In INTRIGUES, young orphan Mags continues his training as a
Herald while deepening his search into the identity of his
parents, but what he finds is nothing more than another
dead-end. Suspicion focuses on him when danger starts to
surround the king.
INTRIGUES is typical middle book for a trilogy--
a lot of set up and only slight advancement of the plot. I
would recommend reading the first book of the series,
otherwise some of the nuances will be lost. Fans of the
Valdemar series will find The Collegium Chronicles of
interest as it not only shows how Heralds are taught but
gives glimpses into the history of the Healers without the
gift.
Readers will have to read carefully to catch Bear, but by
the end of INTRIGUES readers will be clamoring for more. So
much so that I am finding those Healer tidbits more
interesting than Mag's Herald story or even Lena's Bardic
story, which I'm hoping will be fleshed out a bit more in
the next book. Because right now, with what happened in
INTRIGUES, I'm kind of hoping someone smacks some sense into
the little chit. And, hopefully, with the next book
followers of the series will understand why Mags and why
this time and now? And what's with the cryptic assassin
wannabes and Mags? Yet another clue to his parentage
perhaps?
"Spellbinding storyteller" (Rave Reviews) Mercedes Lackey
continues her epic Valdemar series.
Magpie is a thirteen-year-old orphan chosen by one of the
magical Companion horses of Valdemar and taken to the
capital city, Haven, to be trained as a Herald. Like all
Heralds, Magpie learns that he has a hidden Gift-the Gift of
telepathy. But life at the court is not without obstacles.
When Mags is "recognized" by foreign secret operatives whose
purpose is unknown, Mags himself comes under suspicion. Who
are Magpie's parents-who is he, really? Can Mags solve the
riddle of his parentage and his connection with the
mysterious spies-and prove his loyalty-before the king and
court banish him as a traitor?