Exile's Honor

This is a prequel to the Heralds of Valdemar series, although written later. It is the story of how Alberich of Karse (a neighbouring country at war with Valdemar) came to hold a high position with the Heralds of Valdemar, themselves crucial to the running and defense of that kingdom, and how he was critical in training Heralds to fight.

Alberich has a Gift, which the Sunpriests of Karse regard as evil, although it enables him to help save people, and so he escapes into exile in Valdemar when they discover it in him. However he feels about the Sunpriests, he still loves his homeland, while at the same time coming to respect the Valdemarans who rescue him and to see they are not the villains painted by the Sunpriests of Karse. He holds to show more his honour by not letting the love and duty for the two lands come into conflict.

I found this a nicely written story, with a well woven storyline, not heavy going. I could have done with fewer italics which turn up at least once or twice on each page, quite apart from the mindspeech with Companion horses (which is necessary). I liked reading the story of Alberich, who (if I remember correctly) is not a huge part of the stories that occur later, though he does have a dour presence (since he is involved in training new Heralds), because this shows that he does have a human side, and clears up the mystery of how someone who should have been the enemy came to be close to the royal family of Valdemar.

Towards the end of the book, Valdemar goes to war, and, inevitably, there is tragedy; however, having read the "Arrows" trilogy which occurs soon after these events, it wasn't unexpected, but I might have found the tone of the book a bit darker otherwise.

(July 2010)
3 stars show less

This is up there with my very favorite Valdemar books. I started reading Valdemar stuff when I was nineteen or twenty so I very much appreciated the perspective of an adult approaching the Land of Magical Horses and Sunshine with rather more skepticism than most of the series' protagonists.

There's the usual epic battle, personal tragedy, and Herald-school hijinks, but the meat of the book is the series of ethical issues Alberich is faced with, and they're approached in a thoughtful way. It's easy to represent Valdemar as a land of ultimate liberal tolerance, but it's much more interesting to see how that works out under a serious challenge. And I was also pleased to see the issue of Companion-bonding examined as something other than a show more universal good - most empathic-bonded intelligent animal books (and it's totally a subgenre) never really ask questions about consent, which is problematic especially when the subjects are often barely adolescents. The question is resolved in favor of it being a universal good, of course, but at least the question is raised and examined. show less

This is up there with my very favorite Valdemar books. I started reading Valdemar stuff when I was nineteen or twenty so I very much appreciated the perspective of an adult approaching the Land of Magical Horses and Sunshine with rather more skepticism than most of the series' protagonists.

There's the usual epic battle, personal tragedy, and Herald-school hijinks, but the meat of the book is the series of ethical issues Alberich is faced with, and they're approached in a thoughtful way. It's easy to represent Valdemar as a land of ultimate liberal tolerance, but it's much more interesting to see how that works out under a serious challenge. And I was also pleased to see the issue of Companion-bonding examined as something other than a show more universal good - most empathic-bonded intelligent animal books (and it's totally a subgenre) never really ask questions about consent, which is problematic especially when the subjects are often barely adolescents. The question is resolved in favor of it being a universal good, of course, but at least the question is raised and examined. show less

I'm a fan of Lackey's Valdemar books, and was excited to see a new one when I first saw this in stores, yet the first time I tried it, I couldn't even finish it. There are books in the series I'd recommend that could make you a fan of them: such as the books about Vanyel (The Last Herald Mage trilogy starting with Magic's Pawn) or about Talia (Heralds of Valdemar trilogy starting with Arrows of the Queen). Then there are the books that if you do find you love this world, I could recommend buying (like the Mage Winds or Mage Storms series). This book however, I can't recommend except to a hardcore fan.

It seems to suffer from tired blood, and it also had an element that was so jarring it stopped me reading on my first try. Alberich's show more love interest, Myste, a non-athletic bookworm Herald and Chronicler, screamed "Mary Sue." (Lackey's nickname is "Misty.")

Recently I went on a nostalgic binge of reading and rereading Lackey's Valdemar books, and tried this again. It's not a terrible book exactly, readable and enjoyable if you love this world and want to spend time with it, but I still feel it's not up to the standard of the best of her writing. show less

It has been a long time since I’ve read any of Lackey’s ‘Valdemar’ series – and I’d forgotten how good they are.
Valdemar is brought to life once again through this tale of Alberich and his exile from Karse. For the first time, a grown man from Karse is brought to the ranks of the Heralds of Valdemar, to battle fears and mistrust for and from those that he must join, to do battle with an entire nation of mercenaries that Karse has hired to put an end to their greatest enemy.
From the beginning of the series, Alberich has been one of the most intriguing characters. I was especially pleased with how it tied into later novels and the whole mythology of Valdemar through the god Vkandis...especially his last remark about his Son show more who would be a Daughter.
In this book, Lackey delves into what it means to keep a vow... and the refinement of that vow and how it changes your perceptions of the world as you realize exactly what you promised. Honor, duty, loyalty... all play a part as Alberich's life is twisted and turned, and as layers are peeled away he finds the core of himself and his faith.
I might well go back and re-read the others! show less

Alberich, a brilliant but heretical Captain in the army of Karse, possesses a secret gift for precognition. When he uses this ability to prevent the slaughter of an innocent village, Alberich is branded a traitor and a witch. Sentenced to be burned alive by the corrupt priests of Vkandis Sunlord, he is saved at the last moment when a magical Companion, a sentient white horse of Valdemar, breaks through the flames and carries him across the border.

Healing among the very enemies Alberich was raised to fight, he struggles with his sense of honor. Ultimately, he agrees to be trained as a Herald. Despite deep-seated prejudices from the Valdemarans, Alberich utilizes his tactical brilliance to train young Heralds and becomes a vital show more protector.

A massive, multi-year conflict when Karse funds the Tedrels, a wild, vagabond mercenary group, to conquer Valdemar. During this prolonged war, King Sendar, Queen Selenay's father, is killed in battle. Alberich plays a crucial role in managing the defense and surviving the bloody aftermath.

Valdemar is victorious with young Queen Selenay's ascension and Alberich’s appointment as Valdemar's official Weaponsmaster. show less

Reread: 8/15/21

The struggle of where one's loyalties lie to protect the weak in a corrupted homeland versus the land that accepts one without question and gives unconditional love and support is just so well handled. I also enjoy the foreshadowing for worldbuilding specifically related to the neighboring enemy country.