Rating: 
Summary: O.K.
Review: This was a pretty good book, but what bothered me was Alberich was so emotional. Extremely emotional. Anyway, it's a good book, and has several very funny parts. Look for when Selenay takes him fishing.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong mix of adventure and character growth
Review: Captain Alberich of the Karse guard might not be a hero, but a vision did allow him to save a village from bandits. And that vision resulted in his being denounced and sentenced to burning. Only the timely rescue by his horse that was more than a normal horse allowed him to live--in exile in Valdemar. Karse and Valdemar are historical enemies and Alberich meets with suspicion despite his being chosen by a horse/companion. Still, he manages to make a place for himself as a weapons instructor, bodyguard, and spy. A place, but not a home. Alberich clings to his beliefs, his honor, and his certainty that his country remains Karse, despite what the priests who rule that country may decree. When Karse hires a mercenary army to invade Valdemar, Alberich decides that his loyalty to Valdemar is the priority, especially since few if any Karse will be enrolled in that army. The mercenary army of Tedrels were an entire nation, deprived of their homes by a losing war, and wandering the world until they had a chance to claim a new country. They see Valdemar as their nation's last hope--and Alberich and the Valdemar army know that there is no possibility of compromise. They must secure a victory--or lose everything. Author Mercedes Lackey delivers an emotionally satisfying and exciting story. As a stranger in Valdemar, Alberich can view it with the wonder and suspicion that brings this strange nation of magic to life for the reader. Despite a few loose ends and plot lines that didn't lead anywhere (in this novel, at least although they may be followed up in other Valdemar stories), Lackey's strong writing compells the reader forward, grabbing the reader early and holding our attention until we put the book down, finished.
Rating:
Summary: Keep Up the Good Work, Mercedes!
Review: Ever since I first picked up "Arrows of the Queen" I have been fascinated with Valdemar and its people. Several of Ms. Lackey's characters have recurring roles in her novels such as Skif (in "It Takes A Thief) and Alberich in her current novel. To me "It Takes A Thief" does not compare with the quality of writing nor does it hold the interest that "Exile's Honor" does. Ms. Lackey has broadened the scope of Alberich giving him a more "human" and compassionate nature based on his upbring and experience in the Karse army. I have always enjoyed these tales and hope that Ms. Lackey will continue to visit Valdemar and her people for many more years!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever
Review: Alright, I'll keep it short and sweet. Just about anything Misty writes, I love. But the bottom line is (and this HASTA be a good book for me to say this) EVERYTHING ELSE SUCKS WHEN COMPARED TO EXILE'S HONOR!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Question of Loyalties
Review: Exile's Honor is a story of Valdemar during the reign of Sendar. It is the backstory of Alberich, a Karsite military officer who becomes Weaponmaster of the Collegia. Alberich was born in Karse as the illegitimate son of a tavern prostitute. Despite his low birth, Alberich had a reasonably happy childhood with a supportive mother, a few friends, and a mentor, an old, and greatly respected, priest. At the age of thirteen, he was taken into the Karsite military. Eventually, he became a Captain through a battlefield promotion, over a couple of his superiors, following combat with border bandits, and is also awarded a white stallion of Shin'a'in breeding. At this point, his "witch-power" informs him of the next target for the border bandits and he preemptively attacks with great success. However, a Voice of Vkandis accuses him of witchcraft and intends to have him burned to death. He is saved by the white stallion, who projects a mental voice into his mind telling what to do. After his escape into Valdemar, Alberich is told that he has become the Chosen of the Companion Kantor and is expected to become a Herald of Valdemar. While knowing the veniality of the Karsite Voices, Alberich is still loyal to the people of Karse. How can he be a Herald without betraying his people? This theme underlies the remainder of the story. When Alberich is accepted into the Collegia as a Herald-trainee, he is much older than the other trainees, so his uniform must be specially made and the only available cloth is gray. Thus, he adopts the gray uniform that is so prominent in later stories. Since Alberich was the protege of two Karsite Weaponmasters, he is much more skilled with weapons than the other trainees and hence is assigned to assist the Weaponmaster, Dethor. When Dethor retires, Alberich is moved up to the Weaponmaster position. Alberich is also asked to assist the King's Own in internal surveillance of disruptive elements in Valdemar society and eventually becomes chief of the internal security establishment. While a trainee, Alberich meets an old exiled priest of Vkandis, Father Hendrick, and his assistant, Acolyte Gerichen. Father Henrick assures him that Vkandis is capable of making his will known without the assistance of any Voices; in fact, he actually encourages Alberich to consider the Karsite Voices to be untrue to their god and their people. Alberich forms an even closer relationship with Acolyte Gerichen, which continues throughout his life. Alberich is also assigned to guard Selenay, the heir apparent, in her judicial duties. Thus, he comes to appreciate the Princess-herald's good sense as well as the basic social philosophy of Valdemar. In several respects, this novel reminds me of McCaffrey's dragonrider stories. There is a similar feel to the cooperative, rather than competitive, political and personal relationships among the main characters. This novel fills a gap in the history of Valdemar, yet is enjoyable in itself. Hopefully, Lackey will continue to fill in holes -- such as the founding of Valdemar -- within this history. Recommended to Valdemar fans and anyone who likes stories with strong characters resolving moral and personal conflicts.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent read for a commited Lackey fan.
Review: "Exile's Honour" covers historical ground in the Valdemar 'universe' that I've been curious about, and wanting to read about, for ages. Alberich, Sendar's death, Selany as the Heir - It was very satisfying to read this 'prequel' style novel and gain insight and detail to events refered to in previous novels. Mercedes Lackey is not only a great author, but an amazing alt-historian - "Exile's Honour" fits in seemlessly to the Valdemar historical timeline she set years ago.
Rating:
Summary: Weaponmaster's story
Review: So, now we know how Alberich arrived at his place in Valdemar. Overall, it is a pretty good story, I enjoyed it more than To Take a Thief. However, it is not nearly as good as Lackey at her best (the Vanyel / Magic trilogy, the Oath series, and the Storm series). But Lackey is a master of just telling a good old-fashion, fun, uncomplicated tales. And that is what this is. Alberich comes across as a grimy hero out of an old western. He adheres strictly to his own code of honor. This and his intelligence along with his friends help him to overcome all obstacles and save the day. It is, interestingly enough, a coming of age story of someone who is older than the usual age at which such stories are set.
Rating:
Summary: Lackey does it again
Review: I always wanted to find out the story behind Alberich. I always felt lose in her previous books when Alberich was included until now. It was a great book that also explained many other important holes in the story line of the other books. Thanks you Mercedes Lackey
Rating:
Summary: It's all about the right to choose
Review: Excellent story. The story moves, the characters grow. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I wanted a romance between Alberich and someone. Great dialogue and discussions about the nature of honor and truth. The book is dedicated to the NYC fallen firefighter/rescue crews. At times the story seems to have parallels to now--in relegious fanactics against democracies, not just the US, but any democratic country that allows its people to choose their own way. I have tried other books in this series, this is one of the few I really liked.
Rating:
Summary: Familiar ground trod well
Review: The structured life of a weapon's master is an excellent starting point for both author and reader. The routine of life training recruits makes a reader comfortable and at ease as they immediately know what to expect. From this point we can either have an entirely by the numbers book, or move beyond this into something more. Neither really happens here, it is Valdemar after all so there is some by the numbers rote plotting but Alberich's assimilation into Valdemar while remaining Karsite in his heart is well done. Through Alberich, we actually see some things about Valdemar proven that we were only told. There is a community of Karsite ex-patriates, they worship the Sun Lord in Valdemar and are accepted showing the diversity and religious freedom of Valdemar. However, I would have liked this much better if a bit more of Alberich's time in the Karsite forces had been revealed. We have really only a brief sketch of his time there before he is Chosen and ends up in Valdemar. A bit more of the Karsite back-story would have been appreciated. The book is a fast read, and will keep you engaged. As I said in the title, this is familiar ground trod well. Good comfort reading with enough deviation from what is expected to be entertaining. I don't often comment on editing, but the book was fairly tight, a nice story given only the length it needed which is very nice to see in the current age of the bloated novel, bloated trilogy and bloated open ended series.
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