Arrows of the Queen is Mercedes Lackey's first venture into the world of Valdemar (and into the world of published writing, as well). It is centered around a young girl named Talia, a girl destined for doom until she happened to be found by a Companion -- a magical horse-like being who forms bonds with people, called Heralds, to help with the current Valdemar ruler's reign -- but not just any companion, the one specifically higher in rank than any other Companions or Heralds and who answers to the Queen alone: the Queen's Own Herald. The book documents Talia's training at the Collegium, where she recieves her training to become a Herald.

I just picked up a copy of Arrows of the Queen several days ago, and I must admit that I was enthralled by its somewhat unique plot. However, there are some shortcomings of the book.

For starters, the style of writing and some vague spots in its plot make it obvious that the book is Lackey's first published work. There are several places in the text where I had to reread a passage more than a couple of times over, wondering what in the world Lackey meant. The writing is fluid and straightforward, nonetheless, and kudos to her for that.

I admit, though, that the plot isn't exactly new to me. I've read several books where it revolved around a female heroine, bound by tradition to fit a mould of housewife but determined to make a difference and run away from those traditions. These themes are nice to read about, but there are plenty of books where the main character goes to a palace (the Collegium) and train to become a knight, or a Herald, or something of that sort, and are destined to become the monarch's right hand later on in life but must overcome certain barriers. Cliche, you might say. On a more personal note, I found the way that all the Heralds and Heralds-in-training sympathized with Talia (the main character) was a little bit irking, but that irk was repressed with the argument that I suppose that the Companions wouldn't have Chosen a bully to become a future Herald. Nonetheless, there will most probably be someone like a bully wherever a person goes, and though Lackey does personify the Blues (a different branch of training at the palace, such as the Herald's Collegium and the Bard's Collegium) as being bullies, not ALL Blues can be similarily-minded and not ALL Greys (Heralds-in-training) can be identical in thought....in my opinion.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story of Arrows and will be picking up a copy of the next book in the series, Arrow's Flight, from the library. I've never read Lackey before and that's maybe why I was so critical. There's a lot of potential in her first published work, and I have heard enough good things about her later books to keep me wanting to read more.

I recommend this book for any fantasy-lovers from the age of 9-14 (being in that age range myself).

I picked up "Arrows of the Queen" after I had already read the Last Herald Mage trilogy, the story of Vanyel. While this helped me understand certain references in "Arrows," I didn't realize until later that I had read them out of order!

In "Arrows of the Queen" a young girl (almost a misfit) named Talia is Chosen by the Companion Rolan, which makes her the herald known as "Monarch's Own" (in this case, Queens Own). The story follows her progression through the Collegium at Haven and not only chronicles the daily events of someone who feels like a fish out of water but the extraordinary events of someone who assumes so important a title at the tender age of 13.

It is not the best book in the Vadelmar legacy, but what it does do is introduce you to some major characters. Another good point is that you follow Talia through school, and in the process learn as much about the history of Valdemar as she does. While this could be read as a stand-alone book, odds are that you won't be able to resist continuing your adventures into Valdemar.

The second book in this particular trilogy is "Arrow's Flight," and the third book is "Arrow's Fall."

This series really is classic, must-read light fantasy. I first read them when I was in 7th grade, but I think they're really more suited to a high school - 20s audience. If you haven't experienced any of these books yet, you need to! While I can't say much for the technical quality of the writing and vocabulary (it's, what's the word... flat? repetitive? just plain bad?), the characters sweep you into their world with power unparalleled with ANY OTHER book I've ever read. The emotions pour through the page, so that you literally can not escape. This series, and the Last Herald Mage series, are the best of any of the Lackey books I've read (and I've read a lot). They most certainly should not be judged by some of Lackey's other books, some which combine the same simplistic writing with such ridiculous plots they're practically unreadable. This series, on the other hand, should be read by all fantasy fans everywhere- immediately!

I read this book origionaly 15 years ago and have been hooked sense.

This was the first of the 30 books for this world. when you see reviews saying it was a repete of a diffrent book, they are wrong, the other book is a similar story, written much later.