I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar
by
Mercedes Lackey
fantasy in a paperback edition that was published by DAW Books on January 1, 1997 and has 350 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Unnatural Issue, "The River's Gift", Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar, Foundation, Intrigues, Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit, Owlknight, 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, Born to Run, Wheels of Fire, When the Bough Breaks, Chrome Circle, 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, Dragon's Teeth, Eye Spy, Breaking Silence, Pathways, Passages, Magic's Pawn, The Black Gryphon, Magic's Promise, The Serpent's Shadow, The Oathbound, The White Gryphon, The Silver 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, Owlflight, Brightly Burning, Exile’s Valor, 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
An anthology of eighteen short stories in this Valdemar fantasy series.
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey and Philip M. Austin’s “Sunlancer”
Captain Clarrin Mul-Par leads a troop of Temple Lancers and questions the truth of the priests burning children. It’s a question that that scribe friend, “Brekkan of Hawk’s Rest“, of his grandfather’s, Tirens Mul-Par, pushes, asking leading questions about the truth of the priesthood of Vkandis that uses magic in secret and decries it as evil in others.
Liksani is Clarrin’s nine-year-old niece and Tirens’ great-granddaughter. Aldenwin is Tirens’ sister. Sareni is Tirens’ deceased wife. Esda is Clarrin’s corporal-orderly.
There’s a lovely, unexpected ending to this.
Tanya Huff’s “The Demon’s Den”
Jors is a Herald and Gevris his Companion. Both will be terrified in this when Jors’ honor insists he not leave an animal to die in pain, and Gevris is limited in who he can communicate with.
Collegium-taught, Ari has lost so much physically five years ago, partly due to her own hubris. Robin is a nephew. Dyril is her cousin. Neegan barely survived. Brandon.
Ari does make a good point: Heralds are not the only ones who can give their lives to save others.
Larry Dixon and Mel. White’s “Ironrose”
It’s a shy courtship pushed by their hertasi of two Hawkbrothers who don’t see their own value. It is so cute reading as the hertasi plan.
Ironrose is a shy, skilled blacksmith of the Hawkbrothers. His bondbird is a very old owl. Tullin is Ironrose’s “interfering” hertasi. Sunrunner is a hunter whom Ironrose secretly loves. Coulsie, Tullin’s mate, is the hertasi who serves Sunrunner. Other Hawkbrothers include Tallbush, Bluethorn, Icefalcon and Eventree, and Starhawk. Other hertasi include Tsamar, Shonu, H’shama, and Huli.
Josepha Sherman’s “Babysitter”
Leryn, a gem merchant, had to escape the memories of his beloved wife, Elenya , but got a little carried away with his plans, pursuing a life as a wandering merchant. Attacked and alone, he encounters a young gryphon. And he finds the path back to himself.
Richard Lee Byers’ “The Salamander”
A mercenary was hired to find out who the arsonist is, and it’s quite Shakespearean with the rival political factions in Mornedealth. The investigation involves quite a bit of gossiping and undercover work with the truth coming out at the end. Although there’s nothing to explain how Selden arrives at it.
Draydech is a Whispering Oak sorcerer whom Master Selden, a mercenary and instructor, hires on an as-needed basis. Lady Elthea is a merchant widow whose businesses are being targeted and strives to prevent the retaliation her Blue blade grandnephew, Pivor, wants. Verrano is one of Pivor’s friends. Jarnac is New Money who wants more. The Honeycomb is a tavern. Balin is a promising student of Selden’s. Marissa is another instructor in weaponry, primarily for the Greens.
Janni Lee Simner’s “A Child’s Adventures”
It’s a dream that’s come too late, for Inya is a grandmother now with grandchildren, her widowed son-in-law, and the family farm to look after. Inya certainly does whine about why she can’t be Chosen now with all her aches and responsibilities. I can understand why Inya doesn’t want to let the family farm go, but I also wonder why the family never built a flood wall that would permanently protect the place. It’s the village’s response and Muriel’s reaction that are the last straws.
River’s Bend used to be a cooperative village. Muriel and Lara are Inya’s granddaughters. Jory is her son-in-law. Her daughter, Anara, had been Jory’s wife. Caron is a merchant in the village who wants to buy the farm. Thea is the Companion who has come on search.
Stephanie D Shaver’s “Blood Ties”
Rivin and Sattar have been conspiring to get the two younger siblings out of the house, to escape the poverty and their father’s harsh rules. And it works! Only it leaves Sattar vulnerable. Too vulnerable.
Rivin is the son of the house. Sattar is his older sister, Danavan his younger, and Nastasea is the five-year-old baby. Delanon Morningsong is their widowed, hard father, a refugee from Karse with a rigid mind-frame. Aunt Rianao is Delanon’s wealthier sister who can afford the two children and lives in Kettlesmith. Tileir is Rianao’s fifteen-year-old son. Kentith Ravenblock, their cousin, has been Chosen. Lisabet Morningsong is a Herald-Mage and a distant cousin of Rianao’s. Raal is Lisabet’s Companion. Derdre is a Companion. Yiro is a Healer.
Lawrence Schimel’s “. . . Another Successful Experiment”
Phew . . . this was a relief after “Blood Ties”. Chavi is a student at the Collegium who loves to invent stuff, and it intrigues everyone around him. In this case, he ends up with a much bigger audience than he expects.
Tecla is Chavi’s Companion. Efrem is a fellow student in Grays. Gildi is another with Fedele as her Companion; she’ll be a captain. More year-mates include Sorne, Grav will be a powerhouse hitter, Kem, and Fiz will have an excellent backhand. Mero is a Herald and teacher. Alberich is the weaponsmaster. I think Eladi is a kitchen helper? Queen Selenay shows up to watch.
Michelle West’s “Choice”
An attack has left one Herald dead and the other and his Companion injured. Their message is too important to wait on, and Kelsey is determined to accompany Carris. In the background, Kelsey’s grandmother keeps reminding Kelsey that she can be whatever she chooses. Only Kelsey has a one-track mind, and we learn how carefully Kelsey lives and learns.
Kelsey has had dreams of being Chosen, and she works in Torvan’s Tavern, owned by Torvan Peterson. Raymon and Karin also work for Torvan. Dr Lessar is the local physician. Carris is the injured Herald; Arana is his wounded Companion. Lyris had been the other Herald. What happened to Lyris’ Companion? David Fruitman, a friend who owes Kelsey a favor, is a guard captain. I think Sharra is David’s wife. Marrit supervises the cooking for the caravan. Tuavo is the merchant whose caravan it is. The Baron had hired the evil Mage.
Kristin Schwengel’s “Song of Valdemar”
It’s not what Revyn wanted, to be a Healer. He wants to be a Bard and that talk with Keryn has destroyed his life. It’s mostly pride talking as well as his fear of his clumsiness. The fact that later Schwengel claims that Revyn also wants to be a Healer is rather irritating. I don’t understand that major jerkwad Myndal and his position in the family when their father is still alive. The family can write to Revyn openly??
Eser is a Master Healer with Revyn his reluctant trainee. Patients include Teral and Seldi, who opens Revyn’s mind. Derem is Seldi’s older brother. Bard Keryn has a disappointing chat with Revyn.
Hold Elann is . . .
. . . Revyn’s home. Chylla is Revyn’s beloved sister; his mother. Myndal is the brutal older brother. Tygris is an aging dog. Aislynn had been Revyn’s sweetheart on whom Myndal now has designs. Minstrel Des had died.
Hold Gellan
Edouard is the younger, unmarried son.
Elisabeth Waters’ “The School Up the Hill,”
It goes from raining in the kitchen to fog and then snow with someone from the school having to come to the rescue. It must be those students playing practical jokes.
Whew, this was a bit tricky at the start. A girl who does not want to follow her mother’s profession, especially when she can hear the “customers” thoughts, runs away. And who can blame her!
Myrta runs a tavern in the town of Bolthaven, which was built around the former winter quarters for the Skybolt mercenary troop that’s now the White Winds mage-school. Serena is a former Skybolt who’s now the cook. Twelve-year-old Leesa came from Haven. Rose and Margaret. Ruven is the clueless stableboy.
Master Quenten is the headmaster of the school. Elrodie, an earth-witch and herbalist, is one of the teachers.
Mark Shepherd’s “Chance”
Luckily Jonne’s family owns land along the border, so he knows a few good hiding places. When Vanyel and his party are attacked, he’ll be a lifesaver. It’ll be a brief visit and the highlight of Jonne’s life that he can spend time with Vanyel.
Guardsman Jonne, with a slight gift for Empathy and Mindspeech, is one of the soldiers on the Valdemaran-Karsite border.
Herald-Mage Vanyel has arrived on the border to replace five other mages. Yfandes is his Companion. Savil is Van’s aunt and also a Herald. Tylendel had been Van’s lifebonded who died at Sovvan, a Valdemaran holiday.
Mercedes Lackey and John Yezeguielian’s “Sword of Ice”
Hey, Savil is a Herald and they are hardwired to save people. Lucky for Starwind. Not so great in his peoples’ minds. Talk about bigotry! Fortunately, Starwind is quite stubborn about his new Wingsister, lol.
Savil is a Herald and Vanyel’s aunt. Kellan is Savil’s Companion. Starwind is an injured Hawkbrother, a.k.a. a Tayledras, a close-knit people related to the Shin’a’in. His home base is k’Treva in the Pelagirs. The hertasi are a sentient, shy lizard-people who help the Hawkbrothers.
John Helfers’ “In the Forest of Sorrows”
I had to wonder if Treyon was a good guy or a bad one, and that white horse that showed up made up my mind. It’s definitely action-packed with the bandits desperate to recover Treyon, god knows why, and Vanyel more interested in vanquishing them. It is fascinating how the forest protects the good. Then again, this Ke’noran has some nasty tricks up her sleeve!
Treyon used to scout trade caravans for the bandits and now he’s escaped. Seems he has the potential for two or three Gifts!
The ghost of Herald-Mage Vanyel “Demonsbane” and Yfandes, his Companion, have been protecting in the Forest of Sorrows for over thirty years. It’s a refuge for good people. Stefen is a bard, a reincarnation of Tylendel, and Vanyel’s “second” lifebonded.
Ke’noran is a Cheldaran witch who took over Trold‘s band of brigands. Caith is the leader of the trackers while Soren is their best scout. Toren is another scout.
Ben Ohlander’s “Vkandis’ Own”
Sent out to battle the Hardorns who have been raiding into Karse, it’s a dry, heated march where they’ll encounter a force larger than them. I am not surprised how much Tregaron despises the press-gangs.
It’s a fascinating battle, but it’s the aftermath that reinforces my hatred for Karsites. Well, the Karsite religion anyway. The Black-robes want their Battle Tithe and don’t care how it will affect the men. I absolutely loved it when Solaris stepped up and essentially spit in their eyes!! I have got to read more about her!!
Colonel Tregaron is the commander of His Holiness’ Twenty-First Foot which includes Borlai and Dormion, who is an educated young man with no clue, but Cogern does see possibilities — if he can keep him away from the books. Sergeant Cogern is the Master of Pikes and responsible for the order of the regiment. Sergeant Gren is too handy with a whip. Captain Luhann is quite capable. Hagan of the Third Battle, 5th Company, will supply mercy.
Solaris is a common parish-tender who is rumored to be as powerful as the Black-robes from Sunhame. She’s certainly braver! Havern is one of the two Black-robes assigned to the Twenty-First. Lastern is His Holiness and clueless.
Ancar the Usurper is the nasty ruler of Hardorn. Regulauf leads one of the regiments. Alessandr had been the previous king and the father Ancar killed along with his knowledgeable generals.
Mickey Zucker Reichert’s “A Herald’s Honor”
That was certainly a surprise! Martin certainly does hold hard to his vow. Considering how well Lyssa holds to her vow, I think his is busted into tiny pieces. I certainly don’t see why Lyssa not being a Herald should make a difference. WHAT a slut! As for Judaia’s judgment, I do agree with the welfare line, but I did NOT pick up on Keefhar trading her child for another.
Herald Judaia is training under that idiot Herald Martin. His Companion is Tirithran; hers is Brayth. Martin’s brother is a bard. Lyssa is one of the Seneschal’s granddaughters.
Lindra is thirdwife of Salaman with her first live baby. Keefhar is firstwife of Kailer.
Gary A Branbeck’s “A Song For No One’s Mourning”
Olias goes undercover as a minstrel between his thefts. I can’t really blame Olias for his feelings. What happened to his dad was disgusting and shameful. The range of memories Olias carries with him are heartbreaking. It does not, however, make any sense that no one ever brought any work to his dad. Why wouldn’t Savil have intervened? As for L’lewythi, those dreams of his can be troublesome.
Olias is an angry orphan with a bit of Bardic and Heraldic Gifts, include Thought-sending, which is dang useful in his thieving. Ranyart is Olias’ horse.
L’lewythi is the boy who is tortured and beaten. Ylem is a creature in L’lewythi’s other plane of existence, the Barrens with its own Forest of Sorrows, the Keeningwoods. Gash is one being that came from L’lewythi’s dreams with his pain, grief, and loneliness.
“I like having friends. Even if I had to . . . make them up . . .”
Lord Withen Ashkevron of Forst Reach set up Olias’ father to ridicule. Olias’ mother had been an apprentice-seamstress in the manor. Herald Savil had been Withen’s sister. Gwanwyn was a great metal-worker, who uses magic.
Philip M. Austin and Mercedes Lackey’s “Blue Heart”
These two are so cheeky in leading one on with all this talk about private missions — wait until you discover what those “private missions” are mostly about, lol.
Selenay is queen of Valdemar who likes to do calligraphy and illumination. Elspeth is her daughter with her shed for her pottery. Daren is Selenay’s husband. “Her shadow” is a truly scarred Herald spy and assassin, like Skif. His Companion, Pilane, has a fascinating hobby. Alberich is the weaponsmater. Kerowyn.
Mikhal teaches (and hides) the village children. Pilane is a gorgeous and breathtaking fourteen-year-old beauty with a slow mind. Deke is the Watch-Boy. Headman Cracy and his wife don’t do too well.
Trader Gencan proves too greedy to live.
“There was nothing worse than a tradesman who knew the value of his goods.”
Baron Munn, “The Bull of the Sun”, rules his fiefdom in Karse.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with stylized water in browns and light grays crossing the top with two horsemen facing each other with weapons. In the middle of this “water” is a heater shield with a royal blue background and scattered gilt stars with a rearing gilt pegasus. The bottom of the shield intersects with the gilded rectangular frame with the white head of a Companion emerging from its royal blue background. Additional heater shields are in the bottom two corners of this frame. One has an orange background with a winding snake while the right one has a black background with a silver border and what appears to be the frontal view of a deep burgundy-pink phoenix. On either side of the frame is a fancy dagger in black and silver. At the very top is the title in white with an info blurb beneath it, also in white. At the very bottom is a note that the author is also the editor, and also in white.
The title provides one of the short story titles Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar to pique your interest.
