Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
DAW (1987), Edition: Later Printing, 320 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. HTML:Follows the adventures of Talia as she trains to become a Herald of Valdemar in the first book in the classic epic fantasy Arrows trilogy Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queenâ??s own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense. But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason that could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queenâ??s heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queenâ??s… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member tiamatq
Talia is just 13 and on the verge of being forced into marriage when she is rescued from her abusive home by a Companion, a mythical horse that serves the Queen. When she rides the Companion to the kingdom's capital in order to return him, she discovers that she has been Chosen as a Herald, a
So amongst my piles of unread fantasy authors, Mercedes Lackey has been waiting. This book was recommended to me and I found it surprisingly easy to pick up and enjoy. Talia's an interesting character and the world of Valdemar is definitely intriguing. But things moved so quickly (the book covers almost three years) that you barely get to scratch the surface. It also got a little difficult to listen to Talia's self-doubt. No matter how many times she saves other Heralds (almost all of them more experienced her) or helps the Queen with some elaborate political plot, she still feels like she hasn't contributed. It stopped being endearing and moved on to annoying. Also, for such a difficult program, in addition to Talia's bajillion responsibilities, everything comes fairly easily to Talia. Including breaking the Brat of all her bad habits... shouldn't that have been near-impossible?
Some parts of the book don't quite jive together to me... there are awkward changes in perspective, so in some scenes we go from Talia to a senior Herald who reflects on Talia's emotional distance and then right back to Talia. It's disorienting. There are also random moments of attempts at sex. That didn't bother me so much except that Talia goes from 13 and shy and naive to giving sexy neck rubs and being highly desired by other Herald-trainees... all within less than a year? But she's a virgin the entire time? I guess I didn't know what age this book was targeting.
That isn't to say I didn't think it was an enjoyable book. If I was several years younger, I'd be all over a book about a girl getting her magical horse, discovering she has magic powers, and becoming a Herald. I may pick up the next book in the series and see if the storytelling changes at all.
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servant of the Queen and part of an elite training program. This is something that Talia has only dreamed about while stealing a rare moment to read... but will she be able to meet everyone's expectations, especially her own?So amongst my piles of unread fantasy authors, Mercedes Lackey has been waiting. This book was recommended to me and I found it surprisingly easy to pick up and enjoy. Talia's an interesting character and the world of Valdemar is definitely intriguing. But things moved so quickly (the book covers almost three years) that you barely get to scratch the surface. It also got a little difficult to listen to Talia's self-doubt. No matter how many times she saves other Heralds (almost all of them more experienced her) or helps the Queen with some elaborate political plot, she still feels like she hasn't contributed. It stopped being endearing and moved on to annoying. Also, for such a difficult program, in addition to Talia's bajillion responsibilities, everything comes fairly easily to Talia. Including breaking the Brat of all her bad habits... shouldn't that have been near-impossible?
Some parts of the book don't quite jive together to me... there are awkward changes in perspective, so in some scenes we go from Talia to a senior Herald who reflects on Talia's emotional distance and then right back to Talia. It's disorienting. There are also random moments of attempts at sex. That didn't bother me so much except that Talia goes from 13 and shy and naive to giving sexy neck rubs and being highly desired by other Herald-trainees... all within less than a year? But she's a virgin the entire time? I guess I didn't know what age this book was targeting.
That isn't to say I didn't think it was an enjoyable book. If I was several years younger, I'd be all over a book about a girl getting her magical horse, discovering she has magic powers, and becoming a Herald. I may pick up the next book in the series and see if the storytelling changes at all.
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LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Oh, dear. Arrows of the Queen is such an adolescent novel. Not a Young Adult novel - I'm not talking about category, here. I'm talking about the maturity level of the work compared to the rest of the Valdemar canon. Even the Vanyel books are light-years ahead of this charming but dreadfully slight
I don't think it's *bad*, mind you. Talia is adorable (except when she's thinking things like "Well I know this trustworthy adult said they'd help but I don't want to be a bother so I am never going to say anything about my problems.") I very much appreciated the nonchalant appearance of lesbian secondary and tertiary characters (even if one of them has to die - hey, the book came out on the 80s, it was the law.) And there are any number of charming scenes that begin to set up Valdemar as a fantasy world I'd be perfectly happy to live in.
It'd just obviously a very early work. The character-building is crude, the dialog ranges from stiff to atrocious, and it's awfully choppy - there's an emotional throughline but not much of a plot. If I'd read it when I was 12 I would have loved it with the heat of a thousand fiery suns, but since I picked it up at 21 instead, I find it tolerable at best.
(It in no way resolves the Tedrel War timing issue that I was griping about in my last review, either - Elspeth was clearly born between two and five years after a war that was thirty years ago, and therefore is now seven years old.)
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exercise in wish-fulfillment.I don't think it's *bad*, mind you. Talia is adorable (except when she's thinking things like "Well I know this trustworthy adult said they'd help but I don't want to be a bother so I am never going to say anything about my problems.") I very much appreciated the nonchalant appearance of lesbian secondary and tertiary characters (even if one of them has to die - hey, the book came out on the 80s, it was the law.) And there are any number of charming scenes that begin to set up Valdemar as a fantasy world I'd be perfectly happy to live in.
It'd just obviously a very early work. The character-building is crude, the dialog ranges from stiff to atrocious, and it's awfully choppy - there's an emotional throughline but not much of a plot. If I'd read it when I was 12 I would have loved it with the heat of a thousand fiery suns, but since I picked it up at 21 instead, I find it tolerable at best.
(It in no way resolves the Tedrel War timing issue that I was griping about in my last review, either - Elspeth was clearly born between two and five years after a war that was thirty years ago, and therefore is now seven years old.)
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LibraryThing member Bibliotropic
This book introduces the reader to what I consider a sort of proto-Valdemar. It's the author's first book of the series, her first novel entirely if I remember correctly, and after having read some of her later works, I can say that it shows. It's not quite as polished and refined as what she
It isn't very action-heavy, so those looking to this as a sword-and-sorcery type novel will end up disappointed. Like many of the books in the Valdemar series, it's very character-driven, and can at times appear slow. Even I've thought sometimes that the books could have stood a little more action... until I glance down at the page number and realise that I've spent 100 or more pages being too engrossed in the character development to even think about it until that point.
This does serve as good background reading to a lot of the more technical aspects of Valdemar and life as a Herald-trainee. Details only briefly mentioned in other books get a full explanation here, which often are done fairly seamlessly as Talia, the main character, is a sort of blank slate. She's had a very sheltered upbringing and starts off the book knowing only the barest things about what Heralds are and what they do. So other characters get the chance to fill her in and tell her tales and legends and details. Not an uncommon trick in stories, to fill in the reader without resorting to pages and pages of narration and history, though it does get a little bit tedious at time.
It is always a bit strange to me, going back and rereading this novel, because so many tiny little things contradict for many larger things that Mercedes Lackey established in later books. The cause of death of the previous King, the timing of the Tedrel wars in relation to Elspeth's birth, possible relations with Karse at the time of this novel (mostly glossed over, I admit, but still somewhat suspect), the implication than Vanyel and Lavan lived and died at roughly the same time in history, and these are just a few I can name. Taken on their own, within the boundaries on this book in this particular trilogy, not a single thing is contradicted, but within the confines of the series as a whole, there are lots of little things that change, and some rather large things.
Why yes, I have read this series to the point of near-memorization.
Despite this book being the first novel of Valdemar, I wouldn't recommend it to those who have never read anything of the series before. It is too slow at time, and doesn't really pick up pace until very near the end and then continuing into the next novel. I'd recommend starting with the Winds series first, or doing as I did and discovering Valdemar through the Last Herald-Mage series instead. Save this trilogy for a time when your love of Valdemar has been established, because sometimes it can be hard to remember that this book was written decades ago and that the author's style has improved greatly over the years. If I'd started here, I admit I may have been bored away from the series entirely. As it is, I enjoy this book for its backstory, for the expansion on characters I got to know from other novels, and for its simplicity.
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writes later on down the road, but the seeds of an expansive world are sown here and it's interesting to see.It isn't very action-heavy, so those looking to this as a sword-and-sorcery type novel will end up disappointed. Like many of the books in the Valdemar series, it's very character-driven, and can at times appear slow. Even I've thought sometimes that the books could have stood a little more action... until I glance down at the page number and realise that I've spent 100 or more pages being too engrossed in the character development to even think about it until that point.
This does serve as good background reading to a lot of the more technical aspects of Valdemar and life as a Herald-trainee. Details only briefly mentioned in other books get a full explanation here, which often are done fairly seamlessly as Talia, the main character, is a sort of blank slate. She's had a very sheltered upbringing and starts off the book knowing only the barest things about what Heralds are and what they do. So other characters get the chance to fill her in and tell her tales and legends and details. Not an uncommon trick in stories, to fill in the reader without resorting to pages and pages of narration and history, though it does get a little bit tedious at time.
It is always a bit strange to me, going back and rereading this novel, because so many tiny little things contradict for many larger things that Mercedes Lackey established in later books. The cause of death of the previous King, the timing of the Tedrel wars in relation to Elspeth's birth, possible relations with Karse at the time of this novel (mostly glossed over, I admit, but still somewhat suspect), the implication than Vanyel and Lavan lived and died at roughly the same time in history, and these are just a few I can name. Taken on their own, within the boundaries on this book in this particular trilogy, not a single thing is contradicted, but within the confines of the series as a whole, there are lots of little things that change, and some rather large things.
Why yes, I have read this series to the point of near-memorization.
Despite this book being the first novel of Valdemar, I wouldn't recommend it to those who have never read anything of the series before. It is too slow at time, and doesn't really pick up pace until very near the end and then continuing into the next novel. I'd recommend starting with the Winds series first, or doing as I did and discovering Valdemar through the Last Herald-Mage series instead. Save this trilogy for a time when your love of Valdemar has been established, because sometimes it can be hard to remember that this book was written decades ago and that the author's style has improved greatly over the years. If I'd started here, I admit I may have been bored away from the series entirely. As it is, I enjoy this book for its backstory, for the expansion on characters I got to know from other novels, and for its simplicity.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
This is the first Valdemar book. I must have read it first more than twenty years ago and began to read it again with some trepidation, wondering if it could be as emotionally engaging as it was when I first read it. If anything, it was even better this time.
Talia is a thirteen-year-old girl who
She is picked up by Rolan who was the Companion of the previous Queen's Own Herald. Talia doesn't know what is going on. She's certain that she'll be punished for stealing the Companion. When she arrives at the Palace and the Collegium, she finds herself in a life she couldn't possibly have imagined. Now, she is in training to become a Herald and the Queen's Own to Queen Selenay. One of her first tasks is to befriend the Queen's Heir who has become thoroughly spoiled and is in danger of never being Chosen by a Companion of her own.
But the spoiled Heir is just one thread of a bigger conspiracy that caused the murder of the previous Queen's Own and the death of a number of other Heralds. Talia is also in danger of being a victim of that conspiracy and would have except for the friendships she's made among the other Heralds and Trainees at the Collegium.
I enjoyed the seamless way the world building was built into the story in the form of stories told Talia whose past upbringing made her ignorant of the world she is now living in. I liked Talia's common sense and compassion. I could understand her fear of trusting which has her keeping secrets from those who would be able to help her if only she could open up to them.
There is an engaging cast of characters who surround Talia and make the story even richer. I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy again to watch Talia grow into the Herald she becomes.
Talia is a thirteen-year-old girl who
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was raised in a very restrictive sect on the border of Valdemar. Her life was bound and restricted. Reading was discouraged and any disobedience was harshly punished. When she is told on her thirteenth birthday that it was time for her to marry a man chosen for her by her father, she runs away but really doesn't know where she might be going. She is picked up by Rolan who was the Companion of the previous Queen's Own Herald. Talia doesn't know what is going on. She's certain that she'll be punished for stealing the Companion. When she arrives at the Palace and the Collegium, she finds herself in a life she couldn't possibly have imagined. Now, she is in training to become a Herald and the Queen's Own to Queen Selenay. One of her first tasks is to befriend the Queen's Heir who has become thoroughly spoiled and is in danger of never being Chosen by a Companion of her own.
But the spoiled Heir is just one thread of a bigger conspiracy that caused the murder of the previous Queen's Own and the death of a number of other Heralds. Talia is also in danger of being a victim of that conspiracy and would have except for the friendships she's made among the other Heralds and Trainees at the Collegium.
I enjoyed the seamless way the world building was built into the story in the form of stories told Talia whose past upbringing made her ignorant of the world she is now living in. I liked Talia's common sense and compassion. I could understand her fear of trusting which has her keeping secrets from those who would be able to help her if only she could open up to them.
There is an engaging cast of characters who surround Talia and make the story even richer. I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy again to watch Talia grow into the Herald she becomes.
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LibraryThing member Hyzie
Magic horses, guys.
I really love the Valdemar books. They are a little bit fluffy and wish fullfillment-y, but they are a lot of fun and oddly progressive in a lot of ways. Valdemar is kind of the perfect fantasy kingdom in a lot of ways, with a monarchy, but a monarchy run by people who are
Talia is an easy heroine to like. She starts in an awful family situation that does not suit her at all and has no clue what is going on when she appears to be kidnapped by a horse. Her confusion is a great intro to the series as a whole, actually, because we readers learn what is going on as she does and it makes it easier to follow everything with a new universe. She also loves to read, which I love to see in a book heroine and don't feel I see enough.
There is some political wrangling going on, but as this is the first book in a trilogy the full explanation of what is actually happening is not solved. It does end in a solid place, though, and doesn't feel like a cliffhanger. There are mysteries still to be solved, but things end in a logical place for Talia herself.
Watching Talia learn how to make friends and come out of her shell and actually trust people is a large chunk of the book. It is a coming-of-age novel, for sure, although clearly set in a fantasy universe. She ends up in some danger and has to learn who to trust, but things end pretty well for her. Valdemar is not Westeros, and although some bad stuff happens, it is always offset by good.
The side characters don't do a whole lot of coming into their own in this novel, though they get further development later. Jadus and Skif probably get the most "screen time," though that is due to the fact that they end up being the most directly connected to the plots against Talia. They're good friends for her to have, and very different, though most of what I know about them actually comes out in other books.
The writing feels a bit rough in this one sometimes; there is a lot more telling than showing than there needs to be, though this is not as much of a problem in the rest of the trilogy. I think it was difficult to condense this much time and this many plotlines and this much new worldbuilding into a book of this size, and it suffers from that a bit. Admittedly, I have also always loved the Collegium and wished that more time got spent there watching the training of young Heralds.
It is awkward to write a review for a book you have not only read several times, but you have read the entire series to which it belongs. Separating your feelings for the characters and the writing becomes an exercise in futility. If you are interested in starting the Valdemar series, this is not a bad place to begin, and as long as you are content with a fun romp through a fantasy universe centered on magical horses and coming-of-age stories, you'll probably quite enjoy it.
I really love the Valdemar books. They are a little bit fluffy and wish fullfillment-y, but they are a lot of fun and oddly progressive in a lot of ways. Valdemar is kind of the perfect fantasy kingdom in a lot of ways, with a monarchy, but a monarchy run by people who are
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guaranteed to be good people, at least, even if it doesn't always promise that they will be good rulers. Talia is an easy heroine to like. She starts in an awful family situation that does not suit her at all and has no clue what is going on when she appears to be kidnapped by a horse. Her confusion is a great intro to the series as a whole, actually, because we readers learn what is going on as she does and it makes it easier to follow everything with a new universe. She also loves to read, which I love to see in a book heroine and don't feel I see enough.
There is some political wrangling going on, but as this is the first book in a trilogy the full explanation of what is actually happening is not solved. It does end in a solid place, though, and doesn't feel like a cliffhanger. There are mysteries still to be solved, but things end in a logical place for Talia herself.
Watching Talia learn how to make friends and come out of her shell and actually trust people is a large chunk of the book. It is a coming-of-age novel, for sure, although clearly set in a fantasy universe. She ends up in some danger and has to learn who to trust, but things end pretty well for her. Valdemar is not Westeros, and although some bad stuff happens, it is always offset by good.
The side characters don't do a whole lot of coming into their own in this novel, though they get further development later. Jadus and Skif probably get the most "screen time," though that is due to the fact that they end up being the most directly connected to the plots against Talia. They're good friends for her to have, and very different, though most of what I know about them actually comes out in other books.
The writing feels a bit rough in this one sometimes; there is a lot more telling than showing than there needs to be, though this is not as much of a problem in the rest of the trilogy. I think it was difficult to condense this much time and this many plotlines and this much new worldbuilding into a book of this size, and it suffers from that a bit. Admittedly, I have also always loved the Collegium and wished that more time got spent there watching the training of young Heralds.
It is awkward to write a review for a book you have not only read several times, but you have read the entire series to which it belongs. Separating your feelings for the characters and the writing becomes an exercise in futility. If you are interested in starting the Valdemar series, this is not a bad place to begin, and as long as you are content with a fun romp through a fantasy universe centered on magical horses and coming-of-age stories, you'll probably quite enjoy it.
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LibraryThing member Frazzletastic
I should start out by mentioning that I’ve been enamored by the Heralds of Valdemar Series since I was 10. I’ve loved these books so much that I re-read them every summer, without fail!
This time around was just as enjoyable as every other time I’ve read my very worn-out copy. The country of
The main character, Talia, originally hailed from the Holderkin folk. Due to this, she’s a very reclusive, shy, and fearful creature being thrust into a world of Heralds. Heralds are those who are chosen by Companions (can be likened to a horse) and form an intense bond with them. What I loved most about Talia is that she isn’t your average “Mary-Sue” character: she’s been described as not pretty and has her fair share of flaws to balance her strengths. There were a lot of times where she was average at best, and was humble enough to recede “winning” to her other classmates. Throughout the entire novel, you could visibly (well, okay, not visibly, but you get what I mean!) see her transform from this tiny, mouse-like thirteen-year-old into a reasonably sure, confident woman of sixteen years who knew where her place was.
I was always a bit put-off with where Talia started at: the Hold. The idea of a woman’s inferiority was like a slap in the face, since I’m very much for equality between genders. I know it probably didn’t reflect Lackey’s personal beliefs, but I had to shake my head in disgust every time I read the beginning of the book and see how broken Talia had become because of the males’ superiority complexes in the Hold. She lost so much spirit that we heard of her fear of men on a recurring basis. It lifted a bit towards the end, but I felt for Talia on such a profound level. Poor thing.
There were four major storylines in this novel: Talia’s encounter with the Heraldic world and being accustomed to the Collegium, her misfortunes with the Blues, reforming “The Brat” into “Elspeth”, and lastly, honing her abilities of her gift. There was a noticeable shift between them – you’d be reading about the Blues, then all of a sudden we’re thrust into Talia’s new roles with The Brat – yet it was discreet enough to not realize we were venturing into another “plot” in the book until later.
Interactions with characters were... pleasant, for lack of a better word. Being a Herald entitles the fact that you can’t be evil or else your Companion would repudiate you, so everyone was pretty friendly with each other. However, I felt that a lot of the characters personalities meshed together. I could never distinguish between Teren’s or Kyril’s “voices”, and almost everyone spoke similarly. I suppose I shouldn’t be nit-picky about that, because Heralds are inherently personality “readers”, but it put me off a little bit. The only characters that stood out, really, were Skif and Elspeth.
My favorite characters HAD to be Jadusand Skif. I loved the emotional stability they gave to Talia. It was hard not to like Skif: he was a trouble-maker that knew how to put a smile on my face. With Jadus, though, I mostly sympathized for him. If I were in Talia’s position, I know I would have quickly befriended him, as well. There’s something about elderly folk that just screams at my heart-strings, and Jadus certainly needed a friend in his lonely days.
I loved the plot, especially the bondings with Companions. It was slightly reminiscent of Impressing a dragon in The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. I’ve always been fascinated in having a bond with another being that transcended all boundaries, and the Companions were no different! The pacing of the novel wasn’t too shabby, although I did get a little sidetracked after the Elspeth arc (but that was due to personal issues). Tragedies and fast-paced events littered the pages of Arrows of the Queen, but I liked it that way. In a world of fantasy, I expect to be thrown every which way without getting a full impact until after it’s over, so I like a “busy” plotline.
This time around was just as enjoyable as every other time I’ve read my very worn-out copy. The country of
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Valdemar is unique compared to other worlds I’ve been introduced to in fantasy. Each area has a set of customs and a general persona surrounding it; the Holderkin folk are more reserved, and frown upon unseemly behavior, while the fisherfolk in Lake Evendim are more rowdy.The main character, Talia, originally hailed from the Holderkin folk. Due to this, she’s a very reclusive, shy, and fearful creature being thrust into a world of Heralds. Heralds are those who are chosen by Companions (can be likened to a horse) and form an intense bond with them. What I loved most about Talia is that she isn’t your average “Mary-Sue” character: she’s been described as not pretty and has her fair share of flaws to balance her strengths. There were a lot of times where she was average at best, and was humble enough to recede “winning” to her other classmates. Throughout the entire novel, you could visibly (well, okay, not visibly, but you get what I mean!) see her transform from this tiny, mouse-like thirteen-year-old into a reasonably sure, confident woman of sixteen years who knew where her place was.
I was always a bit put-off with where Talia started at: the Hold. The idea of a woman’s inferiority was like a slap in the face, since I’m very much for equality between genders. I know it probably didn’t reflect Lackey’s personal beliefs, but I had to shake my head in disgust every time I read the beginning of the book and see how broken Talia had become because of the males’ superiority complexes in the Hold. She lost so much spirit that we heard of her fear of men on a recurring basis. It lifted a bit towards the end, but I felt for Talia on such a profound level. Poor thing.
There were four major storylines in this novel: Talia’s encounter with the Heraldic world and being accustomed to the Collegium, her misfortunes with the Blues, reforming “The Brat” into “Elspeth”, and lastly, honing her abilities of her gift. There was a noticeable shift between them – you’d be reading about the Blues, then all of a sudden we’re thrust into Talia’s new roles with The Brat – yet it was discreet enough to not realize we were venturing into another “plot” in the book until later.
Interactions with characters were... pleasant, for lack of a better word. Being a Herald entitles the fact that you can’t be evil or else your Companion would repudiate you, so everyone was pretty friendly with each other. However, I felt that a lot of the characters personalities meshed together. I could never distinguish between Teren’s or Kyril’s “voices”, and almost everyone spoke similarly. I suppose I shouldn’t be nit-picky about that, because Heralds are inherently personality “readers”, but it put me off a little bit. The only characters that stood out, really, were Skif and Elspeth.
My favorite characters HAD to be Jadusand Skif. I loved the emotional stability they gave to Talia. It was hard not to like Skif: he was a trouble-maker that knew how to put a smile on my face. With Jadus, though, I mostly sympathized for him. If I were in Talia’s position, I know I would have quickly befriended him, as well. There’s something about elderly folk that just screams at my heart-strings, and Jadus certainly needed a friend in his lonely days.
I loved the plot, especially the bondings with Companions. It was slightly reminiscent of Impressing a dragon in The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. I’ve always been fascinated in having a bond with another being that transcended all boundaries, and the Companions were no different! The pacing of the novel wasn’t too shabby, although I did get a little sidetracked after the Elspeth arc (but that was due to personal issues). Tragedies and fast-paced events littered the pages of Arrows of the Queen, but I liked it that way. In a world of fantasy, I expect to be thrown every which way without getting a full impact until after it’s over, so I like a “busy” plotline.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I love most of Lackey's Valdemar books. My favorites are the three about Vanyel published after the three books begun with this novel. However, this novel is what started the series and makes a good introduction to Lackey, whose novels often fall into this pattern: unappreciated teen leaves home to
Talia is an appealing heroine and I like how she grows in confidence in these novels. I loved this book as a teen, and in a fit of nostalgia reread them recently, and found they still hold up. Also like those novels of McCaffrey, the Valdemar novels revolved around a strong bond between a human and magical creature--in this case seeming horses that are full partners. The series continues in Arrows Flight and concludes in Arrows Fall.
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find their destiny among comrades who become her true family--think McCaffrey's Harper Hall novels. Talia is an appealing heroine and I like how she grows in confidence in these novels. I loved this book as a teen, and in a fit of nostalgia reread them recently, and found they still hold up. Also like those novels of McCaffrey, the Valdemar novels revolved around a strong bond between a human and magical creature--in this case seeming horses that are full partners. The series continues in Arrows Flight and concludes in Arrows Fall.
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LibraryThing member Terpsichoreus
I've read a lot of fantasy, and I've spent a lot of time looking for fantasy that won't disappoint. When fantasy disappoints you, it usually does so predictably: either the world is poorly-built, the entire story is derivative, it is filled with creepy repressed sexuality, or the Hat Trick.
An
However, she had also forced me to read the Potter books (I was recalcitrant due to their popularity) and Pullman's Dark Materials, which were enjoyable enough.
Now, I am as disappointed in modern Feminism as your average gender-queer culture-jamming existentialist transhuman chaos magician, so I am slow to suggest that the gender of an author should inform us about their ability to write. However, I will concede that in this culture, the way you are gendered will have long-lasting effects.
Apparently, as a man, you end up entirely unable to write sex in a fantasy novel; maybe sex period full stop. Tolkien just kept his romantic leads a few thousand miles apart the whole story. Goodkind creeped us the fuck out with lots of fetishized stabbing. Gor. Now, one might point out that Anne Rice is a female guilty of the same crime (but of a greater degree, since she tries to do it constantly), but I think that has less to do with her gendering than her (less and less) latent Christian repression.
The sex in Lackey's work is another breed. It feels human. It feels pleasant. It doesn't make you feel frightened that you might be turned on by it. In short, it blew my fucking mind. In fact, there is almost not much to say about it. It seems the more I think about it, the only thing I can say is that it isn't terrible like all the other fantasy sex I've read.
And it's not just the sex. It's all pretty naturalistic and refreshing. Except for the magic. And the psychic horses.
The world building is not grade A, but it isn't chicken feet. The magic is pretty touchy-feely, but so is the world, so it works. In fact, the only thing that comes off as a childish fantasy is the psychic horse love-bond. However, I'm not going to look into that too closely: I don't want to find that I've missed Lackey's sexual repression altogether.
An
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equestrian friend of mine suggested this series to me: it was one of her favorites. However, her suggestion was somewhat tentative. She had suggested a number of books before, including Eragon and Eye of the World, which are so derivative and poorly-written that they just felt like babelfish translations of Tolkien.However, she had also forced me to read the Potter books (I was recalcitrant due to their popularity) and Pullman's Dark Materials, which were enjoyable enough.
Now, I am as disappointed in modern Feminism as your average gender-queer culture-jamming existentialist transhuman chaos magician, so I am slow to suggest that the gender of an author should inform us about their ability to write. However, I will concede that in this culture, the way you are gendered will have long-lasting effects.
Apparently, as a man, you end up entirely unable to write sex in a fantasy novel; maybe sex period full stop. Tolkien just kept his romantic leads a few thousand miles apart the whole story. Goodkind creeped us the fuck out with lots of fetishized stabbing. Gor. Now, one might point out that Anne Rice is a female guilty of the same crime (but of a greater degree, since she tries to do it constantly), but I think that has less to do with her gendering than her (less and less) latent Christian repression.
The sex in Lackey's work is another breed. It feels human. It feels pleasant. It doesn't make you feel frightened that you might be turned on by it. In short, it blew my fucking mind. In fact, there is almost not much to say about it. It seems the more I think about it, the only thing I can say is that it isn't terrible like all the other fantasy sex I've read.
And it's not just the sex. It's all pretty naturalistic and refreshing. Except for the magic. And the psychic horses.
The world building is not grade A, but it isn't chicken feet. The magic is pretty touchy-feely, but so is the world, so it works. In fact, the only thing that comes off as a childish fantasy is the psychic horse love-bond. However, I'm not going to look into that too closely: I don't want to find that I've missed Lackey's sexual repression altogether.
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LibraryThing member atreic
Oh, this is just like Alanna but with added magical ponies! Not Great Literature, but warming and page turning and a quick and enjoyable read. The hero, Talia, is a young girl, miserable and squashed at home (she wants to read and have adventures, her family think she should do chores and be
Interesting slant on relationships that I wasn't expecting and that is different from current YA - her best friend fancies her, she likes him in a gentle way, so they decide that yes, they should have some hot fun sex together, and this is all OK, within the social norms, and presented positively. Except then every time they try one or both of them (magically??) falls asleep, and eventually they decide that's a strong hint, and they go back to being best friends / brotherly. Still not sure what the point of that story is.
[If I was inclined to over analyse, from a sensitized internet feminist point of view, the start of the plot is really kind of worrying. Talia is poor and abused, and 13, and knows nothing about the world. A horse looks her in the eyes, and immediately forms a bond with her, so that she is willing to work hard and in all kinds of peril, because whenever she is with him she feels joy and loved and safe. If we replace 'horse' with 'man or 'prince', and have a story of a vulnerable child whisked off to the palace to groom him and tend on him and risk her life for him... well, it might be an excellent kinky novel, but it would be a bit risque. Luckily the get out of gaol free card is that the horses are Impossibly Good By Definition, because Magic, so that sidesteps some of the more disturbing ideas.]
It is the first one in a trilogy, and I don't have the rest yet, and I've ordered them from Amazon but it'll take weeks for them to come from America. Pout.
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married off). Then a magical horse selects her as the only one in the whole kingdom who can solve the problems of the Queen, and she is whisked away to live in court, and be liked and admired by everyone (or at least all the Good People). I've had enough interesting debates around the problems with the term 'Mary Sue' to want in general to try to avoid it, but oh, she's the best rider, the one chosen to be not just a Herald, but the Queen's Super Special Herald, she is so empathic, she learns to sing and two weeks later has all the servants enthralled in a concert, she's the only one who can get through to the spoiled princess... If that's going to annoy you, don't read this book. But if you want escapism and fun and a rollicking tale, read it. It's great.Interesting slant on relationships that I wasn't expecting and that is different from current YA - her best friend fancies her, she likes him in a gentle way, so they decide that yes, they should have some hot fun sex together, and this is all OK, within the social norms, and presented positively. Except then every time they try one or both of them (magically??) falls asleep, and eventually they decide that's a strong hint, and they go back to being best friends / brotherly. Still not sure what the point of that story is.
[If I was inclined to over analyse, from a sensitized internet feminist point of view, the start of the plot is really kind of worrying. Talia is poor and abused, and 13, and knows nothing about the world. A horse looks her in the eyes, and immediately forms a bond with her, so that she is willing to work hard and in all kinds of peril, because whenever she is with him she feels joy and loved and safe. If we replace 'horse' with 'man or 'prince', and have a story of a vulnerable child whisked off to the palace to groom him and tend on him and risk her life for him... well, it might be an excellent kinky novel, but it would be a bit risque. Luckily the get out of gaol free card is that the horses are Impossibly Good By Definition, because Magic, so that sidesteps some of the more disturbing ideas.]
It is the first one in a trilogy, and I don't have the rest yet, and I've ordered them from Amazon but it'll take weeks for them to come from America. Pout.
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LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
It has been a long time since I last re-read this book, so it was fresh. First: it needs a tissue warning. I cared about the characters and I did cry at parts. Talia's struggles during her trainee days resonated with me.
People have dinged the book because it isn't action-packed, gritty fantasy. The
This is the original introduction to Valdemar and has aged gracefully. (It was published in 1987.) I'll be continuing the trilogy.
People have dinged the book because it isn't action-packed, gritty fantasy. The
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book is a gentle fantasy, focused on characters who are mostly likable. The Heralds are mostly good; their Companions (white, blue-eyed "horses" with at least human intelligence) wouldn't choose them to be Heralds if they weren't.This is the original introduction to Valdemar and has aged gracefully. (It was published in 1987.) I'll be continuing the trilogy.
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LibraryThing member frazrat
The first book in a great trilogy, Arrows of the queen in an introduction to the kingdom of Vlademar. Talia come from a culture of early responsibilities, hard work and obedience. When runs away when she is told of her upcoming marriage. She is chosen by a companion and whisked of to the kingdom of
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Vladamar. Here she will be trained as a herald where she will learn how to protect the people of Vladamar. Show Less
LibraryThing member celticchrys
This book is the first in a trilogy that introduced readers to the world where Mercedes Lackey's kingdom of Valdemar resides. This is a world populated with peoples of great variety. Valdemar is unique among them in that it was settled by a varied group of settlers and has welcomed new immigrants
This is an excellent book, especially for young adults. Talia is quite feminine, but strong in character and will. She has a very practical personality, yet is still able to dream. She introduces the reader to her kingdom by letting us see it through her eyes as she discovers it. This is a well-written book with great characters, interesting settings, magic, politics, and more. This would make a great gift to the young fantasy lover in your life. It remains one of Mercedes Lackey's best.
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over the years (Somewhat reminiscent of the way schoolchildren are taught to think of the USA). Valdemar has a group of individuals known as "Heralds" who are multi-purpose public servants. Heralds are chosen by familiars known as "Companions" which take the form of white horses with blue eyes. The original Companions were sent as divine answer to the original king's prayers for a way to know his heirs would be good rulers (a monarch is required to first be a Herald). This novel begins with the main character, Talia, coming of age in an ethnic enclave. Trapped into a life that gives her only two options: become a cloistered nun-like figure, or become a wife at a very young age, Talia dreams of pursuing adventure in the wider world. She runs away from home and finds a new life, and a new world. This is an excellent book, especially for young adults. Talia is quite feminine, but strong in character and will. She has a very practical personality, yet is still able to dream. She introduces the reader to her kingdom by letting us see it through her eyes as she discovers it. This is a well-written book with great characters, interesting settings, magic, politics, and more. This would make a great gift to the young fantasy lover in your life. It remains one of Mercedes Lackey's best.
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LibraryThing member kiri_wren
I absolutely love all the Valdemar books. Though the relationship between the Heralds and Companions hearkens loudly back to Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books, I think Lackey has done a great job at weaving metaphysical intrigue, politics, and classic humanity into these works. The
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"Arrows" trilogy and the Vanyel trilogy ("Magic") are probably my favorites, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member fuzzi
The first book in what is probably my most favorite trilogy by Mercedes Lackey.
LibraryThing member sbigger
Arrows of the Queen is the story of Talia, a young girl who has been Chosen by the Queen's Own Companion. The book follows her through her training to become a Hearld. She must overcome her shyness, attempts on her life, rouge mind magic and reeducate a brat of a princess. The setting is Valdemar,
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a land filled with mind magic (no "real" magic) and white "horses" called Companions. The book is about triumph against all odds. Talia faces all of her challenges and beats them all, mostly with the help of friends. The book stresses the need for friendship and with friendship you can get through anything. This is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to anyone who likes books about females who win against all odds. It's good for 5th - adult. Show Less
LibraryThing member sagrundman
Arrows of the Queen is the story of Talia, a young girl who has been Chosen by the Queen's Own Companion. The book follows her through her training to become a Hearld. She must overcome her shyness, attempts on her life, rouge mind magic and reeducate a brat of a princess. The setting is Valdemar,
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a land filled with mind magic (no "real" magic) and white "horses" called Companions. The book is about triumph against all odds. Talia faces all of her challenges and beats them all, mostly with the help of friends. The book stresses the need for friendship and with friendship you can get through anything. This is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to anyone who likes books about females who win against all odds. It's good for 5th - adult. Show Less
LibraryThing member dasuzuki
I just reread this book for probably the 20th or more time. I would have to say this is probably one of my favorite Valdemar books. By the Sword was my favorite and this one is a close second along with her Mage Storms series. The second and third books in the Heralds of Valdemar series weren’t
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bad but I enjoyed seeing the transformation for Tahlia going from abused farm girl to the second most powerful herald in the Kingdom. Tahlia was a fun character and I could actually picture her in my mind as she struggled to over come her shyness and her skill in dealing with the Brat (Queen Selenay’s daughter). I could relate to some of her self-esteem issues as I often felt the same way. This is definitely a fun read especially if you read some of her newer books that give you the background of the other characters like Alberich and Skif. Show Less
LibraryThing member therhoda
The first of the Valdemar world books. Talia is one of my favorites in this world everyone should read her story.
LibraryThing member TeenBookReviews
Meet Talia, a shy girl from an abusive home whose dreams finally come true. But dreams are rarely as imagined and the joy of Heraldom is tempered by the cruelty of some of her peers. Talia discovers an inner strength she did not know she possessed and proves her mettle. If you love fantasy, you
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must read this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Opening book of Talia's portion of the Valdemar saga. Arrows of the Queen was Lackey's first full length Valdemar book, and IMHO one of her best.
Sentenced to be married to a much older, abusive man, Talia is claimed by the Companion Rolan, and becomes a trainee Herald. It's something of an out of
Be sure to have books 2 and 3 handy for when you finish this one.
Sentenced to be married to a much older, abusive man, Talia is claimed by the Companion Rolan, and becomes a trainee Herald. It's something of an out of
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the frying pan-into the fire sort of experience, however. Be sure to have books 2 and 3 handy for when you finish this one.
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LibraryThing member lunanshee
Meet Talia, a shy girl from an abusive home whose dreams finally come true. But dreams are rarely as imagined and the joy of Heraldom is tempered by the cruelty of some of her peers. Talia discovers an inner strength she did not know she possessed and proves her mettle. If you love fantasy, you
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must read this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member sinead.ciara
Talia is a girl who lives a life in a homestead on the edge of the border of Valdamer. Suddenly her life is turned upside down when a companion (a really fast,intelligent horse) choses her as it's Herald and as the Queen's Own. A great read and a really good book.
LibraryThing member SimonW11
Could easily be a young adult coming of age story Lackey's plot often seems rather linear which is what makes me think of them as suitable for young adults. But I can't think of one that was marketed as such in this case I suspect it is because the conservative American market would find the
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implied message that its okay to have sex with people that you just think of as friends as dangerous. Show Less
LibraryThing member amaraduende
This review stands for all of Lackey's books that I've read. Melodramatic and fun for my 5th grade self, these don't stand the test of time. The only book I reread after junior high, as far as I can remember, was Kerowyn's Tale (By the Sword), so that might have a slightly more appeal to an older
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audience. These are fun for young folks, though, and although they are pretty fluffy, they include some cool things, like portrayals of lots of different kinds of relationships (including gay and multi-partner), that teach tolerance and love. Some of the sex scenes might be a bit inappropriate for younger audiences... but overall you could pick worse for a young fantasy reader. I can't reread them, though - they just don't hold any appeal with their simplistic plots, characters, and writing style. Show Less
LibraryThing member xicanti
I first read this book when I was about twelve; my junior high librarian told me I had to give Lackey's work a try, and I was instantly hooked by how well she uses emotion. This book never fails to make me cry, and it remains on of my favourites. I've read a lot of reviews that mention Lackey's not
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a technically correct writer, but she packs far more emotional resonance into her books than many literary prize winners and I love her for it. This is a great starting point for anyone interested in giving her work a try. I especially recommend it to YA readers. Show Less
Awards
P.E.A.R.L. (Winner — Hall of Fame — 2007)
Thumbs Up! Award (Honor — 1988)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1987)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1987
Physical description
320 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
9780886773786