Lackey, Mercedes

Fortune's Fool: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 3)

Average customer rating:

five stars, --if this is the kind of read you are looking for.
A Fool and His Honey
Great book
Recycled bits
More, please

Fortune's Fool: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 3)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

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By Slanderous Tongues
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Reserved For the Cat: Elemental Masters #5

ASIN: 0373802668

Customer Reviews:

five stars, --if this is the kind of read you are looking for........2007-06-23

This is a gentle fairy tale. The evil doers never manage to do any real evil. The good guys celebrate with a final scene just like the last chapter of the bible's Book of Job. But unlike Job, it artistically fits, not just tacked on by a wishful editor.

No Great Literature, no meaningful allegories. In a world full of serious portents, daily horrors, mean and evil people, and where I am awaiting (still waiting) for the biopsy report--it was just what I needed.

A Fool and His Honey.......2007-06-13

Fortune's Fool (2007) is the third fantasy novel in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series, following One Good Knight. In the previous volume, the evil Queen Cassiopeia and her lover Solon had a fatal falling out. Godmother Elena performed some transformative magic and then conducted a double wedding. The dragon couple flew off to Glass Mountain to become the first dragon Champions and the human couple remained behind to become the Queen and Prince-Consort of Acadia.

In this novel, Princess Ekaterina is the seventh daughter of Sea King Vladislav. Katya is the only one of his children who can operate equally well on land or under water. Thus, she has become Vladislav's agent -- i.e., spy -- on the land. Today she is tasked with finding out why the neighboring Kingdom of Led Belarus has been peaceful for so long.

Prince Sasha Feliks Pavel Pietervich is the seventh son of King Pieter Ivan Alexandrovitch of Led Belarus. Due to his birth position, Sasha is fortune's fool, a personage of luck and mischief under the local Tradition. Although the nobility and common folk think that he is just a minor nuisance, the royal family knows that he is performing an essential role within the kingdom.

Sasha makes rounds of the kingdom on a random basis to weed out major problems, yet leaves some minor troubles to keep the people of the kingdom more alert. He is also a songweaver, composing songs to bend the Tradition in the proper direction. And he attends weddings to bring luck to the young couples.

Katya meets Sasha by the seashore and soon learns why Led Belarus has been so peaceful. They both find themselves with extra time on their hands and they fall in love. They agree to marry, but then they are each summoned by their fathers and have to separate.

In this story, Katya is sent to find a missing swan maiden and is soon abducted by a Jinn. Sasha becomes worried and sets out to find her. But her father finds him first and briefs him on the situation. Sasha makes contact with Katya and they start working to rebottle the Jinn.

This story includes a pair of dragon Champions -- Adamant and Gina -- last seen flying off in the previous novel. Glass Mountain has provided some professional assistance to Sasha and Katya.

The story is drawn mostly from Russian folk tales. It includes Baba Yaga and her chicken-legged hut, a Rusalka and her pool, and the swan maidens. Yet the story also includes elements of Japanese folklore and, of course, the Jinni of Araby.

Highly recommended for Lackey fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of an overpowering Tradition with magical clout, clever usage of the Traditional ways, and a greatly modified Traditional romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Great book .......2007-06-05

I have to say the book was great. I love Mercedes work I have been reading her for a long time.

Recycled bits.......2007-05-26

I've been an avid reader of Mercedes Lackey's books for over ten years now. Though I recognize that her writing isn't necessarily the stuff classic literature is made of, it's always entertained me, and her stories have always "spoke" to me.

It was pretty much the same with Fortune's Fool, though I had a faint sense of disppointment when I finished the book. I attributed it to the fact that I recognized several elements recycled from her previous books. I know well that before Ms. Lackey started the Five Hundred Kingdoms series, she had written several books that are retellings of different fairy tales/folk stories (and they're among my favorites), so a sense of literary deja vu is not unexpected.

However, when I recognize that much of Sasha's story, and many elements of the story as a whole, could be cribbed from The Firebird; and Wolf and Wolf-girl remind me too much of Warrl, I feel uneasy.

This won't deter me in any way from enjoying any of Ms. Lackey's future works, but I feel like others should know not to expect too much from this one.

More, please.......2007-05-15

As soon as I finished reading this new "Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms", I felt like starting over and reading it all again. I've already read the previous two books in this series multiple times. Come to think of it, if you don't like spoilers, you might want to read the other two first, because Fortune's Fool does refer back to events that happened in them. Once you've read one book in this series, though, you'll want to read all of the others. Each volume can be read on its own and immensely enjoyed, but reading them in order is what I recommend if that is practical.

My favorite scene in Fortune's Fool is when Sasha meets Ekaterina's father, the King of the Sea.

Average customer rating:

Really good book
The New Dragon Riders
Aerie
Ending the series with a whimper
Shame on DAW books- quality control problems

Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: DAW Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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One Good Knight: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 2)

ASIN: 075640391X

Book Description

Kiron has secretly gathered an army of dragon riders to seek refuge in the abandoned desert city they have named Sanctuary, where they join with other dragon riders to rid their world of both war and magical domination. But now it is time to build a new society in Aerie: an ancient city that seems to have been designed for dragon riders and their dragons.

Customer Reviews:

Really good book.......2007-05-13

This book is funny and exciting and interesting. You don't really have to read the first three books to understand it, but it's better if you do. It's about someone who was a serf and became a dragon-rider who Jousted, and then saved a country from magicians. Then they found a new place to live, where they help protect the desert from evil people.

This is a good book. I really liked the dragons.

The New Dragon Riders.......2007-03-08

Aerie (2006) is the fourth Fantasy novel in the Dragon Jousters series, following Sanctuary. In the previous volume, Kiron rescued Aket-ten from the Magi and inadvertently initiated feedback within the Eye, which then ran wild. Deadly heat beams and the resulting earthshakes destroyed the central island of Alta and the damage spread outward. As the Tian army was invading across the Great Causeway, the final earthshake totally demolished the bridge. Amidst all the destruction, the Great Kings of both Alta and Tia were killed and so were most of the Magi.

In this novel, Great King Ari and Great Queen Nofret rule the united Kingdoms of Alta and Tia from Mefis. Sanctuary is mostly occupied by priests. Aerie, however, has been claimed by many tradesmen and the dragon riders.

Carved into the stone walls of desert canyons, Aerie seems to be made for dragon riders. The bottom floor of each dwelling is a tall room without windows and partially underground; filled with sand, it makes a perfect dragon wallow. The second and, in some cases, third floors have thick walls and small windows to protect against the sun and sand storms.

The dragon riders need the extra room, for dragon taming has become a highly prized vocation. Kiron is now the Lord of Jousters, with eight wings under his command; some riders are former Tian jousters, but many have come from the common classes. Aket-ten has even organized a Queen's Wing with eight other females. Although the rank and admiration are welcome, the dragon riders do need to find a new use for their skills.

The military in both Alta and Tia has been greatly disrupted by the machinations of the Magi and the subsequent destruction of the higher ranks. The caravan routes are no longer being patrolled by the armies and some soldiers have even become bandits. Obviously the dragon riders have a role to play in suppressing these thieves and murderers.

Kiron starts having the dragons and riders train in patrolling and anti-ambush tactics. Even before they have completed the first day of training, the dragon riders have a live fire exercise against a group of bandits. He even finds a way to dispose of the captives. The caravan masters are very pleased with the new protection and make known their approval at court.

Aket-ten finds her plans for the Queen's Wing to have Nofret's permission and approval, but the women are not volunteering for the positions. Her first recruit, Peri-en-westet, was eager to accept the job, but others are reluctant to undertake a vocation so associated with males and violence. Finally, Aket-ten draws on her on experiences and recruits seven other females from among the minor priestesses.

Peri meets Kiron at dinner in the Jousters Court of Sanctuary. She is struck by the similarities between him and the stories told to her by Letis, her old mistress. As Peri learns more, she becomes convinced that Kiron is Letis's long lost son.

In this story, Kiron finds the body of a lone border guard in the desert. After the body is taken to Sanctuary, the priests discover his duty station, but cannot find anything significant about his death and nothing at all unusual about the border fortress or town. Kiron has to go out with other dragon riders and a priest to take a closer look.

A new menace seems to be developing in the East. Far in the past, the Nameless Ones had come out of the East and are still feared both by the ignorant and the informed. What could be coming toward them?

Highly recommended for Lackey fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of tame dragons, aerial tactics, political intrigues and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Aerie.......2007-02-17

This book sucks big time. I really like the writing of Mercedes Lackey. I do not believe she wrote this book. I feel cheated out of purchase price. It wasn't worth anything.

Ending the series with a whimper.......2007-02-04

It took several pages before I could get interested in this book, but once I did I was pleasantly surprised ... for about half the book. The characters of Kiron and Aket-ten were showing greater complexity than they had in the past books, and I enjoyed the misunderstandings in their relationship, as well as the developing mystery that drove the plot. Then - POOF! - the real, understandable reasons for their disagreements were swept aside, the mystery was cleared up, and deus ex machina descended to solve all the problems for the Tians and Altans. It was such a disappointing ending to the series. I've been loyally reading all of Mercedes Lackey's books for the past twelve years, and I can't help feeling a little betrayed by the decline in quality.

Shame on DAW books- quality control problems.......2007-02-03

The story is alright, however I have collected all of Lackey's books since day one and have noticed something that appears to be a trend in the book publishing industry.
Has anyone else noticed that DAW along with other publishers have switched to low quality materials for their hardcover books? Take a look at the paper for instance. We all paid a lot of money for a seriously inferior product. Just compare the other volumes in this set and then this last book. You won't like it when the first few look okay in about 5 years, but the new ones are already yellowed with age. I have already seen the yellowing at my local library and am so annoyed for spending money on junk. Wait for the paperback, this is the same just about 4 times as expensive.
Shame on DAW!

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)
Strong trilogy ending
Good stuff...and some problems fixed too!
This Should Have Been Four Books
Her Best Series Yet

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)
Mercedes Lackey , and James Mallory
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765341433

Book Description

A great working of Wild Magic and High Magic strikes at the heart of the Demon Queen’s plots, but the human city, the Golden City of the Bells, falls farther under her sway with each day that passes. And without the City’s High Magicians, the Wild Magicians, the Elven Army, and all their allies will surely fall before the onslaught of the Demon Queen’s malignant warriors.

But all hope is not lost. The Light’s young mages, tempered by war, grow ever more powerful. High Mage Cilarnen learns an ancient secret that can make him, for a brief, white-hot time, the greatest mage in the world—unless it kills him.

Jermayan, the first Elf-Mage in centuries, has linked with the dragon Ancaladar and rediscovered the swift-as-thought powers of Elven magic, which can reshape mountains and summon lightning from clear skies.

Knight-Mage Kellen has molded his troops and the Unicorn Knights into a deadly fighting force. Soon the Elven King and his Commanders put Kellen’s magical gifts to their greatest test, in the final battle between the Elves, the humans, and the Demons.

Customer Reviews:

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3).......2007-06-12

I ordered it for my boyfriend.......he gives it 5 stars!

Strong trilogy ending.......2007-06-10

Although the ending employed a kind of deus ex machina to end things, which rushed the ending (uh-oh, down to the last 40 pages, better wrap this up!!), this book was overall a nice solid ending to a very good sword and sorcery trilogy. When faced with the impending fall of Armethaliah to the Demons, Kellen must convince the Elven king - who is deathly ill with the plague - to move the army to the City of Bells in order for him to have a chance to attempt to convince the High Mages to side with the Allies over the Endarkened, despite the propaganda being constantly poured into the Arch-Mage's (and the people's) ears by Anigrel - the pawn of the Demon Queen. A climactic battle scene is followed by a typical soul-searching by the surviving warrior hero and the ending brought a couple of pleasant surprises.

Overall, I was pleased with the ending to the trilogy. A strong recommend from me for the whole series.

Because I cannot resist a good nit-pick when I find one: in the hardcover edition published by Tor, copyright 2006 (I'm fairly certain it is the first hardcover edition, though it is not specifically stated) on page 274, Kellen tells Shalkan that Jermayan has told him that Andoreniel is sick - despite that fact that the reverse was true. Kellen was the one who first became aware of Andoreniel's illness and told one of his knights, who went to tell the Army's General - Jermayan did not know until Kellen told him. After this one instance, the telling reverts back to the original form.

Good stuff...and some problems fixed too!.......2007-06-08

When Darkness Falls is the wonderfully entertaining conclusion to Lackey's and Mallory's Obsidian Trilogy, the story of a world largely dominated by three independent schools of magic and their respective practitioners. It continues and concludes the story of good versus evil set forth in the first two volumes and even manages to do away with a number of stylistic and editing problems present in those first two books.

While not the kind of deep, emotionally engaging stuff as George R. R. Martin's ASOIAF series, you will still find in this series a wonderfully entertaining story that will keep you engaged and interested. The reading is fun and light, with all the familiar fantasy elements that stretch your imagination and draw you into a world a little outside of the ordinary.

As a stand-alone, this book is in my opinion, the best of the trilogy, having eliminated-as mentioned before- many of the stylistic and editing problems that plagued the first two while managing to maintain the story and action level precedent that had been set.

Only two real negatives here: First of all, you will find very little to surprise you in this book as the author tends to "tip her hand" prior to an event taking place, essentially "telling you what she's going to tell you just before she tells you." For example, it is difficult to be in suspense over the fate of a character when just before the pivotal scene you are told "But what bob didn't know, was that he wouldn't live to see tomorrow." This, of course, is an example as there are no characters named "bob", but you get the idea. Secondly, the main conflict of the book was resolved rather hastily in my opinion. The buildup to the climax had me prepared for quite an event, and while there was some material there to satisfy my expectation, it felt rather protracted and brief.

For pure entertainment value, you will not be disappointed. The light and fun feel is refreshing as well. All in all, I highly recommend the entire series.

This Should Have Been Four Books.......2007-06-08

So much was dismissed without an explanation other than "oh yeah, this happened" because of the usual detail fluff earlier in the book. It was disappointing that someone who earlier warranted so much time, got basically a by-line, if anything at all in the end. It feels as if Lackey and Mallory looked at the page count, panicked and wound everything up.

I'm glad I bought it. I wanted to know how it ended, but I'm still disappointed. This series had SO much potential, and now it's just... "meh".

Her Best Series Yet.......2007-05-14

This was may favorite Lacey book ever. The whole series was excellent but the third book really hit the mark. Without giving anything away the book got better as it progressed and the ending was very enjoyable. I have read several other Lackey books and I always thought they were above average but this series really raised my opinion of her skills. I was looking for something to read after several Terry Brook's series, George R.R. Martins "Fire and Ice" books, Jennifer Fallons "Second Sons Trilogy", and several Robin Hobb books. This book delivered. I hope you treat yourself to the entire series.

The Outstretched Shadow (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Strong fantasy Sword & Sorcery outing with new twists
Very Good Read !
Wonderful!
A pleasant surprise...
My review of "The Outstretched Shadow"

The Outstretched Shadow (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1)
Mercedes Lackey , and James Mallory
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765341417
Release Date: 2004-08-26

Book Description

Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training-all men, for women were unfit to practice magic-memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council. Then he found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic-or did they find him? Their Magic felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it. Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic-and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side. Rescued by a unicorn, healed by a female Wild Mage who knows more about Kellen than anyone outside the City should, meeting Elven royalty and Elven warriors, and plunged into a world full of magical beings-Kellen both revels in and fears his new freedom.The one thing all the Mages of the City agreed on was that practicing Wild Magic corrupted a Mage. Turned him into a Demon. Would that be Kellen's fate? Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they've been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies. Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And then all the world will belong to the Endarkened.

Customer Reviews:

Strong fantasy Sword & Sorcery outing with new twists.......2007-05-31

Mercedes Lackey - working with James Mallory - has come up with a new twist on the old Sword & Sorcery fantasy genre. Kellen was raised in Armethalieh, where the Council of Mages basically control every aspect of the citizens' lives. No one ever leaves and very few outsiders are ever allowed inside. Changes are few and those allowed are very subtle. Kellen yearns for something different and constantly rebells against his strict father, Lycaelon, who is the Arch-Mage of the city. One day, while browsing through a bookseller's wares, he finds three mysterious little books - "The Book of Moon," "The Book of Sun" and "The Book of Stars," which deal with a type of magick he has never heard of before - very different from the High Magick that is the only type allowed in the City. Eventually Lycaelon discovers these books and Kellen is Banished. This is when the adventure begins - saved by a unicorn, nursed by to health by a woman who knows a lot about him and eventually going on a quest with an Elven Knight to save the Elves from a Demon caused blight. Along the way, we discover why no one is allowed to leave the City; why so few changes are allowed; why so few outsiders are allowed to enter the City; what kind of Magick Kellen is learning from his new books and who this mysterious woman is and why she knows so much about Kellen.

I really enjoyed this opening to the Obsidian Trilogy and look forward to the rest of them. It has been a good while since I've read any Sword and Sorcery and I have missed them. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery or just a rollicking adventure!

Very Good Read !.......2007-04-15

Love this story for many reasons. Good character development, great storyline and action. Am looking forward to reading the rest in the series. The only reason I gave it four instead of five stars is that I finished reading Temeraire before hand which has taken the dragon genre to a totally new height. While this story is good, it paled a little in comparison with the other book I just finished. Still, I would recommend this to everyone to read.

Wonderful!.......2007-03-08

It's hard to explain what, exactly, is so captivating about this book. There is a certain fascination in the language that seems to grab hold of the reader and refuse to turn him/her loose until the very end. All of the books in this trilogy (The Outstretched Shadow, To Light a Candle, When Darkness Falls) are absolutely riveting.

It's a fairly classic tale of good verses evil, but with shades of gray as well. There are the usual suspects of Elves, Centaurs, Demons, Witches, Wizards, and Humans. There are knights in armor, fire-breathing dragons, dangerous battles, ardorous treks, and all the other trappings of your typical fantasy tale. However, don't let the 'typical' turn you away, because this book, and its sequels, are far from typical. The characters come alive. You'll grow with them, laugh with them, cry with them, and in the end, be surpised and saddened that the end has arrived so suddenly.

A pleasant surprise..........2007-01-01

I havent read any books previously written by Mercedes Lackey, and I havent read the Merlin books penned my Mallory. I might have been living under a rock, but for some reason the two authors never registered on my radar. This book was recommended to me by a coworker after we discussed the novels that we both like to read.
This book is the start of a high-fantasy trilogy, and I must say that it fits the vein very well. It is a serious book, filled with the elements that make this subgenre so prominent. In this novel you will find wizards, elves, centaurs, other fey folk, and a great struggle against a very powerful enemy.
The book starts off a little slower paced for my liking, but by sticking with it, you are filled in on some great backstory and little pieces that make the world that Lackey and Mallory have conjured seems just outside the realm of reality.
I enjoyed this book and was pleased with its conclusion. The book, as mentioned earlier, started slow, but then rushed headlong into a fitting climax and conclusion. I have promptly picked up the second novel in the series and am happily devouring it as we speak.
I reccomend this novel to lovers of fantasy fiction, readers of Salvator, Greenwood, Lewis, and others who have populated the genre with memorable characters and great stories. Its a good read, just hunker down for the first 200 or so pages and let the story develop at its own satisfying pace.

My review of "The Outstretched Shadow" .......2006-11-22

The Outstretched Shadow is the first book in the Obsidian Trilogy. Although the story's beginning is pretty slow, but the rest of the book makes up for it. If you are a lover of fantasy books then this book is for you. The majestic and captivating creatures in the story are wonderfully described. The story is filled with unicorns, mages, tree-hydrads, dragons, and many other fascinating characters. There was a lot of repetition in the story when describing the character's thoughts but it fits into the story.
The main character in the story is Kellen. After being cast out of the city walls, he struggles against time to get outside the city's borders before sunrise when the Outlaw Hunt will be sent after him. This is only one of the many conflicts Kellen suffers through throughout the story. If it isn't bad enough that Kellen has nature and other people working against him, he has the constant reminders of his internal conflicts. He doesn't trust his own instincts and he is always double guessing himself. Luckily, he pulls it together for the amazing ending that leaves you wanting more. I suggest this book to teens and adults of all ages.

Average customer rating:

After the Death of Henry VIII
By Slanderous Tongues
Okay, but starting to get ridiculous
excellent Elizabethan historical fantasy

By Slanderous Tongues
Mercedes Lackey , and Roberta Gellis
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416521070

Book Description

Great Harry is dead, and England is ruled by a dour Protector for 10-year-old Edward VI¿-a Protector intent on keeping total control over the young king and no friend to Lady Elizabeth because of her brother¿s fondness for her. In the great lens and the dark pool that hold Visions for the FarSeers of the Bright Court and the Dark, the images change and waver. A pale, thin girl sometimes wears a crown and sometimes has no head; King Edward and his Court grow misty as he changes from boy to stripling. But the fires of Mary¿s reign still burn bright as they swallow writhing men, women, and children, and if she ever reigns the red-haired queen brings a burgeoning of art and joy. Elimination of that last possibility for England is Vidal Dhu¿s prime purpose, but he has been forbidden by King Oberon to attack Elizabeth. Though he may not attack her directly, still he hatches schemes within schemes. And if his plan to involve the young princess in a scandal that would render her unfit to rule in the opinion of the Proctor and his Council, he has more twisted plans to eliminate Elizabeth once and for all.

Customer Reviews:

After the Death of Henry VIII.......2007-06-04

By Slanderous Tongues (2007) is the third historical Fantasy in the Scepter'd Isle series, following Ill Met by Moonlight. In the previous volume, Henry VIII died and his death announcement was delayed for two days while Hertford arranged for Edward's crowning. Now Edward has become the King, but actual control lies with Hertford and the Regency Council.

Vidal Dhu learned that Elizabeth had been taken to an Unformed Land near the Unseleighe Lands and he attacked the party. Denoriel held off Vidal, but was losing Power when Oberon appeared and stopped the fighting. Elizabeth irritated Oberon by claiming Denoriel as her own, but Titania appeared and interrupted that conflict. Everybody fled while the Rulers of the sidhe settled their differences.

In this novel, as England mourns for their king, his children are uncertain without his presence. Ten year old Edward is now king and has been taken under the protection of his maternal uncle Edward Seymour, the Earl of Hertford. Mary is now an adult and has her own household. But no one seems to care about fourteen year old Elizabeth. Since her infancy, the King has directed her living arrangements. Now that Henry is gone, she wonders who will take charge of her life.

Her good friend Lord Denno -- Denoriel -- enlists the aid of the Dowager Queen to provide a place for Elizabeth. Catherine eagerly accepts the chance to do something meaningful and asks for permission from the Council to take the youngster into her household. The Council agrees and Catherine invites Elizabeth to live with her.

Denoriel has been Elizabeth's friend for a long time -- in mortal terms -- and is now having lascivious thoughts about her. Since he believes that she would never think of him in a lustful manner, Denoriel tries somewhat unsuccessfully to school his thoughts. Little does he know that Elizabeth is having the same problem about him.

Lady Alana -- Aleneil -- keeps watch over Elizabeth as one of her maids of honor. So does Blanche Parry, a mortal with some ability to sense magic. Both are necessary, because Prince Vidal Dhu of the Dark Sidhe still wants to kill Elizabeth. Even though Oberon has forbidden him, or any other Dark Sidhe, to directly attack the child, Vidal knows that Elizabeth's succession to the throne would lead to a wanting time for the Dark Court.

Rhoslyn -- half-sister to Denoriel and Aleneil -- performs a similar service for Vidal among Lady Mary's household. Yet Rhoslyn is becoming ever more dissatisfied with the Dark Court. Contrary to what she had been told, Rhoslyn has found that the energy that feeds the Bright Court can also sustain her. But she doubts that her brother Pasgen would leave the Dark Court with her, so she continues to follow Vidal's orders, if not quite as he would have preferred.

Pasgen discovers that the mists in one area of the Chaos Lands have developed sentience. Apparently the mists were awakened by Elizabeth's request for assistance and then provided a lion to attack her enemies. Now these mists are inhabited by vaguely humanoid shapes: one with red hair like Elizabeth and the other with gold hair like Denoriel. The mists welcome Pasgen and even solicit his return, but he is afraid of their potential.

Harry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, finds a calling in Underhill. The Sidhe domains of Alhambra and El Dorado have been cursed by the Spanish Inquisition and are now infested with the Great Evil and minor malignities. He has been enticing older Sidhe back from the Dreaming to fight against these malevolent forces.

In this story, Denoriel meets Thomas Seymour in Queen Catherine's home and notes that the man is very welcome there. Yet Thomas is a man of lusty desires and selfish concerns. He wants to marry either Elizabeth or Mary to gain political power. Mary has little use for him, but Elizabeth is too naive (and devoted to Catherine) to plainly state her objections to his unwelcome attentions.

Vidal nurtures various plots to increase hostilities in the British Isles and to remove Elizabeth from the succession. He urges the Scots to continue their raids across the border and to repel offers for political settlements. He also encourages the followers of the old religion to instigate slanders against Elizabeth.

Denoriel is kept busy defending himself from personal attacks and trying to protect Elizabeth from political ploys. Even Rhoslyn and Pasgen become involved in defending Elizabeth and Denoriel. Their efforts lead to Denoriel becoming less averse to peaceful relations with his Dark Court siblings.

This story continues the fantastic explanations of English history leading up to the Elizabethan Age. Of course, all the magical effects are hidden from history, but much happens beyond mortal kenning! This volume leaves plenty of unexplored history for sequels.

Highly recommended for Lackey and Gellis fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magical adventures, Unseleighe plotting and Underhill romances.

-Arthur W. Jordin

By Slanderous Tongues.......2007-06-02

As ever, Mercedes Lackey always entertaining. This is a fun series and am looking forward to the next.

Okay, but starting to get ridiculous.......2007-02-12

I really liked this series when it started out, since I was fans of Lackey's Serrated Edge series and I also like historical fiction with twists. The Guardian Sidhe plot line combined with the era of the Tudors seemed like an excellent idea. However, sorry to say, the believability of the novels seem to have gone downhill since This Sceptr'd Isle. In Isle and in Ill Met By Moonlight, Denoriel and Aleniel are presented as trusted friends, protectors, and advisors. Denoriel, especially, is shown to be a father-figure to both Harry and Elizabeth. Makes sense, since he is after all, centuries older, wiser, and is possessed of the Sidhe's love for children.
Which is why I was shocked when Lackey and Gellis decided to present him as Elizabeth's lover, of all things. To me, this just doesn't work. It's absurd to have a man, or elf if you prefer, go from raising a child to suddenly seeing that same child as a potential love interest. Yes, I know Denoriel is unbelievably hot and sexy, but STILL. And the reasoning given, that in order to protect Elizabeth from being attracted to Thomas Seymour, she needs another lover to distract her, and Denoriel is conveniently available and can't get her pregnant, plus she has stirrings of puppy-love for him . . .no this is just ridiculous. They would have done better to go with the original historical line that Elizabeth disliked Thomas Seymour since she saw him only as a stepfather, with Denoriel protecting her the way a father or brother would have. The teenage Elizabeth, from all the biographies, was not the type to have casual affairs with men at ANY age, she valued her autonomy too greatly and she knew that once a man gets a woman in bed, back then it was seen as a powerplay, which was why she always avoided such things. Also she hated marriage because of the dangers it presented to a woman, witness her mother and Henry VIII, because it gave total control to the man. Saying she would never marry because she could have her Sidhe lover and thus never miss out on sex or have to worry about commitment doesn't fit the image of Elizabeth that I know. And what about Robert Dudley, Elizabeth's great unrequited love? He barely gets a mention, Elizabeth is so preoccupied with Denno. Unless they're going to bring him up in the next book and say that the reason Elizabeth was able to resist him for so many years was because she loved Denoriel. Spare me! All in all the whole Elizabeth-Denno affair seemed tawdry and cheap to me instead of tender and loving. It would have made better sense for him to have fallen in love with Elizabeth once she was queen and Dudley had married her cousin Lettice, then she would have been looking at him as a woman who has known love and loss, not as a starry-eyed adolescent. I felt it also diminished the very real danger Seymour's advances caused her reputation, since there was no chance she might respond to them and jeopardize herself, the way there was in actual history. It would have been better if there HAD been a chance, then the book would have had some tension and Denoriel would have been tested as to how he could protect his charge without revealing himself and the whole scene of questioning at the end would have been a lot more dramatic. Yes, i know this is alternative history, but I think Lackey did a much better job with her other series, alternate Venice in Shadow of the Lion and This Rough Magic.

excellent Elizabethan historical fantasy .......2007-02-07

The prophecy is clear that Princess Elizabeth will eventually sit on the throne bringing an enlightened period to the mortals. The fairy realm remains divided as it has for several years over the now fourteen year old offspring of the late King Henry VIII who is being hounded eternally by a gaggle of executed spouses. The dark Unseleighe Sidhe Prince Vidal Dhu believes that preventing Elizabeth's ascension will mean a return to their glorious Dark Ages filled with horror and misdeeds that fueled these malevolent elves.

However, to achieve his side's darkest objective of insuring Elizabeth's fall from grace, they must remove preferably by death her overly protective guardians, the traitorous Seleighe twin elves, Lord Denoriel and Lady Aleneil. Dhu assigns the elimination of the Princess' protectors to twins Rhoslyn and Pasgen; if anyone can get at Denoriel and Aleneil it is their Dark elven half-siblings. With them removed from the scene the prophecy will fail as Elizabeth will surely find a spouse or some way to alienate her half-siblings the recently crowned boy King Edward VI and the heir their older half sister Princess Mary.

The third Scepter'd Isle Elizabethan historical fantasy (see ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT and THIS SCEPTER'D ISLE) is an excellent blending of mid sixteenth century English royal history and a fantasy thriller. The stakes are high as the rival elven groups battle not only for their future but that of the humans. The key players from the mortal and paranormal realms seem genuine including the target Princess Elizabeth due to the mixing of real events and known facts of her young teen years into the story line. Fans will cherish this top quality collaboration between two distinguished authors from differing genres who prove that adding one and one can surpass two when greatness join forces.

Harriet Klausner

One Good Knight: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Better than some folks are saying IMHO
good to a point
I love Andie
I really enjoyed this book!
Lackey's Charmless Misstep

One Good Knight: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 2)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0373802609

Book Description

When a dragon storms the castle, what should a (virgin) princess do?

Why, turn to her studies, of course! But nothing practical-minded Princess Andromeda of Acadia finds gives a definitive solution. The only Traditional answer, though, is soothing the marauding dragon by a virgin sacrifice. Things are going fairly smoothly with the lottery--except for the women chosen, of course--until Princess Andromeda herself is picked!

But facing down the dragon doesn't go quite as planned, and now, with the help of her Champion, Sir George, Andromeda searches for the dragon's lair. But even--especially--in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way….

Download Description

Another story sparkling with wit and humor from New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey.

Traditionally, marauding dragons are soothed only by a virgin sacrifice. And so the frightened people of Acadia devise a lottery system to choose the victims. Things are going fairly smoothly - except for the women chosen, of course - until practical-minded Princess Andromeda is picked. She accepts her duty, though she would prefer to defend herself. And so Andromeda faces the dragon alone.

Until a Champion arrives to save her - sort of. Sir George doesn't quite defeat the dragon, but as Andromeda finishes rescuing herself she discovers that beneath the Good Knight's well-meaning though inexperienced heroics lies a further tale.…

Still, Andromeda can't leave her seacoast country in further jeopardy from the dragon's return, and so she and…er… George join to search for the dragon's lair. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way.

Somehow, though, none of this was taught in princess school.…

Customer Reviews:

Better than some folks are saying IMHO.......2007-06-01

I've beeen a LOONG time Lackey reader started in 1980's with her very first Valdemar series Arrows. Misty is to me a interesting writer, her books are more basic on some levels than many of her counterparts and yet I find I enjoy rereading many of her books far more than some of the more complex writers.(Robert Jordan comes to mind here!)
I tend to prefer the Valdemar series, although not ALL of them mind you, and have not really enjoyed most of her tandem books with other writers.
I picked up Fairy Godmother, the first in this series, because I like writers who play with fairy tales and I enjoyed Lackey's Firebird and Black Swan also because I had heard good things about FG. I enjoyed it emensely and was happy to see there were more 500 Kingdom books.

Unlike several of the folks who complain about the lack of strong romance like in the first book I found this book a delightful read. Lackey has always had some form of romance in most of her book and where folks got the idea the the first book was full of romance I'm not sure as that romance didn't start until more than half way through it.

I like Andie, and I liked all the other characters, Misty is a bit of a sterotype writer, not in a bad way but it can make her books predictable. I did figure several things out fairly soon but it didn't remove any of the enjoyment I had in this book and I look forward to reading the third.

good to a point.......2007-05-11

I liked this book a lot, I've been reading Mercedes Lackey for YEARS ( don't really want to discuss how many) and she's always a favorite. These new stories about the 500 kingdoms are entertaining and a nice new spin on things.

My only problem was the ending. It felt like a lot of buildup for not enough fleshed out payoff. I really wanted a more full conclusion. It felt almost as if she's spent so much time on the main part of the story that she had to finish it fast to turn it in to the editors. That's probably not the case, but it felt that way.

You will be entertained, you will enjoy it - if you like her style of fantasy- but the ending might leave you a little unfulfilled.

I love Andie.......2007-02-25

No, the book is not as good as The Fairy Godmother, one of my all-time favorites. But Andie is great.

I really enjoyed this book!.......2007-02-14

It was a cute, light-hearted fairy tale. I liked the Dragon and Princess soul-mate element. (Fellow bookworms as romantic heroines always do it for me!)

P.S. After reading all the other reviews, I wanted to mention that I think Luna is marketed to younger readers. Maybe that explains some of the "fluffy & unfulfilling" comments by other reviewers who are more familiar with Lackey's other novels???

Lackey's Charmless Misstep.......2007-02-11

It is interesting to note that this is not a very good book. After considering the novel's premise, one would think that it would prove as entertaining as any of Mercedes Lackey's books. Lackey, an author who has developed that exacting balance necessary to romantic fantasy, writes here in her new Five Hundred Kingdoms universe, which was, in The Fairy Godmother, so sly, ironic and engaging.

That encouragement seemed cemented by a quick skim through the first few pages, which established that the characters in her sophomoric effort are those reliable archetypes that Lackey has perfected. Princess Andromeda of Acadia, has a kind and generous heart that shines through her shy, bookish exterior; a perfectly flawed heroine. Andromeda's antagonists are her mother, the Queen Cassiopeia, and the queen's adviser, both of whom demonstrate the lewd ambition of most of Lackey's most effective villains. As they plot to cheat Princess Andromeda of her rightful place (one is reminded, often, of Lackey's subtler The Black Swan), Andromeda finds herself allied with an unlikely Champion and a surprising love interest, and summons within her the strength to fight back against the traitors to the crown.

From this brief synopsis, the reader can determine that there is nothing groundbreaking in One Good Knight. That is not necessarily a fault. But what one slowly comes to understand in this, the latest variation of Lackey's perfected formula, is its utter lack of charm. Lackey seemed unable to find in herself the slightest enthusiasm in any of her favorite constructions. Her villains laid manipulative traps for the heroine, only for them to be forgotten shortly after. The reasoning behind most of the characters' actions never developed. And aimless descriptions dragged on as her heroes drifted together, seemingly without real motivation.

By the time the romantic thread of the story was clumsily resolved, one could only stare, wide-eyed, at what could only be the most falsely bland conclusion that Lackey (or any author outside of the romance shelves) has ever wrought. How could any author genuinely enjoy her characters and still lump them together so indifferently? The passionless union of the two couples, not to mention the utter confusion of the "climactic" battle, leaves the reader perplexed. His confusion is not aided by what may be the most mediocre final line ever to span a paperback's page.

There can be no argument: this book is neither original nor well-written. The only place where opinions may disagree is with whether this novel is a misstep, and not a growing trend, in Mercedes Lackey's prolific career.

Magic's Pawn (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Great potential, but it didn't seem to reach it.
A wonderful coming of age tale
An Utterly Engrossing Series!
Think twice if you are not familiar with Lackey's work...
Touching

Magic's Pawn (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 1)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Arrows of the Queen ( The Heralds of Valdemar, Book 1)

ASIN: 0886773520

Customer Reviews:

Great potential, but it didn't seem to reach it. .......2007-06-15

The book's characters are as fascinating as they are endearing, and the world which the story is set in is similarly well done. Unfortunately, I didn't have much of an opportunity to appreciate the author's creativity because much of the story was rushed. Instead of taking her time to develop some anticipation, Lackey throws plot climaxes at you mere moments after they are introduced. Many of the events in the story were too abrupt for my liking, and I often found myself wondering if I had accidentally skipped a dozen or so pages in my reading. This quality makes for a decent light read, but I think it has ultimately compromised the development of the characters. If Lackey had not been so hurried and taken a bit more time in establishing the romances, plots, and intrigues, then the book would have much more depth and substance to it. The book wasn't horrible, but it wasn't inspiring either. I'm not sure if I want to read the next one.

A wonderful coming of age tale.......2007-05-01

I'll admit that I initially didn't care for this cover. It felt too flowery and the image of the horse just looked creepy. Even as I started the book I thought that the text felt too flowery as well. Vanyel's vanity and melodrama annoyed me, but I kept reading and he grew on me. It was only then that I realized I was reading a coming of age story. Yeah, I'm dense, I know. :P

Vanyel though, what can I say? This kid goes through a lot. Love and loss and a whole bunch more. By the end of this book, I found myself loving this character. That's a huge leap from finding him annoying, eh?

Vanyel finds himself being sent away from his home to live with his Aunt Savil at the High Court of Valdemar. His father has hopes that Savil will have a better chance at turning the boy into a "real" man, since everything he has tried doesn't seem to be working. ("Real" man as per the father's definition of that of course.)

What I loved about this story is watching him wake up and start to see the world around him. His relationships with his aunt Savil, Tylendel, and Yfandes were all endearing to see. The story itself hinted some at much more to come since Vanyel's knowledge of what's going on is limited. I found that this only intrigued me more since I wanted to know what exactly was keeping the Heralds so busy in the background. I also enjoyed that the characters made some tragic mistakes since it makes them more real that way.

Plus, the story is emotionally rich...a roller costar effect of love, joy, pain, heartache, and everything in between and that's what made me become even more attached to these wonderful characters--indeed. All in all, I loved this book. It goes on the shelf of things to reread.

Oh, and on a side note, I think this one is good as a teen read.

An Utterly Engrossing Series!.......2007-03-31

I picked up this series because I was in the process of writing a fantasy novel with a gay hero and I wanted to see what other works were out there. I had never read Ms. Lackey's work, so I didn't know what to expect. I was not just pleasantly surprised by this trilogy, I was completely captivated by it and very sad when I reached the final page. The plot is interesting and the pace is quick. The characters, especially the hero Vanyel, are extremely sympathetic, primarily due to the fact that they are so flawed. Some may find the romance a bit sappy, but I'm the first to admit that I dig that kind of thing and you'll see it in my own novels as well (Orphan's Quest (Chronicles of Firma, Book One)). Best of all for me, though, was the fact that although her hero is unapologetically gay, the series does not become mired in its "gayness" as so many other works of gay-themed fiction I have read.

This trilogy gave me a great deal of inspiration to push on with my own fantasy aspirations. I owe Misty a big hug if we ever meet face to face. I highly recommend these three books. Whether you're gay or straight, you'll find them an excellent read and, like me, you'll be sorry to reach that last page.

Think twice if you are not familiar with Lackey's work..........2007-01-21

In Magic's Pawn, Mercedes Lackey has created a well-written, gripping, and dark tale of magic and danger. It is also an allegory of coming-of-age as a homosexual in a hostile world. The protagonist, Vanyel, faces spirit-crushing circumstances as he struggles to come to terms with himself. While the story is ultimately positive, potential readers should be aware that its atmosphere is often oppressively gloomy as tragedy upon tragedy occurs, inducing despair and/or suicide in its main characters.

The tone is also frequently preachy about the subject of homosexuality, labeling those who disapprove as small-minded and backwards. The following excerpt illustrates the viewpoint of the author concerning this subject: "In all the world, there are more creatures than just man that make lifetime matings. Among them some of the noblest - wolves, swans, geese, the great raptors - all creatures man could do worse than emulate, in many, many ways. And with all of them, all, there are those pairings, from time to time, within the same gender....How then `unnatural?'...where there is love, the form does not matter, and the gods are pleased...if the gods did not approve, it would not be there." If you will not enjoy reading these sentiments in a work of fiction, steer clear. 'nuff said.

Touching.......2006-08-24

Magic's Pawn is one of the best books I have ever read. I've never read such a touching, sad tale; yet one that is so powerful and inspiring. Having read a majority of Mercedes Lackey's books, I have to admit this is one of my favorites. The other two in the series are amazing as well, but this one stands out in particular. Pick it up to find out why, just make sure you have a box of tissue with you.

Average customer rating:

Bridging the gap
Lackey and Mallory Light a Candle in the Imagination in To Light a Candle
A great start of a triology
Old friends...and some old problems too...
As good as the first

To Light A Candle (Obsidian Trilogy)
Mercedes Lackey , and James Mallory
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765341425
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Book Description

The Demon Queen Attacks!nbsp;To his own surprise, young Kellen, once the disappointing son of the great Mage who leads the City's Mage Council, has become a powerful Knight-Mage.nbsp; Valued for his bravery and his skills as both wizard and warrior, Kellen joins the Elves' war councils.nbsp; Yet he cannot convince the City of his birth that it is in terrible danger.nbsp; Kellen's sister Idalia, a Wild Mage with great healing ability, has pledged her heart to Jermayan, a proud Elven warrior.nbsp; Someday Idalia will pay a tragic Price for a world-saving work of Wild Magic, but until then, she will claim any joy life can offer her.nbsp; Jermayan, who has learned much fighting at Kellen's side and loving the human Idalia, finds that everything changes when he Bonds with a dragon while rescuing the Elf Prince and becomes the first Elven Mage in a thousand years.nbsp; Furious at her enemies' success with the dragon, the Demon Queen attacks in force.nbsp; Light struggles against Dark, like flickering candle flames buried deep in the shadow of Obsidian Mountain.nbsp;

Customer Reviews:

Bridging the gap.......2007-06-06

The middle book in a trilogy should bridge the gap while remaining in and of itself a good story, and "To Light a Candle" does this brilliantly. The characters we have already met continue to develop in new (and sometimes unexpected) ways and we meet some new characters as well that I have a feeling we will come to love as much as those with whom we started on this journey.

Tensions grow among the Elves when it is discovered that agents of the Demons have infiltrated their lands and call up an army for the first time in a thousand years. Creatures of Darkness thought extinct are seen, to everyone's dismay; however, new creatures of Light are also discovered. The Demon Queen continues to sink her fangs deeper into the Golden City (I don't know about anyone else, and yeah, she's evil as all get-out, but I like the Demon Queen character - she has style).

These books are written in a wonderful, epic style that would - I believe - translate beautifully to the big screen. Mercedes - you need to talk to someone about getting these books turned into a movie! :-) A big recommend from me to anyone who loves fantasy, sword and sorcery and just good old fashioned fun.

Lackey and Mallory Light a Candle in the Imagination in To Light a Candle.......2007-05-21

The action never stops in this battle between the Dark and the Light. The first book in the Obsidian Trilogy, The Outstretched Shadow, slowly introduces the reader to different mystical creatures while developing the main character, Kellen. Kellen has been kicked out of his home town and sent into the wilderness where he meets Shalkan the unicorn and his sister Idalia. The action that book ends with is the same thrilling action that To Light a Candle begins with. Kellen and the other creatures of the Light become aware that the Demon Queen is rising up her armies in order to destroy all those who walk in the Light, and they are just the ones to try and stop her. Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory together are able to develop a fascinating character while creating a tale filled with page-turning excitement that will leave the reader craving for more in To Light a Candle.
The awkward young man that Kellen beings as quickly develops into a confident, battle savvy knight. This change occurred in the first book when Kellen discovered that he was not simple a wild mage but instead he was a knight mage who only appeared in times of great need. His skills with the sword quickly increased as he fought past what the Dark threw at him. Also training in the House of Sword and Shield amongst elves. At times he is the only one who is able to see past the enemy's distractions into what the Dark is truly after. For that reason he becomes a great leader and aid to the Elvin forces when they engage in war with the Dark. His quick thinking and risk-taking nature allow him to climb the ranks in the army of the Light.
The action and excitement never ceases in To Light a Candle. The creatures of the Light seem to be out numbered and much weaker when compared with those of the Dark. The Elves are the ones subtly attacked by the Demons. The Demons move in this way to avoid real war where the Elves were victorious in the past. Instead the Elves must battle against drought, sabotage, and other creatures of the dark, while the true enemy is waiting until the Light grows dim. With each new obstacle thrown at the Elves, many lives are lost. Each new creature that the Darkness sends seems to be more powerful than the previous. This kind of warfare must rely on Knight-Mage Kellen's ability to see past the obvious and into what the Dark is truly trying to do.
The battle between Light and Dark is constant. Losses do occur in the Elvin forces, but the Light still shines in the Darkness. Kellen's development gives the Elves hope as the peril continues. This leads towards an adventure-filled novel where danger is just a page turn away.

A great start of a triology .......2007-04-11

Well, I read some previews before buying these books and so I was prepared
for reading...
...But some things make this book even better than I expected. First of all, I really liked the concept of magic in this book - nothing is for free. Secondly - I really liked the main character and his growing as I raced threw the pages - from an innocent boy without a clue to a young man with a great burden and hartbreaking responsibilities.Finally what I really liked was the fast pace of this book - it is nothing like the Sword of truth or the Wheel of time series. There is never a break in the story - it just keeps going and going.
I really liked that. I rally liked this book and those that follow.
Hope this helps...

Jaka Vodenik

Old friends...and some old problems too..........2006-09-16

Since most who would be considering the purchase of this title would likely have read the first book in the trilogy, I'll use that opening volume as a reference point to my discussion of this one.

Fans of the first book will find a satisfying return of the characters they enjoyed getting to know in that title and will be treated to some interesting and tension-building developments in their lives. Each of the main characters faces a fair bit of development through this second volume and, as is to be expected, doesn't finish the book the same person that they began. The story continues to be entertaining and engaging, if sometimes awkwardly structured. You will find many of the same types of editing issues in this title that were prevalent in the last which is unfortunate, as it is distracting from the story which is essentially a very good one. Compared to the first book, the action started off well and early and continued throughout the book, avoiding the need to "commit" to get the first 100 pages read.

Concerning structure, it seemed that the chapter divisions were "imposed" upon the story, occurring in almost exactly the same interval (every 30 pages), rather than allowing the story to define the breaks. The more reading you tend towards, the more this is likely to be bothersome, but mostly is a small issue.

Finally, the installment wraps up in a rather hasty way, feeling a bit rushed. All in, if you enjoyed the first one, you will likely enjoy this one and for mostly the same reasons: compelling characters and story, light feel, decent action. If you were not overly excited by the first, this one will leave you with the same impression, and again...for the same reasons. I enjoyed it and felt it worth the read and as I see from the reviews, so do most others.

As good as the first.......2006-09-11

The second installment in Merecedes Lackey's 'The Obsidian Trilogy' is just as exciting ast he first. Kellen still working to thwart the evils plauging the world and not having any great success in the human lands.

A real page turner, Lackey is one of the better fantasy writers out there, at least for consitancy and enjoyability.

Magic's Promise (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Vanyel's Amazing Tale Contines...
An Utterly Engrossing Series!
Pretty good, once you get past the homosexuality
magic's promise
Great second book in this trilogy!

Magic's Promise (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 2)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0886774012

Customer Reviews:

Vanyel's Amazing Tale Contines..........2007-05-05

Naturally, after I finished reading the first book (Magic's Pawn (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 1)) in "The Last Herald-Mage" trilogy, I had to dive into the next one. Had to see what Vanyel would be up to now that he'd become a Herald-Mage.

Turns out he's the most powerful Herald-Mage and when we first see him again, he's in desperate need of some good rest. All the magic he's been doing on his mission has taken its toll. He decides to spend some time with his family, since they keep asking for him to visit, and hopes he can find some rest while he's there.

Well, wouldn't you know it? Rest is not what he gets at all. Yfandes receives a desperate call from across the border that a fellow companion is in danger. She and Vanyel take off to help. There they find an amnesiac Herald Prince, whose tale brings about an entire host of problems that ensure Vanyel will not be getting rest for some time to come.

What I love about this book is the relationship between Vanyel and his companion, Yfandes. She is a magnificent force and a fitting companion for him. Their conversations are highly entertaining, be it teasing, emotionally charged ones, or even just idle chit chat.

I also like that Vanyel starts to learn that people look at him funny because they are in awe (or fear) of his power, not because he is gay. Yeah, he can be a little dense. Powerful, but dense.

However, his power is what makes him so isolated from others. He is sent continually on missions because he is the only one who can do what needs to be done. I had to keep reminding myself that the trilogy is called "The Last Herald-Mage." He has to because there are so few left, not to mention the simple fact that many of the people, Herald's too, see Herald-Mages as the only solvers to every problem.

I found it fascinating to see Vanyel grown up and how he approaches each situation. I felt saddened too by all he's gone through...very. I found myself only more attached to the character by the reading of this book. Simply put...he and his story are amazing!

An Utterly Engrossing Series!.......2007-03-31

I picked up this series because I was in the process of writing a fantasy novel with a gay hero and I wanted to see what other works were out there. I had never read Ms. Lackey's work, so I didn't know what to expect. I was not just pleasantly surprised by this trilogy, I was completely captivated by it and very sad when I reached the final page. The plot is interesting and the pace is quick. The characters, especially the hero Vanyel, are extremely sympathetic, primarily due to the fact that they are so flawed. Some may find the romance a bit sappy, but I'm the first to admit that I dig that kind of thing and you'll see it in my own novels as well.Orphan's Quest (Chronicles of Firma, Book One) Best of all for me, though, was the fact that although her hero is unapologetically gay, the series does not become mired in its "gayness" as so many other works of gay-themed fiction I have read.

This trilogy gave me a great deal of inspiration to push on with my own fantasy aspirations. I owe Misty a big hug if we ever meet face to face. I highly recommend these three books. Whether you're gay or straight, you'll find them an excellent read and, like me, you'll be sorry to reach that last page.

Pretty good, once you get past the homosexuality.......2006-02-27

I really had to detach myself from the main character because he's gay. It drastically lowered my enjoyment of the book. But, the story was actually pretty good and worth reading.

For a series with the word "Magic" in each title, I thought the use of magic was woefully small. Most of the "good stuff" happens "off-screen" and is only mentioned as an aside.

The "hero" was constantly described as the most powerful herald-mage alive, perhaps ever. Yet, I only ever saw him do something that seemed rather basic and then suffer for days or weeks during recover from over-using his magic.

Finally, it was hard for me to fully enjoy a story that focuses so much on the depression, moodiness, and sulkiness of the hero.

Still... I found it worth reading. (Though I won't recommend it to my kids.)

magic's promise.......2005-10-30

This volume continues the trilogy of Herald Mage Vanyel Ashkevron. He returns after an exhausting Border stint dealing with all sorts of unfriendly magic creatures to find a letter waiting for him from his father, who wants him to pay a visit. Naturally, magic is involved, including a demon, various nodes of supernatural power, and a young man who may or may not have killed his family (by magic).

The only thing that didn't ring true for me were the reconcilaition between Jervis, the armsmaster and Vanyel. Suddenly, a man who's always been shown to be a brutal bully is dissolving and apologizing and incidentally shown not to have any prejudice against gays (which Vanyel is). Ditto the previously stern and foreboding father suddenly happy to mend any old wounds. The forgiveness happened way too fast to be believable.

Great second book in this trilogy!.......2005-10-18

Although appealing for Valdemar fans, the Vanyel books also offer serious food for thought on social issues such as religious prejudice and homosexuality.

Vanyel contines to wrestle with loneliness, grief and guilt over his lifebond's suicide, his family's hostility to his sexuality and his feelings of unworthiness to be a Herald while struggling to solve a murder mystery involving a newly-Chosen royal in this thrilling adventure. New characters are introduced, such as armsmaster Jervis, whom I was prepared not to like at all, and we get to know Vanyel's family. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend the entire Valdemar series. Five stars

The Fairy Godmother: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Outstanding, again!
Engaging read
Nice and entertaining
Completely Enjoyable
Great Potential - But Lacking Complexity

The Fairy Godmother: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 1)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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One Good Knight: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 2)
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ASIN: 0373802455

Book Description

<B>From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel.</B>

In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale. . .

Elena Klovis was supposedto be her kingdom's Cinderella--until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter--until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job. . .

Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney. She has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with. . .

Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding, again!.......2007-02-20

Mercedes Lackey has done it again. She has created a viable world with beautifully realistic characters. Give us more.

Engaging read.......2007-02-09

If you like old fairy tales with a new more grown-up twist, this book & series is a good choice.

Nice and entertaining.......2007-01-31

Very sweet romantic fantasy, sweet in the best meaning of this world. This is a light and enjoyable reading, where you actually can have all these traditional components of the fairy tale: fairy Godmother, princes, witches, Katshei and Cinderella... but none of them would be playing the traditional role you expect from them. Actually, the Tradition itself act really strange in this book. This makes reading a real fun. I finished the book in four hours and hope to get some other books by Mercedes Lackey, whenever I will be in need of a nice distraction...and this does happen often!

Completely Enjoyable.......2007-01-05

I've read so many books now that I've gotten very picky. Most books I find I'm skimming a lot of it--not this one. Very interesting story that I couldn't predict, a great escape with no jarring out of my suspension of disbelief, and the ugly side that you also find in reality was not too heavily detailed.

In this world, there is a force called Tradition that moves events into the path most resembling a Fairy Tale. However, sometimes the circumstances just won't allow the Fairy Tale to have a happy ending, as in this story--Cinderella's prince is just a little boy, so she languishes unrescued instead of living happily ever after.

Now in this world, the person who is the focus of the fairy tale feels the force of magic gathering around them more and more as they go further down the road of unresolved Fairy Tale Completion--the longer it goes on without resolution, the more the magic builds. Most often, either an evil sorcerer comes and takes their magic, resulting in the death of the unfortunate focus of the fairy tale, or a good wizard comes and takes it in a kindly fashion, and they settle for something less.

This Cinderella thinks about settling for less, but doesn't do it...and that makes all the difference.

If you like fantasy, this is worth a try for sure.

Great Potential - But Lacking Complexity.......2006-08-06

It's important to note at the beginning that this fantasy fairy-tale book involves some pretty graphic details involving various types of sexual activity. This isn't meant to be a book for tykes - it is most definitely a mature title.

Cinderella - or Elena - has been waiting around for her prince to rescue her for 21 years. When she turned 16 she thought this would be the year. She thought the same thing when she turned 18. By the time she turned 21, she had given up. Her stepmother and two annoying stepsisters were really getting on her nerves. She decided to take matters into her own hands, take a job as a maid, and get out of the house.

The person who hires her is a Fairy Godmother, who wants Elena to be her apprentice. It turns out that Fairy Godmothers are "guiders" - they help to steer the strong powers of tradition. This is a pretty common theme in many books - that natural forces tend to guide a person into a role based on the traditions of the culture. So, for example, a teen guy who is good looking and good at football tends to become the 'town hero', because everybody expects him to be and act that way. In the same way, Elena always dreamed about being rescued - by a prince of course - because that's what fairy tales had taught her to expect in her situation.

In no time at all, Elena is the new Fairy Godmother for the towns around her, helping to keep people happy. Then comes a quest where 3 brothers are trying to rescue a damsel in distress. The youngest brother is of course the sweet, kind one who she helps - but it's the second brother, a jerk, that she takes home in the form of a donkey. In only a few weeks he goes from total jerk to complete wonderful man, is her champion and of course they save the world.

I fully accept that romance stories tend to be "shallow" and that fairy tales favor simple endings. However, this being an adult fairy tale, I was really hoping for more complexity. Elena doesn't seem a rounded person at all. In fact in many cases she seems quite shallow herself, between her sniping about "fat women" and "small breasted women". At least you can believe that she would step into the role she does. However, with Alexander, it's rather unbelievable the changes he goes through. First he's trying to rape her, then POOF he is a prince charming.

Also, there were several political commentaries that seemed completely out of place. They'd be talking about evil wizards taking over a kingdom and suddenly there'd be several paragraphs that seemed expressly targeted at current US political situations. It wasn't subtle at all - it was quite out of place and glaring.

I did enjoy some of the wit, but since I never really loved either of the two main characters, it made it hard for me to care about what was happening to them. I thought the environment and concept were brilliant ones, and maybe that was why it was so disappointing to have it not follow through well.

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