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Exile's
Honor by Mercedes Lackey pub: Daw Books.
416 page hardback. Price: $24.95 (US), $35.99 (CAN), ISBN: 0756400856.
Check out website: www.dawbooks.com
After
his amazingly talented horse whisks him from a burning barn and
carries him to the enemy country of Valdemar, Alberich must face
the greatest decision of his life. Formerly a captain of the Sunguard,
his own people condemned him to death for his use of forbidden mind-magic.
While
healing in Valdemar, Alberich learns that the white horse, Kantor,
is actually a Companion, one of the mystical guardians of Valdemar,
and at least as smart as he is. The Companion has chosen him to
become a Herald and to defend Valdemar from its enemies.
Now Alberich must decide what he was truly fighting
for, and how to reconcile his oaths to the Sunlord with Valdemar's desperate need
for him. The Karsites have enlisted the dreaded Tedrel Mercenaries to conquer
Valdemar forever. Only Alberich stands between Karse and his new charges,
the royal family of Valdemar. Mercedes Lackey's latest novel, 'Exile's
Honor', guides readers with brilliant characters through a truly heart-warming
story. This novel emphasises action rather than romance, unsurprising given Alberich's
taciturn nature. Yet this book also contains moments of humour, quiet and poignant
in their subtlety. While the book is stand-alone for new readers, old
readers will recognise much of the cast of 'Arrows Of The Queen' and 'Take A Thief'.
This book precedes both of these, allowing readers to see Princess Selenay before
she becomes queen, along with many other familiar faces. The Tedrel Wars appear
at last, spectacular in both scope and presentation. Such battles rarely
appear with such moment-to-moment detail, even in epic fantasy fiction. As
with most of Lackey's books, this novel revolves around a single character, showing
the world through his eyes. Alberich must choose between his old country and his
new, without compromising the Honor he cherishes. Through him, we feel triumph
and sorrow as Valdemar embarks on one of its greatest trials. This
story takes place in Lackey's most well-known and distinctive world. She paints
an expert picture of daily life, exploring new aspects of Valdemar with each book,
especially this one. Even her most voracious readers will discover new details
about the capital city of Haven as Alberich and Princess Selenay explore the world
around them. In both action and compassion, friendship and fantasy,
this novel captivates the mind. Alberich battles his inner doubts even as he rides
to a war unlike any ever seen in Valdemar. His strong personality dominates the
book, even as his search for truth steals our hearts. In 'Exile's Honor',
Mercedes Lackey once again shows readers that her writing and skill with character
have no limits.
Valerie Frankel
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