Rating: 
Summary: Armor plated tenderness
Review: A man of honor, integrity, and compassion; we finally get to see just a little bit behind the mask that is worn as a matter of routine by the collegium's weaponsmaster. For years we have been tantilized with hints about his choosing by Kantor and how he came to be exiled to Valdemar from Karse, now we know, and it is everything we'd hoped it would be. Albrich shows that there is nothing to be ashamed of in being gifted in the use of weaponry and the forms of combat as long as those gifts are used to protect and defend those who are unable to do so for themselves. He likes to pretend that he hasn't got a heart or a sense of humor but we are allowed to see otherwise. Ms. Lackey has written a wonderful story that does full justice to the complicated man who is the collegium weaponsmaster. She allows us to feel his anguish at the betrayal of the Karsite peolpe by their own priests and understand his strong sense of honor. Albrich is a man I would like to know and would be proud to call friend. If you enjoy Valdemar and have always wondered about Albrich this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Redeemed
Review: When I heard that another Lackey book had come out I actually felt a little sad. I *always* buy them, and (lately) I *always* give up on them after about 100 pages, unless I'm thoroughly bored. Skif in _Take a Thief_ was not well thought out, the whole thing read rather like a very badly done copy of _Oliver Twist_. _Last Herald Mage_ was an eye-opening, life changing experience for me and a lot of other people, and it's heartbreaking to see such a talented writer wasting her energy.But I bought _Exile's Honor_ anyway. I loved Vanyel's story enough to spend the twenty-six dollars and give my favorite author the royalty, even though I knew the Alberich's story wouldn't be worth it. And I was wrong. The story begins as Alberich, a Captain in the Karsite army, saves a village from bandits. Because he used "witch powers", he is condemned to die for it. Alberich's "horse" (Kantor) rushes him from the flames and across the border to Valdemar. The rest of the story is a tragic, epic, and ultimately uplifting psychological examination into an impossible choice: to go back home, and die, or stay, and give the talents and knowledge honed by the land you loved to the land you have been raised to fear and hate. Talamir's story is included, and for this alone you could buy the book. Valdemar has come full circle with _Exile's Honor_. The early books are childish views of honor and idealism. This book is an adult's realization of the world, where there is still honor, but maybe the idealism is a little tarnished, bent, in favor of what must be. _Exile's Honor_ isn't _The Last Herald Mage_, or _Arrows of the Queen_. But in many ways it's better.
Rating: 
Summary: Lackey returns in her old form
Review: As with a couple of other reviewers, I had just about given up on Lackey, niether "take a thief" or "brightly burning" were worthy of the work we know she can put out or of Valdemar. And other series/works by her were also suffering. Here we see Lackey regaining her focas and style. Although not equal to the "last herald mage" trio this effort is equal many of the other earlier novels. Clean writing, empathy for the character, moral questions, a nice backstory, a plot that goes somewhere and doesn't rush at the end of the novel to give some action for the sake of _something_ happening. Lackey has returned as an author worthy of the title of a grand dame of fantasy Worth reading, worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: A quick read
Review: Good book if you want further background on such characters as Alberich, Jadus, several others from the Talia books (and subsequent novels of Valdemar) and why Rolan never truly bonded with Talamir.
Rating:
Summary: A very good book
Review: Mercedes did a great job getting into the head of Alberich in this book. I can very easily see both his confusion with the very different culture he has found himself in and the problems the people around him have in trying to comprehend his view of the issues. It is also makes a great companion to the Mage Storms trilogy in that there you have a sheltered teenager's take on Valdemar, while in this book you have a war-hardened adult's view. The two views make a really good contrast. This is one book the will be read many times by me.
Rating:
Summary: Saving grace of the series
Review: I agree with the earlier reviewer who said he was about to give up on the Valdemar series after the last few books, but _Exile's Honor_ is the saving grace of this series. I can't say it's as good as the best of the Valdemar novels (_Arrow's_ and _Last Herald Mage_ trilogies), but it's definitely worth buying. From the beginning of the series Alberich has been one of the most intriguing characters in the series. I was especially pleased with how it tied into later novels and the whole mythology of Valdemar through the god Vkandis...especially his last remark about his Son who would be a Daughter. :)
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I have read all of the Valdemar books twice over, and this one was the only book that made me laugh out loud, and cry. It is amazing. If you have not read any of the other books in the series this is a wonderful book to start with. We get to meet Selenay as a princess, and get to know her better than we ever have before. Characters old and new appear, and many have made 'cameos' in other books, so for those of you who have read all of the other books and short stories there are treats in here for you too. The writing in this book is amazing. Misty writes about honor in a way than cannot fail to inspire. Her characters are human, likable, and understandable, you cannot help but care for them and respect their passion. My only complaint, and I have difficulty calling it that, is I wanted more. I wanted to see Selenay wed, and Elspeth born, and the foiled assassination. Well perhaps there will be a sequel to Exile's Honor.
Rating:
Summary: Finally: a book worthy of the Valdemar Series!
Review: I've been really disappointed with the latest books by this author--many of which seem slapped together without any real thought, or given to lesser writers to work on--so I'm thrilled to say that this book is worthy of the author who brought us Talia and Vanyel and Elspeth. After reading "Take a Thief" and the one about the fire starter (can't remember what it's called now...), I almost didn't bother with this one. I was ready to write Ms. Lackey off as a writer who got too popular and didn't need to put in the work anymore. So I'm really glad to say that book has the same caliber of writing that made the early books in the series so powerful: strong characters, believable feelings, and overall a sense that you are in this place with these people. If you felt as I did, and were wavering about this one, I say go for it!
Rating:
Summary: More complex than she used to be
Review: Compared to the early books in this series (such as the Arrows of the Queen trilogy), this deep-backgrounder on Herald/Weaponsmaster Alberich is very sophisticated in its handling of moral and ethical questions. This is the case not only for Alberich himself, but also for the Karsite weaponsmaster who trained him, and the discussions of the varying nature of the priesthood of Vkandis Sunlord. It doesn't slow down the story line -- it just gives it greater depth.
Rating:
Summary: great Valdemar novel
Review: He is the youngest captain in the Karse army, a man who made it up through the ranks due to a sixth sense. He had to keep his magical power secret because only the sun priests who rule the country are supposed to wield the power, a gift from their God. When a Sunpriest discovers Alberich's powers he orders him burned in the cleansing fire, but his horse rescues him and takes him into Valdemar, Karse's ancient enemy. The horse is no ordinary animal but a companion, a magical being who bonds with his Chosen, the Heralds of Valdemar. Alberich settles into exile comfortably, making himself useful to the king and heir. When the Karse invite the Tedrael, a people with no country, into their land to fight for the lands of Valdemar, Alberich does all in his power to make sure that his adopted nation will win the upcoming war without destroying the people who are the heart of Karse. A Valdemar novel is always a special treat and EXILE'S HONOR is no exception. Alberich is a memorable and honorable hero who stays true to his values and even impresses the rulers who by all rights should not trust him. The story line is exciting, fast-paced and very creative a mix of magic, sword & sorcery, and a country bound by love and honor. Mercedes Lackey is one of the genre's most creative fantasy writers today. Harriet Klausner
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