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Tales of Valdemar #2
Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar
An all-new original short fiction anthology featuring Mercedes Lackey's heroic Heralds and their horselike companions-as penned by these masters of fantasy
Errold's Journey by Catherine S. McMullen
The Cat Who Came to Dinner by Nancy Asire
Winter Death by Michelle West
A Herald's Rescue by Mickey Zucker Reichert
In the Eye of the Beholder by Josepha Sherman
Trance Tower Garrison by Fiona Patton
Starhaven by Stephanie Shaver
Rebirth by Judith Tarr
Brock by Tanya Huff
True Colors by Michael Longcor
Touches the Earth by Brenda Cooper
Icebreaker by Rosemary Edghill
Sun in Glory by Mercedes Lackey
Errold's Journey by Catherine S. McMullen
The Cat Who Came to Dinner by Nancy Asire
Winter Death by Michelle West
A Herald's Rescue by Mickey Zucker Reichert
In the Eye of the Beholder by Josepha Sherman
Trance Tower Garrison by Fiona Patton
Starhaven by Stephanie Shaver
Rebirth by Judith Tarr
Brock by Tanya Huff
True Colors by Michael Longcor
Touches the Earth by Brenda Cooper
Icebreaker by Rosemary Edghill
Sun in Glory by Mercedes Lackey
349 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 2, 2003
114 people are currently reading
1761 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
432 books9,561 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 10, 2019
Re-read 2018
I've been re-reading some of the short stories based on the books of one of my favorite authors as a break in the more serious reading I've been doing for college classes. I've always loved the Tales of Valdemar. Mercedes Lackey gives other writers a chance to play in the world that she created and most of the stories are spot on with what I would expect from a Valdemar book. This is one of the books in the series where I loved every short story included. I especially enjoyed reading more about Herald Alberich since he is one of my favorite characters As always if you do not know anything about the series then you should definitely give these a miss until you've read a few in the main series.
I've been re-reading some of the short stories based on the books of one of my favorite authors as a break in the more serious reading I've been doing for college classes. I've always loved the Tales of Valdemar. Mercedes Lackey gives other writers a chance to play in the world that she created and most of the stories are spot on with what I would expect from a Valdemar book. This is one of the books in the series where I loved every short story included. I especially enjoyed reading more about Herald Alberich since he is one of my favorite characters As always if you do not know anything about the series then you should definitely give these a miss until you've read a few in the main series.
September 10, 2018
I really liked Sun in Glory, Mercedes Lackey's contribution to the anthology. It was beautiful and filled a gap in the series that I had previously wondered about.
Unfortunately, it was also the only story in this anthology that I really enjoyed. Once again, most of these stories occupy some weird space where they don't actually seem to understand how the world they inhabit works. Many of them are either lore-breaking or so generic they could occupy any fantasy world rather than feeling like they belong to Valdemar. It almost feels like most of them were written by people with only a cursory knowledge of the world they were meant to inhabit, though the description says all the stories came from fans.
As a result, none of the other stories really stuck in my mind. "Winter Death" I recall having an interesting premise, and being heartbreakingly beautiful at times, but it had so many editing errors it almost felt like an early draft accidentally went to the print. In fact the entire anthology suffered from jarring editing errors that made some of the stories difficult to read.
Unfortunately, it was also the only story in this anthology that I really enjoyed. Once again, most of these stories occupy some weird space where they don't actually seem to understand how the world they inhabit works. Many of them are either lore-breaking or so generic they could occupy any fantasy world rather than feeling like they belong to Valdemar. It almost feels like most of them were written by people with only a cursory knowledge of the world they were meant to inhabit, though the description says all the stories came from fans.
As a result, none of the other stories really stuck in my mind. "Winter Death" I recall having an interesting premise, and being heartbreakingly beautiful at times, but it had so many editing errors it almost felt like an early draft accidentally went to the print. In fact the entire anthology suffered from jarring editing errors that made some of the stories difficult to read.
January 9, 2008
Anthologies, for me, always have a "hit or miss" quality, especially those containing more than six or seven stories. It's also harder to read them straight through, as the urge to skip a particularly boring contribution is strong.
Mercedes Lackey's own contribution, Sun In Glory, is a definite hit. Well put together and a satisfying step forward for any fan of Valdemar.
Sure-fire hits include: The Cat Who Came to Dinner, Rebirth, Brock, and Rosemary Edghill's Icebreaker.
The first story in the anthology? Miss. For starters, it's written by a twelve-year-old. She's obviously read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi, but still...twelve. The hero is too perfect, completely unflawed. I have no problem with the set-up "X happens, and Hero A sighs and postulates that Y will happen, and Y does happen." The set-up for Errold's Journey, however, is "X happens, and Hero A postulates that Y, Z, M, K, F, and S will then happen. And then they do. With bonus Good Events C, N, and P." Give me a break.
In the Eye of the Beholder is another miss. Save for the mention that the heroine is trying to reach a Herald, near Lake Evandim, this story could have been set in any fantasy universe. It's like a mediocre short story shoe-horned into an existing set-up at the last minute.
Mercedes Lackey's own contribution, Sun In Glory, is a definite hit. Well put together and a satisfying step forward for any fan of Valdemar.
Sure-fire hits include: The Cat Who Came to Dinner, Rebirth, Brock, and Rosemary Edghill's Icebreaker.
The first story in the anthology? Miss. For starters, it's written by a twelve-year-old. She's obviously read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi, but still...twelve. The hero is too perfect, completely unflawed. I have no problem with the set-up "X happens, and Hero A sighs and postulates that Y will happen, and Y does happen." The set-up for Errold's Journey, however, is "X happens, and Hero A postulates that Y, Z, M, K, F, and S will then happen. And then they do. With bonus Good Events C, N, and P." Give me a break.
In the Eye of the Beholder is another miss. Save for the mention that the heroine is trying to reach a Herald, near Lake Evandim, this story could have been set in any fantasy universe. It's like a mediocre short story shoe-horned into an existing set-up at the last minute.
August 14, 2021
I like these stories but not quite as much as I did the ones in the previous collection. I've enjoyed reading them and cheered the characters on, so it's all good.
Favourites:
There was the very welcome story of Herald Jors and Brock.
And the masterpiece that is "Winter Death". That one resonated like woha with me and just hit me right in the feels. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Looking forward to the next one!
Favourites:
There was the very welcome story of Herald Jors and Brock.
And the masterpiece that is "Winter Death". That one resonated like woha with me and just hit me right in the feels. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Looking forward to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2010
Not overly fond of short story anthologies but this one holds up well.
Most of the stories have Misty's voice down pretty well and different authors do offer different shadings that can improve the overall development of a fantasy worls such as Valdemar.
However the strongest story was Misty's own "Sun in Glory" Having read all of Misty's full length Valdemar books I've wondered where Talia's investiture story disappeared to. Now I know.
Most of the stories have Misty's voice down pretty well and different authors do offer different shadings that can improve the overall development of a fantasy worls such as Valdemar.
However the strongest story was Misty's own "Sun in Glory" Having read all of Misty's full length Valdemar books I've wondered where Talia's investiture story disappeared to. Now I know.
April 12, 2011
This is a mixed bag. It started off slow... the first couple of stories made me think I wasn't really interested in continuing. But I'm glad I did. There were several great stories in there, and I enjoyed Lackey's novella. I would recommend this to fans of Valdemar, but if you haven't tried the series, start with that first.
April 14, 2010
I actually loved this anthology, mainly because it was my first introduction to the Karsite Firecats. They are such fascinating felines, and I wish one would find me!!
Otherwise, the other tales were much fun, although as always, ML's written ones are always the best!
Otherwise, the other tales were much fun, although as always, ML's written ones are always the best!
March 16, 2024
This had a number of average stories, a couple fantastic stories, and unfortunately a couple duds as well. But overall it was still very enjoyable to read all these interesting little snapshots into the world of Valdemar, especially the final short story which Lackey herself wrote to give some insight into a pivotal event happening between the Arrows and Mage Winds trilogies. Already planning to jump right into the next collection this weekend.
August 16, 2024
The second anthology of thirteen short stories in the Tales of Valdemar fantasy series for middle grade readers revolving around the Heralds of Valdemar.
The Series
Catherine S. McMullen’s "Errold's Journey” takes place well before the Mage Wars
Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner” seems to be earlyish in the series.
Fiona Patton’s “Trance Tower Garrison” takes place while Baron, now king, Valdemar is still alive during the early years of this new kingdom
Mercedes Lackey’s “Sun in Glory” is towards the later days of Alberich’’s time.
The Stories
Well, I am pleased that DAW Books finally put this out in an eBook format, although I can now understand why it wasn’t a priority. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the Valdemar series, but this isn’t one of Lackey’s finest anthologies.
Catherine S. McMullen’s "Errold's Journey”
This tale takes place when Ma’ar and Urthro are in their last battle before they blow each other up and change their world. (There is a note that McMullen wrote this story when she was twelve.) What makes this impressive is a) how well McMullen knows the Valdemar stories and their characters, b) the thought McMullen puts into Errold’s packing, and c) the observations McMullen’s makes about potential threats.!
McMullen uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Errold’s perspective. And we learn how Errold’s Grove began.
Characters
Errold is good with smaller, more useful spells along with a healing ability. Master Thomas is an expert on war magics.
Carpet, a mrran, is one of the enhanced animals. Proouw is a an enhanced cat with a lot of intelligence.
Urthro and Ma’ar were both powerful mages. The former was a good guy who created much that was new while Ma’ar was a bad guy who copied Urthro’s work and did it poorly.
Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner”
Asire does provide a lovely view of life in a village for a priest. This one is a good priest! The story uses third person protagonist point-of-view from Reulan’s perspective, and does give one hope.
Characters
Reulan is a humble priest of Vkandis Sunlord, the god worshipped by the Karsites. He’s the resident for the village of Sweetwater where Santon is the headman. Khar is the cat who “adopts” Reulan.
Beckor is the priest who taught Reulan. Two Trees is the next village over. Dhadi is the priest in Faroaks. Jaskhi is another local priest who had been taught by Beckor.
The Son of the Sun is the most high priest of Karse. Sunhame is the capital of Karse. The priests are divided into different groups, including the Black-robes and the Red-robes. A Firecat is an avatar for Vkandis.
Michelle West’s “Winter Death”
A different story from the usual, it was also rather annoying. West included too many puzzling actions that made me have to re-read sections to understand what was happening and how it related to Kayla. I was confused about Kayla’s conversation with one of the Companions, as it seemed to contradict what each was saying. As for the comment on being an Oathbreaker, oh, boy. It seems a childish worry. West certainly didn’t do much with it.
It was tricky how West showed us how Kayla was taught about her Gift. Sneaky. West was also a tease in how she stretched out the cause of the illness endangering so many of Valdemar. I can definitely see West’s mystical writing in its influence on her story.
I’d’ve thought the potential for Gifts would have been particularly considered in the king’s children. It does go to show how important a parent’s view and treatment of their child is.
Characters
Kayla Grayson was born and married in Riverend, a mining town with harsh winters. Margaret “Magda” Merton had been Kayla’s mother.
Some of the children in Riverend include Mitchell, Evan, Tess, and the flirtatious Caroline. Widow Davis is the “mayor” of the Hold. Daniel is one of those sick in Evandale, a town on the way to the capital.
Anne and Carris are Heralds in search. Darius is Kayla’s Companion. I think Gisel is the King’s Own Herald; Arlen is Gisel’s Companion. Sasha and Michael had been Heralds and friends of Gisel’s. Prince Gregori is the youngest of the king’s sons with a strong Gift of Empathy. Rodri was his Companion.
Mickey Zucker Reichert’s "A Herald's Rescue”
Another sneaky story of testing.
Characters
Santar helps with the horses in his father’s stable and has a way with the injured. Hosfin is Santar’s younger brother. Orrin is a testing Companion.
Josepha Sherman’s “In the Eye of the Beholder”
Well, that’s true enough. And there are different ways to behold a person. I couldn’t get excited about this story. It was too simplistic.
Characters
Marra is escaping the attack on her village near Lake Evandim. Albain Tandarek is a monster with a heart and related to Lord Darrick who thinks it’s funny to burn out a village.
Fiona Patton’s “Trance Tower Garrison”
This appears to be early on in the kingdom of Valdemar, although it feels as though it’s further in its future. While it is a short story, Patton made me feel its fullness, the fear and hope of the garrison, their worry about their food supply, and their decision to make things happen. Patton uses third person global subjective point-of-view as we see and hear what happens without any one character’s perspective. A good one, even if it is a weird combination of a story early in the Valdemar world.
Characters
Trance Tower is in the Ice Wall Mountains and is a northernmost outpost where Commander Dravin is in charge since Commander Beckwin died. Corporal Norma Anzie of Gray Squad is a senior sentinel. Lorn is a sergeant. Other soldiers include Ernie; Bessie Taws, who is Ernie’s niece and may have gotten through; Garet Barns has a quick temper; Ander “Andy” Harrow became an orphan when his parents Jem and Karl Harrow died; Phen Royn and Harn Anzie (Norma’s brother) are Andy’s friends; Mac Rellden; and, Tara.
Stephanie Shaver’s “Starhaven"
Phew, it’s later in the story that the initial start of the tale is explained.
Characters
Vess Baireschild is a Herald and a strong Mindspeaker with a touch of Empathy, but no Mage Gift. He’s standing in for the King’s Own. Kestric is his Companion. Lady Baireschild is his mother. Herald Becka sent Vess. Nadja had been the King’s Own; Jastev is her Grove-born Companion.
Solmark is the village where Vess hopes to find Juni, a healer (who actually has a Mage Gift, Mindspeech, and Empathy). Sevastan is Juni’s grandfather. Marsi’s son, Garth, needs Healing. Starhaven had been Solmark’s sister town.
Judith Tarr’s “Rebirth”
I suppose any kingdom will have its betrayers. And those who love deeply.
This one was so sad, for Mathias loves Vera so much, and he keeps on sacrificing for her. That punishment that’s handed out?? It sees way too severe.
Characters
Mathias is a Herald-Mage with Lytha as his Companion.
Vera is, I think, the Heir to Valdemar, a sensitive but not a Mage, with a Companion. Lord Terrell, a warrior and a mage, will be Vera’s Consort.
Lord Dashant is Vera’s traitorous half-brother who commands the enemy army. And he killed their father.
Tanya Huff’s “Brock”
Oh, oh, this one was so sweet with such a tricky ending. I did have to laugh as the Companions want to keep Brock for themselves. So many people in this town are bullying jerks! Yet Brock is kind to everyone — he believes he’s a Herald on the inside. It’s a dilemma for Jors, especially with that gift Dory gives him to give to Brock.
The Heralds seem to be escorting a herd of chirras??
Whoa! The “mean lady” truly is mean. I wanna smack her upside the head! That bit at the end about the bridge construction was an absolute treat!
Characters
Jors is a Herald (with Gervis as his Companion) accompanying Herald Isabel who has a bad cold. Calida is Isabel’s Companion. Lorrin is a Healer and the new Head of a House of Healing.
Brock is a Moonling. Rock is the dog Brock rescued. The tanners’ place is far from town and is run by Aysa, the mean lady. Her sons are Enric, Kern, and Simen who is married to Dory; they lost their baby, Tamas.
Michael Longcor's "True Colors”
Ooh, well named. I can’t blame Rin for wanting to find an easier life, and he certainly has picked one. Only it comes back to bite him and he’s offered two choices, and the first choice is a pip!
Rin discovers how wide that gap is between his horse and a true Companion, and we learn that through Longcor’s use of third person point-of-view from Rin’s perspective.
Characters
“Herald” Rincent, a.k.a. Rin, had been sold to the sadistic Torto of Torto’s Traveling Show where he picked up some unsavory skills. Now he claims he’s a “Special Auxiliary Herald”. Serena is his “Companion”.
Valon has a toy stick horse, Natli is his sister.
The Heralds are legendary. Terek is the senior Herald with Coryandor his Companion.
Brenda Cooper’s “Touches the Earth”
It’s all about acceptance of one’s abilities, and it’ll take a disaster for Anya to get it. It’s an interesting premise that will force Anya to figure it out, but Cooper annoyed me with the background issues. She never explained them! Well, she never explained what happened to those who were taken, anyway.
Characters
Tim is the village Healer in Homestead, teaching Anya. He lives in a cave rumored to have been built by a hertasi. In his past, he’d been a sellsword until he had his epiphany. Elena is Anya’s landlady. and Justine is her daughter.
Nightsinger is a Healer-trained Hawkbrother.
Rosemary Edghill’s “Icebreaker"
Poor Elidor. He has the usual childhood dreams of being Chosen by a Companion. It’s one way to stave off the depression of what’s happened to him. The loss of all he had had. It takes the Master of Boys to “encourage” Elidor, and it was a pip of an incentive, lol.
It’ll take a true-life encounter with a Herald to help Elidor realize what he doesn’t want.
Characters
Elidor is an orphan and a copyist-apprentice at the Great Library in Talastyre. Marane had been his oldest sister. Jonas Bridewell is Elidor’s uncle. Caleanth is Elidor’s roommate. Lady Kendra is the Mistress of Girls.
Darrian is Herald Jordwen’s Companion. Meachum is an angry job-coachman. Mistress Vonarre is also an orphan on her way to the Library.
Mercedes Lackey’s “Sun in Glory”
I always love stories about the woman who became the Son of the Sun. It’s such a lovely switch from what the sun-priests of Vkandis became! Those power-hungry hypocrites!! Yeah, they have the same gifts as the Heralds.
Lackey does provide a back history on what happened when today’s Son of the Sun was elected. Woohoo! *Laughing*, Lackey also refers back to the heroes of Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner”. More revelations include the changes Solaris is making. Phew. Everyone will breathe easier!
You’ll learn the many reasons why Karsites have fled Karse into Valdemar — including that Alberich is there! Who’d’ve thunk? Besides the truce, another sweet bit is when Alberich realizes where “home” is.
Characters
In Haven
Herald Alberich, a Karsite called “The Great Traitor” by his former countrymen, is the Weaponmaster to all the trainees at the Collegia in Haven. Kantor is his Companion. Herald-Chronicler Myste is the official historian of the Herald’s Collegium. Herald-Captain Kerowyn “Kero”, a Shin’a’in, had led a mercenary troop and was Chosen during battle. Herald Eldan is a spy. Talia is the Queen’s Own Herald. Rolan is her Companion. Dirk is Talia’s husband. Selenay is queen. Jeri.
Gerichen is the chief Priest of Vkandis, ahem, the Temple of the Lord of Light in Haven, and a friend to Alberich.
The Star-Eyed is the goddess worshipped by the Shin’a’in. The vrondi are eyes who spy on magic-users.
In Sunhame
The Karsites have been taught to fear those Demon Companions as well as the Demon-loving Heralds of Valdemar. Ruled by a theocracy, the levels of priesthood include the Priest-Mages, a.k.a. Voices of Vkandis, Red-robes were the demon-summoners, Black-robes, the White-robes, etc. Who have their own “Dark Servants” and “Vkandis’ Furies”. The priests’ Fires of Cleansing were used to burn to death any children who could use magic.
Hierophant Karchanek is a Priest-Mage and confidante of Solaris, the Son of the Sun. (Address her as Radiance.) Hansa is the Firecat, an avatar of Vkandis Sunlord, and bodyguard to Solaris. Ulrich, Larschen, and Grevenor are Solaris’ allies in the priesthood.
Hardorn
Ancar rules in Hardon and has an urge for conquest.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a glory with its top and bottom bands of gold. The top is the title in a black-outlined white with an info blurb at its bottom in black. The bottom band is the editor’s name, also in a black-outlined white. In between, the background is split into vertical fourths. The left one-fourth has a black background with autumn leaves falling down its length while the right one-fourth has the same black background with pastel vines of pink flowers twining vertically. The middle half is a dusty pink band overlaid with a rectangular frame with a yellow-and orange streaked sky and the head and neck of a blue-eyed white Companion dressed in its trademark blue halter and reins emerging from the narrow gold frame. Above the Companion is a Norman shield with a black background bordered in gold and a deeper red griffin with its wings splayed out. Below the Companion is another Norman shield with a slightly darker blue background studded with stars and with a winged white horse rearing up.
The title refers to Lackey’s own story and those of others Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar.
The Series
Catherine S. McMullen’s "Errold's Journey” takes place well before the Mage Wars
Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner” seems to be earlyish in the series.
Fiona Patton’s “Trance Tower Garrison” takes place while Baron, now king, Valdemar is still alive during the early years of this new kingdom
Mercedes Lackey’s “Sun in Glory” is towards the later days of Alberich’’s time.
The Stories
Well, I am pleased that DAW Books finally put this out in an eBook format, although I can now understand why it wasn’t a priority. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the Valdemar series, but this isn’t one of Lackey’s finest anthologies.
Catherine S. McMullen’s "Errold's Journey”
This tale takes place when Ma’ar and Urthro are in their last battle before they blow each other up and change their world. (There is a note that McMullen wrote this story when she was twelve.) What makes this impressive is a) how well McMullen knows the Valdemar stories and their characters, b) the thought McMullen puts into Errold’s packing, and c) the observations McMullen’s makes about potential threats.!
McMullen uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Errold’s perspective. And we learn how Errold’s Grove began.
Characters
Errold is good with smaller, more useful spells along with a healing ability. Master Thomas is an expert on war magics.
Carpet, a mrran, is one of the enhanced animals. Proouw is a an enhanced cat with a lot of intelligence.
Urthro and Ma’ar were both powerful mages. The former was a good guy who created much that was new while Ma’ar was a bad guy who copied Urthro’s work and did it poorly.
Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner”
Asire does provide a lovely view of life in a village for a priest. This one is a good priest! The story uses third person protagonist point-of-view from Reulan’s perspective, and does give one hope.
Characters
Reulan is a humble priest of Vkandis Sunlord, the god worshipped by the Karsites. He’s the resident for the village of Sweetwater where Santon is the headman. Khar is the cat who “adopts” Reulan.
Beckor is the priest who taught Reulan. Two Trees is the next village over. Dhadi is the priest in Faroaks. Jaskhi is another local priest who had been taught by Beckor.
The Son of the Sun is the most high priest of Karse. Sunhame is the capital of Karse. The priests are divided into different groups, including the Black-robes and the Red-robes. A Firecat is an avatar for Vkandis.
Michelle West’s “Winter Death”
A different story from the usual, it was also rather annoying. West included too many puzzling actions that made me have to re-read sections to understand what was happening and how it related to Kayla. I was confused about Kayla’s conversation with one of the Companions, as it seemed to contradict what each was saying. As for the comment on being an Oathbreaker, oh, boy. It seems a childish worry. West certainly didn’t do much with it.
It was tricky how West showed us how Kayla was taught about her Gift. Sneaky. West was also a tease in how she stretched out the cause of the illness endangering so many of Valdemar. I can definitely see West’s mystical writing in its influence on her story.
I’d’ve thought the potential for Gifts would have been particularly considered in the king’s children. It does go to show how important a parent’s view and treatment of their child is.
Characters
Kayla Grayson was born and married in Riverend, a mining town with harsh winters. Margaret “Magda” Merton had been Kayla’s mother.
Some of the children in Riverend include Mitchell, Evan, Tess, and the flirtatious Caroline. Widow Davis is the “mayor” of the Hold. Daniel is one of those sick in Evandale, a town on the way to the capital.
Anne and Carris are Heralds in search. Darius is Kayla’s Companion. I think Gisel is the King’s Own Herald; Arlen is Gisel’s Companion. Sasha and Michael had been Heralds and friends of Gisel’s. Prince Gregori is the youngest of the king’s sons with a strong Gift of Empathy. Rodri was his Companion.
Mickey Zucker Reichert’s "A Herald's Rescue”
Another sneaky story of testing.
Characters
Santar helps with the horses in his father’s stable and has a way with the injured. Hosfin is Santar’s younger brother. Orrin is a testing Companion.
Josepha Sherman’s “In the Eye of the Beholder”
Well, that’s true enough. And there are different ways to behold a person. I couldn’t get excited about this story. It was too simplistic.
Characters
Marra is escaping the attack on her village near Lake Evandim. Albain Tandarek is a monster with a heart and related to Lord Darrick who thinks it’s funny to burn out a village.
Fiona Patton’s “Trance Tower Garrison”
This appears to be early on in the kingdom of Valdemar, although it feels as though it’s further in its future. While it is a short story, Patton made me feel its fullness, the fear and hope of the garrison, their worry about their food supply, and their decision to make things happen. Patton uses third person global subjective point-of-view as we see and hear what happens without any one character’s perspective. A good one, even if it is a weird combination of a story early in the Valdemar world.
Characters
Trance Tower is in the Ice Wall Mountains and is a northernmost outpost where Commander Dravin is in charge since Commander Beckwin died. Corporal Norma Anzie of Gray Squad is a senior sentinel. Lorn is a sergeant. Other soldiers include Ernie; Bessie Taws, who is Ernie’s niece and may have gotten through; Garet Barns has a quick temper; Ander “Andy” Harrow became an orphan when his parents Jem and Karl Harrow died; Phen Royn and Harn Anzie (Norma’s brother) are Andy’s friends; Mac Rellden; and, Tara.
Stephanie Shaver’s “Starhaven"
Phew, it’s later in the story that the initial start of the tale is explained.
Characters
Vess Baireschild is a Herald and a strong Mindspeaker with a touch of Empathy, but no Mage Gift. He’s standing in for the King’s Own. Kestric is his Companion. Lady Baireschild is his mother. Herald Becka sent Vess. Nadja had been the King’s Own; Jastev is her Grove-born Companion.
Solmark is the village where Vess hopes to find Juni, a healer (who actually has a Mage Gift, Mindspeech, and Empathy). Sevastan is Juni’s grandfather. Marsi’s son, Garth, needs Healing. Starhaven had been Solmark’s sister town.
Judith Tarr’s “Rebirth”
I suppose any kingdom will have its betrayers. And those who love deeply.
This one was so sad, for Mathias loves Vera so much, and he keeps on sacrificing for her. That punishment that’s handed out?? It sees way too severe.
Characters
Mathias is a Herald-Mage with Lytha as his Companion.
Vera is, I think, the Heir to Valdemar, a sensitive but not a Mage, with a Companion. Lord Terrell, a warrior and a mage, will be Vera’s Consort.
Lord Dashant is Vera’s traitorous half-brother who commands the enemy army. And he killed their father.
Tanya Huff’s “Brock”
Oh, oh, this one was so sweet with such a tricky ending. I did have to laugh as the Companions want to keep Brock for themselves. So many people in this town are bullying jerks! Yet Brock is kind to everyone — he believes he’s a Herald on the inside. It’s a dilemma for Jors, especially with that gift Dory gives him to give to Brock.
The Heralds seem to be escorting a herd of chirras??
Whoa! The “mean lady” truly is mean. I wanna smack her upside the head! That bit at the end about the bridge construction was an absolute treat!
Characters
Jors is a Herald (with Gervis as his Companion) accompanying Herald Isabel who has a bad cold. Calida is Isabel’s Companion. Lorrin is a Healer and the new Head of a House of Healing.
Brock is a Moonling. Rock is the dog Brock rescued. The tanners’ place is far from town and is run by Aysa, the mean lady. Her sons are Enric, Kern, and Simen who is married to Dory; they lost their baby, Tamas.
Michael Longcor's "True Colors”
Ooh, well named. I can’t blame Rin for wanting to find an easier life, and he certainly has picked one. Only it comes back to bite him and he’s offered two choices, and the first choice is a pip!
Rin discovers how wide that gap is between his horse and a true Companion, and we learn that through Longcor’s use of third person point-of-view from Rin’s perspective.
Characters
“Herald” Rincent, a.k.a. Rin, had been sold to the sadistic Torto of Torto’s Traveling Show where he picked up some unsavory skills. Now he claims he’s a “Special Auxiliary Herald”. Serena is his “Companion”.
Valon has a toy stick horse, Natli is his sister.
The Heralds are legendary. Terek is the senior Herald with Coryandor his Companion.
Brenda Cooper’s “Touches the Earth”
It’s all about acceptance of one’s abilities, and it’ll take a disaster for Anya to get it. It’s an interesting premise that will force Anya to figure it out, but Cooper annoyed me with the background issues. She never explained them! Well, she never explained what happened to those who were taken, anyway.
Characters
Tim is the village Healer in Homestead, teaching Anya. He lives in a cave rumored to have been built by a hertasi. In his past, he’d been a sellsword until he had his epiphany. Elena is Anya’s landlady. and Justine is her daughter.
Nightsinger is a Healer-trained Hawkbrother.
Rosemary Edghill’s “Icebreaker"
Poor Elidor. He has the usual childhood dreams of being Chosen by a Companion. It’s one way to stave off the depression of what’s happened to him. The loss of all he had had. It takes the Master of Boys to “encourage” Elidor, and it was a pip of an incentive, lol.
It’ll take a true-life encounter with a Herald to help Elidor realize what he doesn’t want.
Characters
Elidor is an orphan and a copyist-apprentice at the Great Library in Talastyre. Marane had been his oldest sister. Jonas Bridewell is Elidor’s uncle. Caleanth is Elidor’s roommate. Lady Kendra is the Mistress of Girls.
Darrian is Herald Jordwen’s Companion. Meachum is an angry job-coachman. Mistress Vonarre is also an orphan on her way to the Library.
Mercedes Lackey’s “Sun in Glory”
I always love stories about the woman who became the Son of the Sun. It’s such a lovely switch from what the sun-priests of Vkandis became! Those power-hungry hypocrites!! Yeah, they have the same gifts as the Heralds.
Lackey does provide a back history on what happened when today’s Son of the Sun was elected. Woohoo! *Laughing*, Lackey also refers back to the heroes of Nancy Asire’s “The Cat Who Came to Dinner”. More revelations include the changes Solaris is making. Phew. Everyone will breathe easier!
You’ll learn the many reasons why Karsites have fled Karse into Valdemar — including that Alberich is there! Who’d’ve thunk? Besides the truce, another sweet bit is when Alberich realizes where “home” is.
Characters
In Haven
Herald Alberich, a Karsite called “The Great Traitor” by his former countrymen, is the Weaponmaster to all the trainees at the Collegia in Haven. Kantor is his Companion. Herald-Chronicler Myste is the official historian of the Herald’s Collegium. Herald-Captain Kerowyn “Kero”, a Shin’a’in, had led a mercenary troop and was Chosen during battle. Herald Eldan is a spy. Talia is the Queen’s Own Herald. Rolan is her Companion. Dirk is Talia’s husband. Selenay is queen. Jeri.
Gerichen is the chief Priest of Vkandis, ahem, the Temple of the Lord of Light in Haven, and a friend to Alberich.
The Star-Eyed is the goddess worshipped by the Shin’a’in. The vrondi are eyes who spy on magic-users.
In Sunhame
The Karsites have been taught to fear those Demon Companions as well as the Demon-loving Heralds of Valdemar. Ruled by a theocracy, the levels of priesthood include the Priest-Mages, a.k.a. Voices of Vkandis, Red-robes were the demon-summoners, Black-robes, the White-robes, etc. Who have their own “Dark Servants” and “Vkandis’ Furies”. The priests’ Fires of Cleansing were used to burn to death any children who could use magic.
Hierophant Karchanek is a Priest-Mage and confidante of Solaris, the Son of the Sun. (Address her as Radiance.) Hansa is the Firecat, an avatar of Vkandis Sunlord, and bodyguard to Solaris. Ulrich, Larschen, and Grevenor are Solaris’ allies in the priesthood.
Hardorn
Ancar rules in Hardon and has an urge for conquest.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a glory with its top and bottom bands of gold. The top is the title in a black-outlined white with an info blurb at its bottom in black. The bottom band is the editor’s name, also in a black-outlined white. In between, the background is split into vertical fourths. The left one-fourth has a black background with autumn leaves falling down its length while the right one-fourth has the same black background with pastel vines of pink flowers twining vertically. The middle half is a dusty pink band overlaid with a rectangular frame with a yellow-and orange streaked sky and the head and neck of a blue-eyed white Companion dressed in its trademark blue halter and reins emerging from the narrow gold frame. Above the Companion is a Norman shield with a black background bordered in gold and a deeper red griffin with its wings splayed out. Below the Companion is another Norman shield with a slightly darker blue background studded with stars and with a winged white horse rearing up.
The title refers to Lackey’s own story and those of others Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar.
December 14, 2011
Sun in Glory is much more even than the earlier collection - there are still some duds, most notably the opening story (good Gods, I know it's neat that a twelve-year-old wrote a fairly literate story, but that doesn't mean I want to read it,) but for the most part the quality is consistent.
The eponymous story is actually a critical part of the "modern" Valdemar story arc and well worth reading even if you skip everything else - most of the rest are decent but sort of iffy, canon-wise. (Except for Tanya Huff's Herald Jors, who has me totally convinced that I want to read a Huff-written Valdemar novel.)
The eponymous story is actually a critical part of the "modern" Valdemar story arc and well worth reading even if you skip everything else - most of the rest are decent but sort of iffy, canon-wise. (Except for Tanya Huff's Herald Jors, who has me totally convinced that I want to read a Huff-written Valdemar novel.)
January 25, 2021
I bought this book just to learn how Talia became a Vkandis Sun Priest. It was underwhelming. Some stories were "meh" and some were downright terrible, failing to follow Valdemar precedent, such as the story in which a Companion tests a boy, lying that his Chosen is in trouble and needs the boy's help. Turns out, ta-da, this Companion has actually Chosen the determined boy. Um, Companions never lie, and they don't test people before they're Chosen.
July 6, 2016
A nice anthology set in the world of Valdemar and its Heralds, 'Sun in Glory' has a higher percentage of stories I would re-read than the ones I'll skip in the future. There are tales with unique twists. I particularly enjoyed the story by Mercedes Lackey, set during the formation of the peace between Valdemar and Karse.
October 11, 2017
Unlike with other collections, I enjoyed every single one of the included stories! Some concentrated on the Companions, some on the Heralds, and some on others who came into contact with them. One of the sweetest stories told of a "Moonling" named Brock who believed he was a Herald. It concluded with the sentence that "Brock wore his whites on the inside." Would that we all would .
July 10, 2015
Technically I guess you could call it fan fiction, because of the 13 stories only one is written by Ms. Lackey but they were all really great stories, and it was interesting to see the varied points of view.
December 13, 2010
I really like the final story "Sun in Glory" and wished it had been longer
January 3, 2016
Quality varies wildly between stories.
June 29, 2018
For fans of Valdemar and those familiar with the books.
August 6, 2018
Loved each short story. Very good work everyone
January 15, 2021
As with the Sword of Ice anthology, this second one is full of other writers' imaginative ideas about things happening in Valdemar, and its neighbouring countries.
Each story was unique in its own way, and very entertaining to read - in fact, there were a few that I would have loved to see as full novels!
But my favourite of all of them was Mercedes' own story, Sun in Glory!
This was a story that I'd wanted to know about from the series - how Talia had became a Sun-Priest! What made it even better, of course, was having another dose of Alberich, too - plus the Firecat, Hansa! Lol
A great read, and very entertaining, as well as enlightening, if you'll pardon the pun!
Now on to the next one!
Each story was unique in its own way, and very entertaining to read - in fact, there were a few that I would have loved to see as full novels!
But my favourite of all of them was Mercedes' own story, Sun in Glory!
This was a story that I'd wanted to know about from the series - how Talia had became a Sun-Priest! What made it even better, of course, was having another dose of Alberich, too - plus the Firecat, Hansa! Lol
A great read, and very entertaining, as well as enlightening, if you'll pardon the pun!
Now on to the next one!
May 25, 2024
My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read four stories from this anthology.
“Errold’s Journey” by Catherine S. McMullen: I was not a fan of this one. It all seemed really rushed and Errold was just too… I dunno… blank but overly cheerful for my tastes. Master Thomas seemed like one of those pompous guys you just wanna smack… but hey, there are big green cats around now, I guess.
“Trance Tower Garrison” by Fiona Patton: This one was pretty enjoyable, if somewhat heartbreaking.
“Rebirth” by Judith Tarr: A small look at the Velgrath afterlife. Elysium-like. I enjoyed it.
“Sun in Glory” by Mercedes Lackey: The story of Talia’s investiture as a Priestess of Vkandis made me tear up a tad.
“Errold’s Journey” by Catherine S. McMullen: I was not a fan of this one. It all seemed really rushed and Errold was just too… I dunno… blank but overly cheerful for my tastes. Master Thomas seemed like one of those pompous guys you just wanna smack… but hey, there are big green cats around now, I guess.
“Trance Tower Garrison” by Fiona Patton: This one was pretty enjoyable, if somewhat heartbreaking.
“Rebirth” by Judith Tarr: A small look at the Velgrath afterlife. Elysium-like. I enjoyed it.
“Sun in Glory” by Mercedes Lackey: The story of Talia’s investiture as a Priestess of Vkandis made me tear up a tad.
May 21, 2020
Pretty Good Overall
As with any short story collection, there were some stories I liked more than others, but these were - on a whole - pretty good. My favorites were "Brock," "True Colors," and "Icebreaker"; I liked getting to see and visit with characters around the Heralds who were not Heralds themselves. However, I also liked being able to visit with Alberich again for "Sun in Glory," especially since the short story was written more in the style of Exile's Honor than Exile's Valor, which is the book I liked beat of the duology.
As with any short story collection, there were some stories I liked more than others, but these were - on a whole - pretty good. My favorites were "Brock," "True Colors," and "Icebreaker"; I liked getting to see and visit with characters around the Heralds who were not Heralds themselves. However, I also liked being able to visit with Alberich again for "Sun in Glory," especially since the short story was written more in the style of Exile's Honor than Exile's Valor, which is the book I liked beat of the duology.
August 10, 2019
I don't usually like short stories. Just as I'm really getting into the story and characters... it's done. But these are stories about Valdemar, so I already quickly understand the setting and how this story fits into the overall story arc. Some give a little background on how existing characters had their start, others are new little vignettes. All but one of these stories were NOT written by Mercedes Lackey, but were edited by her so are "approved" additions to the Valdemar world.
October 26, 2020
I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist.
September 7, 2022
Four and a half stars for this book. A volume of tales of Valdemar (and Karse) written by authors other than Mercedes Lackey, as well as the last one which was written by her, these all need proofreading as there are many, many errors. Apart from that they are excellent short stories and add to the "history" of Valdemar.
December 23, 2022
3.5 Thought it was time to get back to the stories of Valdemar, it has been a while. This is the second book in Tales of Valdemar, where numerous writers get to share their tale on Lackey’s world. Of course, some are better than others but none are bad & it was a nice way to insinuate me back into the world. Hopefully I will get to more before too long.
September 23, 2023
A New Road
TalesValdemar2
This collection makes me realize how many stories I know and don’t know, yet. Some were deliberate gaps, and some I have reread recently. But, the tapestry expands in all directions through these offerings.
The timeline is so fluid (and so are the borders), that one doesn’t know what is up
or down, but the passage through is there.
Delightsome!
TalesValdemar2
This collection makes me realize how many stories I know and don’t know, yet. Some were deliberate gaps, and some I have reread recently. But, the tapestry expands in all directions through these offerings.
The timeline is so fluid (and so are the borders), that one doesn’t know what is up
or down, but the passage through is there.
Delightsome!
October 20, 2023
herald heavy
A lot more Heralds in this batch than the last, and a few stories I gave up on since they were predictable.
Some stories, life in Valdemar seems so bleak (as a pre renaissance farming nation, very few people follow their dreams—or survive adolescence), between trying to grow enough food and surviving small town sexism, I missed Haven and collegium life.
A lot more Heralds in this batch than the last, and a few stories I gave up on since they were predictable.
Some stories, life in Valdemar seems so bleak (as a pre renaissance farming nation, very few people follow their dreams—or survive adolescence), between trying to grow enough food and surviving small town sexism, I missed Haven and collegium life.
January 8, 2018
A more rocky collection than the others, but the better stories outweigh the worse by a considerable amount. Also contains a tale by Mercedes Lackey herself which should delight any fan of Herald Alberich and/or Solaris.
November 14, 2022
The first few stories weren't all that entertaining to me, but they got better, fitting my expectations of Valmedar stories. If you don't like the first several stories, skip to the next. (although the second story is referenced in the last story.)
March 27, 2019
The title story is pretty wonderful.
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