Arrow's Fall
Valdemar's peril!
With Elspeth, the heir to the throne of Valdemar, come of marriageable age, Talia, the Queen's Own Herald returns to court to find Queen and heir beset by diplomatic intrigue as various forces vie for control of Elspeth's future.
But 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 marriage proposal from Prince Ancar. And to her horror, Talia soon discovers there is far more going on at Prince Ancar's court than just preparation for a hoped-for royal wedding. For a different 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!
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Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey (born 1950) is an American writer of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar. Her Valdemar novels form a complex tapestry of interaction between human and non-human protagonists with many different cultures and social mores.
Her other main world is one much like our own, but it includes clandestine populations of elves, mages, vampires, and other mythical beings. The Bedlam's Bard books describe a young man with the power to work magic through music; the SERRAted Edge books are about racecar driving elves; and the Diana Tregarde thrillers center on a Wiccan who combats evil.
The Heralds of Valdemar
The Heralds of Valdemar consists of three primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Valdemar
Reviews and Comments
Arrow's Fall brings the trilogy to its not-so-unpredictable end. The only change to the two previous books is the tone that dives (a bit too abrubtly) towards much more dark and violent events. The style has improved a bit since the first book but the overall disappointment is sealed with the unoriginal conclusion. I'm not sure to who I would recommend this trilogy. The story limps and style is too naive for older readers but some of the themes limits the younger audience. The only reason why these books received whole two starts from me is that I actually managed to finish reading them, the single one is reserved for totally unreadable material.