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A review by ktglick
Tempest by Mercedes Lackey
3.0
I don't know about you, but after the most contentious election I've yet lived through, and its continuing aftermath, I need something comforting to read. For pretty much all of November, I immersed myself in Mercedes Lackey's land of Valdemar.
Why? Well, it's a country that's watched over by magical horses who have the ability to choose people who are incorruptible to be their companions and protectors of the land. And the law of the land is that the ruler must be one of them, so no matter what darkness assails them from outside, the people of Valdemar can rest assured that there are good and just people leading them and protecting them.
I could use some of that right about now. After re-reading the "Arrows" trilogy of Lackey's Valdemar series, I continued my journey with this new collection of short stories, with contributions from 24 authors (including Lackey herself).
This collection is probably not the best place to dip into Valdemar for the first time. The stories contain references to peoples, countries, magical concepts and historic and political events from throughout Valdemar's long history. If you aren't passing familiar with the world, you'll be confused. Even I had to do some wiki-ing when I ran into stories from time periods where I hadn't read the books. But I learned a lot about corners of Valdemar I haven't yet seen that whet my appetite for more.
The stories take the perspective of almost everyone possible: Heralds, Bards, Healers, ordinary citizens, citizens of countries that border Valdemar, gryphons and people of the outlying cultures of the country. Given the variety of story subjects and authors, this anthology is bound to be hit and miss for anyone. Any reader who is familiar with Valdemar and the larger world of Velgarth will have their favorites in this book and other stories that don't land for them.
So the question is, is it worth it? I would say if you are already a fan and have read all of the previous books, go for it. It's a chance to return to this world anew, and the last story by Mercedes Lackey and John Dixon is an extension of the Owlflight series that perhaps hints at things to come in future books.
DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Why? Well, it's a country that's watched over by magical horses who have the ability to choose people who are incorruptible to be their companions and protectors of the land. And the law of the land is that the ruler must be one of them, so no matter what darkness assails them from outside, the people of Valdemar can rest assured that there are good and just people leading them and protecting them.
I could use some of that right about now. After re-reading the "Arrows" trilogy of Lackey's Valdemar series, I continued my journey with this new collection of short stories, with contributions from 24 authors (including Lackey herself).
This collection is probably not the best place to dip into Valdemar for the first time. The stories contain references to peoples, countries, magical concepts and historic and political events from throughout Valdemar's long history. If you aren't passing familiar with the world, you'll be confused. Even I had to do some wiki-ing when I ran into stories from time periods where I hadn't read the books. But I learned a lot about corners of Valdemar I haven't yet seen that whet my appetite for more.
The stories take the perspective of almost everyone possible: Heralds, Bards, Healers, ordinary citizens, citizens of countries that border Valdemar, gryphons and people of the outlying cultures of the country. Given the variety of story subjects and authors, this anthology is bound to be hit and miss for anyone. Any reader who is familiar with Valdemar and the larger world of Velgarth will have their favorites in this book and other stories that don't land for them.
So the question is, is it worth it? I would say if you are already a fan and have read all of the previous books, go for it. It's a chance to return to this world anew, and the last story by Mercedes Lackey and John Dixon is an extension of the Owlflight series that perhaps hints at things to come in future books.
DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.