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Oathbreakers (Vows and Honor, Book 2)

Oathbreakers (Vows and Honor, Book 2)

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best of all her books
Review: "Oathbreakers" is my favorite Mercedes Lackey book.

Here's why: in "Oathbreakers," Ms. Lackey put together a very appealing plotline with believable, complex characters, just enough humor to balance the action and violence, and a tiny bit of romance to leaven the mix.

Other reviewers have explained the plot; I don't want to do that again. I will say, however, that to me, the best parts of the book are the Tarma-Kethry friendship, the Warrl-Tarma friendship, the Warrl-Jadrek friendship, and the strong, romantic marriage of Stefansen of Rethwellan and his wife Mertis. (I hope I'm remembering her name right; I can picture the page where she's introduced -- something about a "frank, soft gaze" and brown eyes and a crisp, competent manner. But I'm really bad at remembering character names.)

In fact, although this book definitely is feminist (and well it should be, considering it's featuring a woman warrior and her fighting mage partner), I think the best part about it is how it shows real-life partnerships.

Marriage and family are valued commodities, here; not only do we have the Stefansen-Mertis pairing, there's the eventual Jadrek-Kethry pairing (which resurrects Tale'sedrin, as another reviewer so pithily said), the Sewan-Tresti union (Sewan is Lady Idra's second in command of the Sunhawks; Tresti is a Healing Priest of Shayana, because Shayana's devoteés make no difference between priest and priest_ess_), and Tarma's rapport with the children only adds to the "family values" theme.

Most people have missed this, because, once again, we're talking about a woman warrior, a _neuter_, a sworn votary of her goddess, and a woman fighting mage.

However, just because they are fighters, that doesn't mean they've forgotten what's important. Love matters; friendship matters; honor matters.

Those three things are what drives the very real people who populate "Oathbreakers," and it helps add a great deal of realism and depth.

Btw, some of what is shown here is very, very graphic; not so much the killing, but some of the aftermath of killing, along with a few other things. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book for someone under the age of 12 or so; even then, it'd have to be an awfully mature 12 year old to understand some of what's going on, and not just be repulsed by it.

To conclude: this is my favorite book of all of Mercedes Lackey's output, mainly because it has everything. It has a great plot, wonderful, believable characters (yet flawed and very human -- even if Warrl the neuter kyree would disagree with me), and a satisfying conclusion.

Definitely one of my favorite books.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The thrilling conclusion to Vows and Honors
Review: A lot has changed since Oathbound. Tarma, the shin'a'nin swordsworn, and Kethry, the sorceress, are members of the Sunhawks, a famous mercenary clan leaded by Captain Idra. After fighting and finishing up one civil war they find that they may need to get involved in another one. Although she doesn't act like it, Idra is actually royalty and her two brothers are fighting over who deserves to win the throne in the country of Rethwellen. Because of this, Idra leaves the Sunhawks for a little while, and then never comes back. Tarma and Kethry are very concerned and volunteer to go Rethwellen in disguise to find out what happened to Idra. When they get their they realize that in many ways it's almost like she had never been there. Her horse is gone. All of her belongings aren't there. Where is Idra? They find out from friends that she had claimed to go off in search for some mysterious sword that would decide once and for all who was really king. What happened after that will shock Tarma and Kethry more then they ever imagine.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Oathbound, but this one really blew me a way. Not only is it better plotted but the new characters, including Jadrek and Lodesh, are fascinating. Tamra and Kethry prove once again to be strong heroines that don't let others push them around. This book also has one thing that the last in the series didn't, romance, and very good romance at that. Mercedes's Valdemar novels are always a treat and this one is no exception. The glossary of Shin'a'nin terms in the back are very informative and the songs Mercedes Lackey had added in the end are quite entertaining. I can't wait to read Oathblood, a short story collection staring Tarma and Kethry. I recommend this to any Valdemar fan who hasn't picked this up yet. It's really good!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mercedes Lackey does it again
Review: A perfect book. Well written and thought out just like all her books. Another "must read" . The content is wonderful. Swords, Sorcery, and two women who aren't going to be pushed around by men.(finally women who don't shreik and faint when something bad happens) You go girlfriend!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mercedes Lackey
Review: I have read Oath Bound, Oath Broken and By the Sword, I have one word to say for all three of these books FANTASTIC!! If you love Xena, Amazons, Warrior Women or just plain down right butt kicking you have got to own these books. I read my copies until the pages fell out.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Worst Writer Ever
Review: I just don't understand the appeal of Mercedes Lackey. She is a terrible writer! Her writing is horrific and painful. She's badly imitates another horrible writer Anne McCaffrey. Come on, there are better fantasy writers out there!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It Spurred my imagination
Review: I loved the world I was transformed into. I wish I could Buy all the books she writes. She is an amazing writer!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: beware: read this book and you WILL become addicted
Review: i'm 15 now, but i started reading mercedes lackey novels when i was 13. this was the first one i read, and it intrigued me so much that i went on to read most of her other novels. tarma and kethry certainly are well-written characters. i have yet to read about another more compatible or likeable duo. this really started my addiction to fantasy. any young reader who liked this will love tamora pierce's "allana" series. "harry potter" is so-so; it is sweet as candy and nicely written, but lackey's vows and honor series is what fantasy is REALLY about.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: written by a 14 year old female sci-fi/fantasy fan.
Review: Mercedes has done it again with another great book. The Vows and Honor series were the first Lackey books I read, and so when Herald Roald showed up at the end of Oathbreakers, I had no idea what he was. It's funny now, seeing as the Heralds are a very important part of most of Misty's books. Anyway. I loved this book and it's companion because they are about two strong, intelligent women who, even after all the "escapades" they've had, can see that the world keeps going even with all the things they have fought against in it. If you read this series be sure to read "By the Sword", about Kethry's granddaughter. It kind of wraps up some of the stories in Oathblood.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mercedes Lackey's `Valdemar` book series continues to amaze.
Review: Mercedes Lackey's `Valdemar` book series continues to meet and exceed my expectations. If you like medieval settings or seemingly ordinary characters discover extraordinary abilities within themselves this is a book for you! I would rate as a get and read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The dynamic duo strikes again!
Review: Tarma and Kethry are back! Now enlisted in a mercenary troup, they help win a war, and everything seems to be all right. But Idra, the captain of the company, leaves to go to her old home in Rethwellan. And there's no word from her for months. Determined to find out what happened to their captain and friend, Tarma and Kethry, with Warrl and a string of Shin'a'in horses in tow, set out to Rethwellan, where they find a bigger set of troubles than they bargained for! Move over, Batman and Robin! Make way for Tarma and Kethry!


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