Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey
Posted by Yuma County Library
Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman
What I Read: Closer to Home by Mercedes
Lackey
Find It @YCLD: Here!
What it’s About: Mags, a former enslaved orphan who lived a harsh life in mines as a child, has now gotten into his Whites as a Herald; trained
under the King's Own Herald as a spy for the kingdom. This is the sequel to
Mercedes Lackey’s Collegium Chronicles. Newly established as a Herald at
Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion
Dallen. Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent
off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his
powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal
court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of
Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. Nikolas
daughter Amily is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and
dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily
save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?
What I Thought: The book feels like a big picture story but
focuses on the characters, their experiences, and how they apply their own
skills and talents battle against the plot against the Heralds. The author’s
use of Mags and friends as central characters helps to spin and unwind plenty
of intrigue as the story progresses. If you are a reader of high fantasy but
don’t like all of the gratuitous violence and mature themes, this book will
help lead you on with well-developed characters, compelling reason and insight
to story and a fun tale to follow. This book is recommended for readers Young
Adult to Adult just starting out in fantasy but unsure if it’s right for them. Be aware,
Mercedes Lackey does cover controversial topics in her books; however, they are always
done in a tasteful manner within the story.
Read-a-likes: Codex Alera Series – Jim Butcher
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