Arrow's Flight (Heralds of Valdemar Book 2)

As I will likely note in future reviews of other books in the Valdemar/Velgarth saga, I've often found that the middle books in the various trilogies are often the weakest. Such is not the case with this one, however, for I feel it is stronger than the first book, though probably not quite as strong as the one that follows it. The story of Talia's intern journey is engaging, frustrating, and heartbreaking by turns. She must experience one of the darkest times in her life thusfar on this trip, though as usual she comes through it with flying colors and stronger than she's ever been.Talia has just gotten her Whites at the beginning of this book, and is ready to set forth on her internship with Herald Kris as her adviser and mentor. She has come a long way from the frightened little farm girl she was at the beginning of the first book, though she still has a good deal to learn regarding the need to trust those who are there to help her, and to accept the help that they can give when needed instead of walling herself off and trying to deal with things on her own. Such has been a continuing problem for her, and while one would have thought she'd have learned her lesson about it by now, it pretty quickly becomes evident that she hasn't quite once she and Kris set out. It's not really that she has any inflated opinions of herself or her capabilities, but rather that she is afraid of disappointing her friends and colleagues, and is still wont to fall back upon the distrusting and independent ways she learned as a child among the Holderkin when personal crisis strikes. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that she receives yet another rather pointed lesson in why she needs to trust her fellow Heralds and let them help her when she finds herself in over her head with something. Thankfully, by the end of this book, she does seem to have finally learned that lesson.In the overall scheme of things, this story steps away from the larger plots of the trilogy and extended series, though it doesn't forget them entirely. A few more crucial parts of the background to the tapestry that's being woven are laid in here, though the main focus stays squarely on Talia and the trials she faces during her year and a half on the road with Kris. Vicious rumors, personal catastrophe, an epic blizzard, her first taste of battle, and murder all figure into the tale and all contribute to Talia's growth as a Herald and as a woman. Through it all, enough ominous signs of an impending showdown of some sort can be seen to thoroughly whet the appetite for the final book in the trilogy.

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.

Mercedes Lackey has captured my imagination and interest through so many generations of the Valdemar series. You cannot go wrong with this series. I own every single book in the series - and will keep it that way until there are no other books to purchase. I do wish that the Kindle version (and some of the "standard" versions) included Larry Dixon's art. Amazing Artists!!! The both of them!

Good！Good！Good！Good！Good！Good！Good！

As Awesome as anything from Mercedes Lackey. It was a special treat to read. It is always sad when it ends as I wish it would go on forever. Thank goodness the next book is downloaded and ready to read. THANK YOU Mercedes for all my hours enjoying your books. I have read them all more than once.

I wish I could just leave a star rating.

I LOVED this book series! Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with these books. Such a good story with Talia. All of the characters are well developed and believable. It is easy to get sucked in and read for hours.

Was as described and came in a timely fashion

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 am glad I bought and read these books but am unlikely to re-read.

Good follow-on to the first book

Brilliant series = good read, and smooth follow on from the books in the series. Brings characters to life and scenes vivid visualisation

This trilogy and the Last Herald Mage trilogy are among the very best written by M. Lackey. She captures the struggled of the characters, make the characters identifiable and engaging, and develops them smoothly.

Another excellent book by Mercedes Lackey.

Wonderful book. Can't help to read the next ones and other books of Mercedes Lackey

Great

本作は，ヴァルデマール王国年代記のうち，タリアを主人公として３部作の２作目です．前作 "Arrows of the Queen" で <使徒> の一員となったタリアが，<使徒> としての教育課程をほぼ終え，修了課程として <使徒> クリスと共に王国の北部へ実習のために旅立ちます．それと同時期にタリアに関して或る噂が流れ始め，その噂を旅立ち直後に知ったタリアは大きな精神的葛藤を抱えたまま旅を続けることになります．そして初冬のある日，王国北部の巨大な森の近くで猛吹雪のために二人と２頭の Companion は立ち往生を余儀なくされ，タリアの <天恵> にも大きな異変が・・・本作では，前作に引き続き更に多くの伏線と謎が語られます．ただ，これらの多くの伏線と謎は最終巻で解決されることになるので，この巻では，タリアの <天恵> の異変とそれに伴う心理描写，そしてタリアが <天恵> の異変をクリスと共にどのように克服していくか，が話の中心になっています．ヴァルデマール王国全体に関わるイベントが発生する訳ではなく，二人の旅と葛藤が中心に据えられていますので少々読み辛いですが，次作 "Arrow's Fall"，そして "By the Sword" へと続く物語のキーポイントの一つであることには間違いありません．続編を楽しむため，そしてラッキーの世界を堪能するための必須アイテムと言えると思います．