I happened on this book when I was looking for one more book to fill my order for joining a book club. It sounded interesting, but I never heard of the author before. Once I got it and read it, I could not put the book down! I fell in love with the title character Talia and the strength and humanity she possessed. Every character in this book becomes a real person, someone you care about, cry with, laugh with and hold your breath for. The world that Mercedes Lackey has created is far and away better than our own. I have lent this series to quite a few friends and every single person I have lent it to has enjoyed it so much they have purchased the book on their own to read again and again. This is my favorite book. Vaneyl - The Last Herald Mage is also completely fantastic. Anyone who reads this series shall never for one minute regret it. Mercedes Lackey, thank you so much for giving me a world that I have fallen in love with and wish to return to again and again. A world where honor, magic and love are real and alive and thank you for in all the books in this series showing that humanity, love and honor are not exclusively for humans and sometimes done better by those who are not. This series contains many parts and every one is a treasure to read and read again.