The Valdemar Companion

By John Helfers, Mercedes Lackey, Denise Little

Book Overview

Fifteen years ago, Mercedes Lackey put pen to paper to write Arrows Of The Queen, her first novel about Valdemar, a fantasy kingdom replete with magical races and magical creatures, enemies and allies both sorcerous and mundane. This ancient land of mystery is unique even among fantasy realms, for it is protected by an elite corps -- the Heralds. These men and women gifted with extraordinary mind powers are Chosen by, and bonded with, wondrous horselike beings known as Companions. Brought by their Companions from the length and breadth of Valdemar to Haven, Valdemar's capital city, they are trained in a special school, the Collegium, and devote their lives to protecting king and kingdom. Mindspeakers, FarSeers, FarSpeakers, Firestarters, ForeSeers -- their individual talents are as varied as their backgrounds. There are even those who can channel the magical nodes in the earth itself to use for their own purposes. Garbed in their uniforms of white leather, they patrol their territory, dispensing justice and keeping the peace. They are emissaries, spies, diplomats, scouts, warriors, judges, and counselors. With eighteen novels published, and millions of copies in print, Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series has won the hearts of countless readers. In response to overwhelming demand on the part of her many fans, veteran editors John Helfers and Denise Little now present The Valdemar Companion. With the help and guidance of Mercedes Lackey, Helfers and Little have compiled a reader's guide to Mercedes Lackey's best-selling world of Valdemar. Included in this comprehensive work is an all-original Mercedes Lackey Valdemar novella, as well as an essay by Lackey about Valdemar, and extensive interviews with the author and her publisher. With an overview of the history of Valdemar, detailed essays on the various races and kingdoms, a substantial concordance containing entries on every major character, device and setting, and including articles on the magical races and creatures, a chapter on the diverse Valdemar fan clubs, and a section devoted to the songs of Valdemar, along with beautifully detailed maps, The Valdemar Companion is everything any Valdemar fan could wish for.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756400694
• ISBN13: 9780756400699
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Astra Publishing House
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Resource

Wonderful resource for school nurses who often have to assess areas of the body they have not had to think about for a good while. And at the price, it is certainly affordable. Assessment skills have not changed much in the past 14 years!

A *must have* !

A definite 'must have' for anyone who has enjoyed the Valdemar series. It gives wonderful behind-the-scene tidbits, ties all the stories together, and whets your appetite for more. The maps could be more numerous, but the astonishing detail of those provided almost makes up for it.The 'travelers guide' is a very enjoyable read, and it is worth buying the book just for that.I have taken to buying Misty's books in hardcover now - it is well worth the extra money to have larger print and a hardier binding that will withstand repeated reading.

Includes an original novella by Mercedes Lackey

Valdemar Companion provides an authorized guide to Valdemar, includes an original novella by Mercedes Lackey, and is a recommended pick for readers who have followed Lackey's Valdemar fantasy kingdom over the extent of her writings. Valdemar Companion provides a reader's guide to her world, from an overview of its fantasy history to insights on the various races and peoples who inhabit it. Highly recommended for avid fans of Mercedes Lackey's fantasy writing.

For series fans

THE VALDEMAR COMPANION is exactly what the title says it is, a complete reference book for fans of the series not different than many other similar tomes. It contains a glossary of names and places important to the Valdemar world as well as a synopsis of each book. Besides the standard articles on culture and people, this book also includes the unique element of a well-written novella by Mercedes Lackey, author of the eighteen Valdemar novels. Though clearly for the Valdemar mythos audience, fantasy readers in general will enjoy this companion volume.Harriet Klausner

Indespensible for Valdemar/Velgarth Fans

This compendium of 497 pages contains a short bio of Mercedes Lackey, an interview, a new novella, maps, essays on the lyrics she has written, websites, and, best of all, a Concordance of the Valdemar/Velgrath volumes. If you are rereading a book and can't place a reference to another volume the concordance will help solve the puzzle. For readers who are new to this fantasy world, the concordance can help clarify relationships or define "world words."If you are already of fan of Lackey's this book gives you background material that is fascinating.