Oathbreakers (Valdemar: Vows and Honor #2)

When I started Oathbreakers, I expected a format similar to Oathbound and what we will see in Oathblood, the final book in this trilogy — a collection of loosely tied short stories. I was quite excited when I discovered that Oathbreakers is actually a complete novel!

The best part of Oathbreakers are the character relationships. I fell in love with the deeper partnership between Keth and Tarma. In Oathbound, it was obviously this duo was still learning to work together. Now they have an amazing, trusting, powerful relationship that proves they are both deadly and loving. Keth and Tarma both have unique voices and unique positions. Throw in Warrl and this is my favorite trio in the entire Valdemar universe.

The relationships Keth and Tarma have and continue to develop with others characters are well done, too. The most extreme example is that of Jadrek. When they first meet him, he is distrusting and cold. But, by the end he is more-or-less a family member. Jadrek’s evolution felt natural. I was rooting for him to become part of the family by the end of the novel, for sure. But he isn’t alone. Justin, Ikan, and even Roald have their own relationship development with our protagonists. As a lover of character-driven novels, I was thrilled.

The plot is fun. Filled with intrigue and scheming, I enjoyed following Keth, Tarma, and Warrl as they adventured to find Idra. Unfortunately, rape is yet again a plot point. But there was something different about it this time. Lackey more-or-less called out rape as a common way to break a woman. This makes me wonder — has she started to notice her own trend? Will she break from this in the future?

Another blast from the past as I slowly continue my re-read of the Valdemar universe books. In this book we see Tarma and Kethry “all grown up” as it were. Not that they weren’t quite mature before, but now they have several more years of experience under their belts, both as an independent team and as part of a mercenary company. Both have learned much about how to work with and train others, skills that will be vital for them to be able to found their fighting and magecraft schools as they want to someday. These skills also make them the best suited to investigate the disappearance of their Captain…and to plot and lead the revenge-taking when they discover the answers they were seeking regarding her.

I’m not sure if you could say the two heroines here develop further during the course of this book so much as we simply get to see a lot more of who they are and what sort of women they’ve become after years of partnering and following a mercenary’s life. Throughout the course of the novel we get to see in detail how they work, which is always to follow the motto of “fight smarter, not harder.” Even when their own rage tries to demand that they take action *NOW* they don’t give into it, holding onto their tempers, even if only by a hairsbreadth, and channeling their anger into productive activities instead of letting it control them.

I think I like this book better than the first one in part because of the story and in part because it’s more cohesive as a novel. Where book one was composed in part of short stories that were edited together with some new material to form a novel, this has the feel of having been written as a novel from start to finish and isn’t episodic as Oathbound was as times. As with the first book, I believe any fans of old school fantasy, particularly of the sword and sorcery type, would enjoy this book. It may be old, but it has stood the test of time well and doesn’t feel dated at all, at least in my opinion. 4 solid stars.

I have read all of Mercedes Lackey’s books in paper form, and wanted to have electronic copies to carry with me. Her stories are still good and fresh even when you re-read them. But the publisher has done much harm to the books, in that there are missing pages, misspellings everywhere, pages that freeze the kindle, so you have to restart, go back into the book, and before the system freezes, quickly use the slider to move to a good page.

This has been reported constantly here, but the publisher has refused to fix any problems. The Penguin Group appears to be purposely sabotaging either these older series, or Mercedes Lackey herself.

I have 693 Kindle books in my library currently, and the only two books I have ever had lock up the system is this one, and the companion book, Oathbreakers. This review will appear on the Oathbreaker’s page also, just as it is here.

I have requested refunds for these two books, because while I fully wish to support Mercedes Lackey, I will not support a publishing company that can’t even listen to its customers in this fashion.

This series is one of my absolute favorites. I have read it multiple times and will probably read it many more throughout my life. I have bought copies for my sister and some friends and they have loved the books as well. Tarma and Kethry are such incredible characters and strong women to look up to. The plot is always interesting and engaging. I have definitely found myself reading for hours without realizing it.

Goes from laughter to interaction with an amazing twist. Several times!?!l

You will Love!!!!! Lots of funday time!! Have fun!a

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