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kathydavie's review
4.0
The twelfth anthology of eighteen stories in the Tales of Valdemar fantasy series and revolving around Heralds, Companions, Healers, and regular people.
The Series
"Feathers in Deed" (Hadara and Kitha, 3)
"Who We'll Become" (Herald Syrriah, 5)
"Unceasing Consequences" (Lady Cera of Sandbriar, 5)
"Beyond Common Sense, She Persisted" (Kaysa of Ropewynd, 3)
"Moving On" (Deira the Weaver, 3)
"The Right Place" (Petril, 2)
"A Siege of Cranes" (Lena, 6)
"Letters From Home" (Marli of Fairbend, 3)
"Friendship's Gift" (Healer Tarek Strand, 2)
"Confounding, Enduring, Perfect, and Strong" (Nwah the Kyree, 5)
"The Once and Future Box" (Dann Family of Haven, 9)
"Acceptable Losses" (Wil & Leila, 9)
"Woman's Need Calls Me" (Need / Vows & Honor, pre-Kerowyn)
Each short story has a lists of characters and can be found on my KD Did It review.
The Stories
Phaedra Weldon's "With Sorrow and Joy"
The Norton family's wood and woodcraft is famous throughout Valdemar. That is, until the Nortons couldn't fulfill their orders. Now Uli has just learned that his father has been dead a year and his family needs him. They need him as a Herald to sort out the murders and thefts.
Definitely a tale of Sorrow and Joy, as Uli learns so many truths about his family.
Kristin Schwengel's "Of Crows and Karsites"
Rinton is on his first Circuit near Karse and enlists birds to aid him in discovering the source of all the panic swelling throughout the land.
A sweet tale of hope and escape!
Jennifer Brozek's "Feathers in Deed"
Both Hadara of K'lLeysha Vale and Kitha shena Tale'sedrin battle their hopes and fears, wanting to be free of the magic that changed them, but fearing the loss of their bond.
Angela Penrose's "The Letter of the Law"
The land's ruler has died and his heir wants everything that's the best, no matter how cruel.
This made me so sick to my heart. Even Joss can't do much since it is the strict law. But he's quite creative in finding loopholes, lol. Joss also makes an excellent point that there should be room for human judgment and mercy. Oh, man, Joss has still another one to pull over the new baron!
Dayle A Dermatis' "Who We'll Become"
It's a bittersweet Midwinter holiday with Syrriah's sister implementing so many changes. Not even her old gowns fit her after her training at the Collegium. But there's a problem at the Fair with the question one of upholding a legacy or making changes.
It is a story of changes for everyone, and very nicely done.
Elizabeth Vaughan's "Unceasing Consequences"
As pleased as she is to be awarded Sandbriar, it's been a struggle for Cera restoring the estate and helping its people survive. Cera is constantly exploring ideas and ways to make this happen. And Cera's mourning period is about over.
I do love reading about Cera's efforts to help her people. Poor Emerson gets caught out! And gets let off with Cera's help, lol.
Janny Wurts' "Beyond Common Sense, She Persisted"
Kaysa finally arrived, bedraggled, in Haven, after a harrowing journey from Ropewynd, with a reward of a student's place in the Collegium. Until the way is safe for Kaysa to go home. It's not what Kaysa dreamed of when she dreamt of escaping her overprotected world of Ropewynd. She is determined to prove that she has worth.
This is too sweet of a tale with its bittersweet happy ending.
Diana L Paxson's "Moving On"
A unique and dangerous flu came from a family fleeing Valdemar's borderlands. A sickness Deira refuses to allow her daughter to treat.
It's a flashback to the village of Everleigh that Selaine and then Deira left in Pathways: "Patterns", 2 (11). Ooh, mother-daughter issues! It's the anger Selaine has with that con man that forces her Gift, one that she then applies to other ills. And the best argument she'll have against her mother!
Louisa Swann's "The Right Place"
Poor Petril. No one is singing his praises or swathing him in ermine in recognition of that rescue. Now he's alone in Haven trying to protect Bella and her foal.
I'm not quite sure what Petril is talking about, about the man he was working for. The story does pick up once Lord Fancy Pants shows up, and Petril is quite clever with the story revealing Petril's Gifts and the rewards for such a young hero. Very sweet and it made me laugh in appreciation.
Elisabeth Waters' "A Siege of Cranes"
Poor Lena. She's old enough to have her first season at Court — and find a husband. The king insists. Only, Lena has sorted all her suitors into three categories: annoying, obnoxious, and repulsive.
I do like the story, but Waters is much too quick to marry Lena off. And I wanna read the fallout, dang it!
Michele Lang's "Cloud Born"
Cloudbrother's oath to return to Lake Evandim and heal it is forsworn. Instead he's being sent on a relief mission to Iftel as an ambassador.
Ivinchi is certainly an odd duck. And so much fun to "listen" to.
Brigid Collins' "Letters From Home"
Taren is needling away at Marli to do better, and she's still so depressed about leaving home. It'll take someone else's need for her to wake.
It's a contrast between Marli who gets so many letters and Simen who gets none. Then there's Taren who refuses to help, unless . . . It's sweet and short with an insufficient ending.
Anthea Sharp's "Friendship's Gift"
It's a sad end of friendship for Tarek when he's no longer invited to join with Lyssa or Shandara.
It is a good reminder for any of us that there's always another side to a story.
Ron Collins' "Confounding, Enduring, Perfect, and Strong"
It's exhausting and overwhelming for Nwah. The lack of learning about her magic. Winnie's "intrusion" into her relationship with Kade, as well as Nwah's own interest in Maakdal.
Love cannot be commanded and yet it can be many things.
This takes place shortly after Pathways: "Out of the Pelagiris", 4 (11).
Fiona Patton's "The Once and Future Box"
The roof of the Watch House has been bad for way too long, and it takes a river of water running into the captain's office to find money for the repairs. It's so bad that most everyone, including the animals, are deserting the Watch House.
Lol, it's an old tale, that one can't see the damage till the "tiles are off". Then the lockpicking and the complaints of how a cop's family is ruining the thieves . . . oh, well, lol. Morag sure knows her business, even if she does forget who she's talking to.
Stephanie Shaver's "Acceptable Losses"
Since Highjorune (Crucible: "The Highjorune Masque", 9), the Queen knows that even the Guards cannot be trusted. What arrives as Herald Wil's backup is not what he'd been expecting.
It's another step forward in Wil's mission to shut Madra and Lord Dark down. And I'm beginning to wonder if it'll ever be accomplished. "The Quarry" Shaver keeps mentioning is part of Wil's dreams.
Dylan Birtolo's "Weight of a Hundred Eyes"
Paxia cares for everyone and yet feels the need to hide herself behind her anvil. Too often, she has felt watchers at her back.
Whoof, this was rather nasty. You do have to know something about Valdemar and what protects its people to really grasp the significance of this story. I do not think the Heralds handled this well at all, which means Birtolo was missing what the Heralds are supposed to be about. Adouin certainly left things badly, and I'm curious as to how Birtolo intends for Paxia to get her revenge.
Mercedes Lackey's "Woman's Need Calls Me"
Melysatra is tired and wants only to settle down and start a nice little inn. Experiment with some of the beer and wine recipes she's collected. Do some healing and hedge wizardry. If only she could find someone she could hand Need onto.
It's a small village that draws Need and the problem they're having with Change Circles. They've also lost the village inn. Hmmm . . . It's a fun story that is oh-so-convenient and plays to those of a transgender. I am curious, however, why Harl, Kerd, and Pol are described as young, if Mel has been wandering for over 40 years since Urtho's tower was destroyed.
The Characters
Mage Melysatra of Silence Tower, formerly in Urtho's army, has carried Need, a Mage-forged blade seeking justice for women, for the past 40 years. Sam is Mel's old warhorse.
Harl, Kerd, and Pol are of Warrik's Wolves, a mercenary company, and had been with Urtho's army as well. Lemuel is a middle-aged, fit hunter. Agnetha is a goddess to whom Mel prays.
The Beast is terrorizing the area — he ate Waybrook! Ma'ar was the evil mage who was an enemy of Urtho’s.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with deep gray swords slanting across it. The middle graphic is a semi-transparent heater shield with a medium gray border and rivets. Inside the shield are two somewhat hidden blue-turquoise scenes behind the right-facing profile of a white horse wearing a blue bridle. There are two additional (and smaller) shields at the top and bottom of the primary shield. The top has a royal blue background with white rivets and a white pegasus in its center. The bottom has a black background and a pinkish-red gryphon with its wings spread against an old gold circle. At the top is a young-rust rectangular border with a black background enclosing the title in its gothic orange with white for the remaining text of the series and story info. At the bottom is another rectangular outline in young-rust (and a black background) with the editor info in white.
The title is what each story is about, the Choices that must be made.
The Series
"Feathers in Deed" (Hadara and Kitha, 3)
"Who We'll Become" (Herald Syrriah, 5)
"Unceasing Consequences" (Lady Cera of Sandbriar, 5)
"Beyond Common Sense, She Persisted" (Kaysa of Ropewynd, 3)
"Moving On" (Deira the Weaver, 3)
"The Right Place" (Petril, 2)
"A Siege of Cranes" (Lena, 6)
"Letters From Home" (Marli of Fairbend, 3)
"Friendship's Gift" (Healer Tarek Strand, 2)
"Confounding, Enduring, Perfect, and Strong" (Nwah the Kyree, 5)
"The Once and Future Box" (Dann Family of Haven, 9)
"Acceptable Losses" (Wil & Leila, 9)
"Woman's Need Calls Me" (Need / Vows & Honor, pre-Kerowyn)
Each short story has a lists of characters and can be found on my KD Did It review.
The Stories
Phaedra Weldon's "With Sorrow and Joy"
The Norton family's wood and woodcraft is famous throughout Valdemar. That is, until the Nortons couldn't fulfill their orders. Now Uli has just learned that his father has been dead a year and his family needs him. They need him as a Herald to sort out the murders and thefts.
Definitely a tale of Sorrow and Joy, as Uli learns so many truths about his family.
Kristin Schwengel's "Of Crows and Karsites"
Rinton is on his first Circuit near Karse and enlists birds to aid him in discovering the source of all the panic swelling throughout the land.
A sweet tale of hope and escape!
Jennifer Brozek's "Feathers in Deed"
Both Hadara of K'lLeysha Vale and Kitha shena Tale'sedrin battle their hopes and fears, wanting to be free of the magic that changed them, but fearing the loss of their bond.
Angela Penrose's "The Letter of the Law"
The land's ruler has died and his heir wants everything that's the best, no matter how cruel.
This made me so sick to my heart. Even Joss can't do much since it is the strict law. But he's quite creative in finding loopholes, lol. Joss also makes an excellent point that there should be room for human judgment and mercy. Oh, man, Joss has still another one to pull over the new baron!
Dayle A Dermatis' "Who We'll Become"
It's a bittersweet Midwinter holiday with Syrriah's sister implementing so many changes. Not even her old gowns fit her after her training at the Collegium. But there's a problem at the Fair with the question one of upholding a legacy or making changes.
It is a story of changes for everyone, and very nicely done.
Elizabeth Vaughan's "Unceasing Consequences"
As pleased as she is to be awarded Sandbriar, it's been a struggle for Cera restoring the estate and helping its people survive. Cera is constantly exploring ideas and ways to make this happen. And Cera's mourning period is about over.
I do love reading about Cera's efforts to help her people. Poor Emerson gets caught out! And gets let off with Cera's help, lol.
Janny Wurts' "Beyond Common Sense, She Persisted"
Kaysa finally arrived, bedraggled, in Haven, after a harrowing journey from Ropewynd, with a reward of a student's place in the Collegium. Until the way is safe for Kaysa to go home. It's not what Kaysa dreamed of when she dreamt of escaping her overprotected world of Ropewynd. She is determined to prove that she has worth.
This is too sweet of a tale with its bittersweet happy ending.
Diana L Paxson's "Moving On"
A unique and dangerous flu came from a family fleeing Valdemar's borderlands. A sickness Deira refuses to allow her daughter to treat.
It's a flashback to the village of Everleigh that Selaine and then Deira left in Pathways: "Patterns", 2 (11). Ooh, mother-daughter issues! It's the anger Selaine has with that con man that forces her Gift, one that she then applies to other ills. And the best argument she'll have against her mother!
Louisa Swann's "The Right Place"
Poor Petril. No one is singing his praises or swathing him in ermine in recognition of that rescue. Now he's alone in Haven trying to protect Bella and her foal.
I'm not quite sure what Petril is talking about, about the man he was working for. The story does pick up once Lord Fancy Pants shows up, and Petril is quite clever with the story revealing Petril's Gifts and the rewards for such a young hero. Very sweet and it made me laugh in appreciation.
Elisabeth Waters' "A Siege of Cranes"
Poor Lena. She's old enough to have her first season at Court — and find a husband. The king insists. Only, Lena has sorted all her suitors into three categories: annoying, obnoxious, and repulsive.
I do like the story, but Waters is much too quick to marry Lena off. And I wanna read the fallout, dang it!
Michele Lang's "Cloud Born"
Cloudbrother's oath to return to Lake Evandim and heal it is forsworn. Instead he's being sent on a relief mission to Iftel as an ambassador.
Ivinchi is certainly an odd duck. And so much fun to "listen" to.
Brigid Collins' "Letters From Home"
Taren is needling away at Marli to do better, and she's still so depressed about leaving home. It'll take someone else's need for her to wake.
It's a contrast between Marli who gets so many letters and Simen who gets none. Then there's Taren who refuses to help, unless . . . It's sweet and short with an insufficient ending.
Anthea Sharp's "Friendship's Gift"
It's a sad end of friendship for Tarek when he's no longer invited to join with Lyssa or Shandara.
It is a good reminder for any of us that there's always another side to a story.
Ron Collins' "Confounding, Enduring, Perfect, and Strong"
It's exhausting and overwhelming for Nwah. The lack of learning about her magic. Winnie's "intrusion" into her relationship with Kade, as well as Nwah's own interest in Maakdal.
Love cannot be commanded and yet it can be many things.
This takes place shortly after Pathways: "Out of the Pelagiris", 4 (11).
Fiona Patton's "The Once and Future Box"
The roof of the Watch House has been bad for way too long, and it takes a river of water running into the captain's office to find money for the repairs. It's so bad that most everyone, including the animals, are deserting the Watch House.
Lol, it's an old tale, that one can't see the damage till the "tiles are off". Then the lockpicking and the complaints of how a cop's family is ruining the thieves . . . oh, well, lol. Morag sure knows her business, even if she does forget who she's talking to.
Stephanie Shaver's "Acceptable Losses"
Since Highjorune (Crucible: "The Highjorune Masque", 9), the Queen knows that even the Guards cannot be trusted. What arrives as Herald Wil's backup is not what he'd been expecting.
It's another step forward in Wil's mission to shut Madra and Lord Dark down. And I'm beginning to wonder if it'll ever be accomplished. "The Quarry" Shaver keeps mentioning is part of Wil's dreams.
Dylan Birtolo's "Weight of a Hundred Eyes"
Paxia cares for everyone and yet feels the need to hide herself behind her anvil. Too often, she has felt watchers at her back.
Whoof, this was rather nasty. You do have to know something about Valdemar and what protects its people to really grasp the significance of this story. I do not think the Heralds handled this well at all, which means Birtolo was missing what the Heralds are supposed to be about. Adouin certainly left things badly, and I'm curious as to how Birtolo intends for Paxia to get her revenge.
Mercedes Lackey's "Woman's Need Calls Me"
Melysatra is tired and wants only to settle down and start a nice little inn. Experiment with some of the beer and wine recipes she's collected. Do some healing and hedge wizardry. If only she could find someone she could hand Need onto.
It's a small village that draws Need and the problem they're having with Change Circles. They've also lost the village inn. Hmmm . . . It's a fun story that is oh-so-convenient and plays to those of a transgender. I am curious, however, why Harl, Kerd, and Pol are described as young, if Mel has been wandering for over 40 years since Urtho's tower was destroyed.
The Characters
Mage Melysatra of Silence Tower, formerly in Urtho's army, has carried Need, a Mage-forged blade seeking justice for women, for the past 40 years. Sam is Mel's old warhorse.
Harl, Kerd, and Pol are of Warrik's Wolves, a mercenary company, and had been with Urtho's army as well. Lemuel is a middle-aged, fit hunter. Agnetha is a goddess to whom Mel prays.
The Beast is terrorizing the area — he ate Waybrook! Ma'ar was the evil mage who was an enemy of Urtho’s.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with deep gray swords slanting across it. The middle graphic is a semi-transparent heater shield with a medium gray border and rivets. Inside the shield are two somewhat hidden blue-turquoise scenes behind the right-facing profile of a white horse wearing a blue bridle. There are two additional (and smaller) shields at the top and bottom of the primary shield. The top has a royal blue background with white rivets and a white pegasus in its center. The bottom has a black background and a pinkish-red gryphon with its wings spread against an old gold circle. At the top is a young-rust rectangular border with a black background enclosing the title in its gothic orange with white for the remaining text of the series and story info. At the bottom is another rectangular outline in young-rust (and a black background) with the editor info in white.
The title is what each story is about, the Choices that must be made.
worthyadvisor's review against another edition
4.0
These are always good anthologies, so no real complaints.
whisper88's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
blueangelfish83's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely felt dropped in the middle of stories, probably should read the Tales of Valdemar series in order.
kesnit's review against another edition
5.0
I've been a fan of Lackey's work since I was 13 and have read all the Velgarth anthologies. This was the best of the lot. In other anthologies, there have been one or two stories I didn't like, but I enjoyed all of the ones here. However, I would recommend a person read the previous anthologies before this one, as there are many stories that are continuations from earlier anthologies.
inferiorwit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Ableism, Animal death, War, and Rape
xeni's review against another edition
4.0
This was a strange mix of stories. It took me a while to get through them all. I loved some of them (especially getting a Valdemar story soon after the events of the Gryphon trilogy!), but more or less they were all average (with a few notable poor ones). Still, I love Valdemar.
morgandhu's review against another edition
3.0
Another year, another Valdemarian anthology from Mercedes Lackey. These books are like catnip for me. The collections are sometimes uneven, but Valdemar is a wonderful invention, a rich secondary word with so many different cultures and potential stories, and there’s something about Lackey’s world that I find irresistible.
As usual, there are some stories from longtime contributors, many of them featuring characters we’ve met before and come to appreciate, and some from new writers who’ve never written for Valdemar before. And of course a brand new story by Lackey herself, which answers one of the questions many of us have had about Need - and also makes a strong statement about trans inclusivity. But then, Lackey has always been an LGBT ally, which is probably one of the reasons I feel comfortable with her work.
In fact, Lackey’s story, “Woman’s Need Calls Me,” is my favourite from this collection, which is in fact one of the stronger collections of recent years - there really wasn’t one story that I didn’t enjoy, although some were slight in terms of action and adventure.
Good comfort reading when I needed it.
Note: This anthology contains 18 stories, 16 written by women and two written by men.
As usual, there are some stories from longtime contributors, many of them featuring characters we’ve met before and come to appreciate, and some from new writers who’ve never written for Valdemar before. And of course a brand new story by Lackey herself, which answers one of the questions many of us have had about Need - and also makes a strong statement about trans inclusivity. But then, Lackey has always been an LGBT ally, which is probably one of the reasons I feel comfortable with her work.
In fact, Lackey’s story, “Woman’s Need Calls Me,” is my favourite from this collection, which is in fact one of the stronger collections of recent years - there really wasn’t one story that I didn’t enjoy, although some were slight in terms of action and adventure.
Good comfort reading when I needed it.
Note: This anthology contains 18 stories, 16 written by women and two written by men.
glennisleblanc's review against another edition
3.0
The latest in a long line of anthologies set in the world of Valdemar. The nice thing for dedicated readers is there are a few stories in here that follow a set of characters from previous years. The plus is the stories are stand alone and yet if read year after year do build upon one another. The collection makes for a great dip into world to get your fix. Not every story is about heralds and that is for the better since there is so much to this universe that has been build over the years. And the final story is an early days story about Need.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
3.0
Some real good, some ok, a couple clunkers. Always interesting to see the world of Valdemar through different eyes. The Need story was interesting as more backstory to her, but....gender based stuff is always slippery esp with an explicit trans story. It was handled ok, but from a very cis and binary view.
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