Arrow’s Fall: Heralds of Valdemar Series, Book 3

I was not a fan of fantasy until I walked into a feminist bookstore in Los Angeles 35 years ago and was introduced to Mercedes Lackey. I read the trilogy that preceded this and I love this Trilogy so much that I've read every one of her books in the series at least twice and now I have them on my Kindle. They're like a cozy shawl around my shoulder when I need something that makes me feel loved.

Anyone familiar with the Heralds of Valdemar will find themselves once again at home in Haven, surrounded by the fantastic pairings of Herald and Companion. But more importantly, for those new to this world, Lackey's protagonist knows next to nothing about the world of the Heralds, which enables a reader new to the subject to learn along with this main character. As with all Lackey's protagonists, Talia is a real and relatable character, complete with many flaws that will strike a chord with readers. Her highs and lows have been our own, and with her we learn and struggle and ultimately triumph in a fantastic world that shares some qualities with ours.

Okay, I enjoy the Valdemar books. I love the lands and the stories and the Last Herald Mage trilogy had me in tears and laughter through out the three books. Then we get to Talia. Can we say Mary-Sue? Oh my god, everything she does is perfect and she of course has zero confidence in herself. But I'm not here to complain about Talia. I'm complaining about her rape and the reaction following it. No one cares. Simple as that really. No one cares about her trauma or her fears. Skif just wants her to get better so she can please Dirk. He even says to her, "Now gather your courage and give him a wonderful goodbye to keep him going, eh?" She was brutally raped to the point where her loins are ripped apart. And the only thing Rynee, Skif and even Dirk seem to care about is her "pleasing" Dirk. And we're supposed to like this guy? Compare this to Stef and Vanyel if you've read those. Vanyel is raped in the same brutal fashion by multiple men. Does Stef try and force him into doing things that would hurt him? No. Stef puts his own desires and needs aside to care for the man he loves. And Dirk should have done the same while telling the rest of the Heralds to keep their noses out of it.

You can't go wrong with a Heralds of Valdemar book. Laughter, heart-wrenching pain, and love. The ending of Talia's story is a masterpiece. I've read this book several times over the years and it is always an emotional read. I love Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books she brings the world to life so well you feel like you are there with the characters.

I just reread the "Arrows" books at the urging of my firstborn. (We first read them together when she was about 12.) They are wonderful novels of a Land where there are Horse like Companions who are telepathic and 'choose' a young person and form a lifelong bond. Those chosen usually have telepathic, empathetic, farseeing, foreseeing or other extrasensory abilities. Together they serve the county of Valdemar in whatever capacity necessary. The three "Arrows" novels are the introduction to the Valdemar books. FYI the books deal frankly with the subject of sexuality but do not go into detail. They also deal openly with homosexuality. The books are great reads with villains you love to hate, ranging from school bullies to evil magicians. Brave, honorable , heroes and heroines surmounting seemingly unbeatable odds.

Everyone has a book or series that impacted their life as they grew up and still is with them today. This is that series for me. It helped get through many miserable years being bullied back when no one cared to right that wrong.

What a great read! Love this author and her brilliant mind! I enjoy all of the Valdemar books and read them again and again.

I've been a fan of Mercedes Lackey for over 2 decades now...no wait...make that 3 decades just about. WOW! Time has flown. The first series of Ms. Lackey's that I read was The Last Herald Mage but The Heralds of Valdemar was the second series and from the very beginning of the first book I just fell in love with it. The character of Talia was and is to this day, unforgettable. I find it easy to go back and re-read this trilogy and that I enjoy it just as much as I did that first time.

I've previously only read the last herald mage series by Mercedes Lackey and so bought these books (Arrows Fall, Arrows Flight, Arrows of the Queen) that were written earlier in her career, but follow after the last herald mage in the stories timeline.They were interesting, and fills gaps in the story, but weren't as well written and lacked a lot of much needed polish.I'm glad I bought and read these books, but am unlikely to re-read.

book was entirely as described in the blurb, very good read,last part of a trilogy with a good story line to with it

This is a great book. Have read it multiple times.

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