Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey

Title: Arrow's Fall (Arrows Trilogy #3)

Author: Mercedes Lackey (American, 1950- )
Originally published: 1988
Page count: 285

Dates read: 4/19/22-4/24/22

2022 book goal progress: 11 out of 20

Back to the Classics category: x
Author Challenge: Mercedes Lackey

Mindful Readers' Family Bookclub 

genre/theme: April - Fantasy

Read my other Valdemar book reviews.
Read my other book reviews for my 2022 goals HERE.

Description on back of book:
With Elspeth, the heir of the throne of Valdemar, come of marraigable age, Talie, the Queen's Own Herald, return to court to find Queen and heir beset by diplomatic intrigue as various forces vie for control of Elspeth's future. Just as Talia is about to uncover the traitor behind all these intrigues, she is sent off on a mission to the neighboring kingdom, chosen by the Queen to investigate the worth of a marraige proposal from Prince Ancar. To her horror, Talia soon discovers there is far more going on at Prince Ancar's court then just preperation for a hoped-for royal wedding. A differen magic than that of the Heralds is loose in Ancar's realm - an evil and ancient sorcery that may destroy all of Valdemar unless Talia can send warning to her Queen in time.

First sentence:
"We could be brother and sister, Kris thought, glancing over at his fellow Herald."

Favorite quotes:
"Don't forget, 'May your life be interesting' happens to be a very potent curse!"

" 'I thought you did deal with court politics," she smiled wanly at her instructor.

'I said I do not play the game; I never said I did not know how the game was played.' "

" 'What is it,' Talia asked the ceiling above her head, "what is it about would-be tyrants that makes them speak and posture like third-rate gleemen in a badly-written play?' "

"No one goes through life without picking up a scar or two."

[Referring to not only physical scars but mental scars, too.]

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 9.4/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 10
Atmosphere   - 10
Writing Style - 9
Plot                - 10
Intrigue          - 10
Logic             - 7
Enjoyment     - 10
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Review:

Yet another great book! This one has a lot of intrigue and is full of despair. Like the first book in the trilogy, I cried twice. I rarely cry due to the books I read, so knowing that this pulled me in enough to make me feel like a part of the story -  it's wonderful. That, to me, is what reading is all about. Nonetheless, though the ending is bitterweet, it's still a good ending. I love the Valdemar world that Tamora Pierce  created - and it all started with this trilogy.

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Tamora Pierce have the last words:

" 'I know you haven't ridden much at a forces pace; if you have any problems, let me know.'

'I will,' was her only reply.

He tried again. 'I hope the weather breaks; it's bad for riding, but I would think it's worse for the crops.'

'Uh-huh.'

'We'll have to ride up until dark to make Trevale, but the inn there should make up for the ride. I've been there before.' He waited. No response. 'Think you can make it that far?'

'Yes.'

'Their wine is good. Their beer is better.'

'Oh.'

'Their hearthcats have two tails.'

'Uh-huh.'

He gave up."

Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey

Title: Arrow's Flight (Arrows Trilogy #2)

Author: Mercedes Lackey (American, 1950- )
Originally published: 1987
Page count: 312

Dates read: 4/11/22-4/19/22

2022 book goal progress: 10 out of 20

Back to the Classics category: x
Author Challenge: Mercedes Lackey

Mindful Readers' Family Bookclub 

genre/theme: April - Fantasy

Read my other Valdemar book reviews.

Read my other book reviews for my 2022 goals HERE.

Description on back of book:
Talia could scarcely believe she had finally earned the rank of full Herald. Yet though this seemed like the fulfillment of all her dreams, it also meant she would face trials far greater than those she had previously survived. For now, Talia must ride forth to patrol the Kingdom of Valdemar, dispensing Herald's justice throughout the land. In this realm beset by dangerous unrest, enforcing her rulings would require all the courage and skill Talia could command - for if she misused her own special powers, both she and Valdemar would pay the price!

First sentence:
"Thwack! The flat of Alberich's practice-blade cracked against Talia's ill-gaurded side."

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 9.1/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 10
Atmosphere   - 10
Writing Style - 8
Plot                - 9
Intrigue          - 10
Logic             - 7
Enjoyment     - 10
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Review:

This book begins about 1-2 years after the end of the first book. Talia is 18 at the beginning and it lasts about 2 years. Half of the book is prep and build-up for her internship and the other half is the internship itself.

Since she's now older, the trouble Talia finds herself in is more complicated - more adult-like. There's some language and several explicit scenes. I felt they were unnecessary and took me out of the story. It all felt like a gimmick to draw young readers in thinking they were reading a more adult story. To be honest, I enjoyed it as a young teen and did feel very mature for reading the book.

Once I accepted it was a young(er) adult novel, I was able to lose myself in the story again. There is definitely a lot of intrigue in this one: fire, plague, bandits, rapists, uncontrolled magic powers, blizzards while out in the wilderness, and more. Overall, it is another great story.

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Tamora Pierce have the last words:

"There is no joy that has not tasted first of grief."

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Title: Arrows of the Queen (Arrows Trilogy #1)

Author: Mercedes Lackey (American, 1950- )
Originally published: 1987
Page count: 316

Dates read: 4/4/22-4/10/22

2022 book goal progress: 9 out of 20

Back to the Classics category: x
Author Challenge: Mercedes Lackey

Mindful Readers' Family Bookclub 

genre/theme: April - Fantasy

Read my other Valdemar book reviews.

Read my other book reviews for my 2022 goals HERE.

Description on back of book:
Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining. Talia, once a runaway, has not become a trainee Herald, destined to become the Queen's own elite guard. Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense.

As Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. 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 Queen's heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen's own foes!

First sentences:
"A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the tree, but the young girl seated beneath it did not seem to notice. ... While she sat and carded the undyed wool she had earlier cleaned, she was reading."

Favorite quotes:
"We reckon a person's importance by what they are, not by what sex they are."

"I can teach you all the manners that smooth the way and the means of seeing the poison fangs hid by the velvet tongues. Make no mistake about it, if you retain the habit of speaking before thinking, the fangs will be felt!"

"If you want to change, you have to start by thinking about everything you say or do before you say or do it. Think about how you'd feel if someone acted like that to you."

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 9.6/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 10
Atmosphere   - 10
Writing Style - 8
Plot                - 10
Intrigue          - 10
Logic             - 9
Enjoyment     - 10
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Review:

This was one of my favorite books growing up! I've read it several times, but not in many years. After a reread, I still think it's a great book, but I might be biased by nostalgia. I've always strongly identified with Talia - her interests as well as her personality. Plus - what little girl doesn't want a magical horse to choose her specifically to be her friend? 

I love the world, characters, magic, and Companions. I would say Companions are more like a magical/mystical unicorn than a horse. They're big, fast, intelligent, and telepathic. The book has a strong female protagonist and many other great female characters. It talks about multiple types of religions and accepting differences. The most steady relationship represented is between 2 'lifebonded' females.' I think this book/series had a big impact on my worldview in real life.

The main character's magical Gift is Empathy - I've always enjoyed how sensing, sharing, and altering emotions can be viewed as a super-power. The story lasts 3-4 years, starting when Talia was 13. She grows and learns a lot in that brief amount of time. She goes through a lot, too. I literally cried - not once but twice. I love books that I can just get lost in and become a part of the story.

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Mercedes Lackey have the last words:

" 'Another lover of desolation? I thought I was the only person who found dead gardens attractive,' said the Queen.

'But the potential is here for more. You only have to look ahead to what will be in the spring,' Talia pointed out, falling into step beside her. 'It's not so much desolate and dead here as it is dormant. It's just a matter of seeing the possibilities.'

"Seeing the possibilities - long-term instead of immediacy,' Queen Selenay became very thoughtful, then began to brighten visibly. 'Yes! That's it exactly!' "

Smith of WM & Farmer of Ham by Tolkien

Title: Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham

Author: JRR Tolkien (English, 1892-1973)
Originally published: 1967 & 1949
Page count: 142 

(there are pictures, so it's even shorter)

Dates read: 4/1/22-4/4/22

2022 book goal progress: 8 out of 20

Back to the Classics category: x
Author Challenge: x

Mindful Readers' Family Bookclub 

genre/theme: April - Fantasy

Read my other book reviews for my 2022 goals HERE.

Smith of Wootton Major
Description:
This is a short fairytale about the importance of the village's Master Cook and how one can go from our world into Faery Land.

First sentences:
"There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, nor very far away for those with long legs. Wootton Major it was called because it was larger than Wootton Minor a few miles away deep in the trees; but it was not very large, though it was at that time prosperous, and a fair number of folk lived in it, good, bad, and mixed, as is usual."

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 6/10 - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 6
Atmosphere   - 7
Writing Style - 7
Plot                - 5
Intrigue          - 6
Logic             - 5
Enjoyment     - 6
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Review:

I fell in love with this sweet fairytale after reading the first sentence. It is a simple story but has a wonder to it that comes with visiting Faery Land.

Farmer Giles of Ham: The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame, Count of Worminghall, and King of the Little Kingdom
Description on back of book:
This short story is a delightfully ribald mock-heroic tale. When a 'cunning, inquisitive, greedy, well-armored but not overly bold' dragon invades a kingdom, a most unwilling Farmer Giles is chosen to slay the dragon - a dragon who refuses to fight.

First sentence:
"Of the history of the Little Kingdom few fragments have survived; but by chance an account of its origin has been preserved; a legend, perhaps, rather than an account; for it is evidently a late compilation, full of marvels, derived not from sober annals, but from the popular lays to which its author frequently refers."

Favorite quote:
"His wife made a queen of great size and majesty, and she kept a tight hand on the household accounts. There was no getting round Queen Agatha - at least it was a long walk."

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 6.1/10 - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 8
Atmosphere   - 5
Writing Style - 7
Plot                - 6
Intrigue          - 6
Logic             - 5
Enjoyment     - 6
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Review:
I enjoyed this comedic story about a farmer who shooed away a giant and then was called upon to fight a lazy dragon. Through a series of chance events (mostly against his own will), Farmer Giles raises his reputation and eventually becomes king. The story had almost reverse quixotic tones and the humor reminded me of Monty Python.

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let JRR Tolkien have the last words:

" 'Even if I had the craft to make ring-mail, I should be working for weeks. And we shall all be in our graves before then,' he said, 'or leastways in the dragon.' "