Fantasy Book Club discussion

Mercedes Lackey is an unbelievably prolific fantasy writer and I'm embarrassed to say I've not read anything by her. I feel I need to rectify this immediately and would love suggestions from those of you who are familiar with her work of where I should start.

Jeanne wrote: "Mercedes Lackey is an unbelievably prolific fantasy writer and I'm embarrassed to say I've not read anything by her. I feel I need to rectify this immediately and would love suggestions from those ..."

Oh Jeanne, I'm in exactly the same situation...can't believe I've not read her yet - I'll be watching this post for suggestions as well - thanks for posting it.

-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)

I don't think I've read anything by her either. I think it may be because she's just always had so many books on the bookstore shelves. I know that sounds weird. You'd think someone that has a lot of shelf space in the bookstore and who has had a place on those shelves as long as one can remember would be someone a genre reader would check out, right? It just hasn't worked that way for me.

Well, Mercedes is a very prolific writer -- that is well stated. The woman has like 70 books out. I have no read many, but I own a lot..

I have read The Elvenbane, Elvenblood, and Elvenborn. however, these are collaborations with Andre Norton. In fact Norton is the first author listed. I really enjoyed the series though. It was different in the way things worked, but not so different that you didn't understand what was going on. Since it is a collaboration, I'm not sure it counts...

What I have waiting at home is the Storm Warning series. I have tried to get into them twice, but failed both times. I never made it past the first book. I don't know if this is typical Lackey or not. You know how some authors have series that just didn't catch? This may be the case here. I never judge an author by one book (or series as it may be). I will eventually get my Lackey series read, but no time soon. Too much on my plate.

Wow - 70 books that is a lot

Robin, glad to know I'm not alone!

I've read the Obsidian Dale Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory. I really enjoyed them. They have a different spin on magic, two spins in fact, and I found it interesting. I also liked the culture clash experienced by both the lead and the various other races he encounters, particularly with the elves. Its well worth picking up. However, if you get hooked, stop after book three. There is a fourth, over a thousand years in the future, and whatever magic the first three had, this one is dearly lacking!

Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors. I agree that some of her recent Valdemar trilogies are below par, but she has started two new series that are really good (The Elemental Masters and Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms). Try "The Fire Rose" or "The Fairy Godmother" as intros to these two new series. For good old favorites I adore "The Lark and the Wren", "Firebird", any of the early Valdemar books like the Arrows of the Queen trilogy as well as the newer stand alone Valdemar books like "Exile's Honor" , "Brightly Burning", and "Take a Thief". I include Oathbound, Oathbreaker, and By the Sword in the same group as the Valdemar books since they happen in the same world just a kingdom over.

Check out this site for a full listing of her novels:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/l/m...

Sharon wrote: "Check out this site for a full listing of her novels:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/l/m..."

I've always loved this site - it is a great reference.

I'm a big fan of Mercedes Lackey myself, I find her books to be some of the 'comfort food' type of reading for the fantasy genre. I tend to avoid anything she's only co-written, I don't like them nearly as much.

Elizabeth nailed it in her description, at least for the Valdemar books. Definitely start with Oathbound and Oathbreaker, and then go from there. Many of the newer books (last 5 years or so) have a timeline of Valdemar, and it's rulers, with a placement of where the books fall on the timeline. So, you can read them in publication order, or in chronological order.

The Elemental Masters series are loose re-tellings of fairy tales, some are stronger than others. I found the Five Hundred Kingdoms series to be delightful - I love the self-deprecating 'voice' of the books, the first one is the story of an unwilling Fairy Godmother, who has to do things because of the strong 'tides' of Magic. Very cute series, so far I think there are three or four.

The Alta books are cute, but I prefer the other 'version' of the tale in Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon Chronicles. They aren't the same, of course, just the starting premise is very similar.

Elizabeth wrote: "Shana, did you really like The Fairy Godmother? I've been ..."

I also enjoyed The Fairy Godmother it really is a unique story. I agree with the other posters about her early works. I have read most of her books and enjoyed the majority. No one mentioned her bardic tales which I also enjoyed.

I love the Five Hundred Kingdom series (The Fairy Godmother is the first in that series)I'm surprised and a little disappointed that there doesn't seem to be a 5th book. (Since Amazon has not listed one yet...guess I could just ask her)
I think the second Obsidion series is really underrated...sure its not the epicness of the first series but you need to read it remembering it is meant to be much more lighthearted then the first. Its almost like an Omake to the first series really.
I haven't gotten around to reading alot of her earlier books...I only started reading her books 2 years ago.

One of my favorite Mercedes Lackey novels is her version of The Black Swan. It adds a twist to the fairy tale and changed my interpretation of the entire story.

Mercedes 'is' a very prolific writer. My favourites, besides the Valdemar series are The Elemental Masters the Five Hundred Kingdoms stories.
(Yes, I'm a sucker for fairy-tales.)

The Valdemar Companion occupies a place right next to my Oxford Dictionary and my collection of writers reference guides, style manuals, and useful things.

I've only ever read her Five Hundred Kingdoms novels, and although her latest (The Snow Queen) didn't really catch me the way Fortune's Fool did, she still has a way with keeping the magic of fairy tales alive.

One of these days I'm going to get around to reading her Valdemar series, so knowing where to start is a big help! Would it be better to read it chronologically or by the publisher's dates?

Elizabeth wrote: "I'd start with Arrows of the Queen. It's the first true Valdemar book. Oathbound and Oathbreakers were written first (I think) but the third book in the Oathbound series (By the Sword) overlaps wit..."

This is what makes GR so fantastic. No where else would someone even know the books much less have an opinion (one worth listening to) on the order to read them. Thank you!

I've read Arrows of the Queen. I thought it was decent, but I haven't read anything else by her. However, I loved The Half-Blood Chronicles series she did with Andre Norton. It's a shame Norton died before it could be finished. :(

Thanks for the post, Jeanne. I also have not read anything by Lackey and it's great to hear recommendations and to have an idea of where to start.

I think Mercedes Lackey is a good author but some of her books are annoying I liked the mage winds books but probably the best books I have yet read of hers are the elemental series books I just think the plots and characters are never boring in those books.....

Like many here I've never read any Lackey and this has been a great thread to get an idea of where to start - thanks!

I read a lot of Mercedes Lackey's stuff 15-20 years ago. The Last Herald-Mage trilogy was amazing. I think that the way I identified with the protagonist was one of the things that helped me understand, and shed, the homophobia I grew up with. The 'Arrows of the Queen' trilogy was also very good, as was the Oathbound/Oathbreaker duology. And I really enjoyed her Diana Tregarde books.

However, it soon seemed that she was putting out a new book every month, and the quality of the work nosedived. It's probably been 15 years since I've picked any of her books up.

Oh you not alone I'm so piled up on books to read all the time and I've been meaning to read something by Mercedes Lackey for years and never have. I really need to though. Hope you find something really good. If you do recommend it to me please, and make a note of it.

P.S. check out my book and ebook website at http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

I don't think she's the greatest writer out there, but most of what I've read (admittedly not a lot) has been fun. I enjoyed the few Valdemar books I've picked up, and I enjoy the Joust series. I really like the Five Hundred Kingdoms books too. The first one is a little bit Harlequin-ish (The reviews here on GR made me think it might have been published by an imprint of Harlequin, actually), but if you overlook that, it's a fun fairy tale.

Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors. I have been reading her books and rereading them for 20years (Since I was in middle school). You can pick up her books completely out of order and not feel lost. I do recommend reading books in each trilogy in order, but it isn't absolutely necessary. A lot of her books I reread every year and they never get old. She creates strong realistic characters that I can identify with and her sense of humor shines through in everything I have read. Admittedly there are some of her works that I am not as fond of, for my recommends simply check out my book list. I would avoid Bedlam's Bard, but other than that I haven't yet read one of her books that was awful, the worst of her books is still an okay book.

Shanna wrote: "Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors. I agree that some of her recent Valdemar trilogies are below par, but she has started two new series that are really good (The Elemental Masters and ..."

Sorry it has been so long since you asked the question, but to answer anyway... I agree that the Joust books were merely okay. I loved The Fairy Godmother because it takes the tale of Cinderella and completely turns it on its ear. I identified very well with the main character and like Mercedes best characters she is very real with a mix of strengths and weaknesses and an engaging sense of humor.

I've read only one book By Mercedes Lackey, The Black Swan. I really liked it, and decided to try some more of her books, but she has so many books that I don't know what to read next. I'm thinking towards Firebird and then trying the Burning Flame trilogy.
What do you think?

I'll second or third or even fourth, Elizabeth who suggested starting with the Oath books. The first Lackey book I ever read was By the Sword, which is one of her best as is the Last Herald Mage series. It was somewhat ground breaking at the time.

The Black Swan is good as is Firebird; I'm embarassed to say I haven't read too much by her lately because of the sub-par Valdemar books.

She also wrote a UF series before UF became big. Her work has influenced other more popular UF authors. It's Diana Tregarde Investigates.

What about the Burning Flame trilogy, starting with The Phoenix Unchained? Is it any good?

The Enduring Flame trilogy is a continuation of the Obsidian Trilogy. It is set in the same world but many years later.

I enjoyed the first trilogy tremendously and I am enjoying this second one as well, the third book just came out so its on my list.

I just got The Serpent's Shadow from the library.
Looks promising...

Sarah, I think the Serpent's Shadow is one of the better of her series set in Victorian London.

I liked her first couple Valdemar trilogies, Arrows of the Queen and Magic's Price, best of all her stuff, but in case anyone here prefers contemporaries, I don't think we've had a mention yet of her Serrated Edge series, which are about elves who drive race cars and help abused kids.

Miriam wrote: "Sarah, I think the Serpent's Shadow is one of the better of her series set in Victorian London.

I liked her first couple Valdemar trilogies, Arrows of the Queen and Magic's Price, best of all her ..."

I'm not that much into contemporary fantasy. Especially if it features my beloved elves as race-car drivers....
I didn;t know Serpent's Shadow was part of a series. I suppose it's good as a standalone as well, right?

Sarah wrote: "I didn;t know Serpent's Shadow was part of a series. I suppose it's good as a standalone as well, right?

Sarah, it's thematically part of a series, but each book can completely stand alone, so you're fine to read just that, if you like. The Five Hundred Kingdoms series is another thematic series, all written in the same 'world' but each book can stand alone.

Thanks, Carolyn, I was wondering that about The Five Hundred Kingdoms.

Serpent's Shadow is part of an Elemental Magic series based on fairy tales. It is Snow White. Sometimes the characters from one book have minor roles in others in the series, but the plots are entirely stand-alone.

Peregrine - the last five hundred kingdoms book was pretty bad. the snow queen or something. stay away from it. the first one, The Fairy Godmother, was the best in the series. the others were okay.

the best series she ever wrote, IMO, was the Last Herald Mage: Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, Magic's Price.

formlit wrote: "Peregrine - the last five hundred kingdoms book was pretty bad. the snow queen or something. stay away from it. the first one, The Fairy Godmother, was the best in the series. the others were okay...."

I loved the Snow Queen. You might not have liked it if you are unfamiliar with Russian fairy tales. The only book in the five hundred kingdoms that I wasn't impresses with is "One Good Knight". I think it very much depends on which books in this series remind you of your favorite fairy tales.

I didn't even finish One Good Knight. Then I kind of gave up on that series, so I haven't tried Snow Queen. So it isn't based on the Hans C Anderson story?

I did not espiciallly care for one good night either. I had a hard time finishing the snow queen.

There's a book 5 coming up, Sleeping Beauty. I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm not sure when it'll be out...Febuary maybe... All I've heard from her is that its Sleeping Beauty and she just sent it off to her editor.

I really enjoyed the Russian aspect of the last 2 books...but I also loved One Good Knight. (Ok I love all of them...Fairy Godmother and Fortune's Fool were my favourite two)

Kalani wrote: "There's a book 5 coming up, Sleeping Beauty. I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm not sure when it'll be out...Febuary maybe... All I've heard from her is that its Sleeping Beauty and she just s..."

I have you read Firebird?

no actually I haven't. my guess is, that is based on the fairytale Firebird. (I do love fairytale books)

Does anyone know the fairytale that the Fortunate Fool came from? I can't seem to find it.

Chris wrote: "Kalani wrote: "There's a book 5 coming up, Sleeping Beauty. I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm not sure when it'll be out...Febuary maybe... All I've heard from her is that its Sleeping Beauty..."

I have Firebird on my to-read pile. As I uunderstand it Firebird stand together in a series with The Black Swan. I have read The Black Swan and really enjoyed it, and as a result I'm forming high hopes for Firebird as well. Am I likely to get disappointed?

So far, the only Mercedes Lackey books I've read are The Black Swan and The Serpent's Shadow, of which the former I like best. How would you rate Firebird in comparison with these two?

Firebird doesn't really connect with Swan, outside the fact that they have birds in the title. I liked Firebird.

I enjoy the lightheartedness of the fairy-tale remakes. The Black Swan, which I am currently reading, isn't enough to keep me totally focused, but its enjoyable. Firebird is more direct, but still lighthearted.

For something stronger, try Foundation.

Try the Bardic Voices series or the Serrated Edge Books. The Bardic Voices are triumph in the human world, the Serrated Edge more bitter, and deals with elves.

Miriam wrote: "I didn't even finish One Good Knight. Then I kind of gave up on that series, so I haven't tried Snow Queen. So it isn't based on the Hans C Anderson story?"

Very loosely and only in the beginning. It fits a godmother into Anderson's tale of the snow queen but then goes on to a mixed up adventure with pieces from several Russian fairytales.

I have noticed that many of the books in the series lean heavily on the Russian tales.

I have read alot of books by Mercedes, most have been in the Valdemar world and have loved all of them! My favorite are the Oath and Hearld Mage books. And "yes" some books are better than others. The only thing I have found to be alittle annoying is the history of a character sometimes changes.

I don't think you can go too wrong with any of Mercedes Lackey's books. I loved all her books about the Heralds in Valdemar.