Eye Spy: Valdemar: Family Spies, Book 2

As always Ms. Lackey tells an engrossing, entertaining, and well told tale. As is often the case with her stories it follows a character finding their place in the world.

Mercedes Lackey does it again! Another in her successful Valdemar series. I love that this book is essentially has a young female ‘engineer’ as the protagonist in a world with magic. Lackey creates characters of all backgrounds that a variety of people can relate to. Her message of ‘be who you are’ and acceptance is set in an interesting world and told through an engaging plot line.

Overall, this was probably the best new Valdemar book I’ve read and enjoyed in years. That’s not to say that it has no flaws, but overall, Abi is a great, solid character with some truly excellent and original adventures.I’m not going to lie: Part of my enjoyment might be because this is the first book in a long time that doesn’t include Mags as a POV character. I like him, but I was a little done. He’s fulfilled his character arc (and then some), and I was ready to move on. Abi filled that void nicely, as a character that embodies a lot of what I love about this series. Lackey introduced us to a new Gift when that source might otherwise be tapped out, and in doing so, let me revisit one of my favorite groups. I’ve had a soft spot for the Artificers since the Mage Storm trilogy, and Abi fit in nicely with them on multiple levels.In addition, I’m always thrilled to travel outside Valdemar. Lackey wrote herself into a bit of a corner with Vanyel’s final spell, and I love the way she’s returned to incorporating magic into this series.Alas, the downsides: Abi is really freaking perfect. Like, if she wasn’t so nice, it’d be really annoying. This book also doesn’t really work well as a book. Instead, it reads more as a two-part series linked by the character and slightly less so by the villain. I was especially disappointed that Abi’s Gift doesn’t necessarily play into a major confrontation in the second half, after the buildup for why she was put into that situation in the first place.But again, it’s the characters who save this book. The secondary characters, especially Jicks, Stev, and Korlack, shine on the page both individually and with their interactions with Abi. If Abi is perfect enough to basically be a Herald, it was a delight to meet a thoroughly pragmatic Herald in Stev (and a certain jab at Vanyel made me laugh out loud while I read). In addition, Lackey gets some bonus points for representation beyond the obvious.Highly recommended for fans of Valdemar, especially if you’ve fallen out of the series recently. There are some references to the previous book in this trilogy, but they aren’t necessary to read and enjoy this book, so this is good place to pick it up again.

Well-written. Includes some homage to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and some censure of Donald Trump in like manner. I liked it.If you don't recognize the references after reading, think about the characters Judge Genberg and Dudley Remp. It will come to you.

One of the best parts of the Valedemar books is that the stories build upon a rich cast of characters that are referenced through out the saga, allowing for a lot of in-depth character development. In this book, Abi (the middle child of Mags and Amily, first seen in The Collegium Chronicles series prior to this trilogy) is the focus. The daughter of two Heralds, she’s trying to find her own place in the world, her own calling.Another thing I love about this overall saga is the diverse representation… in sexuality, gender, and race. Abi is portrayed as aromantic, asexual, which I appreciated. I love all of the books of Valdemar. Part of that is the fantasy aspect, of course. But it’s also because the stories revolve around so much more than romantic relationships between characters. It’s about the quest for good over evil, the struggles with morality.If you love a great fantasy with exquisite world-building, Mercedes Lackey is a genius at delivering both of these things.

This book was thrilling, exciting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Mag’s & Amily’s second child learns life’s lessons as horribly as her older brother did in the previous book even though she is much older but she didn’t have a parent there to support her. She had to rely on her training from her Spy Master Father, Spy Master Grandfather and his Mentoring Spy Master and on herself along with her heart and mind. It was exciting and fun to see her come into her own. I hope you enjoy this book, series and all the Herald of Valdemar books that this amazing author has written!

Mercedes Lackey has written another excellent book in this second of the Family Spies series. Her world building is excellent as is her character development. You feel like you could be right at home in her world, and you also feel like you know the characters very well indeed and understand their emotions. I think this is one of the best fantasy series around.

This is a good solid adventure story. A fun read. The characters are interesting. The endingwas unsettled. There were several loose ends that made me drop off the fifth star of rating.It felt unfinished a bit.

The whole series from Mag's rescue from the mines to the growth of his family.What an incredible series to read.

I loved the book Ms. Lackey is my favorited authors,and I understand that publishers have to make a profit. However I didn’t notice the price $16.98 a paperback is only $10.98.So it’s back to 2nd hand the Liabary for me.ItsSad because I have just about all her books.Also going to be checking prices when I buy.

sehr gut

Really like Valdemaran stories. This is no exception. I enjoy the good ideas shared in them. I like how Abi's heart is to help others wherever she can. Love the hinnies. And most of all, love how always get a great ending with all the loose ends tied up.

Was happy to get this book as the next volume in the series. Arrived in good time.