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."