Storm Rising (Mage Storms, No 2)

This one was much more exciting than the first - though I had misremembered some details that must be in the next book. Still, Solaris' character is interesting and all in all, I really liked re-reading this series - though I am very glad that I have a new one after the "Owl" trilogy, since I don't recall that trilogy too fondly. Still, the next one will be quite fun.

Karal, Sun Priest of Karse, has now become the Karsite envoy to Valdemar. He and the other representatives of the Alliance countries must figure out a way to keep their homes safe from the worsening Mage Storms. But Karal's youth and apparent inexperience make other older council members discredit him, and Karal's forgiving nature makes irrational council members dislike him. As Karal struggles to represent his homeland, it begins to take a toll on his health. Only his friends An'desha, Natoli, and the Firecat Altra keep him from becoming ill. However, as the Storms worsen, the temporary protections against them begin to wear away. Will Karal, with the help of Altra, An'desha, the Tayldras Adept Firesong, and the Companion Florian, be able to prevent the Storms from destroying his home forever?"Storm Rising" is the second book in Mercedes Lackey's Mage Storms Trilogy. I really enjoyed it, though not quite as much as "Storm Warning."It was slower paced than its predecessor and focused much more on the development of the characters. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing; I enjoy character development and tend to take my time reading books like that instead of rushing through them. Karal's relationships with his nonhuman friends Altra and Florian were filled out nicely, and I continue to enjoy the senses of humor that Lackey endows upon her characters. Firesong's spiral down into obsession and semi-depression was disturbingly real. Tremane came along marvelously. I liked him in "Warning," but the caring way in which he begins to rule Hardorn shows him to be an even more decent human being than I expected.The climax is quite similar in basic structure to that in "Warning," but that is mostly due to Mage Storm problem that the Alliance is facing. However, it was different enough for me to appreciate what happened. My only complaint is that it came so close to the end of the book that there was no real denouement.Bottom Line: A solid continuation of the trilogy that really lets you get to know the characters.

Faced with more challenges that many people - including himself - think he can handle, Karal struggles to maintain the Karsite presence on what has turned into both a series of brainstorming sessions regarding the magestorms and a likely council of war against the threat in Hardon. Against all the various stresses, he continues to serve the Sunlord while still wishing to be anywhere but. His relationships with An'desha, Natoli, and Altra continue to grow and mature in what little time he has for them, but duties and questions pile up faster than he can deal with them.My favorite of the books in the series, STORM RISING lets me ride along on Karal's shoulder again. Lackey deals with some very realistic issues, such as others' reactions to Karal's age in the political arena and the desire for revenge. Likewise, she showed how thinking beyond revenge can have positive consequences. The spirit of cooperation between the various countries involved is enviable in this day and age, where war seems to pop up everywhere.This is the last book of this series where the plot and writing seem to be up to par. However, I still enjoy curling up with this one and losing myself in Haven, walking along with Karal to the tavern or listening in on the discussions with the mages and the envoys. The visit by Solaris was a definite treat, one that opened up a whole new range of possibilities and explored some of them. We understand even more of Tremane and it's relief to see him join up with the 'good' side.This is one of the books I read and then wish my life had a little more of the magic she puts into her books.

Ok.... I read the Valdemar books alot.... I'm a big, huge fan.... Every one I read, I swear THAT one is the BEST.... so my review probably doesn't matter much... but if you're a fantasy fan... READ IT!

I am a devoted follower of the Valdemar series -- it's my one literary indulgence, being a classics major. It does get a little long on detail, but I am really enjoying being so INVOLVED in the world that is so fascinating. I think it is an extreme mark of her talent that she has created such an amazing world. Some people may wish for more action and less involvment with polotics and such, but I have no complaints.