- Paperback: 304 pages
- ISBN-10: 0099709600
- ISBN-13: 978-0099709602
- Shipping Weight: 503 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
Bound by oath to each other and to the Goddess, the swordswoman Tarma and the wizard Kethry begin a joint career as mercenaries in the constant struggle for justice in a land where demons come in human and not-so-human forms. The author of the "Heroes of Valdemar" trilogy begins a new series involving a pair of likeable, savvy heroines. Sword and sorcery with warmth and humor make this a story that will appeal to most fantasy fans. JC
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Tarma witnessed her clan's murder and, swearing vengeance, became a master warrior. Kethry fled her forced "marriage" and became an adept--pledging her power to the greatest good. When Kethry obtains a magical sword which draws her to others in need, the two vow to avenge the wrongs done to womanhood.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
For fans of Lackey's work, but not really for newcomers to Velgarth.,
By
This review is from: Vows And Honor #1 Oathbound (Mass Market Paperback)
Though I have read almost all of the Velgarth books before, this was actually a new one for me, and I was eager to see what I'd make of it. I am sorry to say that I'm of mixed opinions.One one hand, you can see that Lackey has advanced rather smoothly in her style in only the short time since publishing her first novel, and it was easier to fall into than, say, Arrows of the Queen. This book also features Tarma, who is one of the very few human asexual characters I've found in fiction who are presented in a positive light. As a person who identifies as asexual myself, finding those rare few role-models is a treat, and this books deserves some praise on that alone. Think it's hard finding gay or trans role-models in fiction? try looking for an 'ace' hero and suddenly finding a gay or trans hero seems like a walk in the park! On the other hand, this book did suffer from some very noticeable flaws. This book, the first in the Vows and Honour series, takes place after the previous publication of a few short stories involving Tarma and Kethry, including the tale of their meeting and vow-sharing. As a result, you open this book and feel like you've come in during the middle of the tale, which doesn't leave one with a very favourable impression. The pacing suffered at times, too. This often felt like a collection of short stories that only halfway through turned into a cohesive novel. One quest presented devoted more pages to the character conversing in a common room than it did to one of the characters getting kidnapped by her twisted ex-husband, and the tension there was very difficult to feel. Some plot twists weren't twisty in the slightest, and sadly, the meat of the story could be seen coming a mile away. Also in the "it felt like a book of short stories" vein, there was a great deal of repetition. The reader is constantly reminded of the fact that Warrl's shoulders came up to Tarma's waist, that Need was a magical sword, and that Kathry had amber-coloured hair. Perfectly fine to remind someone of if they're reading a collection of stories that were originally published far apart, but as for one book meant to tell a complete story, it got tedious. Everything being taken into consideration, that isn't to say that I didn't enjoy reading this book. It definitely had its moments, even if it took a while to really get started. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to those who aren't already fans of Lackey's work, I'm still glad I took the time to read it, and nothing will change that.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Weak start, better in the middle, repetitive,
By A Customer
This review is from: Vows And Honor #1 Oathbound (Mass Market Paperback)
Her literary device in this particular book is not really the Lackey I'm used to. The book starts off very slow, which would be ok, if the middle of the book wasn't clogged and slowed down with a complete (far too detailed) recount of the beginning. She goes into such detail (specifically with the tales told to the priest) that you could start the book there and miss litte. Her character descriptions get old quickly, repeated use of similar descriptions over and over are all over the place. In fear of being too picky, I might mention there are many issues with her writing at the core, things like the word "contrived" used to describe the familiar, then used again in the very next sentance as dialogue from a character. Ok for die-hard fans, but I wouldn't suggest it as a start to anyone new to Lackey.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first of the Tarma and Kethry Books,
By Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Vows And Honor #1 Oathbound (Mass Market Paperback)
Tarma is a shin'a'nin sword sworn. This means that she has dedicated her life to the goddess in hope of saving her clan, which was all but wiped out years before. Kethry is a noble born sorceress who, after fleeing a forced marriage, has become a blood sister to Tarma and is intent on helping her bring her clan to life again. Unfortunately this is easier said then done. Traveling as freelance mercenaries, Tarma and Kethry move from town to town in hope of work to help them make money. But when they find work it is far from simple. And when they can't find work trouble still seems to find them. Kethry carries the magical sword Need, that is made for a woman only to fight with and will never harm a woman. And when Need feels a woman in trouble it immediately rushed off to save her, dragging Kethry and her blood sister around behind them. What kind of adventures will they face?Having already read seven other Valdemar books, I was very excited to pick this one up. Like many of Mercedes Lackey's other earlier books, it's filled with a real energy that just makes Tarma and Kethry's adventures just thrilling. The characters of Tarma and Kethry are strong and exciting. You can tell that they really have a strong bond with each other. I can't wait to read the other Vows and Honors book and the short story collection that goes along with it. The only problem I had with it has to do with the fact that although this is the fist Tarma and Kethry book, it starts very much int he middle of their story. The first Tarma and Kethry story is a short story in a separate anthology, one that I haven't read. Although Mercedes Lackey does a good job of explaining what happened in the past I would have liked it a lot more if I had actually got to read the story that happened before hand. It really sounds interesting. But beyond that I really liked this story and I know that any fans of Valdemar will love it too.
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