Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar

well written as are all of these books, just couldn't put it down until I finished it.moved at a good pace through all the different stories,each one I wished longer but great over all.please give it a read.

A fun read. Captures the flavor of the Valdemar series beautifully. Since this book consists of short stories by other authors besides just Mercedes Lackey, it enabled me to find new authors to sample.

I love all of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. This was a lot of great short stories based on Valdemar.

Lackey is too busy with her may projects to write more than the occasional Valdemar novel these days, but she is loyal enough to her loyal fan base to edit the almost-annual anthology of Valdemaran tales, written by friends, fen, and some surprises. Mercedes Lackey got her breakthrough in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress volume II, she in turn has introduced new writers in these anthologies and - I hope - changed lives in the process. Surely seeing your first story in print is bit like being Chosen. And often these first stories are some of the best in the collection. For Changing the World, Lackey wrote a story called "The One Left Behind" introducing a theme that is explored by several of the stories that follow: what if being Chosen is problematic? What if it causes a mess for those left behind? Or what if you don't want to leave your familiar world, in which you might be very happy, thank-you very much Mr. Blue-Eyed Horse? This is a novel approach to the life-changing moment of recognition that characterizes being Chosen by a Companion of Valdemar, the magical guardians of a country that many of us wish we could find. In Lackey's story, Marya is a master weaver with a serious grudge against Heralds and Companions. Her father was Chosen before his wedding to Marya's mother, and he just ... disappeared from their lives. Then the horrible pattern repeats itself, as her wonderful fiancé is Chosen too. So when a couple of Heralds come asking her for help, she derives great satisfaction in telling them, "NO!" Or does she? It turns out that Marya has some talents that have been, not exactly buried, but certainly under a bushel, and we all know how bad for the soul that is, don't we? Oddly enough, these despised Heralds and Companions are the first to see and appreciate how much more Marya is than just a master-weaver. 15 stories follow, including "The Reluctant Herald" by Mickey Zucker Reichert, which is the thematic dilemma from the groom's point of view; and "For Want of a Nail" by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune, which describes the initial formation of the Kingdom by Baron Kordas Valdemar - a story many readers have requested. "Softly Falling Snow" gives us a quiet interval in the life of Elspeth the Peacemaker, written, appropriately enough, by Elizabeth A. Vaughan. It contains sorrow, humor, and romance, and is a pleasure to read. Elizabeth Waters contributes "A Storytelling of Crows," a shining jewel in this collection in which animals play a prominent part. "Waiting to Belong" takes on the challenge of addressing, What if your being Chosen is actually bad for your home? What if you are needed at home as much as by Haven? Kristin Schwengel captures the tension of this dilemma. This story needs a sequel, I think. Perhaps we'll hear more of Shia's story next year. Of all the contributions, this one seems most in need of follow through. "The Last Part of the Way" gives some attention to the Bards and Healers of Valdemar,

Just got this for Christmas and can't put it down. Was very happy to see favorites from last book appear again here:Wil and Lelia, and Jors and Gervais to name a few. Enjoyed this book very much, especially the first story by Mercedes Lackey. Highly recommend.