Review

Praise for To Light a Candle:

“Lackey and Mallory combine their talents for storytelling and world crafting into a panoramic effort . . . filled with magic, dragons, elves, and other mythical creatures.”--Library Journal

“Wide-ranging viewpoints and interwoven plots suggest an action thriller. It’s a rich world with an ingenious system of interlocking magics.”--Amazing Stories

Praise for The Outstretched Shadow:
( VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror)
“Once Kellen realizes there is a world full of wonders, diversity, and people who think and live differently, he cannot return to the oppressive sameness of City life. When he refuses to give up the books, his father banishes him forever from the City and to a horrific death prearranged by the mages. The Wild Magic has another agenda for him, however, involving an acerbic unicorn and a woman—heavens!—to learn the Wild (but not sex) Magic from. Delightful.”--Booklist
“Kellen sets down a road he never expected to take, on a journey of dire importance to both humans and nonhumans (the latter including elves, unicorns, and other enchanting creatures). The narrative speeds to the end, avoiding a jarring halt while leaving the reader satisfied and wanting to know more."--Publishers Weekly
“Lackey and Mallory join forces to create an epic fantasy filled with sorcery and swordplay set in a world on the verge of a Demon war.”--Library Journal
“Their skill in weaving a story will leave readers eager for the next installment. Lackey and Mallory create a wide variety of multidimensional characters, especially Kellen who grows to manhood in realistic starts and stops, recognizing and accepting both his heritage and the consequences of his actions" --VOYA

About the Author

Mercedes Lackeyis the author of the Valdemar series, including Take a Thiefand Exile’s Honor. She is the co-author, with Andre Norton, of the Halfblood Chronicles, including Elvenborn. Some of her other novels include Phoenyx and Ashes, Sacred Ground, The Firebird, The Fairy Godmother, and Alta. She lives in Oklahoma. James Malloryis the author of theMerlin trilogy (Merlin: The Old Magic; Merlin: The King’s Wizard; Merlin: The End of Magic). He lives in upstate New York.
Together, Lackey and Mallory have written The Outstretched Shadowand To Light a Candle, the first two volumes in the Obsidian Trilogy.

From School Library Journal

YA-Native American Jennifer Talldeer is a private investigator who usually deals with mundane cases of divorce, insurance fraud, and missing persons. Her cantankerous grandfather is teaching her the skills of a shaman and the magic possessed by warriors. When she is hired by an insurance company to look into the bombing of a shopping mall where fragments of Indian artifacts are discovered, both of these interests come into play. The burial ground of her ancestors has been destroyed as well as the mall site, freeing evil spirits who hinder the investigation and threaten to destroy her and the entire world. Jennifer must also deal with the return of her former lover, David Spotted Horse, who is an Indian activist and a prime suspect in the bombing. Skillfully weaving a tale of fantasy, mystery, and Native American folklore, Lackey has written a unique novel sure to appeal to YAs.
Katherine Fitch, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Jennifer Talldeer, a private investigator and Osage shaman-in-training, follows a trail of sabotage and murder as a routine insurance investigation unearths a conspiracy between an unscrupulous businessman and a powerful spirit of vengeance. Set in contemporary Oklahoma, Lackey's fantasy/mystery crossover draws on the region's rich Native American heritage for atmosphere. Although the villain's identity is apparent early in the tale, a strong female protagonist and colorful supporting characters maintain interest in an otherwise predictable story. The author's popularity should ensure a readership for this title.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Tannim is a human mage fond of fast cars and loud music, working with the elf lord Keighvin to rescue runaway kids in serious trouble. But those kids are being used by Keighvin's enemies to bait a trap. What's more, Tannim's predilection for dangerous women may turn lethal. He thinks he's found Ms. Right, but she seems to want to kill him. Tannim's magery is sometimes erratic -- but his talent for getting himself into trouble is perfect!

Review

"... a story that's hard to put down ... wickedly ingenious ... with the tightly controlled energy and lean contours of an expertly tuned Mustang Mach 1 like Tannim's". -- Dragon

From Booklist

This Scepter'd Isle [BKL F 15 04] continues Lackey and Gellis' saga of elven and human intrigue at the court of Henry VIII. The Bright and Dark Courts are at odds over visions of possible futures in mortal lands--futures that are to be determined by which of the king's children will rule after him. The most uncertain but most desirable outcome for the Bright Court would be the succession of Lady Elizabeth, and agents from the Dark Court are sent to watch, attack, and possibly destroy her. But Elizabeth not only has mortal and elven defenders, she has the true sight and therefore can see through a sidhe disguise. Lackey and Gellis continue their superior blending of English folklore and history as they briskly cover the 10 years or so between the death of Jane Seymour and that of Henry. It is useful, though not necessary, to have read This Scepter'd Isle beforehand. Anyone who knows the period will appreciate this book all by itself. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the author of the Bardic Voices series and the SERRAted Edge series (both Baen), the Heralds of Valdemar series (DAW), and many more. Of her writing, Stephen King has stated, ¿She¿ll keep you up long past your bedtime,¿ and Locus raved, ¿Lackey is one of the best storytellers in the field.¿ Among her popular Baen titles are The Fire Rose, The Lark and the Wren, The Shadow of the Lion (with Eric Flint and Dave Freer) and This Scepter¿d Isle, the prequel to Ill Met by Moonlight, written in collaboration with Roberta Gellis. She lives in Oklahoma.

Roberta Gellis is author of over 25 novels in different fields. New York Times best-selling author John Jakes has called her ¿a superb storyteller of extraordinary talent,¿ Publishers Weekly has termed her ¿a master of the medieval historical,¿ and Romantic Times has praised her as ¿a master spinner of tales.¿ Her many awards include: The Silver and Gold Medal Porgy for historical novels from West Coast Review of Books and the Golden Certificate and Golden Pen from Affaire de Coeur. From Romantic Times she has received both the Award for Best Novel in the Medieval Period and also the Lifetime Achievement Award for Historical Fantasy. And the Romance Writers of America have presented her with their Lifetime Achievement Award..

From Booklist

This high-quality anthology mixes pieces by experienced authors and enthusiastic fans of editor Lackey's Valdemar. The stories range throughout the entire history of Valdemar, from the Mage Wars on, and display charm, imagination, and honest sentiment. The title story, by Lackey, is an interesting epilogue to two of her recent novels, Exile's Honor [BKL S 15 02] and Exile's Valor [BKL O 15 03]. Other notable efforts by professionals are Nancy Asire's "The Cat Who Came to Dinner" (Valdemar fandom is definitely biased toward feline fanciers); "In the Eye of the Beholder," by Josepha Sherman; and "Icebreaker," by Rosemary Edghill. Fans' work includes Michael Longcor's "True Colors," in which one may detect the influence of his background in the famed fantasy-world realization affiliation, the Society for Creative Anachronism, and "Errold's Journey" by Catherine S. McMullen, a 12-year-old who well may have a long career ahead of her. Valdemar fandom, especially, will revel in this sterling example of what such a mixture of fans' and pros' work can be. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From Publishers Weekly

Setting a story in prehistory suggests a enormous potential, a feeling that all is new and possible. Lackey's latest created world (illustrated by husband Dixon) predates the setting of her Valdemar series by a millennium but never quite lives up to its expanded possibilities. The gryphon of the title is the charismatic Skandranon, leader of the gryphons, a race of birds just evolving into awareness. After establishing this intriguing premise, however, the tale soon bogs down in fantasy cliches as the main characters fight a standard war against the forces of evil. Although some of the novel's elements, like Skandranon's human friend Amberdrake, suggest a possible complexity, the plot is predictable and the overwritten battle scenes are difficult to follow. In the end, the evil Mage of Black Fire is destroyed, nearly everyone else lives and the chaotic magic of prehistory is tamed.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

As the tyrant-sorcerer Kiyamvir Ma'ar's forces sweep across the land in a relentless war of conquest, one man--Urtho, the Mage of Silence--arises as the leader of the opposition. Set a thousand years before the founding of Valdemar and the rise of the Herald Mages, the latest novel by Lackey and Dixon relates the story of the legendary black gryphon Skandranon Rashkae, his healer-companion Amberdrake, and the war that changed the face of a world forever. Featuring some of the authors' most endearing protagonists yet, this first in a projected dualogy is recommended for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

There is pleasure to be taken from novels of intrigue in which readers don't have to think at all, where their hands are held throughout the action and nothing is anything but what it seems. In Lackey and Dixon's second novel of the Gryphon trilogy (after The Black Gryphon), holdover heroes Skandranon, Amberdrake and Winterhart attempt to establish a political liaison with the Haighlei and their king, Shalaman, in order to to preserve the autonomy of the city of White Gryphon. But a series of grisly murders is perpetrated in ways such that Skan, a gryphon, becomes the chief suspect, thus jeopardizing their negotiations. Several twists and turns follow, but the characters are so pure of heart that they overlook the obvious, and too many improbabilities pile up. The authors maintain a frenetic narrative pace, despite the frequent bromidic asides ("often, one can be in love with who they think someone is"). But even as a page-turner, this novel is likely to leave readers suspecting that Lackey and Dixon are just biding their time, that maybe the third book of the trilogy will be something special. What they present here is a harmless confection, less fattening than an eclair and about as nutritious.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ten years have passed since the death of Urtho, the Mage of Silence. The survivors of the catastrophic battle have built the city of White Gryphon, hoping to found a permanent settlement in a new land. When a delegation from the Court of the Black Kings disputes their existence on the fringes of its territory, the mage-gryphon Skandranon and his friend Amberdrake find their diplomatic skills tested to the fullest as they become embroiled in a conspiracy of assassination that threatens a possible alliance. Set in the world of the popular Valdemar series, this latest novel by coauthors Lackey and Dixon (Chrome Circle, LJ 8/94) tells a tale of intrigue and mystery enhanced by vivid descriptions of an exotic, ritualistic culture. A good purchase for the legions fo Valdemar aficionados.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA?In Book Three of "The Mage Wars" series, readers find the city of White Gryphon at peace. The warriors of the Cataclysm have settled into a comfortable and secure life within the city gates. But, there are other worlds to explore outside the haven of White Gryphon. Silverblade, a human, and Tadrith, a gryphon, complete rigorous training and are sent on their first solo mission to guard a remote outpost, where they encounter dangers and unknown evil. Using the skills learned in training and the tools at hand, Blade and Tad defeat their enemies and win the admiration of their parents. More importantly they learn to trust in themselves and one another when threatened. Even without having read The Black Gryphon (1994) and The White Gryphon (1995, both DAW), YAs will enjoy this story. There is enough explanation and background given to understand the history behind the setting and characters.?Beth Devers, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Third in the Mage Wars trilogy from the wife and husband team. Twelve peaceful years have passed since the action of The White Gryphon (1995), while Skandranon the Black Gryphon and Amberdrake the Healer settle down into comfortable middle age. An elite warrior force, the Silver Gryphons, has been formed to protect the city--a force that Skandranon's son Tad and Amberdrake's daughter Blade, sowing rebellious streaks, have joined. Following two long, hard years of training, Tad and Blade are given the difficult assignment of occupying a remote guard post reachable only across miles of unknown territory. On the way, a strange force drains Tad's magic powers. So, alone, injured, and desperate, Tad and Blade find themselves beset by Wyrsa, dreadful mage-created hybrid creatures who have the power to absorb magic. Standard fare for series regulars. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Library Journal

Vanyel's disdain for swordsmanship earns him an unexpected exile--at the High Court of Valdemar under the guardianship of his stern and implacable Aunt Savil, one of the legendary Herald-Mages. A young man's painful discovery of his own immense talents and his true nature form the core of this richly detailed fantasy, the first in a new series set in the same world as "The Heroes of Valdemar." Lackey's talent for characterization lends depth to this coming-of-age adventure that will appeal to most fantasy readers.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.