By the Sword

Rating:
Summary: Best of Lackey
Review: The number of Misty's books I haven't read can be counted on one hand. I've been reading them for at least six years and "By the Sword" is the best of them all. This book is remarkable not only for Kero herself, the plot, and (somewhat shallow) political intrigue but because it is the joint between the "Oath" series (Tarma/Kethry) and the rest of the Valdemar books. I picked up this book for the first time since high school and was surprisingly enchanted. I've become disillusioned with Misty since the Owl and Storm book and as far as I'm concerned this is Misty at her best. No collaboration and no awful illustrations by her husband (barely decent in Gryphon series it degenerated from there.) Hmm, I've gone off tangent but seriously Misty is one of my favorite authors. Be sure to check out "Fiddler Fair," "Sword of Ice," and the "Oath Series." I look forward to checking out "Burning Brightly," hopefully her vacation from Velgarth (via "Black Swan") has kept her from the repititious burn out I've been noticing.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the read!
Review: In this story Kerowyn finds her calling somewhere other than being another brainless female court ornament! After training for fighting with her Aunt's bloodsister (Tarma and Kethry, from the Oathbound trilogy), Kero goes on many adventures that take her far and wide! This is a very good book with a very good ending! I really liked the characters, and the plot, and so on. I would recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of genre, and especially for anyone who likes (or like me, is in love with) the Valdemar series!

Rating:
Summary: Kerowyn's Ride
Review: After completing an English essay on this book <part of my semester project of analyzing the works of female fantasy authors>, I feel qualified to review this book. In a few words - it is excellent. At times, the plot is a little slow and bogged down in the political feuds <very very difficult to remember>, but it is truly memorable. I'm not going to recite how the characters are great, the story complex but fulfilling, and that whole bit. But I will say this - Kerowyn is typical of Lackey's heroines/heroes - the misfit and outcast who finds her place in society after years of searching - but her story still rings true for so many today. Lackey uses a fantastic setting in the world of Velgarth to merely have the reader suspend biases, and reassess views of homosexuals, racial relations, and women <also a very typical thing for all of her books>. I found this book, in all its excellency and fantasy plot, extremely relevant, and I'm sure other readers will feel the same.

Rating:
Summary: By the Sword
Review: Great book about a girl who doesn't fit into the "proper" catagory and fights for a life that she does want. Lackey's books are always great...especially those about Valdamr and neighboring countries and cultures. A definite must read!

Rating:
Summary: A first but not a last.
Review: I was turned on to Misty by reading her and Andre Norton's book Elenbane and then Elvenblood(superb books! ). This is the first of hers(by herself) I have read I and I throughly enjoyed it. I hope she continues on.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books Misty has writen!
Review: This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read! I've been reading Misty Lackey since I was 8 or so and I have loved all of her Valdemar books! Kero is a lovable and very real character. I absolutely love the song "Kerowyn's Ride" which I have on a CD from Firebirdarts.com! Everything by Misty is really great, but this one is a marvel. I like it since it focus on people outside of Valdemar and the main character isn't a herald, which can get somewhat boring. Buy this book and you won't be disappointed, and pick up a copy of the song "Kerowyn's Ride" too. Both are great!

Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: Merecedes gives us a new spell binding book of a girl out of place in her fathers home.When her family is slaughtered and her brothers fiance is taken, she goes on a ride that begins her destiny. Training with Tamra and warle she goes to seek her fortuned in the mercenary bussiness. Absolutely loved it. Spell binding and captavating. Could not have done better.

Rating:
Summary: Best of Misty Lackey's books
Review: I began reading Lackey's books with the first one out "Arrows of the Queen" and I loved it (I was about 14, probably the perfect age for that book). I have read all the rest as they came out. Generally I like them, but over the years I have grown impatient with the way her characters are almost always put-upon and almost always sort of emotionally fragile and sorry for themselves. Don't get me wrong, they are still good books! But I often wished the characters were a little more positive in outlook. I have grown to like this book best of all of the author's books - and that's saying a lot, because I like most of them a lot! And the reason I like this one best is because Kero is a character that has real inner strength and courage. Many of Lackey's characters could not function if they were not propped up by some Companion or other magical support. Kero stands on her own. A great character!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read.
Review: I read this book for the first time almost a year ago. I saw it at the library, and being a fan of the Valdemar books had to get it out. (There was also the Oathbound and Oathbreakers).I loved this story about Kero, even better than all the others I had read (almost all). I have had it out constantly since then. I haven't got around to buying it yet, but thats mainly because I'm too lazy. But since I nearly always have one of the two library copies out then it doesn't matter. But when I leave home it could be a problem.....

Rating:
Summary: One of my favourite books!
Review: Of all Mercedes Lackey's books that I have read, By The Sword is my favourite. I love the way that you see Kerowyn change as she "grows into herself" and learns to use the talents she has, instead of just allowing society to force her into a stereotypical "female noble". And it's a really great story, too!! I recommend this to anyone who likes sword & sorcery books that have actually been written with a bit of thought to them!!!