of their own comforts! Arghhh!!!
Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune's "For Want of a Nail" is a fascinating peek at the very beginning of Valdemar when the baron was just starting out with his followers to create his dream. This story is from the perspective of a foot soldier-turned-scout and his worries.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "Softly Falling Snow" is so sadly lovely as Elspeth regrets the passage of time and the constant stress of keeping her kingdom at peace.
Meanwhile, lol, he'll let her strum his lute.
Mickey Zucker Reichert's "The Reluctant Herald" is funny even though it doesn't sound right. It sounds too jokey, too modern, too abrupt, even as our reluctant herald manages a narrow escape.
Elisabeth Waters's "A Storytelling of Crows" finds a Companion stumbling on Maia in the Forest of Sorrows with an arrow-studded pile of rags on its back. This is cute with a small crew of helpful critters. Waters starts with some nice detail, but then suddenly realizes she only has so many pages available. Yep, she speeds up and summarizes a whole lotta events to fit it all in.
Kristin Schwengel's "Waiting to Belong" is joyous, bitter, and then smooths into a waiting stance as Shia tends the town's ills and hurts. Waters could take a hint from Schwengel's story as Schwengel has nicely wrapped up several years into a short story. And has left me wanting more, dammit.
Brenda Cooper's "The Last Part of the Way" is another Rhi and Dionne story in which they help a depressed young Herald. It's a soft yet sorrowful tale for all those involved.
Stephanie D. Shaver's "Midwinter Gifts" finds us reading of Bard Leila (from Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar: "Sight and Sound") with a brief mention of her twin, Herald Lyle. It's Wil's Companion, Vehs, and Queen's Own Talamir who pairs her up with Herald Wil to investigate a possible serial murderer! A cute story of unrequited love and frustrated confusion.
Michael Z. Williamson's "Wounded Bird" is a story that will have women and, ahem, intelligent men (lol) up in arms as Riga puts up with the Mirr idea of courtesy.
I do love Riga's ending sentence!
Kate Paulk's "Defending the Heart" is an important story. I think it introduces us to Jem and Ree, and being on the farm. It is also the story in which the Hobgoblin King comes to "life" and the reason why the villagers are, later on, so accepting of Ree. I can understand (and despise) that they are conscripting soldiers, but why would these soldiers, who belong to Grand Duke Parleon in whose lands the farm stands, take people to sell as slaves and why would they be looting and burning out their own people. How does the duke expect his subjects to farm, to produce food to eat and trade, to raise taxes if he's eliminating them and their farms, towns, villages? It's also the story of Amelie.
Sarah A. Hoyt's "Matters of the Heart" comes right after "Defending the Heart" and finds Lenar coming home from the wars. It's a battle of an argument followed by yet more physical battles.
I do like the stories of Jem and Ree, but I do wish Hoyt didn't make Ree sound so pathetically pitiful. I can understand why Ree would be insecure, but jesus, Hoyt takes it a bit too far.
Tanya Huff's "Nothing Better to Do" is incredibly sad as well as funny when Herald Jors has to rescue and transport a toddler. I think he gains a new appreciation for what mothers have to go through, lol. The 'ossy isn't too excited about all that sticky, either…*she says laughing*…
Fiona Patton's "The Thief of Anvil's Close" is a Dann family story with an unexpected burglary solved for the blacksmith. Seems a very skillful thief is stealing tools and goods from him, and Edzel is a'stormin' and a'rantin' that the watchmen are totally useless. It's amazing how much information Patton can get into a story and make it so good!
Judith Tarr's "Twice Blessed" is an odd one, and I'd be curious to know how this threesome does in the future.
Nancy Asire's "Be Careful What You Wish For" is too true for Herald Tomar. He's headed back to Karse to find out how the rest of the family is in Karse. It's safer there now, for the Son of the Sun has declared Valdemar a friend. Only the meeting he has with family is not at all what he expected.
I'll be hoping that a future anthology lets us know what happens to Doron.
Ben Ohlander's "Interview with a Companion" is too, too funny with a modern-day reporter hoping for an explosive exposé who ends up interviewing a Companion in Kentucky. A Companion who sent him some of Mercedes Lackey's books to read and has a few words to say about some woman writer in Oklahoma who writes about Companions and elves building race cars. He also talks about the Companions who have changed our world's history besides the background he gives on Vanyel and magic in Valdemar.
The Cover and Title
The cover is gorgeous in its rich browns and golds with a general background of a deep golden tangle of dragon and gryphon against a red-brown. On top of that is an inset shield border of white steel with equally spaced rivets that frames the white Companion's head emerging from the shape, a close-up of gryphon feathers behind him. Atop that is a smaller shield of black with a white steel border encasing a red firebird against a round golden sun-shape. The yellow title is above it all on a black background bordered by a deep burnished gold border. The firebird's red creates the sub title with white providing the book info and the "edited by" information at the bottom.
The title is about the Heralds and how they're Changing the World.
There's one constant that keeps cropping up in various stories when a Herald complains about a task he has to do, and a Companion reminds him that this is exactly what he is supposed to do. Help people. Help Valdemar. Because helping and protecting the people of Valdemar is important and can only help Valdemar and a Herald can't pick and choose which tasks he'd prefer to do.
Chronology:
"For Want of a Nail" (the very beginning of the kingdom of Valdemar and the arrival of the Companions)
"Softly Falling Snow" (towards the latter end of Elspeth's reign)
"The Last Part of the Way" (a Rhi and Dionne short)
"Midwinter Gifts" (Wil and Leila)
"Defending the Heart" and "Matters of the Heart" (Heart 1 & 2??; Ree and Jem stories which begin after the last Mage Storm)
"The Thief of Anvil's Close" (Dann Family of Haven, 2)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "The One Left Behind" makes me cry and laugh. I love the revenge Marya achieves, and I ache for her losses. Selfish, nasty people thinking only of their own comforts! Arghhh!!!
Rosemary Edghill & Denise McCune's "For Want of a Nail" is a fascinating peek at the very beginning of Valdemar when the baron was just starting out with his followers to create his dream. This story is from the perspective of a foot soldier-turned-scout and his worries.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "Softly Falling Snow" is so sadly lovely as Elspeth regrets the passage of time and the constant stress of keeping her kingdom at peace.
"'I love you.'
'And I, you,' Kyran said. 'And on the morning when you do not wake, I'll not be far behind.'"
Meanwhile, lol, he'll let her strum his lute.
Mickey Zucker Reichert's "The Reluctant Herald" is funny even though it doesn't sound right. It sounds too jokey, too modern, too abrupt, even as our reluctant herald manages a narrow escape.
Elisabeth Waters's "A Storytelling of Crows" finds a Companion stumbling on Maia in the Forest of Sorrows with an arrow-studded pile of rags on its back. This is cute with a small crew of helpful critters. Waters starts with some nice detail, but then suddenly realizes she only has so many pages available. Yep, she speeds up and summarizes a whole lotta events to fit it all in.
Kristin Schwengel's "Waiting to Belong" is joyous, bitter, and then smooths into a waiting stance as Shia tends the town's ills and hurts. Waters could take a hint from Schwengel's story as Schwengel has nicely wrapped up several years into a short story. And has left me wanting more, dammit.
Brenda Cooper's "The Last Part of the Way" is another Rhi and Dionne story in which they help a depressed young Herald. It's a soft yet sorrowful tale for all those involved.
Stephanie D. Shaver's "Midwinter Gifts" finds us reading of Bard Leila (from Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar: "Sight and Sound") with a brief mention of her twin, Herald Lyle. It's Wil's Companion, Vehs, and Queen's Own Talamir who pairs her up with Herald Wil to investigate a possible serial murderer! A cute story of unrequited love and frustrated confusion.
Michael Z. Williamson's "Wounded Bird" is a story that will have women and, ahem, intelligent men (lol) up in arms as Riga puts up with the Mirr idea of courtesy.
"'I swore my Warrior's Oath to protect the weak,' she said, 'And I didn't swear that it stopped at the edge of our lands.'"
I do love Riga's ending sentence!
Kate Paulk's "Defending the Heart" is an important story. I think it introduces us to Jem and Ree, and being on the farm. It is also the story in which the Hobgoblin King comes to "life" and the reason why the villagers are, later on, so accepting of Ree. I can understand (and despise) that they are conscripting soldiers, but why would these soldiers, who belong to Grand Duke Parleon in whose lands the farm stands, take people to sell as slaves and why would they be looting and burning out their own people. How does the duke expect his subjects to farm, to produce food to eat and trade, to raise taxes if he's eliminating them and their farms, towns, villages? It's also the story of Amelie.
Sarah A. Hoyt's "Matters of the Heart" comes right after "Defending the Heart" and finds Lenar coming home from the wars. It's a battle of an argument followed by yet more physical battles.
I do like the stories of Jem and Ree, but I do wish Hoyt didn't make Ree sound so pathetically pitiful. I can understand why Ree would be insecure, but jesus, Hoyt takes it a bit too far.
Tanya Huff's "Nothing Better to Do" is incredibly sad as well as funny when Herald Jors has to rescue and transport a toddler. I think he gains a new appreciation for what mothers have to go through, lol. The 'ossy isn't too excited about all that sticky, either…*she says laughing*…
Fiona Patton's "The Thief of Anvil's Close" is a Dann family story with an unexpected burglary solved for the blacksmith. Seems a very skillful thief is stealing tools and goods from him, and Edzel is a'stormin' and a'rantin' that the watchmen are totally useless. It's amazing how much information Patton can get into a story and make it so good!
Judith Tarr's "Twice Blessed" is an odd one, and I'd be curious to know how this threesome does in the future.
Nancy Asire's "Be Careful What You Wish For" is too true for Herald Tomar. He's headed back to Karse to find out how the rest of the family is in Karse. It's safer there now, for the Son of the Sun has declared Valdemar a friend. Only the meeting he has with family is not at all what he expected.
I'll be hoping that a future anthology lets us know what happens to Doron.
Ben Ohlander's "Interview with a Companion" is too, too funny with a modern-day reporter hoping for an explosive exposé who ends up interviewing a Companion in Kentucky. A Companion who sent him some of Mercedes Lackey's books to read and has a few words to say about some woman writer in Oklahoma who writes about Companions and elves building race cars. He also talks about the Companions who have changed our world's history besides the background he gives on Vanyel and magic in Valdemar.
The Cover and Title
The cover is gorgeous in its rich browns and golds with a general background of a deep golden tangle of dragon and gryphon against a red-brown. On top of that is an inset shield border of white steel with equally spaced rivets that frames the white Companion's head emerging from the shape, a close-up of gryphon feathers behind him. Atop that is a smaller shield of black with a white steel border encasing a red firebird against a round golden sun-shape. The yellow title is above it all on a black background bordered by a deep burnished gold border. The firebird's red creates the sub title with white providing the book info and the "edited by" information at the bottom.
The title is about the Heralds and how they're Changing the World.
May 26, 2022
I like it.
As always with story collections - some are very good, some are okay and some are not for me.
I really like the one about an old Elsbeth and of Herald Jors ones the most. :)
The last one - that kind of breaks the fourth wall and is set in modern times - has been interesting too.
I enjoyed the two directly connected ones too. And the one set at the founding at Valdemar? Yeah, like it.
All in all, a nice trip back to Valdemar. :)
As always with story collections - some are very good, some are okay and some are not for me.
I really like the one about an old Elsbeth and of Herald Jors ones the most. :)
The last one - that kind of breaks the fourth wall and is set in modern times - has been interesting too.
I enjoyed the two directly connected ones too. And the one set at the founding at Valdemar? Yeah, like it.
All in all, a nice trip back to Valdemar. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2021
I literally laughed out loud at the last story in this compilation. I love the idea of a companion in our world.
January 22, 2013
For the most part a pleasant if not outstanding journey into snippets of Valdemar. The stories bounce around through history a lot, though, which is fine if you decide to leisurely read one story at a time, a little jarring if you sit down to read the whole book (I was sort of in the middle, read a big chunk and also did some one by one reading). There were good stories and not-so-good stories. A couple of them left me very frustrated because I felt the authors brought up unnecessary details if they weren't going to resolve them in any way. Those stories always seemed to have a rushed ending. And the last story, "Interview with a Companion"... UGH. That was terrible. A Companion in real-life Kentucky talking with a reporter. It was so terrible I couldn't even make myself read the whole thing, and I finished the book feeling very sour. I don't think it was a good move to put such a controversial story as the final one. I'm sure some people love the premise of that story, but you have to know that many people won't (and it's also where the title for this collection came from, Changing the World, which bothers me). I think the final story of a book should be an excellent one, one that will leave the reader feeling very happy and wanting more.
July 12, 2024
The One Left Behind by Mercedes Lackey
Angry, frustrated, tart. I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars
For Want of a Nail by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune
Honorable but skeptical. 3 stars
Softly Falling Snow by Elizabeth A. Vaughan
*laughing through my tears* 3.5 stars
The Reluctant Herald by Mickey Zucker Reichert
Entertaining. 3 stars
A Storytelling of Crows by Elizabeth Waters
Pretty delightful. 3.5 stars
Waiting To Belong by Kristin Schwengel
Lovely. 3.5 stars
The Last Part of the Way by Brenda Cooper
Sad. But hopeful. 3 stars
Midwinter Gifts by Stephanie D. Shaver
Star-crossed…acquaintances. 3 stars
Wounded Bird by Michael Z. Williamson
Silent, well-behaved, and sneaky. 3.5 stars
Defending the Heart by Kate Paulk
"Tax collectors" meet hobgoblin. 3.5 stars
Nothing Better to Do by Tanya Huff
Heartwarming and funny. 3.5 stars
The Thief of Anvil's Close by Fiona Patton
Very amusing. 3.5 stars
Twice Blessed by Judith Tarr
Unprecedented. 3.5 stars
Be Careful What You Wish For by Nancy Asire
Karsite relatives. 3 stars
Interview with a Companion by Benjamin Ohlander
Blech. Do not like. 1 star
Angry, frustrated, tart. I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars
For Want of a Nail by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune
Honorable but skeptical. 3 stars
Softly Falling Snow by Elizabeth A. Vaughan
*laughing through my tears* 3.5 stars
The Reluctant Herald by Mickey Zucker Reichert
Entertaining. 3 stars
A Storytelling of Crows by Elizabeth Waters
Pretty delightful. 3.5 stars
Waiting To Belong by Kristin Schwengel
Lovely. 3.5 stars
The Last Part of the Way by Brenda Cooper
Sad. But hopeful. 3 stars
Midwinter Gifts by Stephanie D. Shaver
Star-crossed…acquaintances. 3 stars
Wounded Bird by Michael Z. Williamson
Silent, well-behaved, and sneaky. 3.5 stars
Defending the Heart by Kate Paulk
"Tax collectors" meet hobgoblin. 3.5 stars
Nothing Better to Do by Tanya Huff
Heartwarming and funny. 3.5 stars
The Thief of Anvil's Close by Fiona Patton
Very amusing. 3.5 stars
Twice Blessed by Judith Tarr
Unprecedented. 3.5 stars
Be Careful What You Wish For by Nancy Asire
Karsite relatives. 3 stars
Interview with a Companion by Benjamin Ohlander
Blech. Do not like. 1 star
January 18, 2017
Finally got around to reading the most recent anthology, and wound up following about 4-5 years of stories about the same characters. Quite good, most of them.
January 18, 2021
Oh, I really enjoyed this anthology!
This time, the first story was by Mercedes herself, instead of the book ending with a story by her and, as usual, she got me straight into the right mindset to read it. I loved that she told the story of the people left behind, after a Companion had come along, and changed a whole family's lives - a brilliant ending, too.
The next story, by Rosemary Edghill, and Denise McCune, took us right back to the very beginnings of the country of Valdemar, and how Companions began to appear - i loved this, and the main character was perfect for the story.
The next story, by Elizabeth A. Vaughn, was a happy/sad look at Queen Elspeth in later life, and it touched me a lot.
Next, a story by Mickey Zucker Reichert, tells of a very reluctant Chosen, and had me chuckling at times though, as with Mercedes' own stories, there was a bit of a sting, too.
The next story, by Elisabeth Waters, was a delightful tale - I absolutely loved the Raccoon!
The next, by Kristin Schwengel was kind of sad, but had a happier ending, even though I felt that there was much more of the story to be told - i can only hope that, like other writers in these anthologies, more will be written of this character - she deserves it, for sure.
Brenda Cooper wrote the next tale and, as I said just now, she is one of the writers who have contributed to earlier books, and so her characters were familiar to me. It was so nice to read about their lives again.
Stephanie D. Shaver is another repeat writer and, once again, I really enjoyed reading more about her characters, too. I hope there will be more.
Yet another repeat writer, Michael Z. Williamson took his tale to a later date than the one I'd read before from him - just a few years, but those years made a lot of difference to his characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and, once again, hope for more in a later anthology.
Kate Paulk wrote the next story, again using some of my favourite characters, and it was very satisfying to read the ending to the story she gave us.
In the next story, Sarah A. Hoyt wrote about the same main characters, but with a totally different take on it - I really enjoyed reading it and, even though it followed straight on from the one before, there was no conflict with it.
Tanya Huff wrote the next piece, about another Herald that I've enjoyed getting to know. The story fitted in seamlessly, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The next tale, by Fiona Patton, wrote about a familiar character in Haven's City Guard, and I really enjoyed this little vignette of life in the poorer parts of the city once again - and, once again, hope for more. I have a real affection for City Guard stories, after being so caught up with them in Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories!
Judith Tarr wrote this next piece, and I got thoroughly involved with her story and, what I loved the most, was that I didn't have a clue where she was going with it, until the ending, something rare for me, with the amount that I read.
The next story, by Nancy Asire, touched on another character that I've grown to enjoy, and so it had a very satisfactory conclusion for me.
The final story in the book, by Benjamin Ohlander, had me laughing out loud. I do so hope that I'll be able to read more of his stuff in future anthologies, as his style of writing tickled me greatly.
So, that's all from this fifth anthology. But, one thing I'm really glad of, is that I risked buying the anthologies recently because, if I hadn't, I would have missed out on a rich vein of talented writing, and all those wonderful glimpses into the world of Valdemar, and the rest!
This time, the first story was by Mercedes herself, instead of the book ending with a story by her and, as usual, she got me straight into the right mindset to read it. I loved that she told the story of the people left behind, after a Companion had come along, and changed a whole family's lives - a brilliant ending, too.
The next story, by Rosemary Edghill, and Denise McCune, took us right back to the very beginnings of the country of Valdemar, and how Companions began to appear - i loved this, and the main character was perfect for the story.
The next story, by Elizabeth A. Vaughn, was a happy/sad look at Queen Elspeth in later life, and it touched me a lot.
Next, a story by Mickey Zucker Reichert, tells of a very reluctant Chosen, and had me chuckling at times though, as with Mercedes' own stories, there was a bit of a sting, too.
The next story, by Elisabeth Waters, was a delightful tale - I absolutely loved the Raccoon!
The next, by Kristin Schwengel was kind of sad, but had a happier ending, even though I felt that there was much more of the story to be told - i can only hope that, like other writers in these anthologies, more will be written of this character - she deserves it, for sure.
Brenda Cooper wrote the next tale and, as I said just now, she is one of the writers who have contributed to earlier books, and so her characters were familiar to me. It was so nice to read about their lives again.
Stephanie D. Shaver is another repeat writer and, once again, I really enjoyed reading more about her characters, too. I hope there will be more.
Yet another repeat writer, Michael Z. Williamson took his tale to a later date than the one I'd read before from him - just a few years, but those years made a lot of difference to his characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and, once again, hope for more in a later anthology.
Kate Paulk wrote the next story, again using some of my favourite characters, and it was very satisfying to read the ending to the story she gave us.
In the next story, Sarah A. Hoyt wrote about the same main characters, but with a totally different take on it - I really enjoyed reading it and, even though it followed straight on from the one before, there was no conflict with it.
Tanya Huff wrote the next piece, about another Herald that I've enjoyed getting to know. The story fitted in seamlessly, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The next tale, by Fiona Patton, wrote about a familiar character in Haven's City Guard, and I really enjoyed this little vignette of life in the poorer parts of the city once again - and, once again, hope for more. I have a real affection for City Guard stories, after being so caught up with them in Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories!
Judith Tarr wrote this next piece, and I got thoroughly involved with her story and, what I loved the most, was that I didn't have a clue where she was going with it, until the ending, something rare for me, with the amount that I read.
The next story, by Nancy Asire, touched on another character that I've grown to enjoy, and so it had a very satisfactory conclusion for me.
The final story in the book, by Benjamin Ohlander, had me laughing out loud. I do so hope that I'll be able to read more of his stuff in future anthologies, as his style of writing tickled me greatly.
So, that's all from this fifth anthology. But, one thing I'm really glad of, is that I risked buying the anthologies recently because, if I hadn't, I would have missed out on a rich vein of talented writing, and all those wonderful glimpses into the world of Valdemar, and the rest!
May 25, 2024
My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read 7 stories in this anthology.
“For Want of a Nail” by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune: Okay, so first, Mercedes Lackey has retconned details concerning Kordas and his sons and what actually happened during the flight from the Iron Throne in Beyond and Into the West. That’s fine, this story was written before those were and details can be fuzzy through retellings so… yep.
And there’s the Companions I was wondering about… and maybe we don’t need a third Kordas book, thanks to this story. I would have liked to see the first Companions Choosing through Kordas, but getting this Navar story was good.
Navar is interesting. Got a war of hope and experience going on where the experience takes over.
“Softly Fallen Snow” by Elizabeth A. Vaughn: Kind of adorable. Nice little overview of Elspeth the Peacemaker’s personality.
“The Last Part of the Way” by Brenda Cooper: A maudlin tale of grief. Made me tear up.
“The One Left Behind” by Mercedes Lackey: Pretty long tale of a weaver who got taken advantage of by a fake Herald and basically her revenge on him. Also a tale of a renewal of faith in Heralds and a finding of herself. Liked it well enough.
“Midwinter Gifts” by Stephanie D. Shaver: Kinda fun getting a little Leila/Wil doing a detective-thing together. Enjoyed it well enough.
“Be Careful What You Wish For” by Nancy Asire: Ehhh… not super fond of this. Mostly just back-and-forths between characters and not super interesting.
“Defending the Heart” by Kate Paulk: Was alright. The Empire seems to be breaking off into littler pieces now that magic’s all wonky.
“Matters of the Heart” by Sarah A. Hoyt: Oh yay, Garrad’s son has returned and has many issues with Ree, not least of which that Ree and Jem might be a couple. Gag me with a spoon.
Of course it all worked out in the end, and yay for representation.
“For Want of a Nail” by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune: Okay, so first, Mercedes Lackey has retconned details concerning Kordas and his sons and what actually happened during the flight from the Iron Throne in Beyond and Into the West. That’s fine, this story was written before those were and details can be fuzzy through retellings so… yep.
And there’s the Companions I was wondering about… and maybe we don’t need a third Kordas book, thanks to this story. I would have liked to see the first Companions Choosing through Kordas, but getting this Navar story was good.
Navar is interesting. Got a war of hope and experience going on where the experience takes over.
“Softly Fallen Snow” by Elizabeth A. Vaughn: Kind of adorable. Nice little overview of Elspeth the Peacemaker’s personality.
“The Last Part of the Way” by Brenda Cooper: A maudlin tale of grief. Made me tear up.
“The One Left Behind” by Mercedes Lackey: Pretty long tale of a weaver who got taken advantage of by a fake Herald and basically her revenge on him. Also a tale of a renewal of faith in Heralds and a finding of herself. Liked it well enough.
“Midwinter Gifts” by Stephanie D. Shaver: Kinda fun getting a little Leila/Wil doing a detective-thing together. Enjoyed it well enough.
“Be Careful What You Wish For” by Nancy Asire: Ehhh… not super fond of this. Mostly just back-and-forths between characters and not super interesting.
“Defending the Heart” by Kate Paulk: Was alright. The Empire seems to be breaking off into littler pieces now that magic’s all wonky.
“Matters of the Heart” by Sarah A. Hoyt: Oh yay, Garrad’s son has returned and has many issues with Ree, not least of which that Ree and Jem might be a couple. Gag me with a spoon.
Of course it all worked out in the end, and yay for representation.
December 2, 2017
That takes care of my Valdemar fix...my favorite story was when the Companion chose TWO Chosen, two girls who were born the same time and were expected to be friends because the mothers are cousins and good friends, instead they HATE each other, and it was almost going to be a blood bath when they realized One Companion Chose both of them..the reason why was pretty fantastic. I read this out of order of the other ones so I found out two more stories that go with two others from the book that's after this one (which I read a few months back) the story of Ree, a hobgoblin. So I got to read his story almost backwards. One story got me totally confused cause it wasn't set in Valdemar or it's closest areas at all but a totally foreign land that subjugates women. The traders are probably from the areas of Valdemar but it just wasn't the typical story..no Companions. But overall a really great book and I am proud to own it and keep it in my collection.
August 18, 2020
Interesting group of short stories all set following the end of the Storm books. There's even a modern day story closing the anthology that pretty much asserts that El Cid, George Washington and General Lee were all later day heralds of a sort but I'll leave the rest of the details of that tale for you to discover on your own.
I've generally not cared for the anthologies of short stories as much as the novel series books but either this one was better cobbled together or I've grown more accepting of this format.
Well worth the read and just the thing if you've read all her other Valdemar books and need a fix of some new adventures.
I've generally not cared for the anthologies of short stories as much as the novel series books but either this one was better cobbled together or I've grown more accepting of this format.
Well worth the read and just the thing if you've read all her other Valdemar books and need a fix of some new adventures.
October 26, 2020
I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist.
October 31, 2022
The first few of these stories are on the melancholy side, but that theme does not follow through the whole book. If you haven't tried many of these collections before, know that some authors continue the stories about their characters from book to book. Because of this, some of these feel like the beginning of something bigger.
August 9, 2017
Enjoyable set of short stories
I've loved this world for a long time and, once again, this was a very enjoyable read. I give it only 4 stars because 5 is reserved for books I'd read many times.
I've loved this world for a long time and, once again, this was a very enjoyable read. I give it only 4 stars because 5 is reserved for books I'd read many times.
June 17, 2017
This is the best Tales of Valdemar collection I have ever read. And I do love the Heralds and Companions of Valdemar! Well done!
July 20, 2017
Especially liked the last story. Actually flipped back to see that it wasn't a Lackey story.
June 29, 2018
For fans of Valdemar.
September 5, 2019
A mix of tales by established and new authors. Quite good.
February 2, 2022
Enjoyed it as expected. The last story surprised me the most admittedly, but I loved some of the twists and turns taken by the short stories in this collection!
October 11, 2022
Reread
January 3, 2023
Don't care for the short stories
I really don't like the short stories they are too short to be much good just when u r interested .
I really don't like the short stories they are too short to be much good just when u r interested .
September 23, 2023
TalesValdemar5
Skipped some. But, reveled in others. Loved Marya. Such a strong character. Hope she shows up again. And Ree and Jem; nice.
Skipped some. But, reveled in others. Loved Marya. Such a strong character. Hope she shows up again. And Ree and Jem; nice.
April 21, 2022
The short stories in this collection, written by both Mercedes Lackey and a variety of other invited writers, are a lovely “gift” of sorts to the Valdemar series. They embody both the feel of the world and that of the characters, weaving together old characters and new in ways completely in keeping with the world established by Lackey herself.
With one exception. “Interview with a Companion” by Benjamin Ohlander.
This story was set in the real world rather than that of Valdemar. In it, a Companion comes to Kentucky to give an interview with a journalist. To be fair, there is nothing wrong with the story. It’s well written, witty and amusing. But its juxtaposition with the rest of the Valdemar stories and books was rather jarring for me. It was so out of place that I had a hard time with it. I confess that I am a bit of a purist when it comes to the Valdemar world.
With one exception. “Interview with a Companion” by Benjamin Ohlander.
This story was set in the real world rather than that of Valdemar. In it, a Companion comes to Kentucky to give an interview with a journalist. To be fair, there is nothing wrong with the story. It’s well written, witty and amusing. But its juxtaposition with the rest of the Valdemar stories and books was rather jarring for me. It was so out of place that I had a hard time with it. I confess that I am a bit of a purist when it comes to the Valdemar world.
March 26, 2011
This is the newest collection of short stories set in Mercedes Lackey's world of Valdemar. Not all the stories deal with the Heralds and their brilliant Companions, Healers, guards, and everyday citizens all have their staring role in these 16 fantastic stories. The collection features a new short story by Mercedes Lackey as well as Tanya Huff, Mickey Zucker Reichert, and Fiona Patton.
For the most part I enjoyed all the stories and they added to the stories of Valdemar, however their were two that I absolutely loved and one that I could have done without.
"Defending the Heart" by Kate Paulk and "Matters of the Heart" by Sarah A. Hoyt are the two that I found myself really enjoying. They are back-to-back stories that tell the tale of a young hobgoblin boy named Ree and Jem the young man he saved and has his heart. For those of you not familiar with the books hobgoblins are humans or animals that got caught in change circles during the mage storms (another long explanation that I will put off for now). Ree was one of those unfortunate souls and now has physical characteristics of both a cat and a rat. He escaped with his mind intact but since most hobgoblins are killed on sight, he hinds and starts to lose his humanity. He saves Jem's life and they escape together into the countryside where they come to a isolated farm ran by a lonely old man. The rest of both stories tells how through kindness and love they find a home and a family. It is a wonderful story that should give everyone who is a little bit different that their is a place for them.
"Interview With a Companion" by Ben Ohlander is one of those stories that takes something familiar and puts it into a setting that is so different from what you are used to. Sometimes it works, other times it fails, this is one of those times when I was disappointed. The premise is that a Companion is here in the United States and giving an interview to a reporter who normally does stories on horse racing. It played with the mythology of Valdemar too much for me to enjoy. It was well written and quite funny, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. Luckily it's the last story so if anyone else wants to read this book they won't have to skip a story in the middle.
If you are familiar with these books I highly recommend this book as a wonderful addition to the Kingdom of Valdemar. Heck, even if you aren't familiar with the lay of the land, you should still read it and get a nice taste for what you've been missing.
For the most part I enjoyed all the stories and they added to the stories of Valdemar, however their were two that I absolutely loved and one that I could have done without.
"Defending the Heart" by Kate Paulk and "Matters of the Heart" by Sarah A. Hoyt are the two that I found myself really enjoying. They are back-to-back stories that tell the tale of a young hobgoblin boy named Ree and Jem the young man he saved and has his heart. For those of you not familiar with the books hobgoblins are humans or animals that got caught in change circles during the mage storms (another long explanation that I will put off for now). Ree was one of those unfortunate souls and now has physical characteristics of both a cat and a rat. He escaped with his mind intact but since most hobgoblins are killed on sight, he hinds and starts to lose his humanity. He saves Jem's life and they escape together into the countryside where they come to a isolated farm ran by a lonely old man. The rest of both stories tells how through kindness and love they find a home and a family. It is a wonderful story that should give everyone who is a little bit different that their is a place for them.
"Interview With a Companion" by Ben Ohlander is one of those stories that takes something familiar and puts it into a setting that is so different from what you are used to. Sometimes it works, other times it fails, this is one of those times when I was disappointed. The premise is that a Companion is here in the United States and giving an interview to a reporter who normally does stories on horse racing. It played with the mythology of Valdemar too much for me to enjoy. It was well written and quite funny, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. Luckily it's the last story so if anyone else wants to read this book they won't have to skip a story in the middle.
If you are familiar with these books I highly recommend this book as a wonderful addition to the Kingdom of Valdemar. Heck, even if you aren't familiar with the lay of the land, you should still read it and get a nice taste for what you've been missing.
February 27, 2017
A fine group of tales. Although you really need to have read a lot of Mercedes Lackey's writings to (IMO) fully appreciate the last story. ;-)
May 16, 2010
Well, as Valdemar anthologies go, it was a very nice one. Two things really bugged me though: firstly, it really really really irritated me that there were many repeated sets of characters (already noticeable in the anthology before) in a disorderly fashion, so not only had I an irritating suspicion that I knew these characters before, but I also couldn't remember (in a few cases) what their former stories were. Thus, I actually wanted to sit down and draw a timetable of all the stories and characters, it got to be that confusing!
Secondly, and this is of course always a problem with anthologies, I couldn't keep the timeline in my head straight anymore. Most stories were written after the Mage Stormes, but then you'd have a few jump in from before Vanyel, or somewhere in between. And the secondary authors didn't write the stories clearly enough for it to be understandable until after the story was over.
And last of all, what was also annoying, but not monumentally irritating, was the last story of the anthology. It was... crude. Irritating. Not worth reading even. Left a sour taste in my mouth after I finished all the other nice stories. It was of a modern-day, non-Valdemar time setting. A companion in the southern states of America. So NOT necessary! Definitely ruined the end of the book.
On a positive note, I think the Jem And Ree stories could be written into a full length series.
Secondly, and this is of course always a problem with anthologies, I couldn't keep the timeline in my head straight anymore. Most stories were written after the Mage Stormes, but then you'd have a few jump in from before Vanyel, or somewhere in between. And the secondary authors didn't write the stories clearly enough for it to be understandable until after the story was over.
And last of all, what was also annoying, but not monumentally irritating, was the last story of the anthology. It was... crude. Irritating. Not worth reading even. Left a sour taste in my mouth after I finished all the other nice stories. It was of a modern-day, non-Valdemar time setting. A companion in the southern states of America. So NOT necessary! Definitely ruined the end of the book.
On a positive note, I think the Jem And Ree stories could be written into a full length series.
October 4, 2023
"Every story is different."
The One Left Behind: another "girl has misjudged opinion of herald because of some wrong done to her in her past that proves to be false"
For Want of a Nail: from Valdemar's founding
Softly Falling Snow: story about Elspeth the Peacemaker
The Reluctant Herald: ah the old "I refuse to be Chosen" story
A Storytelling of Crows: I think this is more of the origin story of Maia with animal speech who gets married in a later anthology
Waiting to Belong: how the healer-herald from Finding the Way gets chosen
The Last Part of the Way: so I know the twins story in Finding the Way comes AFTER this, but here they've already been on cicuit 25 years and I did not picture them that old
Midwinter Gifts: the first time I've seen Lelia's brother Lyle is actually alive
Wounded Bird: is this the girl from the story who leads a war band and her brother gets injured?
Defending the Heart: Jem and Ree and getting conscripted in the army
Matters of the Heart: I'm just now realizing these two are together
Nothing Better to Do: read preciously in The Demon's Den
The Thief of Anvil's Close: I have no idea what the point of this was
Twice Blessed: how would a companion choosing two people even work?
Be Careful What You Wish For: Karsites
Interview with a Companion: cheesy
The One Left Behind: another "girl has misjudged opinion of herald because of some wrong done to her in her past that proves to be false"
For Want of a Nail: from Valdemar's founding
Softly Falling Snow: story about Elspeth the Peacemaker
The Reluctant Herald: ah the old "I refuse to be Chosen" story
A Storytelling of Crows: I think this is more of the origin story of Maia with animal speech who gets married in a later anthology
Waiting to Belong: how the healer-herald from Finding the Way gets chosen
The Last Part of the Way: so I know the twins story in Finding the Way comes AFTER this, but here they've already been on cicuit 25 years and I did not picture them that old
Midwinter Gifts: the first time I've seen Lelia's brother Lyle is actually alive
Wounded Bird: is this the girl from the story who leads a war band and her brother gets injured?
Defending the Heart: Jem and Ree and getting conscripted in the army
Matters of the Heart: I'm just now realizing these two are together
Nothing Better to Do: read preciously in The Demon's Den
The Thief of Anvil's Close: I have no idea what the point of this was
Twice Blessed: how would a companion choosing two people even work?
Be Careful What You Wish For: Karsites
Interview with a Companion: cheesy
July 24, 2012
A pleasant easy reading collection of stories set in Valdamar (Mostly).
Some are quite good, some are not, as one would expect from a ‘fan fiction’ collection.
The first story “The one left behind” by, Mercedes herself was pleasant, a bit of a reversal on the ‘everyone loves heralds’ theme.
Rosemary Edghill’s contribution "For want of a nail"(with Denise McCune) was one of the one’s that stood out as good.
Tanya Huff however disappointed me, she is a favourite author of mine and one of the reasons I picked up this book. Sadly in this story “Nothing better to do” she has succumbed to a strand of writing which I find phenomenally unappealing; this is where an unprepared person is lumped with caring for an infant which pees, poos, pukes and screams at the unprepared person ect ect ect until by the end of the story said person is totally bonded with the infant. I think this is meant to be funny.
Aside from this disappointment it was a pretty good collection.
Some are quite good, some are not, as one would expect from a ‘fan fiction’ collection.
The first story “The one left behind” by, Mercedes herself was pleasant, a bit of a reversal on the ‘everyone loves heralds’ theme.
Rosemary Edghill’s contribution "For want of a nail"(with Denise McCune) was one of the one’s that stood out as good.
Tanya Huff however disappointed me, she is a favourite author of mine and one of the reasons I picked up this book. Sadly in this story “Nothing better to do” she has succumbed to a strand of writing which I find phenomenally unappealing; this is where an unprepared person is lumped with caring for an infant which pees, poos, pukes and screams at the unprepared person ect ect ect until by the end of the story said person is totally bonded with the infant. I think this is meant to be funny.
Aside from this disappointment it was a pretty good collection.
August 3, 2016
In Changing the World: All new tales of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey edits a collection of short stories from several different authors. They’re all set in her famous Valdemar, and many center on a theme: What happens when being Chosen causes more problems than it solves? I enjoyed this approach to the classic being Chosen trope in which being Chosen is the end of all your troubles.
Lackey starts off the collection with “The One Left Behind” about a young woman who is dealing with the emotional fallout of being left — her father abandoned her as a child because he was Chosen, and her boyfriend leaves after he is Chosen. Other stories focus on people who have wonderfully happy lives and resent the intrusion of a magical white horse who is just mucking things up, or examine what happens when being Chosen means being forced to overcome ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Lackey starts off the collection with “The One Left Behind” about a young woman who is dealing with the emotional fallout of being left — her father abandoned her as a child because he was Chosen, and her boyfriend leaves after he is Chosen. Other stories focus on people who have wonderfully happy lives and resent the intrusion of a magical white horse who is just mucking things up, or examine what happens when being Chosen means being forced to overcome ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
April 12, 2010
One of the stories there is written by someone I know: Denise McCune, "For Want of a Nail" (apparently in collaboration with Rosemary Edghill). I still don't know what the title is referring to. But I found it suspicious how quickly Navar changed his mind about the Companions. If anything that confirms his suspicions, at least for me. It seems as though he would naturally try to leave the Companion's presence, and examine his mind when he's not affected by them, to make sure that it still seems right when they can't be affecting his mind. Or at least he'd require some kind of proof of their noble intentions, not simply words, but some action, and in the adventure get to know his Companion and learn to trust.
I suppose I should actually learn about Valdemar before reading all these stories. I haven't read the original series, but this story made me interested.
I suppose I should actually learn about Valdemar before reading all these stories. I haven't read the original series, but this story made me interested.
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