I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Owlknight
by
Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey
It is part of the Valdemar: The Owl Mage Trilogy #3, series and is a fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by DAW Books on November 1, 2000 and has 450 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Born to Run, Chrome Circle, Dragon's Teeth, The Black Gryphon, The Silver Gryphon, Owlflight, Unnatural Issue, "The River's Gift", Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar, Foundation, Intrigues, Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit, Charmed Destinies, Changes, Beauty and the Werewolf, Invasion, Home From the Sea, Dead Reckoning, Conspiracies, Bedlam's Edge, Crown of Vengeance, Redoubt, Harvest Moon, World Divided, Elemental Magic: All New Tales of the Elemental Masters, Sacrifices, Steadfast, Burdens of the Dead, Bastion, Victories, Blood Red, The House of the Four Winds, Games Creatures Play, Closer to Home, Wheels of Fire, When the Bough Breaks, Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar, Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar, Arcanum 101, A Tangled Web, Winter Moon, Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar, Elementary: All-New Tales of the Elemental Masters, No True Way: All-New Tales of Valdemar, From a High Tower, Hunter, Closer to the Heart, Silence, A Study in Sable, Elite, Closer to the Chest, Tempest: All-New Tales of Valdemar, A Scandal in Battersea, The Hills Have Spies, The Bartered Brides, Eye Spy, Breaking Silence, Pathways, Passages, Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, The Serpent's Shadow, The Oathbound, The White Gryphon, Beyond, Spy, Spy Again, Oathbreakers, The Lark and the Wren, The Gates of Sleep, Phoenix and Ashes, The Wizard of London, The Robin and the Kestrel, Oathblood, Take a Thief, Exile's Honor, The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley, Brightly Burning, Exile’s Valor, Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar, Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar, Crucible, Choices, Into the West, Into the West, Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar, The Fire Rose, The Case of the Spellbound Child
Twenty-fifth in the primary Valdemar fantasy series, 1380-ish AF within the Valdemaran timeline, and third in Darian’s Tale as well as third in The Owl Mage Trilogy, both are subseries within Valdemar.
If you’re interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
Owlknight is mostly a peek in at the people of Errold’s Grove and the k’Valdemar Vale granting us the opportunity to see how well everyone is settling in and working together. The development of the Vale into a more mature living center just as the entire area continues to progress is exemplified by Haven recognizing the area’s need for a permanent Herald.
Now we just have a few more bits to settle and some protections to take.
The Story
Errold’s Grove is finally getting a Herald — a Herald-Mage no less. And, he’s bringing an assistant Herald — Shandi is coming home!
The Council decides that Darian must be on an equal level with the Herald-Mage and everyone pulls out all the stops. Lord Breon makes Darian a knight; the Ghost Cat Clan adopt him; and, Firesong puts Darian through a most unexpected Test.
It’s not long after Herald-Mage Anda’s arrival that the clues that have been dropping on Darian make sense — the dreams, the raven’s feather from the Ghost Cat ceremony, and the fur-embroidered vest Keisha presents to him. His parents are alive!
A rescue that will be fraught with peril as well as many opportunities to teach, heal, and help others as information is gathered on possible enemies.
A journey that will force each to face their fears. Acknowledge those they love.
The Characters
Darian Firkin k’Vala k’Valdemar is a Journeyman-level Mage of Valdemar and a Hawkbrother of the Tayledras in the clan of k’Vala in the new k’Valdemar Vale outside his home village. Kuari, an owl, is his bond-bird.
Keisha is a full-fledged Healer now dividing her time between the village and the Vale where she lives with Darian.
The search party will include Steelmind, a Tayledras herb- and plantmaster; Wintersky, one of Darian’s oldest friends; Shandi and Karles, her Companion; Hywel, now a young Warrior of the Ghost Clan with a debt still to pay to Darian and Keisha; Kel, the leader of the Silver Gryphons; Hashi, a kyree; and, Tyrsell, the king stag of the dyheli, who sends Neta and a number of dyheli to help them on their journey.
Chief Vordon, Starfall, Firesong k’Treva, Silverfox, Lord Breon, and, Ayshen, the head hertasi, make brief appearances.
The Cover and Title
Oranges and lavender are my first impression of the cover with the lavender flashing as Kuari’s feathers. Almost a minor detail are the very serious couple in very festive dress in the lower left corner. The title, Owlknight, is certainly appropriate as Darian Firkin k’Vala k’Valdemar has certainly earned his spurs as a knight, and what could be more appropriate than to acknowledge Kuari.
