Rating: 
Summary: Good Standalone Book in the Series
Review: ****
I've read *exactly* one other of Mercedes Lackey's books - The Firebird, which bored me to tears.Undaunted, I read the first 2 chapters of this book on-line several years ago, managed to get into the story, and after requesting this book as a Christmas present for several years, finally decided to get it on my own. I have not read any of the other Bardic Voices books, so I can't comment on there not being any Free Bards within the story (they are occasionally referred to). What I liked about this story is that it's a combination mystery and fantasy, as another poster has said. Yes, you do find out who the murderer is about halfway through, but I was intrigued enough by that point to keep going, to see what made this mage tick, why he/she wanted to go after Ardis. It was also interesting when the mage decides to change tactics near the end of the book. The way it was written, it made complete sense to me. On another note, I found Ardis's grappling with staying in the Church to be realistically written, and it actually moved me at certain points. With the current situation in the world, plus my own personal strife, this book saw me through a depressing period in my life. So, to sum it up, this book is a fine way to lose yourself in an interesting world.
Rating: 
Summary: A Dramatic About Face for a slumping series
Review: After the tackiness of the Eagle and Nightingale novel Ms. Lackey has penned a truly solid and gritty story. The characters seem more than one dimensional and the sexual tensions are appropriate for a change (IMHO). The tone IS as another reviewer mentioned much darker and if that is not what you crave you best avoid this Lackey effort.
Rating:
Summary: Mercedes Lackey does it again....
Review: Another great book by Mercedes Lackey!
Four & Twenty Blackbirds is the 2nd best book in this series, though as I read through, I was disappionted that there was nothing about the Free Bards in this novel, there is only mention of them. But , none-the-less, this was a very interesting, suspensful, wonderfully written book! But then again, what do you expect by todays best fantasy writer!!??
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but not what I expected.
Review: Despite anticipating more about the Free Bards and maybe a chance to catch up with previous characters, I found this book a good read. Having just read a book on the characteristics of signature murders, I found Tal Rufen's learning experiences with this series of murders quite interesting. I knew who the murderer was quite early in the story, but that didn't ruin my enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: She's written better
Review: I am never sure if I am going to like Ms. Lackey's books. They seem to range from OK to excellent. Stranger at the Wedding was very good and I enjoyed it a lot, but this one was a waste of time. It never really did seem as though she really knew where she was going with it, and the characters never seemed to be "fleshed out". All in all, a disappointing book by someone who can do much better.
Rating:
Summary: A bit of a Disappointment
Review: I anxiously opened Four and Twenty Blackbirds expecting to see more about the Free Bards and their tales, however they were never in sight, but only mentioned in passing. Usually when Merecedes introduces a new character in a series, it takes me awhile to warm up to them, then I start enjoying the story. However in this novel, I found it rather difficult to get into the story, which is unusual with her works, since I have reread the Valdemar Series (all of them to date!) AT LEAST 5 times over the course of the years. I doubt I would ever reread this paticular story again. If you are a fan of Mercedes Lackey, by all means read it, but just don't expect the action and pace of the Valdemar stories.
Rating:
Summary: a solid punch in the guts
Review: I have read some of the other reviews and was a bit surprised at the attitude displayed. Come on, a book about catching a serial killer has never been about who it was - The secret is the method of pinning the culprit down. Although darker than the other bardic novels, this was a satisfyingly readable adventure. Speaking as a devotee of the SERRAted edge and Diana Tregarde, it adds a dimension of excitement to a basically bland series. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the others, it's just that a book is more exciting when more bad things happen to the heroes. A great read and immensely enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I was a little disappointed that this book is below Misty's standards. The plot is unimpressive, and the 'bad guy' is really just all too predictable and lack of character. However, the book can still be enjoyable especially if you have not read her other books which were much remarkable by comparison.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I was a little disappointed that this book is below Misty's standards. The plot is unimpressive, and the 'bad guy' is really just all too predictable and lack of character. However, the book can still be enjoyable especially if you have not read her other books which were much remarkable by comparison.
Rating: 
Summary: Bitter disappointment...
Review: I was expecting another light read from Mercedes when I picked up Four & Twenty Blackbirds. She is excellent at doling out those light, very good/guy vs. very bad/guy stories. This one was so bad that I returned it to the store the very next day. I am amazed at how ponderous it was, to be honest I have not read many of her newer books because they seemed sort of rehashings of old story lines; but the Bards have always been fun. This is not up to Ms. Lackey's ability. I was very unimpressed.
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