Hey there everyone,Scififantasyanimeman here. Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve written on my blog but I’ve been busy making preparations for Kumoricon. But most of my preparations are done and now it’s time for me to get back to work. So I decided to put the fantasy in my pen-name. So I’ll be reviewing a book I just finished reading. It’s an anthology novel called Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdmar, edited by Mercedes Lackey and published by DAW books Inc.
Okay this as I said is an anthology novel that is a whole bunch of short stories wrapped up into one large novel. These short stories take place on the world of Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdemar novels. To help clear things up I’ll state that these stories take place before Mercedes Lackey’s The Mage Storms trilogy.
The first story in the book is Sunlancer written by Mercedes Lackey and Philip M. Austin. The story takes place in the land of Karse where the Sunlord Vkandis is the God worshipped by the people. The brutal Red-Priesthood theocracy rules with an iron fist. And those who posses even the slightest hint of magic are kidnapped by the priests in the hours of the night, taken to the temples, and stripped of all family ties in the name of the Sunlord. And those with magic who don’t join the Priesthood, die. Captain Clarrin Mul-Par, a prominent soldier in service to the sun priests is having a crisis of both faith and conscience. At the orders of red priestess Beakasi are to press into temple service as many children as he can yet he finds himself questioning the orders of those who claim to serve Vkandis’ will. Clarrin begins to question the will of the priests after a talk with a scribe who is staying at the home of Clarrin’s Grandfather. As it turns up the scribe is in fact a Hearld from Valdemar summoned by Clarrin’s Grandfather so that said Grandfather could have the Herald smuggle his daughter and Granddaughter out of Karse before the priesthood gets his Granddaughter. Clarrin the next day is ordered into action by the red-Priests. But befor he leaves his niece, Lakansi who has magical dreams gives him a message from Vkandis himself “The light is the life and the breath, the flame is the blessing and not life’s ending.’ and ‘children should live and laugh and play’. Words that touch Clarrin down in his very soul. After Clarrin leaves and Lakansi and her mother along with a number of servants are spirited away by the Herald Clarrin’s father dies from a bite from a poisonous snake. Clarrin comes to a decision when Red-Priestess Beaksai is parading the latest intended victims of the Temple’s “cleansing”, Remembering his niece’s and Vkandis’ words he makes a fateful decision which will save of the lives of some children and set into motion the plans of Vkandis that will eventually lead to well overdue reformation in the brutal theocrarcy. This was an interesting story to me because it brings up issues of how dangerous it is mixing religion with government.
The next story is The Demon’s Den by Tanya Huff. A Herald searching for a rogue mountain cat falls into a mine and badly injures himself. A middle aged crippled, blind woman named Ari crippled by a terrible accident when she was younger gets a surprise when the injured Herald’s Companion comes to her asking for help. After rallying the village they go to the mine where the Herald is located. The mine known as the Demon’s Den for all the bad things that happened there in the past has been abandoned and is near ready to fall apart. Ari was one of only three to survive the Demon’s Den. Ari despite her disabilities goes down into the Demon’s Den. It turns up she still has issues from the last time she wass buried in the Den. The Herald and she end up helping each other in unexpected ways. I liked this story because here was a woman who despite her issues and her handicap found the strength and courage to do what was necessary to help another.
The next story is Ironrose by Larry Dixon (Mercedes Lackey’s husband) and Mel. White. Ironrose is a member of the Hawkbrothers, he is also among his clan a very highly respected Arificer (weaponsmith). Very gruff and powerful not much scares or intimidates the big man. But one thing does intimidate him, the beautiful young female Hunter Sunrunner. The young woman Ironrose sees as beutiful, lithe and completely unattainable. Tullin a member of a lizard race who serve the Hawkbrothers of their own accord, the hertasihas sensed the growing feelings between the young huntress and the powerfully built smith. Tullin and his mate, Coulsie come up with a plan involving an upcoming dance being held by the Hawkbrothers. Tullin and Coulsie using a mixture of wit and guile set into motion a plan that will effect Ironrose and Sunrunner’s happiness in ways even the two hertasicould never have imagined. This is one story I can most certainly relate to being a card-carrying shy guy myself. Not all men are romance masters, as is the case with women. This story can be related to because it shows the truith that love is messy and awkward, bust still it can be something wonderful.
The next story is Babysitter by Josepha Sherman. This is the story of Leryn, a former gem merchant turned fur trader who is in quite the predicament. First the city dweller lost his beloved wife, Elenya. Now he is lost in the wilderness and worse bandits he was never told about are in hot pursuit of him. Things get even more complicated when he finds a dead female gryphon and her very much alive child. Poor Leryn as he deals with his grief and anguish is forced to do some real improvising in order to keep the child alive. The end results of this story I can say wer very heartwarming as Leryn comes to a decision among creatures he can trust and the bandits get an unpleasant surprise. What I liked about this story is how it shows one man discovering his resiliency and overcoming difference to help save the life of a child.
The Salamandar by Richard Lee Byers is the next story in the book. This was a big change from the other stories as it’s full of tense moments and has a lot of action in it. The city of Mornedealth is being terrorized by a mysterious and dangerous arsonist. The protagonist, a commanderin the city’s guard is determined to find out who is responsible and stop them. After consulting with a warlock in his city’s political faction it determined that the arsonist is a wizard who is utilizing a creature from the elemental plane of fire called a salamander. It turns up that the arsonist has had a two-fold plan, not only to panic everyone in the city but to fan the flames of enmity between the powerful political faction Blue and the least powerful faction of the city green. It turns up the salamander has been hidden inside one of the members of blue all this time. The city commander, also a blue has to do some quick thinking and takes a number of burns before he can stop the salamander and unfortunately not before more of the city burns. This is an action-packed and tense adventure story which is what made it a real page turner for me.
A child’s Adventures by Janni Lee Simner is the next story. This is the story of Inya, elderly woman embittered by the fact she was never chosen by companion when she was younger. One day the now elderly Grandmother and her town get a surprise when a Companion wanders into town. At first Inya hopes one of her children will be chosen but then gets the shock of her life when she realizes the Companion has come for her. At First Inya refuses to believe so having been weighed down by a heavy cynical heart and the burden of responsibility. But then things start to get interesting when a sewvere rain casuses the river near her village to crest. Unfortunately the people of Inya’s village aren’t willing to help and so Inya’s family are left tot their own devices. Things take an ugly when Inya’s granddaughter Mariel oesn’t return. It turns up she took a nap near the river and ended up getting trapped on what has become an island as the river has crested. The Companion who has chosen her helps rescue Mariel and discovers that he Granddaughter was frightened by the Companion’s presence and ran off. The end result opf this story is a life changing moment for Inya and the Companion. This story i though was okay but a little bit on the slow side which is part of what dragged the book down a little bit.
The next story is Blood Ties by Stephanie D. Shaver. This is one of the darkest stories in the book and just a warning it contains subject matter that is definitely not for children. Rivin Morningsong is a child of twelve gong on thirteen. H lives with his father Delanon and his several siblings. Rivin’s only concious complaint is that his father who is pious to the extreme is piling work on his shoulders. Things start to change when his father sends his younger siblings away to live with their aunt in a nearby town. Then a few days later Rivin’s older sister Sattar stabs herself with a blade. Rivin and his father take Sattar to the local healer who sends for help. Thoings really spiral out of control when Rivin discovers that his sister his pregnant. Rivin’s hidden Herald Mage powers emerge as he remembers the horrible crime that was committed against him and the terrible truth that his own father is a pedophile. And just as Rivin commits himself to a terrible act of his own against his father. Rivin’s soul and sanity are saved by the intervention of a companion, his companion Deidre. The ramifications of this will change Rivin’s life forever. This story I like because it brought up some serious issues involving child abuse and showing the damage that pedophiles have on their own families.
Next we have …Another Successful Experiment by Lawrence Schimel. This is a complete departure from the last story as in it’s incredibly humorous. Chavi, who is a Herald in training is up to another of his infamous experiments. After days of locking himself in his room ( a sure sign that he’s up to something he emerges and heads for the Companion’s field on his collegium’s grounds. When hwe arives the first one who comes is actually one of the Bards followed by another Herald in training and then a classmate accompanied by a healer. It also attracts a number of other students and several full Heralds, including a teacher Herald at the Collegium, Mero. It turns up the experiment is a new game designed to entertain and train people in horse or in this case Companion mounted combat. The players are split into two teams of three players. In a sense it’s a Valdemar version of Polo where the two teams try to hit the ball into trees that have been tuned into goals. When the game begins chaos descends as the players swing at the ball wildly but are never able to hit it. After some words of advice from Chavi the real game gets underway and proves to be quite exhilarating as the concepts of teamwork and precision tactics are mastered. The game proves so interesting that it attracts Alberich, Queen Selenay’s trusted swordmaster. The game after much bumbling and stumbling proves to be a magnificent success. As Chavi begins toting his success until his companion dumps him in a nearby river. A humorous ending to a wonderfully exciting and farcical story.
Next up we have Choice by Michelle West. This is the tale of a woman named Kelsey who is embittered by the fact that she was never chosen despite her desire and her Grandmother telling her she could do anything. The story starts when a Herald comes to the Inn where Kelsey works. Things turn interesting when she learns that the Herald’s Companion has been injured. Kelsey has a long and unfortunately one sided talk with Companion after sneaking into it’s stable that night. The next day as the Herald is about to set off on his mission Kelsey insists on joining him. It turns up caravans are being raided by a highly organized group of forest bandits. The Herald, Carris has message concerning that he needs to get through to the Capital of Valdemar. They join up with a caravan under the guardianship of a caravan guard Kelsey knows, David. In a night time conversation Carris makes it clear that more than likely with what the caravan is carrying that they will “see action” sometime soon ominous words of what is to come. Two days later the caravan is indeed raided Kelsey whose always been a bit of a risk taker goes off to find out more and discovers that these so-called forest bandits are more organized and powerful then first thought. It turns up this group is being led by a powerful Mage who seeks to make his group the ruling power in the region. His men are slaughtering the caravan personnel because they know the Herald who knows their secret is here. Kelsey in a fast paced action sequence has toi do some quick thinking in order to save the survivors of the caravan and Carris from the wizard. But the end result helps her realize truths about herself that will shape her future as a person…and with Carris. The story started off a little slow but then picked up when the scene changed to the caravan. This is a good example of how sometimes when one door closes more still can open.
Next is Song of Valdemar by Kristen Schwengel. The protagonist Revyn is a healer who is frustrated. He had come to the Capital of Valdemar, Haven to learn how to be a bard. But after a year of study Revyn found himself among the healers. After letters from his beloved mother and sister Revyn again has deep doubts about himself. One hand he believes he has always been meant to be a bard. But on the other hand there’s the other voice in his mind telling him that he would do much better by continuing his studies and becoming a better healer. The problem is he doesn’t want to progress because Revyn feels that would take him away from his one chance at becoming a bard. Things take a turn for the tragic a short time later. First he getys aletter from his older brother telling him that his sister Chylla ran off and died a short time later. The young Healer soon learns the terrible details behind the tragic events that led to his sister’s death. The events rock his world and will shape him in ways he never thought. I will admit while the story had a heartwrenching feel I had a little trouble with this because of the fact it was kind of slow.
The next story in Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdemar is called the school up the hill by Elisabeth Waters. Myrta is the owner of the local Inn in the town of Bolthaven. After experiencing sttrange dreams Myrta goers about business as usual until she learns that it’s raining in the kitchen. So she sends for the head of the town’s prominent White Winds Mage school, Master Quenten. No sooner has this problem been taken care of then the next night the kitchen has become foggy. Elrodie one of the lower level Mages responds to the call. Then the next night Myrta discovers that some of the younger barmaids have caught one of the servant boys, Ruven trying to hurt a twelve year old scullery maid named Leesa. Then the insanity picks up again when she comes into the kitchen to find…that it’s snowing! It’s turns up Ruven has had feelings for Leesa but the feelings aren’t mutual. It’s also discovered that the reason these strange weather occurences have been happening in the inn is because Leesa is mage gifted. However Elrodie hasn’t been able to see this because he doesn’t have what is called Mage Sight, which is the ability to detect people with Mage ability. Leesa who was raised part of her life in a whore house in Valdemar fled that life after a pedophile tried coming after her. The ramifications of Master Quenten’s discovery will change things not only at the inn but in the life of young Leesa and Myrta for the better. This fantasy/mystery was actually pretty funny and tender at the same time. It’s always nice in my opinion to read stories about people born into bad circumstance who after some bad happenings in their life get a second chance to fulfill their full potential for the better.
Now we have Chance by Mark Shepherd. This is a unique story as it takes place before Selanay’s rule during the time of the then last Heard-Mage Vanyel. Jonne is a guard in the serviuce of Valdemar who has been sent to the border to help in the continuing conflict between Karse and Valdemar. Having been raised at the border between Karse and Valdemar and among the reasonably producing crystal mines Jonne’s has a personal interest in protecting the region and his loyalty to Valdemar is unwavering. What makes Jonne such a unique character is that even before he hit puberty he has always been attracted to the males of the village. He has only recently learned that it’s called shay’a’chern. In the real world it’s better known as being gay. After having a rocky affair with a local farmer who later rejected him Jonne joined the military. When the commander of Jonne’s force had asked for guides to accompany the mysterious and powerful mage who is also shay’a’chern Jonne had volunteered. The action picks up when Karse uses its mages to launch a sneak attack against the Valdemar forces. Things get complicated when the Valdemar command tent is obliterated and Vanyel hurt. Jonne is drawn to the tent by the calls of Vanyel’s Companion. As the Valdemarian forces are routed by the powerful magic Jonne secrets the injured Hearald mage to a hot spring with some rations and Emergency supplies. The attraction between the two finally drives the two men over the edge. The night, and their long soak will affect both gay men for as long as they live. While I admit I’m not into gay romance this story was actually very gentle and tastefully done in my opinion.
Next we have Sword of Ice by book editor Mercedes lackey and John Yezeguielian. The story opens when Savil a Herald-Mage is drawn by the calls for help from a strange falcon. It turns up this falcon belongs to one of the legendary Hawkbrothers, and he has been badly injured. Savil is soon joined by her Companion Kallan. After some quick work the Hawkbrother is healed enough to return to coherency. He introduces himself as Starwind. Savil guided by Starwind is soon brought to the abode where his people dwell and comes face to face with her fear of high places. Savil is introduced to Hawkbrothers or Tayledras society and it’s aspects including the little helpers of the Tayledras, the elusive lizard-like race the hertsai. At the private meeting of Tayledras Starwind’s actions in bringing Savil to k’Treva in the heart of forest grove they protect stirs up a lot of controversy and accusations as no outsider has been brought into their worlfd before. Starwind has to explain himself and why he wishes to make Savil a Wingsister. The elders of the k’Treva Tayledras are less than willing and as one of their wisest and eldest members points out honestly scared. After much debating and Starwind having to do some soul searching and explaining of his own the elders come to a decision. IOn her dreams Savil is subjected to a series of moral and quick decision tests the results of her test will change both Valdemar and the Tayledras lives. With all due respect to Mercedes Lackey this story wasn’t what I thought it would be and I will admit that I was more than just a little disappointed by it.
In the Forest of Sorrows by John Helfers is the story of a boy named Treyon who has recently escaped from the group of bandits he worked for. In his efforts to escape he enters the mysterious and feared Forest of Sorrow, a place reputed to be haunted. Tryon unfortunately is caught by his pursuers. However things take an interesting turn when his pursuers try to capture a mysterious white steed, one that Treyon quickly learns is more than it seems. Then the Forest of Sorows as the legends state seems to come to life and grab a hold of Treyon’s captors dragging them off to unknown fates leaving Treyon to fall asleep before he hits the ground. Treyon awakens to find himself still in the forest but in the company of a strange silver-haired man who only asks his company and conversation as payment. After a hot meal byu the stranger’s campsite Treyon falls asleep again. When next young Treyon awakens and learns that the horse is in fact a companion. The Companion is named Yfandes and the man calls himself Van. However he claims that his name is only similar to that of Vanyel Demonsbane who died in the region of the Forest Of Sorrows (After his adventures in Book 3 of The last Herald-Mage: Magic’s Price) thirty years prior. However the truth is the mysterious silver-haired man is indeed Vanyel who along with Yfandes has become intertwined with the Forest of Sorrows. After some conversations about his past Vanyel has Treyon tell the story of why he’s in the forest of Sorrows. The old leader of the band of theives named, Trold was slain by a woman named, Ke’noran. Vanyel and Yfandes surmise that the woman is a practitioner of blood magic and that she’s found a way to absorb unutilized gifts of which Treyon may have three or four into her self through a blood magic sacrifice. And more than likely she’ll be coming after Trevon. Vanyel and Yfandes decide to protect the boy then send him on to Haven for proper training. Ke’noran unfortunately eventually captures Treyon but Vanyel pulls some last minute tricks to save the boy’s life before setting on his way to a better future. I liked this story because it was very action packed from the start and very well planned out. John Helfers definitely knew what he was doing when he created this short story and I say kudos to him for this wonderful addition to the Valdemar saga.
The next story in the book is Vkandis’ Own by Ben Ohlander. Colonel Tregaron commands his Holiness’ Twenty0First foot a prominent infantry division in the army of Karse. Trouble has occurred on the border Karse shares with Hardorn. This trouble involves slaughter villagers and caravans. Knowing that more than likely there will be hard fighting before the week is out Tregaron plans to make to the frontier between the two countries and be dug in by night fall. Knowing that there will be magecraft used, His holiness the head of Karse’s Church of the Sun has sent three priests including a black robe along. Unknown to Tregaron or any of the others one young priestess named, Solaris will one day become a key player in the sun God, Vkandis’ master plan for the reformation of the Church of the Sun (See: The Mage Storms Book 2: Storm Rising by Mercedes Lackey). In this story even as Tregaron’s men fight to defend Karse from King Ancar of Hardorn, the corruption in the Church of the Sun is quite apparent as is Solaris sharp tongue. Tregaron and his men have to do some real improvisation as Ancar’s troops prove to be no pushover. From the beginning the battle proves to be action packed and no pushover as Tregaron strives to hold the line and keep the battle strategy he had in mind on track. After killing a female Hardornan commander and keeping things on track he discovers that two of the three priests have withdrawn to aid from a distance. Solaris however showing her courage and integrity shows she’s not having any of that when she arrives carrying the sacred Oriflamme, symbol of the Karse forces. Tregaron has to do some serious improvisation to win the battle and at the end of the bloodied and brutal affair Solaris has the chance to show her powers which leads Tregaron, who is no fool, the realize that change is coming to the Church of the Sun whether the established powers like or not. This was another action packed story that I enjoyed because here we had a seasoned military commander who gets things done and he gains new hope even in the midst of the corruption that he sees all around him.
Herald’s Honor by Mickey Zucker Reichert is an interesting tale even if it seems a lot like a fantasy version of a courtroom drama. Lyssa, a herald in training wants to take part in a judgement as ius one of the duties of Heralds from time to time. Hearld Martin her partner and mentor has ben less eager perhaps because he’s been a little overprotective. Yet he’s been avoiding her for the past five months. When a potential judgement appears Martin’s superior Herald Judaia is at first less than willing. Then Lyssa gets her bchance when a stranger comes to see Herald Judaia. First a badly injured midwife is brought back to conciousness, her name is Lindra and she believes she is the mother of an infant son. A woman named Keefar claims the infant boy is her son and that a stillborn girl is Lindra’s. It becomes apparent to Judaia that someone is lying here. Judaia with assistance from Lyssa passes judgement while Martin stands back and watches without rendering aid to the young woman. This story was kind of complex but overall it was pretty good with the intrigues and the sorting through to the truth.
The next story is weird one A song for no one’s mourning by Gary A. Braunbeck, starts off as the story of Olias, a minstrel and thief who has just robbed a local tavern blind and fled on his horse into a nearby woods. Sweaty, smelly, and in a grim mood as always Olias settles in for some sleep outside. However Olias’ life is about to be turned upside-down. He discovers what he thinks at first is an injured armsman but as it turns up the injured person on horseback is in fact a boy. And that burned and tortured boy has had his hands tied. Olias discovers why the boy’s hands were tied after he releases the boy allowing him to heal himself. Unfortunately there’s a problem L’lewythi speaks a language foreign to Olias. Despite his best efforts Olias begins to bond with the boy as he remembers his own pain from when his father was humiliated by an apprentice of the Herald-Mage Savil. The humiliation broke his father and caused his death. Shortly after his mother died and Olias took to his thievery and the occasional ballad to make ends meet. But Olias had sworn to find the one who humiliated his father and kill him. But then an errant wish takes L’lewythi and Olias to a strange pocket world the boy created. It turns up the young boy who was a stable worker has some very rare and powerful abilities but is being hunted by a strange mysterious force and will not leave him alone until someone discovers what this evil force is. Olias discovers the true nature of the monster that haunts L’lewythi and the ramifications will forge an unbreakable friendship between the two. I had a little trouble with this story as I believe it was unnecessarily slow and a little too heavy on details. In my opinion this story could’ve gone a lot faster had they summarized more of Olias’ life story.
The final story in the anthology novel is called Blue Heart by Philip M. Austin and Mercedes Lackey. Queen Selanay, ruler of Valdemar has many Heralds at her service. But none are as unique as the Herald who is Selanay’s “Shadow” he is a whispered enigma who many of the more notable Heralds have no idea exists, for he not only has a Companion who is a published poet, but he is also known as “The Queen’s assassin” for he is the one Herald who is willing to do those jobs too dirty for Selanay or Valdemar to be associated with. Selanay uses him very reluctantly and often he takes leave and goes onm private missions of his own. He arrives as an ordinary man and proceeds to tell a strange story of a trader who takes a strange interest in the ward of a local village on the Karse/Valdemar border. A powerful Baron in Karse known as Baron Munn, who is a pedophile. A 14-year-old girl with the mind and heart of an eight year old. The Baron on hearing of this girl rewards the trader and then poisons his food to keep him from telling anyone else about the girl. The villagers when they see the Baron’s men coming realize that he’s come for the girl and send a local family’s child into the hills where a village elder is teaching the village children about the herbs and roots that grow in the village’s mountainous region. The girl after hearing about the tourture being committed in the village goes back to sacrifice herself self to the vile Baron’s whims. Shortly afterward Selanay’s shadow arrives though no one knows who he is acce[pt that he’s a Herald. Wanting to save the girl’s soul if not her life the queen’s assassin takes the job. The villagers find the Baron a short time later his entire force wiped out and the Baron himself dead and frozen as he stares at the empty acge where the girl was. This strange tale is one that Selanay is unsure whether to believe or not. Now with all due respect I was confused after the queen’s assassin arrived it was never stated exactly how he accomplished his task. And a lot of things were left unexplained which is why I had some difficulty with this tale.
I’ll say overall Sword of Ice was a pretty good book with some good stories in it. However there were times where the book was unnecessarily slow paced and could’ve picked up the pace. Some of these writers here are very promising and others I think might need to hone their craft just a little bit more. Still overall Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdemar was a pretty good anthology novel and because of this I’m giving this book edited by Mercedes Lackey a solid*** 1/2 (3 and 1/2 stars) which gives it the rating of pretty good but needs work.
Well that’s all here this is Scififantasyanimeman saying I will see ya’.
~ by scififantasyanimeman on 09/12/2009.
Posted in Sci-fi and Fantasy review/commentary
Scififantasyanimeman's Blog
Review of Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdemar
Hey there everyone,Scififantasyanimeman here. Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve written on my blog but I’ve been busy making preparations for Kumoricon. But most of my preparations are done and now it’s time for me to get back to work. So I decided to put the fantasy in my pen-name. So I’ll be reviewing a book I just finished reading. It’s an anthology novel called Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdmar, edited by Mercedes Lackey and published by DAW books Inc.
Okay this as I said is an anthology novel that is a whole bunch of short stories wrapped up into one large novel. These short stories take place on the world of Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdemar novels. To help clear things up I’ll state that these stories take place before Mercedes Lackey’s The Mage Storms trilogy.
The first story in the book is Sunlancer written by Mercedes Lackey and Philip M. Austin. The story takes place in the land of Karse where the Sunlord Vkandis is the God worshipped by the people. The brutal Red-Priesthood theocracy rules with an iron fist. And those who posses even the slightest hint of magic are kidnapped by the priests in the hours of the night, taken to the temples, and stripped of all family ties in the name of the Sunlord. And those with magic who don’t join the Priesthood, die. Captain Clarrin Mul-Par, a prominent soldier in service to the sun priests is having a crisis of both faith and conscience. At the orders of red priestess Beakasi are to press into temple service as many children as he can yet he finds himself questioning the orders of those who claim to serve Vkandis’ will. Clarrin begins to question the will of the priests after a talk with a scribe who is staying at the home of Clarrin’s Grandfather. As it turns up the scribe is in fact a Hearld from Valdemar summoned by Clarrin’s Grandfather so that said Grandfather could have the Herald smuggle his daughter and Granddaughter out of Karse before the priesthood gets his Granddaughter. Clarrin the next day is ordered into action by the red-Priests. But befor he leaves his niece, Lakansi who has magical dreams gives him a message from Vkandis himself “The light is the life and the breath, the flame is the blessing and not life’s ending.’ and ‘children should live and laugh and play’. Words that touch Clarrin down in his very soul. After Clarrin leaves and Lakansi and her mother along with a number of servants are spirited away by the Herald Clarrin’s father dies from a bite from a poisonous snake. Clarrin comes to a decision when Red-Priestess Beaksai is parading the latest intended victims of the Temple’s “cleansing”, Remembering his niece’s and Vkandis’ words he makes a fateful decision which will save of the lives of some children and set into motion the plans of Vkandis that will eventually lead to well overdue reformation in the brutal theocrarcy. This was an interesting story to me because it brings up issues of how dangerous it is mixing religion with government.
The next story is The Demon’s Den by Tanya Huff. A Herald searching for a rogue mountain cat falls into a mine and badly injures himself. A middle aged crippled, blind woman named Ari crippled by a terrible accident when she was younger gets a surprise when the injured Herald’s Companion comes to her asking for help. After rallying the village they go to the mine where the Herald is located. The mine known as the Demon’s Den for all the bad things that happened there in the past has been abandoned and is near ready to fall apart. Ari was one of only three to survive the Demon’s Den. Ari despite her disabilities goes down into the Demon’s Den. It turns up she still has issues from the last time she wass buried in the Den. The Herald and she end up helping each other in unexpected ways. I liked this story because here was a woman who despite her issues and her handicap found the strength and courage to do what was necessary to help another.
The next story is Ironrose by Larry Dixon (Mercedes Lackey’s husband) and Mel. White. Ironrose is a member of the Hawkbrothers, he is also among his clan a very highly respected Arificer (weaponsmith). Very gruff and powerful not much scares or intimidates the big man. But one thing does intimidate him, the beautiful young female Hunter Sunrunner. The young woman Ironrose sees as beutiful, lithe and completely unattainable. Tullin a member of a lizard race who serve the Hawkbrothers of their own accord, the hertasihas sensed the growing feelings between the young huntress and the powerfully built smith. Tullin and his mate, Coulsie come up with a plan involving an upcoming dance being held by the Hawkbrothers. Tullin and Coulsie using a mixture of wit and guile set into motion a plan that will effect Ironrose and Sunrunner’s happiness in ways even the two hertasicould never have imagined. This is one story I can most certainly relate to being a card-carrying shy guy myself. Not all men are romance masters, as is the case with women. This story can be related to because it shows the truith that love is messy and awkward, bust still it can be something wonderful.
The next story is Babysitter by Josepha Sherman. This is the story of Leryn, a former gem merchant turned fur trader who is in quite the predicament. First the city dweller lost his beloved wife, Elenya. Now he is lost in the wilderness and worse bandits he was never told about are in hot pursuit of him. Things get even more complicated when he finds a dead female gryphon and her very much alive child. Poor Leryn as he deals with his grief and anguish is forced to do some real improvising in order to keep the child alive. The end results of this story I can say wer very heartwarming as Leryn comes to a decision among creatures he can trust and the bandits get an unpleasant surprise. What I liked about this story is how it shows one man discovering his resiliency and overcoming difference to help save the life of a child.
The Salamandar by Richard Lee Byers is the next story in the book. This was a big change from the other stories as it’s full of tense moments and has a lot of action in it. The city of Mornedealth is being terrorized by a mysterious and dangerous arsonist. The protagonist, a commanderin the city’s guard is determined to find out who is responsible and stop them. After consulting with a warlock in his city’s political faction it determined that the arsonist is a wizard who is utilizing a creature from the elemental plane of fire called a salamander. It turns up that the arsonist has had a two-fold plan, not only to panic everyone in the city but to fan the flames of enmity between the powerful political faction Blue and the least powerful faction of the city green. It turns up the salamander has been hidden inside one of the members of blue all this time. The city commander, also a blue has to do some quick thinking and takes a number of burns before he can stop the salamander and unfortunately not before more of the city burns. This is an action-packed and tense adventure story which is what made it a real page turner for me.
A child’s Adventures by Janni Lee Simner is the next story. This is the story of Inya, elderly woman embittered by the fact she was never chosen by companion when she was younger. One day the now elderly Grandmother and her town get a surprise when a Companion wanders into town. At first Inya hopes one of her children will be chosen but then gets the shock of her life when she realizes the Companion has come for her. At First Inya refuses to believe so having been weighed down by a heavy cynical heart and the burden of responsibility. But then things start to get interesting when a sewvere rain casuses the river near her village to crest. Unfortunately the people of Inya’s village aren’t willing to help and so Inya’s family are left tot their own devices. Things take an ugly when Inya’s granddaughter Mariel oesn’t return. It turns up she took a nap near the river and ended up getting trapped on what has become an island as the river has crested. The Companion who has chosen her helps rescue Mariel and discovers that he Granddaughter was frightened by the Companion’s presence and ran off. The end result opf this story is a life changing moment for Inya and the Companion. This story i though was okay but a little bit on the slow side which is part of what dragged the book down a little bit.
The next story is Blood Ties by Stephanie D. Shaver. This is one of the darkest stories in the book and just a warning it contains subject matter that is definitely not for children. Rivin Morningsong is a child of twelve gong on thirteen. H lives with his father Delanon and his several siblings. Rivin’s only concious complaint is that his father who is pious to the extreme is piling work on his shoulders. Things start to change when his father sends his younger siblings away to live with their aunt in a nearby town. Then a few days later Rivin’s older sister Sattar stabs herself with a blade. Rivin and his father take Sattar to the local healer who sends for help. Thoings really spiral out of control when Rivin discovers that his sister his pregnant. Rivin’s hidden Herald Mage powers emerge as he remembers the horrible crime that was committed against him and the terrible truth that his own father is a pedophile. And just as Rivin commits himself to a terrible act of his own against his father. Rivin’s soul and sanity are saved by the intervention of a companion, his companion Deidre. The ramifications of this will change Rivin’s life forever. This story I like because it brought up some serious issues involving child abuse and showing the damage that pedophiles have on their own families.
Next we have …Another Successful Experiment by Lawrence Schimel. This is a complete departure from the last story as in it’s incredibly humorous. Chavi, who is a Herald in training is up to another of his infamous experiments. After days of locking himself in his room ( a sure sign that he’s up to something he emerges and heads for the Companion’s field on his collegium’s grounds. When hwe arives the first one who comes is actually one of the Bards followed by another Herald in training and then a classmate accompanied by a healer. It also attracts a number of other students and several full Heralds, including a teacher Herald at the Collegium, Mero. It turns up the experiment is a new game designed to entertain and train people in horse or in this case Companion mounted combat. The players are split into two teams of three players. In a sense it’s a Valdemar version of Polo where the two teams try to hit the ball into trees that have been tuned into goals. When the game begins chaos descends as the players swing at the ball wildly but are never able to hit it. After some words of advice from Chavi the real game gets underway and proves to be quite exhilarating as the concepts of teamwork and precision tactics are mastered. The game proves so interesting that it attracts Alberich, Queen Selenay’s trusted swordmaster. The game after much bumbling and stumbling proves to be a magnificent success. As Chavi begins toting his success until his companion dumps him in a nearby river. A humorous ending to a wonderfully exciting and farcical story.
Next up we have Choice by Michelle West. This is the tale of a woman named Kelsey who is embittered by the fact that she was never chosen despite her desire and her Grandmother telling her she could do anything. The story starts when a Herald comes to the Inn where Kelsey works. Things turn interesting when she learns that the Herald’s Companion has been injured. Kelsey has a long and unfortunately one sided talk with Companion after sneaking into it’s stable that night. The next day as the Herald is about to set off on his mission Kelsey insists on joining him. It turns up caravans are being raided by a highly organized group of forest bandits. The Herald, Carris has message concerning that he needs to get through to the Capital of Valdemar. They join up with a caravan under the guardianship of a caravan guard Kelsey knows, David. In a night time conversation Carris makes it clear that more than likely with what the caravan is carrying that they will “see action” sometime soon ominous words of what is to come. Two days later the caravan is indeed raided Kelsey whose always been a bit of a risk taker goes off to find out more and discovers that these so-called forest bandits are more organized and powerful then first thought. It turns up this group is being led by a powerful Mage who seeks to make his group the ruling power in the region. His men are slaughtering the caravan personnel because they know the Herald who knows their secret is here. Kelsey in a fast paced action sequence has toi do some quick thinking in order to save the survivors of the caravan and Carris from the wizard. But the end result helps her realize truths about herself that will shape her future as a person…and with Carris. The story started off a little slow but then picked up when the scene changed to the caravan. This is a good example of how sometimes when one door closes more still can open.
Next is Song of Valdemar by Kristen Schwengel. The protagonist Revyn is a healer who is frustrated. He had come to the Capital of Valdemar, Haven to learn how to be a bard. But after a year of study Revyn found himself among the healers. After letters from his beloved mother and sister Revyn again has deep doubts about himself. One hand he believes he has always been meant to be a bard. But on the other hand there’s the other voice in his mind telling him that he would do much better by continuing his studies and becoming a better healer. The problem is he doesn’t want to progress because Revyn feels that would take him away from his one chance at becoming a bard. Things take a turn for the tragic a short time later. First he getys aletter from his older brother telling him that his sister Chylla ran off and died a short time later. The young Healer soon learns the terrible details behind the tragic events that led to his sister’s death. The events rock his world and will shape him in ways he never thought. I will admit while the story had a heartwrenching feel I had a little trouble with this because of the fact it was kind of slow.
The next story in Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdemar is called the school up the hill by Elisabeth Waters. Myrta is the owner of the local Inn in the town of Bolthaven. After experiencing sttrange dreams Myrta goers about business as usual until she learns that it’s raining in the kitchen. So she sends for the head of the town’s prominent White Winds Mage school, Master Quenten. No sooner has this problem been taken care of then the next night the kitchen has become foggy. Elrodie one of the lower level Mages responds to the call. Then the next night Myrta discovers that some of the younger barmaids have caught one of the servant boys, Ruven trying to hurt a twelve year old scullery maid named Leesa. Then the insanity picks up again when she comes into the kitchen to find…that it’s snowing! It’s turns up Ruven has had feelings for Leesa but the feelings aren’t mutual. It’s also discovered that the reason these strange weather occurences have been happening in the inn is because Leesa is mage gifted. However Elrodie hasn’t been able to see this because he doesn’t have what is called Mage Sight, which is the ability to detect people with Mage ability. Leesa who was raised part of her life in a whore house in Valdemar fled that life after a pedophile tried coming after her. The ramifications of Master Quenten’s discovery will change things not only at the inn but in the life of young Leesa and Myrta for the better. This fantasy/mystery was actually pretty funny and tender at the same time. It’s always nice in my opinion to read stories about people born into bad circumstance who after some bad happenings in their life get a second chance to fulfill their full potential for the better.
Now we have Chance by Mark Shepherd. This is a unique story as it takes place before Selanay’s rule during the time of the then last Heard-Mage Vanyel. Jonne is a guard in the serviuce of Valdemar who has been sent to the border to help in the continuing conflict between Karse and Valdemar. Having been raised at the border between Karse and Valdemar and among the reasonably producing crystal mines Jonne’s has a personal interest in protecting the region and his loyalty to Valdemar is unwavering. What makes Jonne such a unique character is that even before he hit puberty he has always been attracted to the males of the village. He has only recently learned that it’s called shay’a’chern. In the real world it’s better known as being gay. After having a rocky affair with a local farmer who later rejected him Jonne joined the military. When the commander of Jonne’s force had asked for guides to accompany the mysterious and powerful mage who is also shay’a’chern Jonne had volunteered. The action picks up when Karse uses its mages to launch a sneak attack against the Valdemar forces. Things get complicated when the Valdemar command tent is obliterated and Vanyel hurt. Jonne is drawn to the tent by the calls of Vanyel’s Companion. As the Valdemarian forces are routed by the powerful magic Jonne secrets the injured Hearald mage to a hot spring with some rations and Emergency supplies. The attraction between the two finally drives the two men over the edge. The night, and their long soak will affect both gay men for as long as they live. While I admit I’m not into gay romance this story was actually very gentle and tastefully done in my opinion.
Next we have Sword of Ice by book editor Mercedes lackey and John Yezeguielian. The story opens when Savil a Herald-Mage is drawn by the calls for help from a strange falcon. It turns up this falcon belongs to one of the legendary Hawkbrothers, and he has been badly injured. Savil is soon joined by her Companion Kallan. After some quick work the Hawkbrother is healed enough to return to coherency. He introduces himself as Starwind. Savil guided by Starwind is soon brought to the abode where his people dwell and comes face to face with her fear of high places. Savil is introduced to Hawkbrothers or Tayledras society and it’s aspects including the little helpers of the Tayledras, the elusive lizard-like race the hertsai. At the private meeting of Tayledras Starwind’s actions in bringing Savil to k’Treva in the heart of forest grove they protect stirs up a lot of controversy and accusations as no outsider has been brought into their worlfd before. Starwind has to explain himself and why he wishes to make Savil a Wingsister. The elders of the k’Treva Tayledras are less than willing and as one of their wisest and eldest members points out honestly scared. After much debating and Starwind having to do some soul searching and explaining of his own the elders come to a decision. IOn her dreams Savil is subjected to a series of moral and quick decision tests the results of her test will change both Valdemar and the Tayledras lives. With all due respect to Mercedes Lackey this story wasn’t what I thought it would be and I will admit that I was more than just a little disappointed by it.
In the Forest of Sorrows by John Helfers is the story of a boy named Treyon who has recently escaped from the group of bandits he worked for. In his efforts to escape he enters the mysterious and feared Forest of Sorrow, a place reputed to be haunted. Tryon unfortunately is caught by his pursuers. However things take an interesting turn when his pursuers try to capture a mysterious white steed, one that Treyon quickly learns is more than it seems. Then the Forest of Sorows as the legends state seems to come to life and grab a hold of Treyon’s captors dragging them off to unknown fates leaving Treyon to fall asleep before he hits the ground. Treyon awakens to find himself still in the forest but in the company of a strange silver-haired man who only asks his company and conversation as payment. After a hot meal byu the stranger’s campsite Treyon falls asleep again. When next young Treyon awakens and learns that the horse is in fact a companion. The Companion is named Yfandes and the man calls himself Van. However he claims that his name is only similar to that of Vanyel Demonsbane who died in the region of the Forest Of Sorrows (After his adventures in Book 3 of The last Herald-Mage: Magic’s Price) thirty years prior. However the truth is the mysterious silver-haired man is indeed Vanyel who along with Yfandes has become intertwined with the Forest of Sorrows. After some conversations about his past Vanyel has Treyon tell the story of why he’s in the forest of Sorrows. The old leader of the band of theives named, Trold was slain by a woman named, Ke’noran. Vanyel and Yfandes surmise that the woman is a practitioner of blood magic and that she’s found a way to absorb unutilized gifts of which Treyon may have three or four into her self through a blood magic sacrifice. And more than likely she’ll be coming after Trevon. Vanyel and Yfandes decide to protect the boy then send him on to Haven for proper training. Ke’noran unfortunately eventually captures Treyon but Vanyel pulls some last minute tricks to save the boy’s life before setting on his way to a better future. I liked this story because it was very action packed from the start and very well planned out. John Helfers definitely knew what he was doing when he created this short story and I say kudos to him for this wonderful addition to the Valdemar saga.
The next story in the book is Vkandis’ Own by Ben Ohlander. Colonel Tregaron commands his Holiness’ Twenty0First foot a prominent infantry division in the army of Karse. Trouble has occurred on the border Karse shares with Hardorn. This trouble involves slaughter villagers and caravans. Knowing that more than likely there will be hard fighting before the week is out Tregaron plans to make to the frontier between the two countries and be dug in by night fall. Knowing that there will be magecraft used, His holiness the head of Karse’s Church of the Sun has sent three priests including a black robe along. Unknown to Tregaron or any of the others one young priestess named, Solaris will one day become a key player in the sun God, Vkandis’ master plan for the reformation of the Church of the Sun (See: The Mage Storms Book 2: Storm Rising by Mercedes Lackey). In this story even as Tregaron’s men fight to defend Karse from King Ancar of Hardorn, the corruption in the Church of the Sun is quite apparent as is Solaris sharp tongue. Tregaron and his men have to do some real improvisation as Ancar’s troops prove to be no pushover. From the beginning the battle proves to be action packed and no pushover as Tregaron strives to hold the line and keep the battle strategy he had in mind on track. After killing a female Hardornan commander and keeping things on track he discovers that two of the three priests have withdrawn to aid from a distance. Solaris however showing her courage and integrity shows she’s not having any of that when she arrives carrying the sacred Oriflamme, symbol of the Karse forces. Tregaron has to do some serious improvisation to win the battle and at the end of the bloodied and brutal affair Solaris has the chance to show her powers which leads Tregaron, who is no fool, the realize that change is coming to the Church of the Sun whether the established powers like or not. This was another action packed story that I enjoyed because here we had a seasoned military commander who gets things done and he gains new hope even in the midst of the corruption that he sees all around him.
Herald’s Honor by Mickey Zucker Reichert is an interesting tale even if it seems a lot like a fantasy version of a courtroom drama. Lyssa, a herald in training wants to take part in a judgement as ius one of the duties of Heralds from time to time. Hearld Martin her partner and mentor has ben less eager perhaps because he’s been a little overprotective. Yet he’s been avoiding her for the past five months. When a potential judgement appears Martin’s superior Herald Judaia is at first less than willing. Then Lyssa gets her bchance when a stranger comes to see Herald Judaia. First a badly injured midwife is brought back to conciousness, her name is Lindra and she believes she is the mother of an infant son. A woman named Keefar claims the infant boy is her son and that a stillborn girl is Lindra’s. It becomes apparent to Judaia that someone is lying here. Judaia with assistance from Lyssa passes judgement while Martin stands back and watches without rendering aid to the young woman. This story was kind of complex but overall it was pretty good with the intrigues and the sorting through to the truth.
The next story is weird one A song for no one’s mourning by Gary A. Braunbeck, starts off as the story of Olias, a minstrel and thief who has just robbed a local tavern blind and fled on his horse into a nearby woods. Sweaty, smelly, and in a grim mood as always Olias settles in for some sleep outside. However Olias’ life is about to be turned upside-down. He discovers what he thinks at first is an injured armsman but as it turns up the injured person on horseback is in fact a boy. And that burned and tortured boy has had his hands tied. Olias discovers why the boy’s hands were tied after he releases the boy allowing him to heal himself. Unfortunately there’s a problem L’lewythi speaks a language foreign to Olias. Despite his best efforts Olias begins to bond with the boy as he remembers his own pain from when his father was humiliated by an apprentice of the Herald-Mage Savil. The humiliation broke his father and caused his death. Shortly after his mother died and Olias took to his thievery and the occasional ballad to make ends meet. But Olias had sworn to find the one who humiliated his father and kill him. But then an errant wish takes L’lewythi and Olias to a strange pocket world the boy created. It turns up the young boy who was a stable worker has some very rare and powerful abilities but is being hunted by a strange mysterious force and will not leave him alone until someone discovers what this evil force is. Olias discovers the true nature of the monster that haunts L’lewythi and the ramifications will forge an unbreakable friendship between the two. I had a little trouble with this story as I believe it was unnecessarily slow and a little too heavy on details. In my opinion this story could’ve gone a lot faster had they summarized more of Olias’ life story.
The final story in the anthology novel is called Blue Heart by Philip M. Austin and Mercedes Lackey. Queen Selanay, ruler of Valdemar has many Heralds at her service. But none are as unique as the Herald who is Selanay’s “Shadow” he is a whispered enigma who many of the more notable Heralds have no idea exists, for he not only has a Companion who is a published poet, but he is also known as “The Queen’s assassin” for he is the one Herald who is willing to do those jobs too dirty for Selanay or Valdemar to be associated with. Selanay uses him very reluctantly and often he takes leave and goes onm private missions of his own. He arrives as an ordinary man and proceeds to tell a strange story of a trader who takes a strange interest in the ward of a local village on the Karse/Valdemar border. A powerful Baron in Karse known as Baron Munn, who is a pedophile. A 14-year-old girl with the mind and heart of an eight year old. The Baron on hearing of this girl rewards the trader and then poisons his food to keep him from telling anyone else about the girl. The villagers when they see the Baron’s men coming realize that he’s come for the girl and send a local family’s child into the hills where a village elder is teaching the village children about the herbs and roots that grow in the village’s mountainous region. The girl after hearing about the tourture being committed in the village goes back to sacrifice herself self to the vile Baron’s whims. Shortly afterward Selanay’s shadow arrives though no one knows who he is acce[pt that he’s a Herald. Wanting to save the girl’s soul if not her life the queen’s assassin takes the job. The villagers find the Baron a short time later his entire force wiped out and the Baron himself dead and frozen as he stares at the empty acge where the girl was. This strange tale is one that Selanay is unsure whether to believe or not. Now with all due respect I was confused after the queen’s assassin arrived it was never stated exactly how he accomplished his task. And a lot of things were left unexplained which is why I had some difficulty with this tale.
I’ll say overall Sword of Ice was a pretty good book with some good stories in it. However there were times where the book was unnecessarily slow paced and could’ve picked up the pace. Some of these writers here are very promising and others I think might need to hone their craft just a little bit more. Still overall Sword of Ice and other tales of Valdemar was a pretty good anthology novel and because of this I’m giving this book edited by Mercedes Lackey a solid*** 1/2 (3 and 1/2 stars) which gives it the rating of pretty good but needs work.
Well that’s all here this is Scififantasyanimeman saying I will see ya’.
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~ by scififantasyanimeman on 09/12/2009.
Posted in Sci-fi and Fantasy review/commentary