Rating: 
Summary: A decent addition to the valdemar cannon
Review: I admit, I waited for this to come out in paperback. I had been so dissapointed by the last few Valdemar books that I couldn't go out and pay 22 dollars for it. But, I was quite pleased to see it out as a paperback and was more than willing to drop 8 on it.My criticisms first: Why oh why did Misty feel the need to write her alter ego, herald chronicler Myste into the story and more to the point, why did she have to have Myste and Alberich on the verge of a thing? Why? Why? Why? I think there's an inconsistency in the way that the king dies. In the third arrows book, I thought it was revealed that Orthallen had arranged for Sendar to be assassinated during the Tedrel Wars, but in this book, Sendar makes a suicide rush during a crucial point in a battle knowing full well he isn't coming back alive. OK..now onto the praise 1. Misty has said for years that she's wanted to write Alberich's back story, and had gone as far as to write "Stealing Silver" the short story published in "Sword of Ice and other stories of Valdemar". But I'm glad she waited...for awhile it felt like she was getting tired of writing Valdemar...burnt out on the same subject matter/world she's been writing in for 20 years. So she waited...and the book came out much better than it would have had she written it 5 years ago. She's having a good time with it and you can tell. 2. The development of Selenay from Princess to Queen is breathtaking. There are several scenes towards the end where she is coming into her own where I found myself tearing up. 3. The backstory for Jadus and Talamir is welcome. We met Jadus in the arrows books, and knew him as an older man in the twilight of his years. In Honor's Exile we see him in his prime, and it feels like a honest portrayal. As for Talamir, his presence is felt in the arrows books, but we never get a good sense of who he was or why he didn't stop the chain of events that allowed Selenay married to her first husband and for Elspeth to end up the way she originally did. We see Talamir in his prime and experience the events that began to change him. I imagine this will also be key in the sequel. 3. Kantor is a cool and different Companion from the ones we've seen before. More of a warrior, less of an idealist...it's a good change. Overall, while this is not the last herald mage (which was a life altering series), it's a great addition to the cannon. Based on the strength of this novel, I'd even be willing to shell out the full price of the sequel in hardcover.
Rating: 
Summary: For those familiar with Valdemar.
Review: As always, a fantastic read. Literally couldn't put it down (much to my boss's dismay). I found the quality of writing better than Lackey's usual (which is quite good anyway) There was obviously a fair bit of planning in this book and it's superbly consistent within the Valdemar 'world'. While it is, indeed, a stand alone novel in the series I would not recommend it for someone who has not read at least one or two other books in the series. The novel does not presuppose much previous knowledge but I think my understanding of the setting greatly enhanced my enjoyment of this book. As an introduction to the Valdemar series I suggest either the Arrows of the Queen trilogy or the Magic's Pawn trilogy. For anyone already familiar with Valdemar I suggest this book without hesitation.
Rating: 
Summary: Awkward
Review: This was the first book I had tried of Mercedes Lackey, and I found I was simply not able to get involved enough to finish it. The story seemed like a good one, and the plot grabbed my interest, but Lackey's writing style seemed awkward and stilted to me, and was what finally turned me off. I was unable to feel for the main character or to get any emotional involvement with him. We are told what he is thinking as if by rote, explained in dry, emotionless language that would outline how each thought came to his head in turn as if numbering a grocery list. I understand that he does not know the language of Valdemar and is used to a different grammar structure, but his way of speaking reminded so much of Yoda from Sar Wars that I was distracted whenever he spoke. This author seems to have quite a following and I fear that I am in the minority. I will perhaps try Mercedes Lackey again and hope this this novel and not like her others.
Rating:
Summary: a lightweight Valdemar novel
Review: I feel that Mercedes Lackey's recent writings have been divided into two categories: light-weight feel-good fantasy and gritty, gripping immersive worlds. The latter characterizes Lackey's original works and is what largely drew me to her writing. The former I recommend largely for Lackey fans or fantasy fans in need of "mind-candy", the latter to everybody. "Exile's Honor" falls into the former, light-weight category. While it fills in some back-story holes nicely for Valdemar fans, the plot is lackluster (although it does pick up nicely in the last 20% of the book), with the "good guys have little trouble" sort of simplicity that has characterized recent Lackey writing with some notable exceptions such as "Take a Thief" or "The Shadow of the Lion" which fall solidly into my second category. As such, I only recommend this volume to hardcore Valdemar fans. Hopefully its recently published sequel, Exile's Valor, is more substantive.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling but odd
Review: I bought this book knowing next to nothing about Mercedes Lackey and Valdemar; mind you, I still know very little of Lackey and Valdemar, so please forgive any asinine comments, they are a prouduct of my indomitable ignorance, not beligerance. I gave this book three stars, not because of the story, the story is excellent, borderline epic and very compelling. The low score is because of Lackey's writing style, it's just wierd. Lackey's grammar is very inconsistent, on multiple occasions, in one sentence, Lackey used "were" for a singular noun and then turned around and threw in a semicolon seemingly for no other reason but to show the she can use them. Furthermore there is, in my opinion, way too much commentary from Lackey. It's very difficult to get into a "flow" of a story while reading when the author interjects and outside opinion every few seconds, it's just awkward. Now, like I said, it is a very compelling story, compelling enough for me to finish the book even though I found the writing style downright painful. It should also be noted that I seem to be the only reviewer who is not counting down the days until Lackey's next book comes out, so it appears to be a preference thing. If you like the subject THEN predicate sentence structure, few run-on sentences, and a story devoid of outside opinions that better allows one to become emersed in the story then I would not recomend this book; however many others apparently would. This is the only Mercedes Lackey book that I have read and I'm not certain if this book is indicative of her writing style, I imagine that I'll probably buy another one of her books just to find out though, it's a very odd style; one that I don't think works well.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful as always!
Review: I LOVE this book! Alberich has always been a favorite of mine, so this book was highly anticipated by myself. First time I have broken down & bought a book in hardcover (took me six months, but I couldn't wait any longer). For Lackey & Valdemar fans, you will be very pleased with this book. Word of advice - go back & reread the whole series once finished. You'll have better insight into the other books.
Rating:
Summary: Good, it is!
Review: This was a great book, even if Alberich never lost that supremely ANNOYING accent. Recommended to all Misty fans. Exile's valor is coming out soon: look for it. read it. Zhai'helleva.
Rating:
Summary: Alberich RULES!!!
Review: I loved this one! Good job, Misty! Alberich is so cool. I can't wait until Exile's Valor to see what happens next! (Dare we hope for some scenes with Alberich and Myste?) Alberich is one the best characters of the Valdemar series, and in this one we learn his story-how he was Chosen, how he came to be Weaponsmaster, and how he interacts with Queen (then Princess) Selenay. Plus, he talks like Yoda! (Big plus for Star Wars buffs like moi!) Seriously, it's about a complex individual, trying to decide what to do when his world is turned upside down. What is "honor"? Can Alberich fight for his King without betraying his own people? What to do with Heralds that don't quite fit the mold? Not to mention that Alberich is incredibly sexy! What a shocker, eh?
Rating:
Summary: Alberich's story
Review: "Exile's Honor" is exactly that. It talks about Alberich, former Captain of Karse's Guard, who was run out of Karse for having a powerful precognitive gift. In Karse, no one outside of the priesthood of Vkandis is allowed to have magic, either mind-magic (such as Alberich's) or actual magic. Yet not everyone knows they have such early on, and when they do find out, it's not always expedient to leave where you're at. As Alberich was common born at best, raising to the Captaincy of the Guard was about all he thought he could do. But after the Karsites run him out (he's saved by a Companion, who bonds with him not long after), what can he do to save his honor? Bad enough he's bonded with a Companion, one he's believed all his life to be a demon; now he's part of Valdemar, the heretic nation full of fools and disbelievers? How can he retain his honor, when everything he thought he knew is being questioned? That is the fundamental point of this novel, and Ms. Lackey answers it fully: by being yourself, always. And by not giving up. And by continuing to learn about yourself and others, even if you do think it's a no-win scenario. Once again, as in "By the Sword," Ms. Lackey has written a realistic, accurate picture of life during wartime -- and what happens when defectors are taken in. It's a modern parable, as well as a diverting fantasy. Read this impressive book for yourself. Highly recommended for anyone over the age of twelve or so (as some of the battle scenes might be a bit graphic, else).
Rating:
Summary: Alberich Unlocked: Finally!
Review: As Mercedes Lackey continues to write, she fills in the gaps in her world of Valdemar. This book is the first half of Herald Alberich's story, finally told after his numerous appearances in the extensive Valdemar series! Taking place just before and during the Tedrel Wars, this novel is very moving, and made my eyes water more than once. Seeing characters at their beginnings, or when they were alive, is a joy, just as deaths are a sadness. The fact that Misty dedicated the novel to certain firefighters drives home the poignancy of scenes during the final battle of the Tedrel Wars.
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