Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Lackey ("Misty" to friends and fans) is an extremely prolific fantasy author, with over 50 books to her credit, including many collaborations with other well-known fantasy writers - including her most recent fantasy series, The Obsidian Trilogy, written with James Mallory.
Here we focus specifically on Lackey's Valdemar books, as a complete bibliography is beyond the scope of this website.
Mercedes Lackey - Valdemar Books
Lackey focuses on human relationships, between girlfriends, girl and boy friends, boy and boyfriends - both platonic and nonplatonic - not to mention the human/horse relationships (the Companions are spirit beings in the form of beautiful white horses) and human/bird relationships (Hawkbrothers and their bondbirds).
It's even possible to have close personal relationships with gryphons and magical swords. Plus, everyone is always talking to each other telepathically. Kind of like living in a large, noisy family or attending a consciousness-raising session. Though I like the books, it raises hackles occasionally in my totally introverted heart (how can they stand it?).
Valdemar is a country in the world of Velgarth, surrounded by other countries filled with a variety of fascinating cultures and peoples - all of them permeated with varieties of magic. Most of the stories focus on the Heralds of Valdemar - the few who have been Chosen by a Companion to guard Valdemar and it's queens and kings.
Mercedes Lackey's books are fun reads, with interesting characters and adventures. Generally speaking, it's the world and the characters that are interesting, rather than the situations, which are usually fairly standard. As a fan of Valdemar, you will want to collect and read all the books.
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Heralds
of Valdemar Series (published 1987-88) by Mercedes Lackey The Heralds of Valdemar series introduces us to the world of Heralds and their Companions when young runaway, Talia, rescues a Companion and enters into the service of the Queen of Valdemar to be trained as a Herald and in her special gift of empathy. A story of emotional healing and changes in fortune, this trilogy introduces us to the magical world of Valdemar, many major characters, and neighboring peoples and countries. Arrows of the Queen (The Heralds of Valdemar, Book 1) - Talia becomes Chosen and enters the Collegium, a new world and a new start. Arrow's Flight (The Heralds of Valdemar, Book 2) - Talia's training as a Herald must be completed in the field, partnered with Kris, a cutie with possibly questionable ethics. Arrow's Fall (The Heralds of Valdemar, Book 3) - Talia's first mission for the Queen reveals a dark plot involving a neighboring prince. The best of the trilogy, Lackey is beginning to hit her stride. |
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Last
Herald-Mage Series (published 1989-90) by Mercedes Lackey Chronologically, the Last Herald-Mage trilogy takes place before the Heralds of Valdemar series, during a time of chaotic politics, ice dragons and world upheavel. But the action is subservient to the coming-of-age story of young Vanyel, his struggles to accept himself and to use and control his powers (he is an extremely powerful herald-mage). It is also a love story. Vanyel is homosexual. If you can handle it, the reviews are very fine indeed. The trilogy as a whole is a real tear-jerker. Magic's Pawn (The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy, Book 1) - Vanyel goes to be trained by his aunt, Savil, herself an adept herald-mage. Magic's Promise (The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy, Book 2) - Set about ten years later, Vanyel and his Companion, Yfandes, answer a call for help from a neighboring kingdom. Can Vanyel solve the mystery? Good character development. Magic's Price (The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy, Book 3) - Vanyel meets his greatest challenge, finds a new love, and endures tremendous suffering to save Valdemar. Don't read the reviews at amazon if you want to avoid a spoiler (why do people do that?). Just trust me that the reviews are all terrific. |
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Vows
and Honor Series (published 1988-89) by Mercedes Lackey Set in time about a century prior to the Heralds of Valdemar series, these exciting books tell the story of Tarma, a Shin'a'in warrior whose clan has been wiped out, and Kethry, a former noblewoman and White Winds sorceress in possession of a magic sword. The two women vow an oath to work together in righting wrongs. The Oathbound (Vows and Honor, Book 1) - Tarma and Kethry team up and meet adventure on the road as mercenaries. Wonderful characters, interesting story. Oathbreakers (Vows and Honor, Book 2) - Tarma and Kethry search for their missing leader Idra, of the Sunhawk mercenaries. Great action and adventure. In addition to the two books above, you may want to buy Oathblood (1998), Lackey's anthology of short stories about Tarma and Kethry's adventures. |
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By
the Sword by Mercedes Lackey (published 1991) By the Sword is a meaty stand-alone novel set between the Vows and Honor and Heralds of Valdemar series. Kerowyn (one of Lackey's most beloved and admired characters) is Kethry's granddaughter. Aided by Kethry and Tarma, Kero achieves her dream of escape from a life of household drudgery to become a respected leader among mercenaries and, eventually, a Herald of Valdemar. One of the best. |
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Mage
Wind Series (published 1991-93) by Mercedes Lackey My personal favorite, the Mage Wind trilogy focuses on Elspeth, heir to the throne, as she ventures out of Valdemar to be trained in her unsuspected magical gifts (she may be the first new Herald-Mage in ages and ages). Along the way, she meets Darkwind, handsome hawkbrother (and adept mage), and his loyal bondbird, Vree, as well as gryphons Treyvan and Hydona. Together they battle the evil mage, Falconsbane. Adds whole new dimensions to the world of Valdemar. Winds of Fate (The Mage Winds, Book 1) - Elspeth and Skif are sent to find a mage to shore up the weakening boundary around Valdemar. En route they battle an evil mage with the help of Darkwind. Winds of Change (The Mage Winds, Book 2) - Elspeth begins her training under adept Tayledras mage Darkwind. All the characters, including Dawnfire, show strong growth and much more detail. Better than book 1. Winds of Fury (The Mage Winds, Book 3) - Exciting finale to the series finds Darkwind and Elspeth (a very tight couple by now) back in Valdemar defending the realm against magical attack from Ancar of Haldorn. Has the magic returned to Valdemar? |
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Mage
Storms Series (published 1994-96) by Mercedes Lackey Valdemar and its surrounding neighbors are faced with a new challenge, as the Emperor of the East seeks to annex the West. While the Emperor is fighting in Hardorn, Karse and Valdemar must reach an agreement to become allies, rather than the foes they've always been, if they are to jointly meet this threat. More talk than action, the story gives us great insight into Karsan culture and the fears and xenophobia that must be overcome on both sides. Not the strongest series, but some fans really like the hero, Karal. The first two are more words than adventure. Storm Warning (The Mage Storms, Book 1) - Ambassador Ulrich of Karse, and his secretary, Karal, journey to Valdemar to begin negotiations. Storm Rising (The Mage Storms, Book 2) - Can Karse and Valdemar work together against the threat of fierce mage storms that are tearing apart the world? Storm Breaking (The Mage Storms, Book 3) - Karal and friends must go on a quest to a place called Urtho's Tower in the Dorisha Plains to retrieve old magic than can prevent the apocalyptic mage storm from destroying Valdemar forever. |
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Mage
Wars Trilogy (published 1993-1996) by Mercedes Lackey The Mage Wars Trilogy ("Gryphon books") are set 1,000 years prior to the other Valdemar series, and tell about gryphons and the ancient mage wars. Co-written with husband, Larry Dixon, these are not fan favorites, but are great for those interested in Valdemar pre-history. Also nice just to complete your collection. The Black Gryphon - Black gryphon Skandranon Rashke and his human friend, the healer Amberdrake, fight evil during the time of the mage wars (beginning with the war between Urtho and Maar). The White Gryphon - Skandranon is now leader of The White Gryphon, a new city created in the wake of Urtho's loss. Skandranon and Amberdrake run into trouble in negotiating with the Black Kings. The Silver Gryphon - Tad and Blade, children of Skan and Drake, have troubles of their own while on a mission for their fighting unit, the Silver Gryphons. |
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Darian's
Tale Trilogy (1997-99) by Mercedes Lackey Perhaps the weakest Valdemar series, Darian's Tale chronologically follows the Mage Storms series, but is unrelated. Darian is a rebellious young mage who flees into the forest when his village is destroyed and his master killed. Here, he is taken "under the wing" of the Hawkbrothers (I really like the Hawkbrothers) and their bondbirds. Another coming-of-age story with very mixed reviews from fans. Co-written with husband, Larry Dixon. Owlflight Darian's Tale, Book 1) - Intro to the series, as stated above. Owlsight (Darian's Tale, Book 2) - Four years later, Darian is now a healing adept. He teams up with Keisha, an untrained healer trying to care for her people as another barbarian horde seeks destruction in the chaos of post-mage storm Valdemar. Kerowyn figures prominently as the Valdemar representative. Owlknight (Darian's Tale, Book 3) - Darian is now a knight of Valdemar, master mage and governor of his own province - Keisha is there beside him. They go adventuring to find Darian's parents when word comes that they're not dead after all. |
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Brightly
Burning (2000) by Mercedes Lackey This stand-alone Valdemar novel is set in the time of King Theran and the war with Karse. Like so many other Lackey stories, we follow our young hero Laven, through a difficult childhood to becoming one of the Chosen and learning to finally control his gift of fire - eventually earning the name Laven Firestorm, one of the most famous Herald's in Valdemaran history. |
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Take
a Thief: A Novel of Valdemar (2001) by Mercedes Lackey This stand-alone book provides the background story for recurring character Skif, introduced in the very first Valdemar book, Arrows of the Queen. Orphaned and left to roam the city streets with a gang of young thiefs and pickpockets, Skif is chosen by his Companion to become a Herald of Valdemar - bringing his unique skills to the service of the Queen. An appreciation for Dickens would help in enjoying this novel. Not her best, but fans will want to read it anyway. |
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Exile's
Honor (2002) by Mercedes Lackey Exile's Honor tells the story of Alberich, the great weapons' master. Exposed as a magic user, Alberich must flee his homeland, Karse, with the aid of his Companion. In serving the Queen of Valdemar, he must fight against Karse, ensuring victory for Valdemar without destroying the people he loves. An excellent book, on a par with the very best in the series. |
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Exile's
Valor (published 2003) by Mercedes Lackey This new novel in the Valdemar series continues the story of prickly weapons-master Alberich...Once a heroic Captain in the army of Karse, a kingdom at war with Valdemar, Alberich becomes one of Valdemar's Heralds. Despite prejudice against him, he becomes the personal protector of young Queen Selenay. But can he protect her from the dangers of her own heart? |
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The
Valdemar Companion: A Guide to Mercedes Lackey's World
of Valdemar edited by John Helfers, Denise Little and Mercedes Lackey A delightful compendium for fans featuring maps, a travel guide, various essays (including one on bards), interviews, a thorough concordance, and even a Valdemar story by Lackey. Everything you could want to know about the world of Valdemar, beautifully presented. Now in a new paperback edition. |