Take a Thief

This book happens to have been my introduction to Mercedes Lackey and Valdemar. As a fantasy reader I've been leery of reading these books because I didn't get into it early, and by now the chronology is so big, it's intimidating. But I got this book in the airport before a long trip (you know how that can be) and read it on the plane. I loved it! Sure, this is a lot like Oliver Twist, at first, but I felt that the author drew the characters wonderfully. I got to know and care deeply about Skif during this book, and it was a great introduction to Alberich, Companions, and Valdemar in general, especially the seamier side of things. The author is not afraid of painting her characters as human, and her world as imperfect. In fact, she revels in it and does it quite believably. It was because of this book that I picked up the "Arrows" series, which I found juvenile by comparison. This wasn't surprising - the author wrote that series first, a long time ago, and the world she made has gotten more complex and colorful. I wasn't at all disturbed by continuity problems - hey, lighten up, people, the author is human, this is HER work, and she can develop things as she sees fit. My major beef here is that having been introduced to the series with this book, I'm disappointed to see that Skif was given such short shrift in the other books in the series. I feel this character has as at least as much potential as an adult as he did as a child. To see him marginalized "afterwards" in the "Arrows" series didn't bother me because those stories were really about Talia, but I didn't like the treatment he got in Winds of Fate either, though I haven't read the rest of the Mage Winds series yet. I'd sure like to see Skif take a lead role in another book the way Alberich did. I thought the pacing of the book was perfect, actually. Skif was moving along with his life, plotting his revenge, putting himself slowly back together, when he was kidnapped by his Companion and everything was turned upside down! From that point forward he had to balance being himself against being a Herald. Beautifully, done, IMHO. Thanks for a great book!

Having been a fan of Merceds Lackey for over a decade, I've gotten to the point where I can't wait for her books to come out in paperback. Her new books about individuals in Valdemar fit my impatience very well. Each book is tied into things I've already read about, but it doesn't leave me waiting for the rest of the story. I think it's an excellent way to fill in some of the colorful bits that might otherwise be overlooked in more sweeping epics.I enjoyed learning about Skif and the things that made him who he is. I particularly enjoyed her depiction of the life of a good-natured thief. There were parts of the story that could have used some more detail, but they did not significantly detract from the adventure. All things considered, it was a pleasant weekend diversion and a nice change of pace from the wars between nations. If only she could write as quickly as I want to read!

Although I cannot disagree with a previous reviewer's comments that this book doesn't further the general storyline of Valdemar, I appreciate the in-depth treatment of a single character. I also have to admit that I would like to see more books like this.Ms. Lackey manages to accomplish a very, very difficult task: to focus almost exclusively on one character's experiences and viewpoint, without turning the other characters into cardboard cutouts. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who had already read the "Arrow's" trilogy, but this is not a good book to introduce yourself to this world.

A very fun book. As you have no doubt read already, it is the story of Skif, a peripheral character from several of Mercedes Lackey's novels. Well, this is his story, going from roughly when he became a thief to his first year as a Herald. Not only is it a good story in itself, but there are lots of fun little camios made by chara from her other books, like Dirk, and Kris, and Alberich, as well as one by the author herself! You'll have to look hard for that one, though. Anyway, it satisfies all the prerequisites for a Valdemar tale; otherworldly white horses, magic, etc without being too much like the other books in the series.

On Valdemar during the reign of Queen Selenay, his cold Uncle Londer Galko raises orphaned Skif as if the lad is a criminal. Though Skif laboriously works long hours at his uncle's Hollybush Tavern, his guardian sees the lad as a grudge earning his supper or dying. Required to attend school due to the royal edict, Skif eats breakfast there and becomes efficient at hiding food to dine on later. His ability leads him to meet Deek, a pickpocket, and from that encounter, Bazie, an adult who cares what happens to his charges. Skif joins Bazie's family of young thieves and becomes one of the best at robbing from the wealthy as he could sneak in and out of a home like a ghost can walk through a wall. When Skif steals a horse left unattended, the "magical" steed abducts him instead. Now his adventures take a new spin especially when someone murders his beloved mentor and Skif must work with the Heralds and Alberich if he is to see justice is served. For long time fans of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series, TAKE A THIEF is quite a treat as Skif first appears in the mid 1980s Heralds of Valdemar trilogy. The story line is well written and fits quite nicely in the Valdemar Universe circa 1376 AF. Skif may be young, but is a survivor who given the opportunity heroically thrives. The support cast provides depth to the plot while insuring continuity to the main tales. Ms. Lackey's latest fantasy epic lacks nothing except many sub-genre fans will scramble for other books describing life during the reign of Queen Selenay.Harriet Klausner