Helpful Score: 2
Yet now the realm is at risk again.Elspeth Herald and heir to the throne.must take up the challenge,abandoning her home to find a mentor who can awaken her untrained mage abilities.But others,too,are being caught up in a war against sorcerous evil.
The Tayledras scout Darkwind is the first to stumble across the menace creeping forth from the Uncleansed Lands.And as sorcery begins to take it oll,Darkwind may be forced to call upon powers he has sworn never to use again if he and his people are to survive on enemy able to wreak greater devastation with spells of destruction than with swords....
The Tayledras scout Darkwind is the first to stumble across the menace creeping forth from the Uncleansed Lands.And as sorcery begins to take it oll,Darkwind may be forced to call upon powers he has sworn never to use again if he and his people are to survive on enemy able to wreak greater devastation with spells of destruction than with swords....
Helpful Score: 2
Another good book, December 13, 2002
Reviewer: Myra Schjelderup "Ignolopi" (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
This book is about the heir to the throne of Valdemar, Elspeth, and a Hawkbrother, Darkwind.
Elspeth wanted to go find mages for Valdemar, which was being attacked by a neighboring kingdom (though he hadn't sent any more major attacks since `By the sword'). So, she goes to find mages, and to get trained herself (they find she has a major mage gift), only with her friend Skif and their Companions.
Darkwind is a scout for the Hawkbrothers, who used to be a mage. When they do meet, (after a while) they, Nyara (Falconsbane's daughter who hates him), and two grown griffins and their litter of three, not to mention the magic sword Need that went with Elspeth) get attacked by an evil (aren't all blood mages?) blood mage, Falconsbane. And they get whole new set of problems...
Reviewer: Myra Schjelderup "Ignolopi" (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
This book is about the heir to the throne of Valdemar, Elspeth, and a Hawkbrother, Darkwind.
Elspeth wanted to go find mages for Valdemar, which was being attacked by a neighboring kingdom (though he hadn't sent any more major attacks since `By the sword'). So, she goes to find mages, and to get trained herself (they find she has a major mage gift), only with her friend Skif and their Companions.
Darkwind is a scout for the Hawkbrothers, who used to be a mage. When they do meet, (after a while) they, Nyara (Falconsbane's daughter who hates him), and two grown griffins and their litter of three, not to mention the magic sword Need that went with Elspeth) get attacked by an evil (aren't all blood mages?) blood mage, Falconsbane. And they get whole new set of problems...
Helpful Score: 2
Elspeth, future queen of Valdemar, and her long-term friend, teacher, and fellow Herald, Skif, set out to locate a mage who will either train her or return with them to protect their home. Strong female characterization, vivid description, and fast-paced adventure entertain readers as good battles against evil in this first book in a fantasy trilogy.
Helpful Score: 1
Engrossing story continuing the Valdemar series of stories. In this one Elspeth a new Herald and heir to the throne undergoes training, fights off assassins, and learns that she is also a Mage. She had to join forces with Darkwind to fight off evil magic. GREAT!!!
Helpful Score: 1
High magic had been lost to Valdemar centuries ago when the last Herald-Mage gave his life to save the kingdom from destruction by dark sorceries. Yet now the realm is at risk again. And Elspeth, Herald and heir to the throne, must take up the challenge, abandoning her home to find a mentor who can awaken her untrained mage abilites. But others, too, are being caught up in a war against sorcerous evil.
The Tayledras scout Darkwind is the first to stumble across the menace creeping forth from the uncleansed lands. And as sorcery begins to take its toll, Darkwind may be forced to call upon powers he has sworn never to use again if he and his people are to survive an enemy able to wreak greater devastation with spells of destruction than with swords.....
The Tayledras scout Darkwind is the first to stumble across the menace creeping forth from the uncleansed lands. And as sorcery begins to take its toll, Darkwind may be forced to call upon powers he has sworn never to use again if he and his people are to survive an enemy able to wreak greater devastation with spells of destruction than with swords.....
