thecheryl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nightmane's review against another edition
2.0
Eine für mich traurige Fortsetzung von Arrows of the Queen. Zu Beginn wirkt es noch so, als würde man mehr von Valdemar kennenlernen, von Land und Bevölkerung. Natürlich reist Talia mit Kris zusammen, um ihr Praktikum als Herold abzuschließen.
Es ist Potential vorhanden. So viel Potential, schließlich sind sie dafür viele Monate lang unterwegs. Aber kaum etwas von dieser Reise ist für den kaum vorhandenen Plot von Bedeutung.
Plötzlich tauchen Probleme mit Talias Gabe auf, die Kris natürlich mit eindämmen kann. Und damit sie dafür genügend Zeit haben, werden sie in einer Wegstation eingeschneit und lernen sich gegenseitig so richtig kennen. Damit auch der Leser daran teilhaben kann, geht das über etwa 100 Seiten. Das ist 1/3 des Buchs.
Der Rest ist mit wiederholtem Worldbuilding und unrelevanten Ortsbesuchen gefüllt. Und mit furchtbar gestalteter "Charakterentwicklung" bei Talia. Ach, und am Ende werden noch ein paar Banditen mit Leichtigkeit getötet, die gerade ein Dorf belagern. Talia trifft natürlich mit fast jedem Schuss ins Schwarze.
Am Ende haben wir einen Teil der Trilogie, der sehr nach Filler riecht. Als Hörbuch wäre es wahrscheinlich deutlich angenehmer gewesen. Anknüpfungspunkte zu Vorgänger und Fortsetzung gibt es leider kaum.
So. Viel. Potential.
Es ist Potential vorhanden. So viel Potential, schließlich sind sie dafür viele Monate lang unterwegs. Aber kaum etwas von dieser Reise ist für den kaum vorhandenen Plot von Bedeutung.
Plötzlich tauchen Probleme mit Talias Gabe auf, die Kris natürlich mit eindämmen kann. Und damit sie dafür genügend Zeit haben, werden sie in einer Wegstation eingeschneit und lernen sich gegenseitig so richtig kennen. Damit auch der Leser daran teilhaben kann, geht das über etwa 100 Seiten. Das ist 1/3 des Buchs.
Der Rest ist mit wiederholtem Worldbuilding und unrelevanten Ortsbesuchen gefüllt. Und mit furchtbar gestalteter "Charakterentwicklung" bei Talia. Ach, und am Ende werden noch ein paar Banditen mit Leichtigkeit getötet, die gerade ein Dorf belagern. Talia trifft natürlich mit fast jedem Schuss ins Schwarze.
Am Ende haben wir einen Teil der Trilogie, der sehr nach Filler riecht. Als Hörbuch wäre es wahrscheinlich deutlich angenehmer gewesen. Anknüpfungspunkte zu Vorgänger und Fortsetzung gibt es leider kaum.
So. Viel. Potential.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This story is a bridge story...for the first book was Talia's introduction...and this book we get to know her as a Herald.
The main antogonist is unknown for most of the story...and the struggles and situations that Talia gets into are worrisome (to say the least).
We get to know her as a person dealing with who/what she is...and not really knowing who/what is out to get her.
For young woman that read this...it shows a way of being that in this world of the Heralds and in real life...men have shared without consequences, but women haven't (and that was nice to see). On her terms.
I enjoyed this story, but it didn't have the "wow" factor of the initial story (and that is something that you cannot really replicate). I loved the story...and enjoyed every moment reading it.
The main antogonist is unknown for most of the story...and the struggles and situations that Talia gets into are worrisome (to say the least).
We get to know her as a person dealing with who/what she is...and not really knowing who/what is out to get her.
For young woman that read this...it shows a way of being that in this world of the Heralds and in real life...men have shared without consequences, but women haven't (and that was nice to see). On her terms.
I enjoyed this story, but it didn't have the "wow" factor of the initial story (and that is something that you cannot really replicate). I loved the story...and enjoyed every moment reading it.
jashanac's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
This one was a bit disappointing after the first book. The first book made sense being very character-driven and incredibly self-contained, just following Talia's personal growth. After an entire book of that, I was ready for more action in the plot and to get to see more of the larger world and a different "issue" to deal with. I was expecting more court politics and politics in general, I suppose.
This was more of Talia's personal growth and her inner struggles, and it was just TOO focused on that, for me personally.
I also have a strong aversion to consistent, prolonged lack of communication, and this book was FULL of that.
This was more of Talia's personal growth and her inner struggles, and it was just TOO focused on that, for me personally.
I also have a strong aversion to consistent, prolonged lack of communication, and this book was FULL of that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
mewsie's review against another edition
5.0
In this second book of Lackey's "Heralds of Valdemar" series, Talia has finally completed her training and has earned her "Whites" as a Herald. Only one last step remained and that was her 18-month long internship. With problems occurring at the northern borders of Valdemar, Talia was selected to do her internship up along that circuit, because of her experience from living in a border community, with fellow Herald Kris as her partner. However, soon into their Circuit, Kris tells Talia about the rumors spreading throughout Court that Talia is using her Gift of Empathy to sway not only members of the Court but the Council, the Queen, and the Heir as well for her own uses. Shocked and distraught over these rumors, Talia begins to question whether or not she really has control over her powers, and within a short amount of time she loses all control over them. It is up to Kris and their Companions to help bring back Talia's control while at the same time trying to dispense the Queen's Justice throughout their sector.
I loved the first book so much that I had to pick up the second one immediately. I swallowed this one up even quicker than the first. Once again, Lackey brings the characters to life. She did a fantastic job illustrating the emotional turmoil that Talia faced when she was losing control over her Gift and even more so when she and Kris were trapped in a snowbound Waystation for over a month just as she lost complete control. I definitely recommend this one as well.
I loved the first book so much that I had to pick up the second one immediately. I swallowed this one up even quicker than the first. Once again, Lackey brings the characters to life. She did a fantastic job illustrating the emotional turmoil that Talia faced when she was losing control over her Gift and even more so when she and Kris were trapped in a snowbound Waystation for over a month just as she lost complete control. I definitely recommend this one as well.
book_whispers's review against another edition
4.0
Talia's 4-5 years of Herald training has come to an end and she's finally getting into her whites. Now all that's left is her 2 year circuit riding where she's partnered with a Senior Herald and learns to dispense justice. As suits her upbringing she's put on a circuit that's right on the border of Valdemar near the Forest of Sorrow where the legendary Vanyel died and laid a curse upon the woods.
Talia's partnered with pretty boy Kris who is Talia's opposite. He was born to a privileged elite family and is sheltered in the manners of border life and the hardships that the people have to deal with. The two balance each other out nicely and Talia is good and knocking Kris off his pedestale of "women worship." Kris has some inner depth that made me forget how conceded he could be at times. Their relationship is put to the test as Kris tells Talia about some rumors about her misusing her Empath gift. Spiraling her into a destructive state of mind that sends her emotions and powers against her.
It's definitely a good read dealing with the laws that need to be upheld in the rural areas. Things as mundane as taxes to sadistic raping fathers. Those scenes where thrilling and kept me guessing as the mundane and life threatening issues popped up to test Talia. The thing that really slowed this read down—probably making it one of the less appreciated book in Talia's trilogy—is that a vast majority of the novel takes place in a Herald waystation where Talia and Kris are snowed in with their Companions and pack animals. The two's relationship clearly grows and becomes something beautiful. Looking back on my previous re-reads of this book I confess I never really appreciated the time spent with Talia getting retrained in her gift. At times it can be a bit boring as they dig themselves out, survive getting snowed in, and the stress of Talia's out of control gifts and self-esteem.
Another thing that was fantastic about Arrow's Flight is the sexual relationship. Lackey shows readers that love can develop between two people/characters with out it being some kind of huge "soulmate" thing. They share something sweet and endearing, but still can manage to remain friends. It was one of the first love scenes I had read, up until then male authors I had been reading had kisses then implied that the two had a slept together. Even today I will say that the love scenes are nicely done. They don't have the graphic detail that some of todays writers go into detail about, but it definitely gets the deed done. Lackey doesn't gloss over the bits about Talia's lost virginity nor does she paint her ladies who enjoy a little bedroom time as sluts. After all a little randiness among Heralds is quite fine.
Just like in the first book Lackey uses her page time wisely. Characters from the previous book still get page time and their stories told even if they never make an appearance. The plot may not be as complicated as the first book, but this one still manages perfectly with the political drama even though the two are out in the middle of no where. Key things are still being setup even if there was some isolation time for the characters.
This may be the slowest book in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy, but it's still well worth the read. Talia's journey to become Queen's Own is finally truly beginning, and the emotional growth helps to show Talia that she needs to accept help from other people. The adventure clearly shows the tough decisions that Heralds have to deal with even if they aren't the Queen's Own. It also emphasizes the different types of love that people can feel for friends with out turning into a soap fest.
Sexual Content: There is no mistaking what's going on, but it's clearly not as graphic as some of the newer books out there. Again there are some homosexual themes, though not with the main character.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
Originally posted at Book Whispers.
Talia's partnered with pretty boy Kris who is Talia's opposite. He was born to a privileged elite family and is sheltered in the manners of border life and the hardships that the people have to deal with. The two balance each other out nicely and Talia is good and knocking Kris off his pedestale of "women worship." Kris has some inner depth that made me forget how conceded he could be at times. Their relationship is put to the test as Kris tells Talia about some rumors about her misusing her Empath gift. Spiraling her into a destructive state of mind that sends her emotions and powers against her.
It's definitely a good read dealing with the laws that need to be upheld in the rural areas. Things as mundane as taxes to sadistic raping fathers. Those scenes where thrilling and kept me guessing as the mundane and life threatening issues popped up to test Talia. The thing that really slowed this read down—probably making it one of the less appreciated book in Talia's trilogy—is that a vast majority of the novel takes place in a Herald waystation where Talia and Kris are snowed in with their Companions and pack animals. The two's relationship clearly grows and becomes something beautiful. Looking back on my previous re-reads of this book I confess I never really appreciated the time spent with Talia getting retrained in her gift. At times it can be a bit boring as they dig themselves out, survive getting snowed in, and the stress of Talia's out of control gifts and self-esteem.
Another thing that was fantastic about Arrow's Flight is the sexual relationship. Lackey shows readers that love can develop between two people/characters with out it being some kind of huge "soulmate" thing. They share something sweet and endearing, but still can manage to remain friends. It was one of the first love scenes I had read, up until then male authors I had been reading had kisses then implied that the two had a slept together. Even today I will say that the love scenes are nicely done. They don't have the graphic detail that some of todays writers go into detail about, but it definitely gets the deed done. Lackey doesn't gloss over the bits about Talia's lost virginity nor does she paint her ladies who enjoy a little bedroom time as sluts. After all a little randiness among Heralds is quite fine.
Just like in the first book Lackey uses her page time wisely. Characters from the previous book still get page time and their stories told even if they never make an appearance. The plot may not be as complicated as the first book, but this one still manages perfectly with the political drama even though the two are out in the middle of no where. Key things are still being setup even if there was some isolation time for the characters.
This may be the slowest book in the Arrows of the Queen trilogy, but it's still well worth the read. Talia's journey to become Queen's Own is finally truly beginning, and the emotional growth helps to show Talia that she needs to accept help from other people. The adventure clearly shows the tough decisions that Heralds have to deal with even if they aren't the Queen's Own. It also emphasizes the different types of love that people can feel for friends with out turning into a soap fest.
Sexual Content: There is no mistaking what's going on, but it's clearly not as graphic as some of the newer books out there. Again there are some homosexual themes, though not with the main character.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
Originally posted at Book Whispers.
sarajean37's review against another edition
3.0
I'm enjoying this series, but Lackey does seem to gloss over some of the moments of self-growth that seem as though they would be important. I also can't help but wonder how I would feel about these books if I had come to them earlier in life, or closer to the original publication date. Some of what happens in the book feels old hat, though I know it isn't-it's been rehashed by others.
maddyb001's review against another edition
1.0
I am so disappointed with this book. The first one was so original and this one was horrible.
Going from suicidal to fine because of jumping into bed with your boss. REALLY!!!! None of the characters having an original thought just blindly believing whatever anyone tells them.
Going from suicidal to fine because of jumping into bed with your boss. REALLY!!!! None of the characters having an original thought just blindly believing whatever anyone tells them.
valjeanval's review against another edition
3.0
Talia's story continues, and I continue to respect Mercedes Lackey for creating proper female heroes with agency and autonomy. How easily this story could have fallen into a romance with Talia entirely depending on Kris' support, but it never does. This is pre-every YA story is also a love triangle, thank goodness. The series is still something I enjoyed more back when I was Talia's age, but it's enjoyable to revisit that sort of setting and that sort of mindframe from time to time.