Rating: 
Summary: This book is really age dependent
Review: In fact, every single one of her books are age dependent, with the possible exception of the Black Gryphon and the White Gryphon. The younger you are, the more you will like them. If you haven't read many fantasy or young adult books, and are 15 or younger, you'll probably love it. I know, because I did. But now upon revisiting this book as an adult, I find it pretty lacking in many areas, and downright cliche. As far as writing style goes, this is probably her weakest book, which is understandable because it's also her first as far as I know. Character development is pretty non-existent, and she also constantly changes point of view to explain everything (which I always thought was a sign of poor writing really.) She also has some plot inconsistencies, but those only become really apparent when you start to read more books in her series. Also, a lot of the elements that appeal to teens will seem cliche and overdone to adults, such as the poor downtrodden child lifted to heroism, the can-do-no-wrong beautiful white Companions, and general good vs, evil themes. However, these are the very elements that draw young readers to Lackey's books, and create such strong supporters of her works. Lackey's books are not bad by any means, they are great for teen readers in fact, with some good themes in them. But if you are an adult who is thinking of trying them out, you probably missed the bus, and will find these books too juvenile for your tastes. Instead, I would suggest The Black Gryphon and The White Gryphon also by her, as they are more adult in theme and writing style.
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Summary: A Good Place to Start
Review: In the first of the series, this book is a bit weak on character description and development. The plot keeps you turning the pages, though, and it is a valiant effort at a beginning.
Rating:
Summary: A good first effort
Review: This isn't a great book. I was introduced to the Valdemar world by Darian in OwlSight. I decided then that I liked the writing and bought the gryphons trilogy, since it was chronologically first. Then I bought Honour's Valor. There I was hooked. I fell in love with Alberich (and felt extremely jealous of Myste). So after that I bought the three Arrows books and maaan..I was let down. They're not good books. On the other hand, though, I can completely understand why. To my knowledge, these are her first books. If they're anything like the stories I write, she had so much bottled up inside that she wanted to get out and just didn't have the experience to put it down well. I don't think there's any reason for people to get mean and say never buy her books. Indeed, if you like the world of Valdemar, these are a MUST READ BOOK. That said, if you're looking for a casual read, I'd pass up and pick something else.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Choice for Tamora Pierce Fans
Review: I had this book on my shelf for five years before I read it bacause the back cover wasn't very interesting. Now that I've read it I'm trying to get more in the series because it's SO good! As a horse-lover and fan of fantasy books written in the style of Tamora Pierce (an awesome contemporary author) I have been hard-pressed to find a book that satisfied my reading requirements. Ms. Lackey has an excellent character sense that makes people and places believable. Anyone from pre-teen up will be able to read this book and will probably enjoy it. The main character is not "perfect" and actually spends much of the book trying to find her place in society after she is cast out of her patriarchal home where she was verbally and physically abused for not being a meek and submissive woman. PS: The horses (Companions as they are called) are awesome! If you like horses you'll absolutely adore them!
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Summary: A Little Hint
Review: I know that some of you are thinking that this book had no plot. Did you totally miss the evil empire vs the side of light or what! This book introduces you to Heralds at their weakest moments and at their strongest ones. Mrs. Lackey's point from my view is to introduce you to this particular fantasy world and it's inhabitants. Now for some of you who just HAVE to start from the begining when you read any series. The best place to start would be: Black Gryphon, White Gryphon, Silver Gryphon Magic's Pawn, Magic's Price, Magic's Promise Arrows of The Queen, Arrow's flight, Arrow's Fall Oathblood/Oathbreakers (the 2 in 1 book is called Oathbound)<----- this will intertwine later on in other books. Read By the Sword before you read the following set) Winds of Fate, Winds of change, Winds of Fury Storm Warning, Storm Rising, Storm Breaking Owlflight, Owlsight, Owlknight. And back to the basics with Burning Brightly. (this book actually falls in-between Silver Gryphon and the Magic's series as close as i can figure.) I personally own every book this author has written in Fantasy and sci-fi (and the one romance that was just released). I have a hard time waiting until she comes out with another so that I might devoure it as hungrily as the rest! If you didn't like the arrows books then try something totally different like Oathblood and Oathbreakers which comes out in a set now called Oathbound. Or Burning Brightly which is a stand alone. I hope that you all will continue to try and read books from this author. *Yes my name is a play on one of her characters it's my fave name for all my rpg'ing and all my pals know me by it so....*
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Summary: An excellent introduction to a fantasy series
Review: I first picked this book up 5 years ago, I was 13 andimmediately clicked with the protagonist, Talia, who also happened tobe 13 at the start. Arrows of the Queen is an excellent intro to the world of Velgarth and the concept of Mind-Magic and supernatural beings. Outwardly the story is somewhat fairy-tale like and "sugary". Lackey does however do a wonderful job of developing characters. Sure the mean students seem evil, but look beyond that and catch that they are influenced by the power-struggles of their parents, and the "good" ones like Talia and Skif also have their flaws. The former has to overcome amazingly low self-esteem and the latter an ex-thief. Sure the Heralds seem too perfect, but that is the whole point. The Companions (supernatural beings in the form of white horses) choose them for their noble qualities and magical talent. Oh, but you say "White horses? How cheesy!" Perhaps if you look at it shallowly, then yes, but keep in mind this is Lackey's earliest attempt at this series of novels. If you read the trilolgies beyond, you will find the reason that Companions are white. I won't tell you what the reason is, but it can be found in the Mage Winds Trilogy. So get past the sugariness of the tale and enjoy the charming story for what it really is, a wonderful introduction. I encourage you to read this one and beyond. The novels that follow get increasingly more complex and grown-up and cover other regions and time-periods of Velgarth. There is even subtle sex in the next novel, Arrow's Flight. This novel will always hold a place close to my heart because it was my first into the world of magic and mystical beings. Please read it, even if you're not a 13-year-old girl. Your comments are appreciated. :)
Rating:
Summary: Good book, long series (YES!!!!!!!!!)
Review: At first I was reluctant to read Mercedes Lackey. The reason was, for one, she'd written so many books, and in my experience, authors who write that much just put the first thoughts that come to there heads and publish it, ending up with poor plots and characters. The second reason was that one of my friends read the Magic's Pawn first. Now, though she doesn't descriminate against homosexuals at all, she just didn't want to hear about it. So while I was at her house and she was reading I kept hearing "Ew!", "Gross!", or screaming and I'd see her with the book face down on the ground and her making "Eww, broccolli. . ." faces.
But I knew that her and I had very different tastes (she likes r. jordan, and I like k. britain) so I read the book.
Now all I can do is wait for the second book to come in because it's not in the library and it's not at the bookstore, and I can't go to the other bookstore because I'm grounded. Gaaaaaah. This is the type of series where you RRREEEAAALLLLYYY want the next book and can't stop thinking about it.
Rating:
Summary: Right up there with Tamora Pierce
Review: I loved this book! It was a shining fantasywith all the twists of reality. reminded me of Tamora pierce, which happens to be the greatest praise i am capable of giving a book. to mideavil fantasy lovers everywhere, i highly suggest buying and reading this book.
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Summary: The best and longest running series I have ever read
Review: I checked out this book when I was in seventh grade and I have been hooked on the companions and their heralds ever since. The story of Talia and Rolan is written with intensity and a lot of plots that twist and turn and never truly reveal themselves until the third book in the series, Arrow's Fall. I have read all the books within the Valdemar series and everything that has to do with this richly created world.
Talia is a daughter of a holderkin clan, there are several wives married to one husband, she is turning thirteen in this book and is about to be married off. It is her deepest desire to see the heralds that she read about in the books that are forbidden to her. She runs away after learning that she is to be married as soon as possible, while hiding in a hole near the road she hears the bells of what can only be a companion, she rushes out to see the magnificient horse and recieves the surprise of a lifetime. Later when she tries to recall what exactly happened the memories elude her. She decides that she needs to return the "lost" companion to the capital city of Haven, where the Heralds are known to live under the close watch of the crown. The monarch must also be a herald, chosen by the companions, for the crown to pass to them thus ensuring a noble and honest leader.
Heralds have something called "gifts" which allows them to be more useful to the crown, such as telepathy, empathy, foresight, farsight, fetching, firestarting, mind speech, animal mind speech, and the unusual mage-gift. These abilities allow the heralds to "talk" with thier companions through telepathy, it's not as odd as it sounds. Talia posseses an extremely strong ability of empathy, a gift that is very rare and very useful to the crown. Talia and Rolans travels are a short part of the over-all story and the things that happen when they arrive at the palace are well written and very entertaining.
I have read this story so many times that the cover has had to be repaired with tape. Every so often I reread this wonderful novel and am moved by the tender regard for the characters that Lackey displays and the amazing development that is evident throughout the trilogy. Talia is an amazing character and through the fantasticly written inner diologue the reader is able to feel and experience everything she does. If you enjoy this book also read the Last Herald Mage series, the character of Vanyel is also beautifully written.
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Summary: My First Fantasy Read
Review: My best friend gave me this book when I was a teenager. I loved to read, but I still was not aware of all the different types of books that were out there. I read this book, and loved every minute of it. I could sympathize with the girl in emotional turmoil (a teenager is nothing but turmoil) and I loved how she was always willing to help people. I have re-read this book many times, and I heartily recommend it to anyone!
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