With Elspeth, the heir to the throne of Valdemar, come of marriageable age, Talia, the Queen's Own Herald returns to court to find Queen and heir b...
read full description
reviews
Sep 08, 2010
Kristina
rated it: 
I loved this last installment to the Heralds of Valdemar series. That’s pretty much all I have to say – it’s a tie for my favorite book out of all three (the tie being with the first).
I think Mercedes Lackey read my previous reviews, because the pacing went up by a considerable amount. There were only a few places in the text where the plot lagged, and even when it did, I could see why it was written that way. Elspeth grew a lot this novel, I think, despite the meager amount that was w More...
I think Mercedes Lackey read my previous reviews, because the pacing went up by a considerable amount. There were only a few places in the text where the plot lagged, and even when it did, I could see why it was written that way. Elspeth grew a lot this novel, I think, despite the meager amount that was w More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 08, 2010
Growing up my mom was always reading several books at once, usually biographies / autobiographies or other things that I deemed "serious" reading along with those cheap grocery-store checkout-aisle romance novels with the red covers. She called those her "candy novels"- little substance, quick and enjoyable reads, but they don't quite fill you up intellectually.
No offense intended, but Mercedes Lackey provides my "candy novels". The writing, plot line, charact More...
No offense intended, but Mercedes Lackey provides my "candy novels". The writing, plot line, charact More...
Nov 01, 2011
Gail
rated it: 
The last part of Talia’s story. She finally gets back to Haven to serve as Queen’s Own Herald, and try to work her love life out. She’s lifebonded to the homeliest of the Heralds, but he resists because he can’t believe she loves him, especially since she just spent a year with the handsomest Herald. There’s trouble over the border with Hardorn—the prince has sent a marriage proposal for Elspeth, heir to the throne—but the queen is wary because of her own history. She married a younger son of an
More...
Mar 19, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
This, along with Arrows of the Queen, is one of those books that I go back to whenever I have a gap in my reading and an afternoon or so to fill, not wanting to dig into anything more substantial. It's a satisfying end to the trilogy, while still leaving the way for the series that she wrote about Valdemar after that. Elspeth's story in the Winds and Storm series in particular are teed up nicely. Make no mistake about it being a brutal book, though, with a whole section of rape and torture, alth
More...
Jun 09, 2010
Bibliotropic
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 29, 2010
Kathleen
rated it:
This book concludes the trilogy centered on Talia very nicely with an epic battle and a wedding. The evil prince of the foreign kingdom manages to be frightening by employing magicians although the torture with his childhood nanny borders on comically evil. The characterization of Talia's love interest Dirk falters a little in this book as well, when their romance is left mostly to the magical life bond between the pair. I really preferred their love stemming from their shared snarkitude in Arrow's Flight
More...
Jun 01, 2011
emily
rated it: 
this whole trilogy underwhelmed me. the writing wasn't fantastic, it was a little simplistic both in plot and in character development. there was a lot of telling, not a lot of showing; there was barely a time when i felt any emotional connection to any of the characters. that said, the plot wasn't awful, the world creation was decent, and i think if the different plot threads had all been woven together instead of brought up and dealt with episodically the entire trilogy would have been much mo
More...
Feb 06, 2010
Chuck
rated it:
Ends the trilogy . . .Talia is sent with close friend Kris to represent the queen and a possible alliance between Velddemar and the neighboring kingdom. Although things seem all right in the kingdom at first, something is not quite right, and the two hear startling information about the king's son. While there, the king has his father killed, trying to pass the blame on Talia, Kris, and Valdemar. Talia escapes, barely, and tries to warn the queen and keep her from falling into a trap.
More...
More...
Oct 27, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 29, 2011
Jeremy
rated it:
This is the strongest book in the trilogy, I think - the stakes are raised significantly, and there is some resolution to the major plot threads. The writing is again better than before. It's still flawed, though. The not-talking-to-each-other problem takes up the first third of the book, and is tedious in the extreme. The rape and torture in the middle third feels a bit... not gratuitous, exactly, but cheap, like Lackey couldn't think of a non-obvious way to heighten the tension. And the pacing
More...
Feb 11, 2012
Widdershins
rated it:
A fairly disappointing ending to a lackluster series. Very uneven depth to both the story and the characters - overdeveloped in some areas and bare bones in others. After having run across Mercedes Lackey's name so often over the years I am pretty disappointed in what I've read so far. I'll try one more book in the hope that this, which was her first outing, I think, is the weakest of her series. Not overly optimistic, though.
Feb 06, 2012
Erika
rated it:
Probably my favourite of the trilogy. Emotional but well-written. Ties up most of the loose ends nicely. I always forget about the middle part though, probably because I mix it up with when they visit Hardorn in the later books. The ending is super sweet, but I don't mind because by that time Lackey has me in her thrall.
It's cute to come back to this original trilogy after reading all the other novels and see where she started from and how things don't quite mesh, but you ignore it any More...
It's cute to come back to this original trilogy after reading all the other novels and see where she started from and how things don't quite mesh, but you ignore it any More...
Aug 31, 2011
Anna
rated it:
To be fair, I felt like the storyline of this third book held together better than earlier books in the trilogy. However, I just didn't like it. The romantic tension just felt so forced --- if everyone had just talked to their friends a tiny bit, all of the angst would have all been avoided. And terrible events that occur seem to have less impact on the main character than I think they really would have.
Dec 28, 2010
Simeonberesford
rated it:
it comes together in this the third book of a trilogy Lackey's plot often seems rather linear which is what makes me think of them as suitable for young adults.. But I cant think of one that was marketed as such in this case I suspect it is because the conservative American market would find the implied message that its okay to have sex with people that you just think of as friends as dangerous.
Jul 24, 2009
Megan
rated it:
Wonderful story, poor editing. I love her stories, but her characters occasionally get on my nerves, because the editing leaves a little something to be desired, and eventually all of the characters' emotional issues drive me nuts...but I can't stop reading her stories!! I love the morals, the acceptance of shay'a'chern, the Valdemar stories, and the rewritten classic fairy tales.
Oct 06, 2010
Harmonybites
rated it:
This is the conclusion to Arrows of the Queen and Arrows Flight, which should be read first. I think this is a satisfying resolution to all the threads established in the first books. I like how Talia grew through all three novels and Lackey certainly made me feel for her characters. Well, the ones on the "good" side. This author's and series greatest flaw is arguably that she creates a very black and white world, with villains in the twirl-the-mustache mold, and this is no exception.
More...
Jun 13, 2011
Kris
rated it:
I wasn't drawn into this world, this trilogy, sad to say. I liked some of her other worlds and stories so much better. It wasn't bad, per say, but near the end of the book when all of this action started to take place I just... couldn't find myself really caring all that much. Maybe I should just stick with her Dragon Jouster books which I dearly love...
Dec 03, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
i really enjoyed this world she created, and i really enjoyed the way she wrapped up the final book in the trilogy. There were some slow parts, but that happens in most stories :) I know most folks like to critique this trilogy as being obvious that it was her first books, but i dont mind...i enjoyed the ride and had fun!
I think ill check out "By the Sword" next.
I think ill check out "By the Sword" next.
Jun 27, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I absolutely adored all of Lackey's Valdemar novels when I was an adolescent, but a lot of them are a little too emo for me now. I still truly enjoy her first trilogy, the Arrows of the Queen, despite the fact that it shows Lackey's inexperience. I often feel that an author's first book is frequently his or her best, and I believe this to be true of Lackey.
Talia and Dirk were always my favorite characters in all of Lackey's books, and this trilogy is the only series they are featur More...
Talia and Dirk were always my favorite characters in all of Lackey's books, and this trilogy is the only series they are featur More...
Jan 15, 2008
Millerbug
rated it:
This book was much better than the first two. A lot more satisfying. More action, better character building. I did get tired of the whole "I wonder what so and so is thinking, feeling... and I'm sure it's this, but I'm not going to ask or bring it up" avoid the issue thing. It just makes me want to scream "OUT WITH IT FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!" All and all, just this one book makes me want to read more from Lackey now. I think this series was some of her begining books, and I've a c
More...
Jan 22, 2009
Noah
rated it:
Not quite as satisfying as I hoped it would be. Of course, there is a sequel series. This is the second Lackey series I've read where the main character is raped. Not sure what to think about that. Still, a decent conclusion to a decent series.
Oct 18, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
lots of drama. ... the love connection is obvious and the characters are very dense. though, the dramatic love scene is very dramatic. ..and they live happily ever after.
Aug 12, 2011
Megan
rated it:
This series is probably at a solid three overall from me. I found the romance part in this last installment to be real dull, but the end fighting bits were fun.
Dec 08, 2009
Becca
rated it:
More of the same. At least Dirk finally demonstrates that the item I mentioned in my review of book 2 is not okay. Was that not obvious, other characters?
Mar 04, 2011
Lyndsaygrace
rated it:
Consistently EVERY time I read this book I bawl. However, it is such a good book that no matter what happens I read it and fall in love over and over.
Oct 14, 2009
Cathy
rated it:
Her worst book IMO. I quit reading any of her other books for years because it was so awful. I'm glad I relented because now she is now my favorite author!
Sep 09, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
This series is meant for the younger reader and I adored it! I'm not much for fantasy or sci-fi books to be honest but I truly fell in love with the characters
Jul 03, 2010
Arwen
rated it:
Read this way back in the day and I don't remember it that well. Obviously, if I had liked it better, I would have rated it higher.
Aug 19, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
Started: August 9, 2010
Finished: August 10, 2010
Book #86 for the 2010 52 Books in 52 Week Ravelry Challenge.
Finished: August 10, 2010
Book #86 for the 2010 52 Books in 52 Week Ravelry Challenge.
Oct 17, 2009
Abby
rated it:
Like eating a pint of ice cream on a day you are felling lousy. No nutritional value but it makes me feel better.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
