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4.0 out of 5 stars
Mercedes, indeed the legendary figure, Oct 15 2003
By A Customer
Now, this book struck me as interesting the moment I laid hands on it( the cover page, darn the habit ). I was quite surprised when I started reading the book that I actually got interested in such an atmosphere of fantasy where music and fear appear to be the most uninvisible kind of magic there is, and how alike it is to old England.
Then, I found out why. The lyrics of this book encourages the reader to read on, I found this book interesting because of the mere fact that it was set in our world--almost. I found a profound love of a world that is so similiar to ours, yet still contains that musically smooth writing that captures your soul like lines from music wrapping around you, grasping you, embracing you. That was no doubt a rare find. Then I knew I was in the good part of the story, the part where I can be sure to be entranced for--no less than an infinity. Astounding, yes, quite astounding. A book whose prose matches the lyrics of its songs.
This book also presents a magical variety of characteristics of its characters, such a big yet invisible mix that it's almost as if the characteristic were cards in one gigantic deck shuffled with astounding skill so that no card is the same. At that time I was sure of this author's skill. For to have a different variety of characteristics actually makes a story interesting, it opens more doors to imagination, to possibilities, and it captures the attention of the reader better. That strategy is the backbone of A.D. 999, one of my favorite fantasies.
This book was--well, my opinion is better stated at the end. Lastly, I should say that not only did this book's prose find its armour, wit, and it captured a main factor in a good story, but this book acually did not depend on length to capture a reader's attention, a small trilogy this may be, this book still contains the lyrics and prose of any worthy book, which is amazing, counting that it is hard to write a book with a lot of pages, let alone the Wheel of Time. I'm not sure if this book is as good as A.D. 999, but it definitely captures its quality. Finally, what I've been thinking about all this time, this book is classic romantic dark midieval fantasy movie material.
Now, despite all my comments on how good this book is, there are several flaws. If you put everything down( and by everything, I mean the story ), you'd discover that this story came to its plot quickly, which is good, but the Lark and the Wren had 30% suspense, and ended in like one chapter. If this was only a short story that would've been real obvious. Plus, this book's praises music as if its the center of the universe. Now, this is only my opinion, and I know many of you will disagree with me, but just hear me out, okay? Okay. I believe if the author put down music as only one of the many quality time/magic in her world, I believe that would make her world a little bit more interesting, more wide. That would multiply the space of her world by 10 times. Those are some of the big ones, I can live with the other ones.
So all in all, I believe that this book definitely had many praiseworthy scenes, a lot of admirable plots, and many qualities which makes this book great, a real treasure to read, and something we normies can in a way relate to. However, I did list some of its flaws, after reading the book, and really--is there really a book without flaws? Not even A.D. 999 was truly flawless. But then again, this isn't A.D. 999, so believe me, I am just a little over indifferent of its plots. So on a scale of 1 through 100, or hell on paper through phenomenoe, I'd give it an eighty-nine, and an a little better than great. Congratulations, you'be got a B+. If this book was the only book of an author, it would've gotten an 100%, and if the author only wrote a few books, or the author only writes at this level, I'd give it at least a 93%, but when it's coming from Mercedes Lackey, well, you get the idea.
So I hope this had been helpful--Steven Cong.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
good series, Mar 28 2001
By A Customer
I have read all the Bardic Voices books, individually, and they are all excellent. A word of advice if you are going to read them in their collected form, though: Mercedes Lackey wrote a book, called A Cast of Corbies, that goes with the series. It covers what happens between The Robin and the Kestrel and The Eagle and the Nightingales. It isn't absolutely necessary, but Eagle makes more sense if you read Cast first.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Type of Book to Buy!, July 8 1999
By A Customer
A big fan of Lackey's Bardic Tales and Valdemar series, I first read the former. The Free Bards has all three of her first books in one volume. This is the best way to read the book if you are purchasing it! It saves money and it does not lose anything from being compiled. If anything, being able to read them together gives one a good read for many days! Excellent book!!!!!!
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