Mercedes Lackey readers discussion

Hi,

I'm a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey. I've been reading and re-reading the Valdemar books for ages and recently discovered the Elemental Masters books.

I myself started with the Elemental Masters books (The Fire Rose) and am slowly working my way towards the Valdemar series. I first read the Owl Mage trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and have now started to read them in historical order, starting with the Gryphon trilogy.

I also enjoy the 500 Kingdom series, it's a nice change of pace when I get tired of other stuff I'm reading, though it's kinda the same story over and over, hehe, but what do you expect from fairy tales??

I enjoyed the Gryphon trilogy a lot!!

The Fire Rose was a lot of fun -- Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale :-)

I haven't gotten my hands on a copy of the 500 kingdoms series yet :-(

I didn't like the Gryphon trilogy, but maybe I'll pick it up at the library sometime and attempt another reading. My favorite was The Last Herald-Mage series and then Brightly Burning. I'm okay with the dragon jousters. The kingdoms books are some of the better fairy tale reincarnations. I wish I could get my hands on more of the bardic voices books, and the bedlam bard series-I'm trying to figure out the order and have read a few of them. The Elemental Masters are amazing.

I love the Last Herald Mage series :-) it might be my favorite in the Valdemar universe.....

I thought the Last Herald Mage series was great... but the ending of the third book felt rushed, especially after so much time spent developing so much stuff. Aside from that, the trilogy was SO well done.

Hello everyone! I've read the Valdemar series' a million times, and while I love most of the Valdemar based books I'm not sure about the Gryphon trilogy, I think I may need to re-read that one again.

The kingdom books are good but I only ever got through them once, and I have yet to get into the Elemental Masters series.

My recomendation for anyone just starting into the Valdemar books is to read everything in its historical order except her latest series that starts with Foundation. She hasn't finished writing that series quite yet. :D

I am a big fan of the Valdemar series. My introduction to Lackey was through Tiger Burning Bright, which she co-authored with Marion Zimmer Bradley and Andre Norton.

My first Valdemar books were the Queen's Own trilogy. I fell in love with Skif, and after a little research, found Take a Thief. To date, these are the only four books of hers I have read that she wrote. I am currently reading Winds of Fate.

I need a list after reading this trilogy, of the historical order. then I will try and do that.

I've been a fan of mercedes lackey for about 15 years. (wow i feel really old saying that). The first books I read were the queens own trilogy and the Diana Tregaurde (SP?) Series. To date I think my favorite Series Is the Bedlams Bard series with Eric.

hi. my names miriam. Im a hude lackey fan. I have 3 favorites My first ever book was By The Sword and then my second was the outstrechted shadow. <3 them!

Hi! I really love the Valdemar books. I've read all but the Owl trilogy and the Oath trilogy; they're coming up soon on my list.

As for favorites, I would have to say Exile's Honor and/or The Black Gryphon. I always have a hard time picking between the two. I would love to see some more pre-Valdemar books, maybe even something about the founding of Valdemar itself.

Hi,

my 2nd fav author is Misty and 1st is Tamora Pierce. I have been a fan of theirs since Junior year of H.S. Mercedes Lackey was recommended to me in baen forums after I finished all of TP's books. To this day i am thankful for that recommendation. Valdemar is my fav series by Misty but i love her other series too and am still trying to catch up with her many books.

Valdemar universe:

The Mage Wars
The Black Gryphon (1994) with Larry Dixon
The White Gryphon (1995) with Larry Dixon
The Silver Gryphon (1996) with Larry Dixon


The Last Herald Mage Trilogy
Magic's Pawn (1989)
Magic's Promise (1990)
Magic's Price (1990)
The Last Herald Mage (1990 - omnibus)


The Collegium Chronicles
Foundation (2008)
Intrigues (2010)


Brightly Burning (2000)


Vows & Honor
The Oathbound (1988)
Oathbreakers (1989)
Oathblood (1998)
Vows and Honor (1993 - omnibus)


Exile's Honor (2002)
Exile's Valor (2003)
Take a Thief (2001)


Kerowyn's Tale
By the Sword (1991)


Heralds of Valdemar
Arrows of the Queen (1987)
Arrow's Flight (1987)
Arrow's Fall (1988)
Queen's Own (1987 - omnibus)
Heralds of Valdemar (1990 - omnibus)


The Mage Winds Trilogy
Winds of Fate (1991)
Winds of Change (1992)
Winds of Fury (1993)


The Mage Storms Trilogy
Storm Warning (1994)
Storm Rising (1995)
Storm Breaking (1996)


The Owl Mage Trilogy
Owlflight (1997) with Larry Dixon
Owlsight (1998) with Larry Dixon
Owlknight (1999) with Larry Dixon


Valdemar Short Story Collections
Sword of Ice (1997)
Sun in Glory (2003)
Crossroads (2005)
Moving Targets (2008)
Changing the World (2009)
Finding the Way (Forthcoming)
Valdemar Companion (1990) with John Helfers

Here is the entire list in reading order.
http://www.mercedeslackey.com/biblio_...

Hello I'm new to the group and I've been a huge Mercedes Lackey fan since high school.

Hello, all. I'm a long-time Mercedes Lackey fan: I think I was in middle school the year I got Arrows of the Queen in my Easter Basket. I read the Queen's Own books, then the Last Herald-Mage Trilogy, then Winds of Fate (which remain my favorites, along with By the Sword). And eventually all of the Valdemar books, and the Di Tregarde books, and a few others, too.

I have a sometimes-annoying habit of strongly preferring to read series in order (usu. fictional chronological order/sometimes publication date), and I'm just finishing re-reading the whole Valdemar series now. I'd "saved" up a number of titles, including Foundation and both Alberich books, to read for the first time. It was interesting to read the entire current selection, from The Black Gryphon to Owlknight. Now, I'm reading the Valdemar story anthologies.

^ Hillary, I'm the same way, I just started reading "Arrows of the Queen" and want to read all series in order ( preferably) did that work out well for you so far or do you think its okay to skip around ?( series wise, not reading books from series out of order)

I really enjoy reading them in the "chronological" (Valdemar-time) order. Once, when the series was a lot shorter, I read through by publication date, and that was interesting, but not as satisfying!

Valdemar-order suits me best. Sometimes, however, when I get a hankering to read one of my favorites, I'll pull out a single trilogy (Arrows or Last Herald-Mage) or a single book to read, and that'll be it for the moment.

This time, I really enjoyed reading the short story collections at the end of all the Valdemar books, because mentally I was placing all the stories by the different writers within the timeline I'd just finished.

^ OKay I see, is there a list of the chronological order somewhere? I know the published order from Lackey's site and other places I go, but I wouldnt know how to read the series in any other order other than by publication date.

Im on page 20 of Arrows and I'm loving it all ready :)

This list on Lackey's site gives the Valdemar books in series order:

http://www.mercedeslackey.com/biblio_...

Most of the later (publication date later) books have a "Chronology of Valdemar" in the front of them that's helpful -- however, it's always incomplete, as Lackey keeps writing books!

Got it, thanks Hillary! :) I will print it out to keep in order, and of course have to keep checking for updates as she doesn't seem to be slowing down haha

I finally had time to sit down and read, and I loved "Arrows of the Queen" which means that I am instantly going into book two once I get off the computer.. I'm glad she wrote so many books because I have a feeling I will want to read them all.

Kasia wrote: "I finally had time to sit down and read, and I loved "Arrows of the Queen" which means that I am instantly going into book two once I get off the computer.. I'm glad she wrote so many books because..."


Curious was that your 1st book in the Valdemar series or not?

Kasia wrote: "^ OKay I see, is there a list of the chronological order somewhere? I know the published order from Lackey's site and other places I go, but I wouldnt know how to read the series in any other order..."



If you scroll up a ways you'll see I posted the books in their chronological order I think.

Marina wrote: "Kasia wrote: "I finally had time to sit down and read, and I loved "Arrows of the Queen" which means that I am instantly going into book two once I get off the computer.. I'm glad she wrote so many..."

Yes, prior to this is I only read her "Black Swan" which I totally loved

Greetings! My favorite book by ML is "Sacred Ground." I also like several of the Valdemar books though I haven't read all of them.

Sue Ann Bowling here, from North Pole, Alaska. I think I have all of the single-author books by Misty--in general I've found the co-authored ones poorer--they lack her storytelling talent. As an author I love her short story, "After Midnight," where she is visited by a number of her characters. Lavan Firestorm comments on "the Lackey-patented formula for success--make your audience identify with and deeply care for a character and then drop a mountain on him." True except for the patented part--it's unpatentable by prior use, going back at least to Homer, if not Gilgamesh. Anyway,I've tried to use it in my own writing.

Hello, I am so happy that I found this group! Mercedes Lackey is my favorite author of all time! I have read and own all of the Valdemar books except a couple of the short story anthologies. I also have all of the Elemental Masters series. I can't wait to read the rest of her books and to discuss them with other fans.

Greetings and salutations. It's funny but I seldom read a series in order, and that's true for Misty Lackey's books. In fact, I became interested in her books because of Jody Lee's awesome cover for Oathbreakers. The minute I saw this dark-skinned warrior woman with braids, I knew I had to read it, and after that I was a huge fan for life. I love Misty's heroines! From her Valdemar books came her amazing (and definitely ahead of its time) Diana Tregarde novels. Between her and Marion Zimmer Bradley, the entire paranormal genre owes these two women a huge debt! I'd always hoped she'd write more in that vein, but oh well.

Something I just found out recently, that the inspiration for Vanyel (yum) was Michael Praed who played Robin from the series Robin of Sherwood. Since I was madly in love with that Robin and with Vanyel (LOL), that was just icing on the cake.

Hi Vixenne. grins. I am the same way pertaining to Misty's books. I bought one book from The Mage Storms series at barnes and nobles due to its artwork. I loved Jody Lee's depiction of a sun cat. i bought the hardcover book real cheap it was a sale thing. i planned to read it but forgot about it. So the book sat in my house for a year or two. Then while visiting the library I notice these 3 amasing books. The artwork looks so familiar. I read the back summary am real interested and decide to take them out. After i read them i am hooked and i remember my barnes and nobles book. I look for it find it and bamm its the same author and artist. Laughs. Jody Lee's artwork is now easy to spot. I find many of my books by artwork in fact.Grins.

@Marina: They say one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but whenever I spot either a Jody Lee, Thomas Canty or Robert Gould cover on a fantasy novel, that's an auto-buy right off the bat. The interesting thing is, I've never been disappointed by the books. That's how I discovered authors like Ellen Kushner and Robert Holdstock, as well as Misty Lackey.

Yep, but that saying never works for me cause I do judge a book by it's cover. Grins. Never heard of those artist. Will need to do some research. I agree. All the books I picked up or bought based on their cover I loved. This is not only fantasy but romance and manga as well. Tamora Pierce 's originally artwork of books was appealing too and she is my fav author.

I'm also a huge fan of Kinuko Craft, who's done covers for Patricia McKillip and I believe Robin McKinley too. Oh and Luis Royo did the original covers for Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series a long time ago (the hardcover book club edition). He's awesome.

Oh, me too. Her stuff is breathtaking. Yeah, i have some of his artbook's. He is amazing.

Hi, I'm new to GR and to Mercedes Lackey and I am so glad that I found both! I am on my 3rd book by her, The Fairy Godmother. I read Firebird and Black Swan and so far my favorite has been Black Swan. I'm looking forward to reading them all!

Hi Charla. Welcome. Happy to have you join us. We adore Misty too. Can't wait to hear your opinion on her Valdemar series.

hello. I just discovered Goodreads, but I have been a long time fan of Mercedes Lackey. Been reading her books for about 10 years now. Absolutely love them. She is my favorite author. A very brilliant writer!

welcome Felicia.Hope you enjoy the site.

Hi! I'm a huge and long time Mercedes Lackey fan. I think I've read most of her works with some few exceptions. I even own a couple of shelves worth, lol.

Yay! Another Misty Lackey fan! There's always room for more!

Welcome Mrs.Joseph!

THanks!

YW.

Hello,
I am new to Goodreads and new to this group. I think I started reading Mercedes Lackey books when I was in Jr. High or early high school.I am still trying to read everything she has ever written, and now with e-readers it's become so much easier to find some of the older stuff, short stories, etc. I'm really excited to be a part of a group that loves her work as much as I do!

Hey my favorite Mercedes lackey books were
Exile's Honor
Exile's Valor
Take a Thief
The collegium chronicles
I also liked her fairy tale retellings

Welcome Mel.That is great.

Feige-Those were good.I loved them too.

Hey all!
I don't know if this group is still active but I'll give it a shot anyway. =p
So I'm a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books- obviously. Haha. I've read the first two of the Mage Wars trilogy, the Last Herald Mage trilogy, Heralds of Valdemar trilogy, and the Owl Mage trilogy. The Owl Mage books were actually my first experience of Mercedes Lackey and it would be an understatement to say it was love-at-first-page. Lol.
Anyway, I've decided to read her works in chronological order now. I love that sort of thing. =) Currently I'm about a quarter of the way through The Black Gryphon. Just as good as the first time I read it!!! It would be really great to talk with other Valdemar fans as I go!
Ciao for now!

i am a huge fan of her works but i only stick with valdemar or tregarde books. i have read and do love sacred ground as well. through reading lackey i found many other great authors as well inckuding holly lisle

Hi I'm Chelsea I have been a big fan of Mercedes Lackey since I found Fortune's Fool at the Library in high school. I love her writing style.

Hi! I'm Janessa and I completely fell in love with Mercedes Lackey's books since I first stumbled upon Magic's Pawn years ago. I have read all the full Valdamar books and have expanded into a few of Mercedes Lackey's other works although that goes slowly for me because I always want to go back to Valdamar. My favourite outside of Valdamar being the Dragon Jousters series. Starting in 2015 I think I'm going to try and reread all of the Valdamar books in chronological order. (I say try because it's easy for me to get distracted on rereads by other things especially when I there's so much to reread!) wish me luck!

i have been reading her books for longer than i care to admit. she has been my favourite author for at least 15 years. i have read all of her Valdemar books only disliking white Gryphon and silver Gryphon. i loved the arrows series that being my favourite in valdemar. i have also read and enjoyed savred geound and all of the di trgarde books. i have uet to read elemental masters as they didn't seem interesting. i also have read about four of the 500 kingdoms books and read some of her other books with james mallory. i also loved elvenbane with andre norton. the bards series i found difficult to get jnto and at some point i will try reading them again. i even read years agi Wing Commander that she did