MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 2274 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Misty Lackey (Was RE: Now OT: Re: Ashes Of Victory) by Lyn Belzer 2) Re: Lots of things by Erin Lewy 3) Favorite scenes by Erin Lewy 4) Re: OK...One Sentance Stories... by Sarah 5) Re: Misty Lackey (Was RE: Now OT: Re: Ashes Of Victory) by TantrisandRolan-+AT+-aol.com 6) Re: Lots of things by "Mark Severson" 7) Re: brightly burning by MDennis460-+AT+-aol.com 8) Re: Queens Own by MDennis460-+AT+-aol.com 9) sorry for shortness by alyssa 10) new to list by TantrisandRolan-+AT+-aol.com 11) Re: Lots of things by "tamlin" 12) Storms... by Silvrhwk1-+AT+-aol.com 13) Re: SKitty by Shane Jonsen 14) Re: sorry for shortness by "Tanya Evans" 15) HMMM.... by Syara3-+AT+-aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:14:47 -0400 From: Lyn Belzer To: "'lois-bujold-+AT+-herald.co.uk'" Cc: "Mercedes Lackey Mailing List (E-mail)" Subject: Misty Lackey (Was RE: Now OT: Re: Ashes Of Victory) Message-ID: agent_a_99-+AT+-yahoo (aka Marci) wrote: >I felt this way about Misty Lackey's recent books. I >read the third Mage War book from cover to cover very >quickly, because I couldn't wait to see what happened >next, but I was also very bored the entire time. >Everyone (except the Emperor) was sickeningly good and >nice. (Except for the Hardorn general, who was my >favorite character in the trilogy.) NOTE: I believe you're referring to the Mage *Storms* books, where we see Hardorn get a new king to replace the usurping Ancar, Karsite envoys wander on up to Valdemar, and the Emperor of the Eastern Empire could teach Machiavelli a thing or two about self-interest. I really didn't feel that way so much about the Storms Trilogy as I did about the Winds Trilogy (Winds of Fate (WoF), Winds of Change (WoC), Winds of Fury (WoFu)). I almost felt that Misty started the war with Hardorn and then didn't know what to do with it, or how to stop it. That first book, Winds of Fate, by the way, almost persuaded me to put down ML forever, thank you very much. I mean, I understand that suffering is essential to character development, but there was enough angst in that book alone to choke a draft horse. That was also the one thing in _The Black Gryphon_ (BG)(Mage Wars #1)that annoyed me (I otherwise loved BG). Angst and noble suffering everywhere you look: Winterhart, Amberdrake, Zhaneel, etc. all had Major Life Crises and/or Trauma. It got to be a little much. Oddly enough though, and against all public opinion, I really enjoyed _White Gryphon_ (WG) (Mage Wars #2). A lot of people were upset I think mainly because it wasn't what they expected. People were expecting Misty to pick up the day after BG ended, and she jumped ten years! WG, IMVHO, is an excellent suspense/thriller with the focus on a pretty tightly constructed plot...unfortunately, people apparently wanted more magic, personal torment and fantasy. *shrug* Leap-frogging back to the Storms Trilogy (Storm Warning, Storm Rising, and Storm Breaking), I actually have to disagree with Marci. I think in the character of Karal, Misty did some of her best character development to date. Only her work with Vanyel beats it, IMO. The kid learned the old fashioned way, through trial and error, and he made a few mistakes--big and small--along the way. ML has an unfortunate tendency to have her young characters make one Huge Mistake (see Tylendel in Magic's Pawn), or go through a Life Shattering Event (see Tarma of Tarma & Kethry fame), and then, if they live through it, they never seem to make another mistake ever again. Karal was (and I guess still is, to a certain extent) a social klutz. He's imperfect, and for me, that makes up for his niceness. And ML's characterisations of the Engineers is hilariously on the mark (I know, I assist three engineers for a living). I can think of folks who weren't nice off the top of my head: Elspeth is her usual brusque, fairly abrasive self, Solaris at times comes off as cool, unfeeling, and even a touch bigoted, and what about that Shin'a'in delegate who nearly gets Karal lynched? [Sorry, did a total blank on the guy's name.] > It only got worse with the Owl books. The plot is >really interesting, but the writing is so trite as to >stop me from finishing the books. Wow, I had a completely different take on Owls. I was so glad to be away from world-breaking (quite literally in the immediately preceding Storms Trilogy) drama, that I dove into Owlflight (OF), Owlsight (OS), and Owlknight (OK) with delighted abandon. We have only one or two main characters in each, and only one personal crisis in each. We have clear plotlines very neatly written. And in my opinion, the Villagers are not uniformly *nice.* In fact, I don't think they're nice at all. And there were a couple times In OS I could have strangled Kerowyn... Well, I've run off at the keyboard long enough. I'm also subbed to the Misty list, so I've cc'd that. -Lyn/Icewolf ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:28:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Erin Lewy To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Lots of things Message-ID: > I think they got a stipend of some sort... I seem to recall Talia being surprised when she got her first stipend, since she was so used to being a trainee and not having any money. No idea how much, but I guess that since they don't have to buy the basics, it would probably seem like quite a bit. That was also my impression... and remember, Vanyel did have a good deal of money for his services on the border... wasn't that when he bought Savil a focus stone? (Of course, money doesn't buy anyone happiness, and Van hardly knows what happiness is... but he did have a lot of money, by my estimation...) *grin* Ahhh, memories... Erin ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:38:13 -0400 (EDT) From: Erin Lewy To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Favorite scenes Message-ID: I wasn't going to chime in, because many of you agree with me on the best scenes! But then I remembered one that hadn't been mentioned... I believe Van is in the tub and talking to Jaysen (?) when he realizes that the term shay'a'chern has been (somewhat crudely, in his oppinion) shortened and turned into slang as "shaych." I don't know, seeing as I use a lot of slang that is a bit old for my age, and generally often feeling like I am out of the groove of things, I found that really true to my life and also quite comical (and simple! For once, not so much angst from our friend Van!) And, for all of the general strangeness of the Hawkbrothers ... I very much like many of the scenes with them... I think they are just very confident due to being in relative isolation and so protective of their Vales... The scenes with Dawnfire as a spirit are beautiful and also the scenes in which Elspeth/Darkwind/Firesong are practicing magic... particularly when Elspeth is being trained (and note, I don't like her either, but I like the scenes.) :) I also have to concur about the fake fight between Van and Lendel... so much is said in that one scene and it makes me smile every time that I read it... Still no progress with my sister that I know of... And, just to get everything out of the way, I wouldn't mind being a part of the group story either. :) Erin ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 10:54:43 -0700 (PDT) From: Sarah To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: OK...One Sentance Stories... Message-ID: <7031391.956339683157.JavaMail.imail-+AT+-magic.excite.com> I'm in please :) Zhai'helleva Moonstalker _______________________________________________________ Get 100% FREE Internet Access powered by Excite Visit http://freelane.excite.com/freeisp ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 14:27:58 EDT From: TantrisandRolan-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Misty Lackey (Was RE: Now OT: Re: Ashes Of Victory) Message-ID: I belive your are talking about Jarim, as the Shin'a'in delegate that almost got Karal lynched. I found the Storm Series to drag on awfully long without a lot of action, though I would like to know how Tremane is doing as of date. Amber ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 13:06:53 -0700 From: "Mark Severson" To: Subject: Re: Lots of things Message-ID: <000f01bfabcd$2467efe0$dbc6e4d8-+AT+-oemcomputer> > > I think they got a stipend of some sort... I seem to recall Talia being > surprised when she got her first stipend, since she was so used to being a > trainee and not having any money. No idea how much, but I guess that since > they don't have to buy the basics, it would probably seem like quite a bit. > > > That was also my impression... and remember, Vanyel did have a good deal > of money for his services on the border... wasn't that when he bought > Savil a focus stone? (Of course, money doesn't buy anyone happiness, and > Van hardly knows what happiness is... but he did have a lot of > money, by my estimation...) *grin* > > Ahhh, memories... > > Erin I think it was more that he was gifted items by people who were thankful for his help. At least that is what I vaguely recall. mttz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 17:17:42 EDT From: MDennis460-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: brightly burning Message-ID: <30.4137d26.26321f76-+AT+-aol.com> There is a really detailed and favorable review of brightly burning in the b. Dalton's SF/fantasy newsletter. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 17:24:47 EDT From: MDennis460-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Queens Own Message-ID: <3f.3b51da9.2632211f-+AT+-aol.com> Hooray!!!!! bless their hearts and efforts. But how coulee robin make the mailing list vanish? Wasn't there something at all on her computer or from the former editor? Will forward this to some people I know...... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 21:09:08 -0700 (PDT) From: alyssa To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: sorry for shortness Message-ID: <20000422040908.22995.qmail-+AT+-web3202.mail.yahoo.com> i'm in on the 1-line story!!! and has anyone heard when Brightly Burning is coming out? (a pitiful ob-Misty, i know, but its getting late...*yawn*) ===== alyssa a.k.a. Silverwing K'ryss or Free bard Meadowlark Shepherdess of the Aminals Loyal Subject of the Spork Empire(or something like that...) (hopefully)Goddess of Insanity and Stick People "ouch."-me __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 02:17:54 EDT From: TantrisandRolan-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: new to list Message-ID: <6.4ed33f0.26329e12-+AT+-aol.com> Hey all, I am pretty new to this list and I was wondering if somebody could explain to me what an OBMisty is. I haven't got a clue. On favorite scenes... Does anybody agree with me when I say that one of the best scenes was in Arrow's Fall, where Queen Selenay and her troops are standing on the battlefront facing Ancar and his troops, then the spokesperson comes up and asks if they will surrender, Selenay removes her helmet, raises her arms and says "What do you think my people? Shall I surrender?" And the whole crowd cheers her on(but not to surrender of course).......I absoultely LOVE that scene.... Has there ever been a case where one Herald dies, his Companion Chooses again, and the Herald who has passed on kind of lives on through the Companion?? Well, have a nice day all, Amber ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 18:37:56 +1200 From: "tamlin" To: Subject: Re: Lots of things Message-ID: <007f01bfac25$4d1ee120$695f4fcb-+AT+-paradise.net.nz> I think that the focus stone that Vanyel gave Savil was one that was given to him, but since this particular crystal wasn't his primary focus, he passed it onto her :). Icewolf said: "That first book, Winds of Fate, by the way, almost persuaded me to put down ML forever, thank you very much. I mean, I understand that suffering is essential to character development, but there was enough angst in that book alone to choke a draft horse." HEHEHE. I actually have a friend who agrees with you there Icewolf. She did, however, take it one step further by saying that some characters (eg. Firesong, Elspeth, Darkwind) seemed exceptionally talented and quick to learn, but my friend wanted to know where they went from there?. I think that is why I like Karal. He made mistakes, learnt from them, and he talent was a simple one. In that respect, Talia was similar with her gift of Empathy, and when she lost control of her gift, it showed that the Heralds were human too. Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?. (BTW. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big Misty fan :). I just like to discuss things :). Tamlin gives everyone a bow as thanks to all their help in answering her questions :). It is nice to have so many replies!. Wind to thy Wings, tamlin PS Anyone feel like a party?. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 04:17:28 EDT From: Silvrhwk1-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Storms... Message-ID: <19.2e67d59.2632ba18-+AT+-aol.com> Heyla everyone! I'm not exactly "new", but I haven't been on the list in over two years, so I've got a lot of catching up to do... Are there still spoilers on the Storms? I'm not sure, so I'm gonna do one anyway... >Everyone (except the Emperor) was sickeningly good and >nice. (Except for the Hardorn general, who was my >favorite character in the trilogy.) I think the main reason the storms didn't have a lot of "bad guys" was because the mage storms themselves kind of took on the role of antagonist. I mean, with the threat of a cataclysm that would destroy all of Valdemar(and beyond) it seems like throwing in a bunch more people to make all their lives even harder might be a bit over the top. Besides, even though there weren't a lot of actual characters working against them, they still were dealing with internal struggles... i.e. Firesong was having "issues", An'desha was dealing with everything that had happened to him and trying to find his calling, Karal was struggling with Ulrich's death and all of his new responsibilities, ect... Anyway, I'll stop rambling now... Vegetarian sheep for all! Silverhawk P.S. In response to Tamlin... Yeah. Party sounds great! :) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 01:40:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Shane Jonsen To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: SKitty Message-ID: <20000422084002.2886.qmail-+AT+-web3901.mail.yahoo.com> try werehunter...a compliation of some of Mercedes Lackey's short stories, some very nice stories in that book....the four Skitty ones as well as some a couple a parrot named Grey and her young human charges. --- dennis-+AT+-jmf.org.ph wrote: > Just finished reading SCat in Catfantastic IV. A > really enjoyable > read. Where can I find other SKitty stories? > > Regarding familiars: maybe the mages in question > didn't want to spend > their power in acquiring one. Possibly reflects an > internal need on > the part of individual mages. > > Runewind > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 09:55:48 -0400 From: "Tanya Evans" To: Subject: Re: sorry for shortness Message-ID: <002d01bfac62$76d66dc0$23040618-+AT+-baycty1.mi.home.com> ----- Original Message ----- From: "alyssa" > and has anyone heard when Brightly Burning is coming > out? It's due out in May sometime. I can't wait! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 13:16:16 EDT From: Syara3-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: HMMM.... Message-ID: Firesong...Firesong... I find him annoying, yes, but arrogence can be justified. I grew up with three brothers(two still live at home-argh!) and they are exceedingly arrogant, it's very easy to ignore. But he was a very powerful mage. Tamlin wrote: 'How many people in this world are extremely confident?. I think it is a reflection on the society we live in, but how many people have met someone and thought of them as arrogant rather than confident?.' I am exceedingly arrogant( not like I can't back it though) ONE SENTENCE STORY: I'm good, if I can get to my mail in the next few moths,(looks up hopefully), sounds like fun. Tamlin(and for anyone else) I've know the 4th book of Harry Potter is out inthe US at the same time as Britain(this summer, americans can preorder at Barnes and Nobles, at least in Walpole, MA), so it probably is world wide. WTTW. Syara ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 2274 **********************************