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Available
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Publication
DAW (1989), Paperback, 318 pages
Description
Evil had cast its shadow over the kingdom of Rethwellan. When Idra, leader of the Sunhawks mercenaries, failed to return from a journey to her home, Tarma and Kethry, warrior and mage, set out in search of their vanished leader.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Bibliotropic
Remembering my thoughts on Oathbound, the previous novel in the Vows and Honor trilogy, I admit I had some trepidation about this one. Fortunately, I ended up pleasantly surprised. Where the first book of the trilogy was obviously originally a collection of short stories strung together by only a
Tarma and Kethry became much more interesting to me in this novel than they were in the previous, and I suspect no small part of that was due to the first book's sloppy editing. More of their story was revealed and explained in a way that made me want to keep reading instead of frustrating me with tantalyzing hints about a previously-published short story that I didn't get a chance to see.
I was particularly amused by Tarma's frustration at Leslac, especially the section that detailed him stating that he would be the man to cure her of her celibacy. Speaking as someone who identifies as asexual (though, I'll grant you, my asexuality isn't because of any religious devotion or calling, as Tarma's is), the "you just need to find the right person" attitude is a very common and annoying reaction that a lot of people have, and I was thrilled to see Tarma be so incensed at Leslac's presumption.
On the down side, some of the plot elements were not particularly surprising when they were presented. Idra's fate, I think, is one that I saw coming a mile off.
It also seems that this book was written when Lackey didn't know where to place it on the Valdemar timeline, because there were another boatload of inconsistancies with the rest of the series. Kethry's use of magic within Valdemar's borders, and the matter of who's ruling Rethwellan clash with facts stated in later Valdemar novels. It's disappointing when my favourite author can't keep her own timeline straight, and when inconsistancies have become par for the course, even so early on in the series. I'm not holding those against this particular novel, though; merely against the series as a whole. On its own, or even within its own trilogy, I don't think I encountered any contradictions. In a wider context, however...
But that won't stop me from doing what I've been doing for years: reading the Valdemar novels and loving them anyway!
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light touch of editing, this book was one long story, complete and full, and therefore much more entertaining and devoid of the problems that I found in Oathbound.Tarma and Kethry became much more interesting to me in this novel than they were in the previous, and I suspect no small part of that was due to the first book's sloppy editing. More of their story was revealed and explained in a way that made me want to keep reading instead of frustrating me with tantalyzing hints about a previously-published short story that I didn't get a chance to see.
I was particularly amused by Tarma's frustration at Leslac, especially the section that detailed him stating that he would be the man to cure her of her celibacy. Speaking as someone who identifies as asexual (though, I'll grant you, my asexuality isn't because of any religious devotion or calling, as Tarma's is), the "you just need to find the right person" attitude is a very common and annoying reaction that a lot of people have, and I was thrilled to see Tarma be so incensed at Leslac's presumption.
On the down side, some of the plot elements were not particularly surprising when they were presented. Idra's fate, I think, is one that I saw coming a mile off.
It also seems that this book was written when Lackey didn't know where to place it on the Valdemar timeline, because there were another boatload of inconsistancies with the rest of the series. Kethry's use of magic within Valdemar's borders, and the matter of who's ruling Rethwellan clash with facts stated in later Valdemar novels. It's disappointing when my favourite author can't keep her own timeline straight, and when inconsistancies have become par for the course, even so early on in the series. I'm not holding those against this particular novel, though; merely against the series as a whole. On its own, or even within its own trilogy, I don't think I encountered any contradictions. In a wider context, however...
But that won't stop me from doing what I've been doing for years: reading the Valdemar novels and loving them anyway!
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Tarma and Kethry's actual adventures in here are kind of...not minor, exactly, but not...I don't know. I want to say, not life-changing the way the ones in the first book are - but then I think about meeting Jadrek, and when Kethry was injured, and the whole Idra sequence, and...yeah. Lifechanging
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they _are_. Maybe it's just that they're both pretty well grown up at the beginning of the book - and at the end, there are changes, but they're still grown up. The first book is largely about them finding their feet, personally and as a team. This one they _are_ a team and as a team accomplish some pretty amazing stuff. And lay the foundations for some serious changes for Valdemar and Velgarth as a whole...(though they don't come out for another book or three!) Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
In a complete oversimplification: the sequel finds Tarma and Kethry members of the Sunhawks, a mercenary company. When their captain, the sister of a pair of dueling royal brothers, fails to return from her visit home, partners Kethry (White Winds sorceress) and Tarma (Shin'a'in sword sworn)
This is a tightly plotted book with great characters, enough romance to make it interesting, and lots of suspense and intrigue.
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volunteer to see what's happened to her.This is a tightly plotted book with great characters, enough romance to make it interesting, and lots of suspense and intrigue.
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LibraryThing member IllanoyGal
Another story about the peoples of Valdemar and the lands surrounding it.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I find Tarma and Kethry two of Lackey's most appealing characters. (To say nothing of Warrl, a kind of androgenous talking wolf).
The earlier book, Oathbound proceeds this--I don't think you have to read it to enjoy this book, but I'd recommend it highly too. That first book is more a collection of
The earlier book, Oathbound proceeds this--I don't think you have to read it to enjoy this book, but I'd recommend it highly too. That first book is more a collection of
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stories--this one is a true novel. I enjoy it for its depiction of a mercenary company, the Sun Hawks, which is evocatively depicted here. It's nice to see a fantasy novel not just about a lone hero but comrades and the themes of not just honor, but friendship, partnership and family. How they're developed through the actions of the book make this one of Lackey's best and most enjoyable novels. Show Less
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Oathbreakers is the only proper novel in the Tarma-and-Kethry sequence, and it's good. It's a little more of a proper Valdemar novel, despite only barely touching on Valdemar itself, and much less a sword-and-sorcery pastiche.
It's still very much pulp - the language, while competent and noticeably
Despite all that, it's up there with my favorite Valdemar novels - it's relatively short and a quick, entertaining read. Not fine literature, but excellent pulp.
It's still very much pulp - the language, while competent and noticeably
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smoother than its immediate predecessor, is still rather faux-medieval and occasionally overwrought, the plot is a little too pat to be totally believable, and it's yet another rape-revenge story at the heart. The characters are, as usual, totally delightful, but the worldbuilding isn't as complete as in most of the later stories, and it shows. Despite all that, it's up there with my favorite Valdemar novels - it's relatively short and a quick, entertaining read. Not fine literature, but excellent pulp.
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LibraryThing member JohnFair
This is the second book in the Vows and Honor series featuring Kethry and Tarma, sorceress and warior. Unlike the first book, this is a full length novel that sees the women take up the challange of operating in a mercenary company.. Their commanding officer, captain Irda, sometimes known as
She'd been expected back months ago but as camapign season rolled round and nothing was heard of her, Kethry and Tarma decided they'd better investigate. What they find in Rethwellan fills them with rage against the oathbreaker who sat on the throne.
This is easily the best of the 'Vows and Honor' series though I do feel that it was a bit rushed in places. I do like the revelation that Tarma gets about the nature of a certain Companion.
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princess Irda of Rethwellan has been called home to mediate a dispute between her brothers. She'd been expected back months ago but as camapign season rolled round and nothing was heard of her, Kethry and Tarma decided they'd better investigate. What they find in Rethwellan fills them with rage against the oathbreaker who sat on the throne.
This is easily the best of the 'Vows and Honor' series though I do feel that it was a bit rushed in places. I do like the revelation that Tarma gets about the nature of a certain Companion.
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LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
Many times a sequel isn't as strong as the original. Oathbreakers, if anything, is stronger. Less episodic, there's a missing person who ties the whole novel together. Kethry and Tarma are tasked to find her, or to discover her fate. For fans of Valdemar, a herald and his companion do make an
People may not realize that there are two CDs that accompany Oathbound and Oathbreakers. They bear the same title, but are/were put out by Firebird Arts and Music. They include the filk songs (science fiction/fantasy folk songs) that Lackey published about these books. Both are excellent listening.
For fans of sword-and-sorcery novels, few are as good as this one. Highly recommended.
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entrance. The background to one of Valdemar's alliances is also revealed. People may not realize that there are two CDs that accompany Oathbound and Oathbreakers. They bear the same title, but are/were put out by Firebird Arts and Music. They include the filk songs (science fiction/fantasy folk songs) that Lackey published about these books. Both are excellent listening.
For fans of sword-and-sorcery novels, few are as good as this one. Highly recommended.
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Language
Original publication date
1989-01
Physical description
318 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
0886773199 / 9780886773199
Local notes
Valdemar - Vows and Honor, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Lackey |