Rating: 
Summary: A good book, but slow going at times
Review: A wonderful continuation of the Mage Storms saga, but several times, I found myself tempted to skip a few pages. There is much more instropection than in Storm Warning and several sections neither contribute to the story nor add to the characters. However, overall, this is a good book, with a few surprising and heartwarming turns.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing continuation of the "Mage Winds" trilogy.
Review: Compared to other Lackey books--which I consider to be without question among the absolute best writing available in *any* genre--this book was a big, dull, disappointment. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen, but all I got was political maneuvering, winter manor administration (do you *really* want to read about sewage treatment in a fantasy novel?), and endless internal monologues. You get detailed to death.I think one of the problems is that the 'opponent' here is not a sentient entity (so far as we know), but the magical equivalent of a natural phenomenon. It's difficult to feel much emotion towards it, and while I was rather glad to have a break from Lackey's usual sadistic evil mages, I don't think this quite worked. Read it only if you liked the first book and intend to read the third; otherwise, stick to her earlier books.
Rating: 
Summary: A One-Two Knock Out Punch
Review: Faced with more challenges that many people - including himself - think he can handle, Karal struggles to maintain the Karsite presence on what has turned into both a series of brainstorming sessions regarding the magestorms and a likely council of war against the threat in Hardon. Against all the various stresses, he continues to serve the Sunlord while still wishing to be anywhere but. His relationships with An'desha, Natoli, and Altra continue to grow and mature in what little time he has for them, but duties and questions pile up faster than he can deal with them. My favorite of the books in the series, STORM RISING lets me ride along on Karal's shoulder again. Lackey deals with some very realistic issues, such as others' reactions to Karal's age in the political arena and the desire for revenge. Likewise, she showed how thinking beyond revenge can have positive consequences. The spirit of cooperation between the various countries involved is enviable in this day and age, where war seems to pop up everywhere. This is the last book of this series where the plot and writing seem to be up to par. However, I still enjoy curling up with this one and losing myself in Haven, walking along with Karal to the tavern or listening in on the discussions with the mages and the envoys. The visit by Solaris was a definite treat, one that opened up a whole new range of possibilities and explored some of them. We understand even more of Tremane and it's relief to see him join up with the 'good' side. This is one of the books I read and then wish my life had a little more of the magic she puts into her books.
Rating:
Summary: All right, but not up to usual standards
Review: From age 13, I've followed the Heralds of Valdemar series, reading and rereading them over and over. Though Storm Rising is by no means the worst Misty book I've read, from about here on the quality of the books she puts out begins slipping. I was enchanted by the Arrows series, even more so by the Winds series, but the Storms series seem to be missing something. Maybe it's the lack of development between the characters. In its defense, Storm Rising is, alas, the last book to have the wonderful handdone drawings by Larry Dixon. Very uncool. From here on out, they're all computer generated. The artwork in the beginnings of the chapters are one of my favorite things about Misty's books, and I was sorely disappointed when they disappeared. Again, I know I'm giving the impression of a book not worth reading, but please don't take it that way! It really is worth reading, I'm just pointing out the fact that it's not quite as good as her previous books. Perhaps if she spent more time on her characters and less time trying to push out just one more book before the year ends the quality of her work will go back up.
Rating:
Summary: All right, but not up to usual standards
Review: From age 13, I've followed the Heralds of Valdemar series, reading and rereading them over and over. Though Storm Rising is by no means the worst Misty book I've read, from about here on the quality of the books she puts out begins slipping. I was enchanted by the Arrows series, even more so by the Winds series, but the Storms series seem to be missing something. Maybe it's the lack of development between the characters. In its defense, Storm Rising is, alas, the last book to have the wonderful handdone drawings by Larry Dixon. Very uncool. From here on out, they're all computer generated. The artwork in the beginnings of the chapters are one of my favorite things about Misty's books, and I was sorely disappointed when they disappeared. Again, I know I'm giving the impression of a book not worth reading, but please don't take it that way! It really is worth reading, I'm just pointing out the fact that it's not quite as good as her previous books. Perhaps if she spent more time on her characters and less time trying to push out just one more book before the year ends the quality of her work will go back up.
Rating:
Summary: It had potential
Review: Having read almost all of the Valdemar books, starting with the "Arrows of the Queen" trilogy when I was 12, I can definately say that Lackey's writing has declined in quality. The "Arrows" triology was charming, and one I still re-read, but the "Winds" and "Storm" series are the reasons I don't really read her books anymore. They could be well done, perhaps, but they are unpolished, and not well-thought out. It's disappointing to a reader to see a world with such delightful characters simply fall apart because of the author's haste to turn in the next draft to the publisher. Also, as almost anyone who has read most of Lackey's books has probably noticed, her preachiness gets old in a hurry. Reading the story becomes a chore when one is faced with some sort of "rule to live by" at every page turn in lieu of a coherent plot. Suffice it to say that Lackey's writing was far better when she first began and didn't have such cockiness as an author, and focused on the story instead of pushing her own moral/political/religious agenda.
Rating: 
Summary: umm.....
Review: I absolutely *adore* Misty's Valdemar books (especially the Vanyel and Talia trilogies), but Misty seems to be getting rather long-winded as she continues writing. I mean, the Arrows trilogy was about half the size of the Storms trilogy and about 10 times more exciting. So far, the Storms trilogy has been a bit disappointing to me. I'm trying to slog through the 3rd book right now...
Rating:
Summary: LOVED it
Review: I am a devoted follower of the Valdemar series -- it's my one literary indulgence, being a classics major. It does get a little long on detail, but I am really enjoying being so INVOLVED in the world that is so fascinating. I think it is an extreme mark of her talent that she has created such an amazing world. Some people may wish for more action and less involvment with polotics and such, but I have no complaints.
Rating:
Summary: Well hmm....
Review: I love the Valdemar series, but this is definately not one of my favorite series in the bunch. The plotline is very good, I admit: The various countries must band together and all chip in to find some way to defend themselves against a larger enemy who is determined to rule them all. At the same time, ancient echoes of a tremendous amount of magic being released are striking on man again, making magic turn wild and rampant once again, threatening all that lives. The plot is good, but I found myself having trouble relating with the characters and finding my attention wandering. The best parts were those with Elspeth and Darkwind back in the story! But if you are a Heralds of Valdemar fan, then I would suggest you read it, but if not then I would start somewhere else.
Rating:
Summary: Well hmm....
Review: I love the Valdemar series, but this is definately not one of my favorite series in the bunch. The plotline is very good, I admit: The various countries must band together and all chip in to find some way to defend themselves against a larger enemy who is determined to rule them all. At the same time, ancient echoes of a tremendous amount of magic being released are striking on man again, making magic turn wild and rampant once again, threatening all that lives. The plot is good, but I found myself having trouble relating with the characters and finding my attention wandering. The best parts were those with Elspeth and Darkwind back in the story! But if you are a Heralds of Valdemar fan, then I would suggest you read it, but if not then I would start somewhere else.
|
