Scan barcode
kayteeem's review against another edition
3.0
Never trust a wedding feast in a fantasy book.
Even though I read these because I want stories where good triumphs and evil gets its comeuppance, I find myself wishing that the characters were more nuanced, and not so purely Good and Evil. Won't stop me from getting the next book in the series, though.
If you read Mercedes Lackey, you'll know exactly what to expect when you open the first book of a new Valdemar sub-series. And it's here. Good and Evil, the place of women in Valdemaran society, a girl moving from a protected sphere toward a wider world, Companions, cute animals, straightforward plots, a dash or two of evil behavior, and a setup for the rest of the series.
Even though I read these because I want stories where good triumphs and evil gets its comeuppance, I find myself wishing that the characters were more nuanced, and not so purely Good and Evil. Won't stop me from getting the next book in the series, though.
If you read Mercedes Lackey, you'll know exactly what to expect when you open the first book of a new Valdemar sub-series. And it's here. Good and Evil, the place of women in Valdemaran society, a girl moving from a protected sphere toward a wider world, Companions, cute animals, straightforward plots, a dash or two of evil behavior, and a setup for the rest of the series.
sandramarie's review against another edition
2.0
I could be enjoying the Valdemar books, but I find myself asking over and over how long it takes to tell a story. Dragging on and on and on with something that could be told in a page, and endless description of details that have nothing to do with the plot.
jmoses's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I was wildly dissatisfied with this book. Romeo and Julie for the most part, which was boooooring. Also "Herald Spy", to me, implies more than "more of the same", which is all we get in this. I *almost* stopped reading this in disgust, and only the fact that this is (pretty much) my favorite fantasy series kept me going.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
3.0
Lackey is a total guilty pleasure for me. I find her books comforting and fun, though not great literature.
iread2much's review against another edition
4.0
Finally a book from Lackey that I can like, and even almost love! I've truly disliked all of her other books featuring Mags, but this book is actually a good read. Interesting story, not HORRIBLY predicable, and wonderfully, you can't predict who is the villain from the first chapter! I almost loved it, not because it's as amazing as some of her best books from the past, but because it's been so long since she's written a book that I actually want to buy.
Basically, skip the whole Collegium series, it's horrible, and as is her usual for her most recent valdemar books, all of those books are rehashed in this book. You can get everything you need to know about that whole series in this book, and it's not horribly boring to read!
This book has interesting characters, lots of political intrigue and explores the life of nobles who are just middling, which is lots of fun. Expect some actual almost surprises, and enjoy a story that doesn't drag on and on and on about sports.
Basically, skip the whole Collegium series, it's horrible, and as is her usual for her most recent valdemar books, all of those books are rehashed in this book. You can get everything you need to know about that whole series in this book, and it's not horribly boring to read!
This book has interesting characters, lots of political intrigue and explores the life of nobles who are just middling, which is lots of fun. Expect some actual almost surprises, and enjoy a story that doesn't drag on and on and on about sports.
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
Mercedes Lackey is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever come across and I adore her world of Valdemar.
In this latest tale Mags & Amily come home to take up the reins of their adult responsibilities and to face Amily’s father and Mag’s mentor Nikolas to ask permission to marry. Politics, magic, love, intrigue, and a bit of swashbuckling sword play and you have one terrific read.
In this latest tale Mags & Amily come home to take up the reins of their adult responsibilities and to face Amily’s father and Mag’s mentor Nikolas to ask permission to marry. Politics, magic, love, intrigue, and a bit of swashbuckling sword play and you have one terrific read.
mifterkim's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun book if somewhat insubstantial and light compared to some of Mercedes Lackey's other series; it is probably much more suitable for young readers than most of her books. Overall I enjoyed the ride, and I really like Mags and his friends as characters.
I was glad to read more of his adventures after reading the Collegium Chronicles, but like those books I found this one a little lacking in depth. I did like the lessened amounts of violence as compared to some of her other series, but I would have enjoyed more exploration of the themes and deeper questioning of the events and the world.
I was glad to read more of his adventures after reading the Collegium Chronicles, but like those books I found this one a little lacking in depth. I did like the lessened amounts of violence as compared to some of her other series, but I would have enjoyed more exploration of the themes and deeper questioning of the events and the world.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
1.0
Nothing happens in this book!! We get a strange half introduction to our main characters, we've obviously jumped in halfway through a story arc but the book is labeled as The Herald Spy 1! I'm usually the first to complain about exposition but there has to be a fine line somewhere.
Add a truly painful plot line about two feuding families and one of the most Duex Machina endings I've encountered in a long time.
Add a truly painful plot line about two feuding families and one of the most Duex Machina endings I've encountered in a long time.
vlphildreth's review against another edition
1.0
As much as I love Valdemar, Mags and Co. are incredibly boring. They always have a solution to every problem. There is no risk and no development in these books.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice bit of fluff between heavier reads, and I still feel like I'm coming home whenever I read about Valdemar again.
While I was getting a bit tired of Mags as a character in his last book, this one, with its several focus characters, its Haven setting, and it's renewed focus on espionage, worked better for me. If everything always feels a bit too easy for Mags, I'm willing to overlook a lot for a hero who is genuinely extremely competent at his job.
Although Brand was a bit too obvious in his moustache-twirling villainy for me to believe, I did like this twist on Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare-inspired things are my FAVOURITE.
While I was getting a bit tired of Mags as a character in his last book, this one, with its several focus characters, its Haven setting, and it's renewed focus on espionage, worked better for me. If everything always feels a bit too easy for Mags, I'm willing to overlook a lot for a hero who is genuinely extremely competent at his job.
Although Brand was a bit too obvious in his moustache-twirling villainy for me to believe, I did like this twist on Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare-inspired things are my FAVOURITE.