Fortune's Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3)

Customer Reviews:

Unfortunately dull.......2007-10-11

Using folk tales spanning no fewer than four cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Arabian Nights, Russian, and quite probably others that I am less familiar with), it seems improbable that a book should be uninteresting and dragging. But, oh, this one is. Paired with the disappointing end to the Obsidian Trilogy, I find myself wondering what has happened to one of my favorite fantasy authors!

The characters are uninteresting, the villain lackluster... and those are almost the good points. The story suffers from a mishmash of fairy tale elements from too many cultures, godmothers as an afterthought, and a barely-explored underwater world of mermaids... who just happen to have legs and speak all sorts of human languages.

Anyone else miss Elena?

A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms.......2007-09-29

I really liked this one. my friend complains that as soon as the girl finds herself a man she lives happily ever after...but she says that about all Mercedes Lackey books. I think that this whole Five hundred kingdom series is fantastic, but then i am a sucker for fairytale stuff...and this has a lot of it...seventh son of a seventh son and all that.

Hurtling into the abyss........2007-09-29

I'm a long time reader of Mercedes Lackey, and as such, I've seen watched her stories go hurtling farther and farther into the abyss. The 500 Kingdoms stories have a great premise and world, but the characters, writing and plot continue to deteriorate into an unbearable mess. Though Lackey tries to make her fairy tales "postmodern" and break from "Tradition", the stories fail to break course from typical plot conventions. Fortune's Fool is the most predictable and uninteresting of the three so far released. I hardly had the heart to finish the story because I knew exactly where the story was going and how it was going to end, a fourth of the way through the book. The characters have little original depth, mostly because while attempting to be their own person, they're still relying on "Traditional" conventions; Katya is the same "can take care of herself" heroine in many fantasy books, while Sasha is the typical "means well, but isn't quite necessary" male role. Overall, the story was predictable, the characters uninteresting, and the writing simple and lackluster. It's really too bad because this concept, in the hands of someone more capable, may have been really something.

Not her best.......2007-08-30

After reading and absolutely loving Fairy Godmother, the first installment in M. Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms series, I've waited for sequels with bated breath. One Good Knight was good, though not quite as much fun as its predecessor. Fortune's Fool was... uninspired. I feel like the wonderful Ms. Lackey wrote this book with her mind elsewhere. It lacks the fun of earlier installments and the tight plotting and characterization of her other series. Most of the charm of the Five Hundred Kingdoms is the tension of the Tradition acting on people's lives with them all unawares or with only a few characters (such as Elena, our Fairy Godmother protagonist of the first book) able to see the effects of its force in order to counteract them. In Fortune's Fool, most of our characters are well aware of the Tradition they live with and already know how to combat it... it's like she wrote this book as quickly as possible and with half an effort. I still love her and I'll probably still buy the next one on its release date at full price, but in the hopes that it will far outshine this book rather than emulate it.

cute.......2007-08-11

I enjoyed it. Sasha, the hero, was sweet and endearing. His character was beyond good. He even had female unicorns swooning over him, and if you have read the two previous novels, you would know what THAT means. Katya was tough, she had to be to be the seventh daughter and spy for the Sea King. There was definately some funny moments in the story. I gave it four stars instead of five because the story did lag behind a bit and then sped up at the very end to solve the problem. I just didn't feel like the plot reached a natural climax in-between and it left me a little off.

Average customer rating:

Okay collection of odds and ends...
Mercedes Benz Technical Companion
Imperfect
excellent overview
A Must Have Book For All Mercedes-Benz Owners

Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion
the staff of The Star and the members of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America
Manufacturer: Bentley Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0837610338

Book Description

Technical insights on service, repair, maintenance and procedures compiled from over 45 years of The Star, the magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America

Since 1956, informed Mercedes-Benz owners have relied upon The Star, the magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, for advice about maintenance, service and repair of their cars. Bentley Publishers has collected some of the best of these do-it-yourself articles and tech tips into the Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion™. No matter which Mercedes-Benz model you drive or desire, this compilation will serve as a valuable technical reference to help you understand and care for your Mercedes-Benz.

This insightful and informed technical compilation has something for the Mercedes-Benz owner, service professional and enthusiast. You will also find useful technical guidance that pertains to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in general, based on the contributors' long-time dedication to Mercedes-Benz service and ownership.

Article topics collected in the Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion™ include:

* Technical and Restoration Forum: questions and answers on subjects such as bleeding brakes, aligning headlights, choosing fuel and preparing a vehicle for storage.

* Maintenance and preservation procedures—from resetting the service indicator lights to washing and waxing your car.

* Heating and air-conditioning system repair including rebuilding the automatic climate control push button unit and converting from R-12 to R-134a.

* Driving tips, including the difference between torque and horsepower, and tire selection. You will even find informative diagrams showing oversteer, understeer and vehicle dynamics.

* Step-by-step instructions on how to replace shock absorbers and air suspension bellows.

* How to choose a repair shop, as well as extensive model, chassis and engine number comparison charts.

* Fixes for vacuum door locks, mechanical clocks and trip odometers.

* Detailed electronic component repairs, such as the Becker Electronic Grand Prix radio and W210 E-Class seat control switch.

Customer Reviews:

Okay collection of odds and ends..........2007-08-09

Lots of information here, especially for diesel owners, though nothing of any real value for a 560 SL guy. There doesn't seem to be any logic to the way this book was catalogued/organized.

Mercedes Benz Technical Companion.......2007-07-12

this book is good for older model. no tech information about MB 2001 SL 500.

Imperfect.......2007-05-17

Very good information for those who has a Mercedes Benz
for those years it refers to.
It is NOT a repair manual for NEW Mercedes Owners.
THis is for used cars within certain years.

Great list of names to contact for your Mercedes problems.
They may or may not charge you money for help, because they are mechanics.

Great for DIY guys.

excellent overview.......2007-05-14

THis book is full of great information. Some reviewers seem to have been looking for specific info on specific models, and this won't get you there -- for that, it's best to look for a manual specific to your model, or join one of the many fine MBZ forums on the web (mercedesshop.com is just one) to search for the answer to your question.

This book is an overview of most of the models MBZ has produced over several decades. You'll find lots of good info, some specific to your car, and much that will be applicable, if you've done your homework and know your car. This is NOT a repair manual, so don't buy it if that's what you need. But if you want to know how things were designed or what problems are unique to particular models and how to solve them, this is the book for you.

A Must Have Book For All Mercedes-Benz Owners.......2007-02-20

This book covers a wide range of Mercedes-Benz models, and is a favorite book amung the enthusiasts of the marque.

This book offers much in the way of technical information, but does not read as a technical manual. Each chapter is filled with information that you will want to read, even if you do not own that specific model, as it provides an interesting insight on the engineering of the Mercedes-Benz autombile.

Members of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America find this a great source of information.

Average customer rating:

Dreadful
Really good book
The New Dragon Riders
Aerie
Ending the series with a whimper

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

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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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:

Dreadful.......2007-10-02

I absolutely adored the first two books in this series. The characters were awesome; believable, funny and easy to relate to. The third book was pretty good, but begged for a proper ending. Sadly it never got one. The characters I loved in the first three books apparently got personality transplants. The couple that had been soooooo incredibly in love with each other inexplicably started hating each other (ok, not actual hate, but close enough). The only character in this book I found believable at all was "the other woman", in fact most of the book I was rooting for her to get the guy. But alas, I was disappointed even at that.

By itself not a bad book. As an ending to this brilliant series, and by this wonderful author (whose other books I have enjoyed a great deal) it was positively dreadful.

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.

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Mercedes Lackey
Deadly dull
Amazing and unexped conclusion
When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)
Strong trilogy ending

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:

Mercedes Lackey.......2007-10-11

I have come to expect excellent reading from anything with the name Mercedes Lackey attached. I was not disappointed. Each book in the Obsidian Trilogy moved smoothly, with a really nice balance of action and character development. The characters are interesting and the drama builds nicely; the reader will not find herself scanning pages quickly, saying "yeah, yeah, I get it already, where is the story". This is what epic fantasy should be.

I am looking forward to checking out her partner James Mallory.

Deadly dull.......2007-10-11

I enjoyed the first two books and have been a Lackey fan for quite some time, having read a number of her books ranging from the Bard books to Valdemar to Elemental Masters to Diana Tregarde to stand-alone novels. This novel and the latest of the fairy godmother books (Fortune's Fool) are among the weakest and most boring stories she's written. I was terribly disappointed in this one and could not even bring myself to finish more than half of it!

Amazing and unexped conclusion.......2007-07-09

WOW! Hard to put down! The characters and plots were well developed throughout this trillogy. This was an amazing conclusion that wraped up the continuing stories nicely. While additional volumes could be written about several of the characters, each story was wrapped-up in a way that does not require additional explalation, you may want more, but you don't need it to feel things are closed. A new chapter for this world is ready to begin, but it would be the begining of a new era, not a continuation of this one.

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.

Average customer rating:

Great Addition to your Library
A Gem of a Book!
Beautiful and moving
Kind, heroic American soldier grants German child's wish
The Impact of Adults in the Life of a Child.

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot
Margot Theis Raven
Manufacturer: Sleeping Bear Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1585360694

Book Description

A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy that Dropped from the Sky.

Life was grim in 1948 West Berlin, Germany. Josef Stalin blockaded all ground routes coming in and out of Berlin to cut off West Berliners from all food and essential supplies. Without outside help, over 2.2 million people would die.

Thus began the Berlin Airlift, a humanitarian rescue mission that utilized British and American airplanes and pilots to fly in needed supplies. As one of the American pilots participating in the Airlift mission, Lt. Gail S. Halvorsen helped to provide not only nourishment to the children but also gave them a reason to hope for a better world. From one thoughtful, generous act came a lifelong relationship between Lt. Gail and the children of Berlin.

This is the true story of a seven-year-old girl named Mercedes who lived in West Berlin during the Airlift and of the American who came to be known as the Chocolate Pilot.

Artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen's evocative paintings illuminate Margot Theis Raven's powerful story of hope, friendship and remembrance.

About the Author: Margot Theis Raven has been a professional writer working in the fields of radio, television, magazines, newspapers, and children's books for thirty years. She has won five national awards, including an IRA Teacher's Choice award. Ms. Raven earned her degree in English from Rosemont College and attended Villanova University for theater study, and Kent State University for German language. Ms. Raven splits her time living in Concord, MA, Charleston, SC and West Chesterfield, NH.

About the Illustrator: Born in the Netherlands, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Holland. He immigrated to the United States in 1976, and years later he became a children's book illustrator. Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is Nick's ninth children's book with Sleeping Bear Press.

Customer Reviews:

Great Addition to your Library.......2007-09-09

We loved this book. We read it last year while studying about Germany. We loved it so much we bought it ourselves. Beautiful true story about how even in the hardships of war, blessing happen. The kids and I even cried a little as we read this one. Just a great read with great illustrations as well.

A Gem of a Book!.......2007-06-08

Some years ago, I "dragged" my wife and son to meet the Candy Bomber when he came through town. He gave a really nice speech in which he told the story of Mercedes. Amazingly, I had finally found a pilot who hit a sweet note with them. A year or two later, they even went to meet him again, and my son caught candy he dropped at the airport. Well, when the book came out, my wife latched onto it in an instant. She was so taken with the book and the retelling of the story of Mercedes, that she has incorporated it into her class room. Super nice man and touching story. The author did a splendid job that does both justice. You'll enjoy this one!

Beautiful and moving.......2007-05-27

A lovely story of a little-known episode in post-World War II Europe, the Berlin Airlift, and the American pilot who knew that for children, chocolates and sweets were almost more important than the basic supplies the Airlift was providing the citizens of West Berlin, so he sent those along with the rest of his cargo, and in doing so, gave them hope.

Margot Theis Raven movingly depicts an important time in history and the gallantry and heart of the man who `rained down sweets' on a city that needed it. A wonderful read with fascinating historical information that kids and adults will enjoy.

Bravo, Ms. Raven!

Kind, heroic American soldier grants German child's wish.......2003-04-08

This true story of hope, kindness and heroism is a reminder that there are American soldiers who have provided a variety of rescues for people in other countries, a reminder that every child is important, a reminder that one caring person can change the world. There's even a subtle message of the power of prayer. The illustrations are as beautiful, sweet, and historically accurate as the story itself. The heart-warming text gives children a true living American hero to emulate in the Chocolate Pilot and a child to relate to in Mercedes. Grown-ups love this book as much as children do.

The Impact of Adults in the Life of a Child........2003-01-15

"Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot: A True Story of the Berlin "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot": This is a true Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy That Dropped from the Sky by Margot Theis Raven, Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen" demonstrates the true meaning of the human sprit and the impact of that sprit upon generation after generation. While I was reading this story I was reminded of a saying which emphasizes how truly important our roles, as adults, are in the lives of children, ...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." This true story is truly remarkable and a must to share with adults and children.

The Cat in the Hat and Other Dr. Seuss Favorites

Average customer rating:

Great voices!
Wonderful for Early Readers
Old favorites, familier voices.
Absolutely Wonderful Readings!

The Cat in the Hat and Other Dr. Seuss Favorites
Dr. Seuss
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807218731
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Book Description

9 complete stories at a great price!

Featuring:

The Cat in the Hat read by Kelsey Grammer
Horton Hears a Who read by Dustin Hoffman
How the Grinch Stole Christmas read by Walter Matthau
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? read by John Cleese
The Lorax read by Ted Danson
Yertle the Turtle, Gertrude McFuzz, and The Big Brag read by John Lithgow
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose read by Mercedes McCambridge
Horton Hatches the Egg read by Billy Crystal
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back read by Kelsey Grammer

Customer Reviews:

Great voices!.......2007-01-04

These stories are really well read! I play them in the car for my 4 and 3 year olds and I even enjoy listening along. I like that they don't have the page turn dings.

Wonderful for Early Readers.......2006-02-26

My son listens to these over and over with or without the book. He enjoys the narrators and has almost memorized the books.

Old favorites, familier voices........2005-08-21

The children enjoy hearing their favorite Dr. Suess read by the familiar voices we all know.

Absolutely Wonderful Readings!.......2004-04-19

As a homeschooling Mom of 2 small girls, we do A LOT of reading together. What a treat to have someone else do the reading for me every once in a while! Kelsey Grammer, John Lithgow, Walter Matthau, Ted Danson, Billy Crystal and other famous voices certainly do an OUTSTANDING job! The stories are unabridged, which makes it easy to follow along with your own Dr Seuss library. Between the talented author and the unquestionably talented actors, you just can't go wrong...what a great gift to any child or Dr. Seuss fan of any age! My daughters love this CD, and are always asking for one more story or the other disc. SO...we purchased the Green Eggs and Ham CD set today, and are very eager to see how it compares to this fun compilation!

The Outstretched Shadow (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Magic finds a Mag.
Strong fantasy Sword & Sorcery outing with new twists
Very Good Read !
Wonderful!
A pleasant surprise...

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:

Magic finds a Mag........2007-08-27

This is the first book of a clasical Fantisy triligy. As a youth comes of age his magic finds him. He must face hardships and dangers to find his mission in defeating evil and reseting the balance in the world.

Well writen and fast paced. Slow to start as the stages and characters are established. A definate read for the fan of fantisy and magic.

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.

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 (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

readable on a rainy afternoon
And If I Was Stabbed In The Eye With A Needle For Every Time This Happened...
Better than some folks are saying IMHO
good to a point
I love Andie

One Good Knight (Tales 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….

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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:

readable on a rainy afternoon.......2007-08-21

The three stars are mainly because this author is capable of writing much better books and has, such as the Valdemar and "Arrows" series. If it had been an author I was unfamiliar with, I probably would have bumped up the rating to four stars. Make of that what you will.

Plot: Princess Adromeda "Andie" is a plain but highly intelligent princess who longs to do more for her kingdom than simply exist as a lady of leisure. Her mother and chief advisor, Solon, out of less than admirable motives decide to let her take on some serious duties. Eventually, however, she is considered too much of a risk to their underhanded schemes, putting in motion the plan to send a dragon to the kingdom, which can only be appeased by regular offerings of virgins. When Andie sets off on a quest of her own, she discovers that things are not what they seem - and with an unlikely cast of characters, becomes determined to take over the throne for herself.

I enjoyed the book, but felt that more attention could have been given to the several main characters besides Andie. The ending was abrupt, with only a few pages devoted to the actual conquest of the kingdom. As for the cover, I can only guess that the artist read the description of another female character (who is a redhead) and took that for her model.

And If I Was Stabbed In The Eye With A Needle For Every Time This Happened..........2007-06-27

I am new to Mercedes Lackey's style of writing. I am also new to the reviewing world [HI!] so this may be extremely pointless in short, there being a ridiculous amount of reviews for this book and all...But I figured I would put my two cents in.

For one? I should've figured a book titled 'One Good Knight' would be disappointing. That and I didn't pay much attention to this being a sequel to the series [sequels tend to have a bad reputation even when the characters are not related to the first one].

In this world, we get it all. Heroes, romance [subtle amount and its more focused around an actual :gasp: plotline!], dragons [Rawr...], and other magical nonsense. What I loved the most was definitely The Tradition which is [as said] based around the tradition of fairytales and is the force of it happening. An annoyance when it is mentioned too much, but then again...it is the center of the story.

Don't count on getting off during this reading session, barely enough romance to keep me hoping for my knight in shining- ...well...not exactly KNIGHT in shining armor but when you read this you will understand IF you want to waste your time.

The book is actually very well written and great up until the ending. It was missing something, it seemed hurried, and the lovey dovey crap thrown in makes me REALLY want to laugh hysterically and then hold my hand out for the real copy. Something a true good book should always have? A good ending, otherwise it makes the reader [yeah hi me] feel like they just wasted their time.

This is the summer so I am not too upset over my time gone but I definitely do not recommend this to someone who is hoping for a romantic tale, or much satisfaction when all is said and done.

-SJR

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.

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

Average customer rating:

Mixed Emotions...
A Pawn or An Active Player?
Interesting!
Great potential, but it didn't seem to reach it.
A wonderful coming of age tale

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

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ASIN: 0886773520

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Emotions..........2007-10-19

I read this book on the advice of a friend. I had asked if she knew of any good same-sex fantasy stories, and she loaned me this book. And then came my mixed emotions.

First of all, as a budding writer myself, I was bothered by the abruptness of the plot developments. Each conflict seemed to be prefaced by about one page of buildup, and the "main" villain doesn't put in an appearance until the last 10 pages of the story. Along those lines, I was also annoyed by the repetitiveness of the text; the words "pain" and "loneliness" alone must have been used hundreds of times.

As for the "gay" aspect of the story: my first reaction was that it was too preachy and unrealistic, more like a political manifesto than a love story. But then I thought about the fact that the author, to my knowledge, is not herself gay, and also that the novel was written almost 20 years ago. In that light, the book seems much more groundbreaking: I imagine it was a well-intentioned try at exploring an underwritten genre, and I applaud her the attempt.

As for the novel as a whole, it all boils down to: do I want to know what happens next? Will I read the rest of the series? My answer is yes, but barely. I am principally hoping that the remainder of the series will be less of an angst-ridden coming-of-age story, and more of a heroic journey (laced with same-gender romance, of course!).

A Pawn or An Active Player?.......2007-10-10

Mercedes Lackey's Last Herald-Mage trilogy is considered innovative with its sympathetic gay hero,Vanyel. As a character,Vanyel has been accused of being a Gary-Stu,the angsty,uber-powerful alter ego of the other. I dare to disagree. Vanyel begins the story quite flawed and self-centered. He is rightfully considered "a peacock",and when he arrives at the Royal Court of Valdemar to be tutored by his aunt Savil,she doesn't give him special treatment.

Vanyel's journey is like other coming-of-age epics. He matures, comes to understand his powers,stops being passive...and finds love with a youth near his age named Tylendel. To Lackey's credit, Vanyel&Tylendel's brief,beautiful love affair isn't conveyed in a preachy,unrealistic way. When it ends with Tylendel's suicide,it is heart-wrenching and tragic.

Lackey is strong in character development,but not so much with plot. The battle between good and evil remains in the background in contrast to the growing romance,as well as Vanyel's bond with his Companion,Yfandes. Villains are vaguely described. The relationship between Vanyel and Tylendel is not allowed to grow and mature because of Tylendel's suicide. A bothersome contradiction in the story is that Vanyel&his boyfriend keep their affair secret, and are told to do so by Savil. Valdemar is portrayed as a tolerant land,with the motto "No one way is the true way." Why would there still be a stigma on homosexuality? However, Lackey's poetic style outdoes any of the book's weaknesses. The lack of cliches in "Magic's Pawn" makes it a must in any fantasy reader's library.

Interesting!.......2007-09-20

The first of the series, this book sets it up. It is an interesting story but more interesting are the characters. Lackey makes you care about the people in her books. Definitely worth a read!

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.

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