Name: Sarah Sammis's review of Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey
Item: Arrows of the queen
Rating: 5
Author: Sarah Sammis

Mercedes Lackey

Talia, a runaway Holdgirl, is chosen to become a trainee herald in the queen's elite guard and to care for young Princess Elspeth, heir to the throne. The sequels are Arrow's Flight (1987) and Arrow's Fall (1988). The author's Last Herald Mage series (Magic's Pawn, 1989; Magic's Price, 1990; and Magic's Promise, 1990), and her Mage Winds trilogy (Winds of Fate, 1991; Winds of Change, 1992; and Winds of Fury, 1993) are set in the same world. The Black Gryphon (1994), written by Lackey and Larry Dixon, is set in Valdemar 1,000 years earlier. Storm Warning (1994) is the first book in the author's Mage Storms trilogy, also set in Valdemar. Annotation. Talia, a young runaway, is made a herald at the royal court after she rescues one of the legendary Companions. When she uncovers a plot to seize the throne, Talia must use her empathic powers to save the queen. Talia, a trainee Herald, must use her untried psychic and empathic powers to protect the Queen of Valdemar and her child from a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy the kingdom.

Arrows of the queen

Natasha Johnson

Sarah Sammis

Although I fell out of love with the series, the first book remains a favorite.

Becky A

This isn't a perfect book. Reading it as an adult, I see plenty of flaws; it reads very much as a debut novel. And yet, I don't care one bit. I read it for the first time when I was in fifth grade. I was a weird brunette bookish outsider for a farm town; I wanted to have adventures and do important things and find somewhere to fit in. I have never fallen for a story as hard as I fell for Talia's; I have never identified with a character as much as I did with Talia back in middle school. I don't any more (probably a good thing), but every reread still delights me. This isn't a perfect book, but it's the story of my heart, and for me, it will always, always be five stars.

Allison Garrett

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey was one of the main recommendations I found when I started looking for books like those of Tamora Pierce, one of my all-time favorite authors. I can definitely see the similarities that has drawn the comparison between the two. This trilogy by Lackey follows Talia, a farm girl who is suddenly a Herald, almost like a knight for her queen. 
	Pros: 
•	Talia- She’s tough and headstrong which of course we always love in a female protagonist. We see a lot of growth out of Talia in this first book, and an almost inhuman ability to turn her emotions off. However, I loved watching her grow up and her bonds forming with the side characters. 
•	Ruthless author- Lackey is bloodthirsty with her side characters. No spoilers. 
•	Worldbuilding- As with Pierce, this aspect of the story is one of my favorites. Lacey has created her own world with heroes and magic that just enthralls me. 
•	Coming of Age- As I mentioned early, Talia starts to come of age in this book which is another of my favorite things to see in stories. 
Cons: 
•	Narrator- The book is told through a 3rd person omniscient POV which can be annoying at times as there is little suspense of what people are thinking. 

I’m really excited to have started this new journey of reading Lackey’s books. This was a great start and I’m giving Arrows of the Queen 4/5 stars.

Marsh Wu

Laura Kehoe

Originally reviewed on The Book Unicorn

Actual rating is 3.5 stars

I've been hearing about Mercedes Lackey books for yeeeeaaarrrss. So when I found this book at my local used bookstore, I decided it was finally time to give her books a try. And I'm so glad I did.

This reminded me so much of the types of fantasy novels I used to devour as a kid. It had magic (although not as overt as is often found in fantasy), a young heroine with plenty of smarts and pluck, and a beautiful, detailed world. And the best part was the female characters were actually well-developed, unique people who actually felt real. Plus, there was a wlw relationship. I'd love to have seen more lgbtqa+ representation, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the representation that I did in this. I'm hoping to find more going forward, and it seems like that might be the case.

At times the story dragged a bit. There were quite a few slower parts, especially at the beginning. But for the most part I didn't have too much trouble staying engaged and focused. Mostly because I found the characters so delightful that even if the plot dragged, I still cared what happened to them.

This was a fun, nostalgic read that brought me back to my childhood, while at the same time being something I could really appreciate as an adult. If you're a fan of fantasy, particularly epic fantasy, I'd recommend checking out this book. I'm interested to see where the story goes next!

Greg Copeland

Nora 

Gillian Rose

Jason Hippe

Jacalyn Boggs

Talia, a young runaway, is made a herald at the royal court after she rescues one of the legendary Companions. When she uncovers a plot to seize the throne, Talia must use her empathic powers to save the queen.

Arrows of the Queen

Natalie

Connor 

Haley Murray

Follows the adventures of Talia as she trains to become a Herald of Valdemar in the first book in the classic epic fantasy Arrows trilogy Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen’s own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense. But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason that could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queen’s heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen’s own foes.

Natasha Johnson &
Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey

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Natasha Johnson &
Arrows of the queen by Mercedes Lackey