Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar

Top positive review

More Companions

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019

I discovered Arrows for the Queen in the mid 80's. I have purchased every Mercedes Lackey book published that has any connection to Valdemar. The collections of stories written by various authors are great. You learn more little tidbits about old friends and you sometimes make new ones. If you love intrigue, perilous tasks or some really worth prose, pick up one of the story collections. If you love the stories, then pick up the first book in the Valdemar series. I strongly suggest you read the books in order. Even though they move through several time periods I believe it is the only way to meet all the inhabitants of this universe.

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Top critical review

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Lonnie Wayne Killion

The stories were ok

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014

I found this a little disappointing. I really enjoy the novels but the short stories really don't have much to them. Not enough substance for me.

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From the United States

Jackie-the-Greyhound

Great anthology, highly recommended for the Valdemar fans!

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2011

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I rarely say this about an anthology, but this is one that should be read in order after the previous ones, Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar and Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar as a several of the stories (about half) involve continuing the tales from previous anthologies. I was most happy to see the follow up stories for Maia (the girl with the animal mindspeech), Shia (the Chosen with the healing gift), Jors (of the changing diaper fame, but in a much different story!), as well as Leila the Bard, Ree and Jem, Rhiannon and Dionne, as well as Seargent Hektor. It's not often an 'anthology' with diverse authors gives you such continuity of characters!

As can be expected some of the stories are better than others...but all were worthwhile, and considering the different styles, tastes and focal points, there is something here for (I would presume) all Valdemar fans. In order to avoid spoilers I will just say it was great to see the growth in Ree and Jem's family, and I truly enjoyed seeing parts of Selenay's story inside a couple of them as well. And I NEVER thought about a young Shin'a'in with a Companion.

Now, for anyone reading this and wondering what are these weird words I'm spouting on with, well it's hard to explain (at least I didn't bring up the Hertasi...oops). Suffice it to say the story of Valdemar (and earlier) has unfolded over 35 or so books in various series and anthologies. Needless to say, it does involve a lot! The writing over the years has been variable, but Valdemar (etc) stories are ones that I still feel compelled to continue reading. Of late the offerings have been these anthologies, where there is a story by Mercedes Lackey (and husband Larry Dixon), but where other authors have been given the chance to write as well and the general quality has been high.

I very much have enjoyed this collection and do recommend the book...the stories all stand alone, but are richer for having the background of the earlier works.

By the way, the first in the original series is Arrows of the Queen , not the first chronologically, but the first one published. Her website can direct you to the chronology, but I prefer to read these in order of publication date (also noted on her website listing). Though there are some mature themes alluded to, nothing is too graphic and they generally read like YA.

JTG

26 people found this helpful

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Kim Deister

So good!

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2022

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This is the 6th anthology of short stories set within the greater Valdemar world. Several of the stories continue the mini-series of characters found in other stories within the anthology collection, while others are standalones. They are a wonderful addition to the series and the world.

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S. Collins

Reading again...will probably re-read more times in the future

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2012

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I am reading the Valdemar anthologies (and the MZB Sword & Sorceress ones) again, and I will probably re-read them more times in the future. Seems as if no one is writing great books like these any more. I have read every Valdemar book at least once, and some more than once. I really hate that M.L. is no longer writing them, but the anthologies give some interesting views from other authors, and some of them are great. I go on-line fairly often to try to buy something else from those authors that have written a story that I thought was particularly good. BTW. Also wonder why M.L.'s web site shows "new" questions from 2005 and 2006, but nothing more recent and no questions accepted. Hope she isn't stopping the anthologies!

2 people found this helpful

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Nancy S.

Sheer fun

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021

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Again, I love diving into other authors` conception of life in Mercedes Lackey`s world. Especially the first one by the author and her husband.

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E L. Sanders

Another great visit to Valdemar.

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2021

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As always with any of the Valdemar anthologies it's Too Short! I love the world Mercedes created and hate to leave it each time I finish a book. Another great visit to Valdemar.

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B. Harris

Good Valdemar Read

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013

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I enjoyed the various stories in this anthology. I have read all the series written about this unique world
and this book added new stories to the history of Valdemar. It's nice to be able to read only one or two
short stories at a time and come back later to pick up another one. If you like M. Lackey and this world
which she created you'll probably like these stories, too.

One person found this helpful

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L. Kramer

Great collection

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2019

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Been reading these since the very first one. If you are a Valdemar fan, then you'll love this.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

She's Back!

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2011

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Lackey was getting stale on the Hearlds of Valdemar Series, so, much as I enjoy them, I stopped buying the series, and pretty much everything else she's written recently.
Perhaps the challenge of writing a short story(you have to tighten up your writing considerably). Or a sense of competitiveness,(the other authors in her last short story compilation seemed to do a better job) but this one was worth buying!

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