13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not her best., March 12, 2006
Honestly, being the huge Mercedes Lackey fan that I am--and having loved the Fairy Godmother--I was rather disappointed by this book. I wouldn't call it bad, exactly; I did enjoy it, but I know from her previous books that Misty can do much better.
What was wrong with it? Well, nothing at first, although the one "big surprise" midway through, I guessed shortly after meeting the character it concerned. But the conclusion was just...bleh. All the built-up action was resolved by the use of contrived deus ex machina, in about five seconds. The happy ending was about as cliched as it's possible to be; the romance is randomly thrust on the reader without any indication of feelings developing between the characters. It's simply not there one minute, and there the next. And the speeches they make at the ending to declare their love...ugh. I'm sorry, but real people just don't talk like that. Not to mention, there were tons of things that weren't explained properly at all (what were the Queen's motives? how did Solon turn into a Demon Lord?).
Mercedes Lackey is, beyond a doubt, an excellent author capable of crafting amazingly beautiful and gripping stories. But, as is doomed to happen with an author so prolific, she sometimes churns out one that just doesn't live up to her potential. This is one of those.
If you're a diehard Misty fan like me, go ahead and read it--it's all right, except for the cliches and the disappointing ending. Otherwise, there are better books. If you want to read something by her, you'd be better off with Children of the Night, Bedlam's Bard, or any of the Valdemar novels.
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30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fractured Fairy tale, August 10, 2006
One Good Knight (2006) is the second Fantasy novel in the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series, following The Fairy Godmother. In the previous volume, Alexander and Elena organized resistance to the invasion of Fleurberg by a Dark Magician. After the death of the Katschei, Alexander and Elena were wedded, becoming Godmother and Consort. Then an Order of Champions was established at Glass Mountain, with Alexander as their Master, and Elena was given charge of Fleurberg in addition to her other kingdoms.
In this novel, Princess Andromeda of Acadia is nineteen years old, but is still considered a child by her mother, Queen Cassiopeia, and Chief Advisor Solon Adacritus. She writes a report on the merchants for a trade conference and impresses both the Queen and the Chief Advisor. After that, her mother orders redecoration of the Princess wing, appoints two ladies to design her wardrobe and jewelry, and assigns a steward to handle her affairs.
Andromeda is quite overwhelmed by this attention and augments her studies to further impress her mother. She notices that income from wrecked ships has grown due to an increase in the number and severity of storms. Her studies and inquiries suggest that this increase is probably due to the manipulations of a great wizard. She reports this matter to her mother.
Afterward, Andromeda is resting high up in a tree within the palace garden when she notices a strange flying creature. As it comes toward her, she recognizes that it is a dragon. Then it reaches the palace and she observes that it is a very large dragon. It flames some high architectural features, grabs a couple of animals and flies away.
The panic within the palace is phenomenal and the subsequent meeting of the Queen's advisors is very lively. Andromeda has quickly reviewed the literature on dragons -- consisting mainly of myths and legends -- and reports to the advisors that the only known method of managing a dragon is the sacrifice of virginal maidens. The ensuing discussion is even livelier, mostly concerning the means of choosing such sacrifices.
Queen Cassiopeia states that the only fair way to select sacrifices is by a lottery. After the spate of crazy volunteers dies down, a lottery is organized. Some women find ways to disqualify themselves, but others are taken by the dragon. Rumors begin spreading that anyone who speaks out against the Queen is more likely to have a family member selected for the sacrifice. But then Andromeda is selected.
This novel is mostly about the influence of the Tradition within the Five Hundred Kingdoms. Andromeda's knowledge of the Tradition comes in handy at various points in this quest.
The Queen has sent to Glass Mountain for a Champion to fight the dragon, but the good knight doesn't come forward as expected. Someone has erected a magical barrier at the border to keep out such warriors. However, Andromeda is sort of saved by a Champion at the sacrificial site. Andromeda convinces the knight to take her along as a guide and finally proves to the Champion that she can be a help rather than a hindrance.
They travel cross-country in the same direction that the dragon had flown, stopping for supplies here and there, and finally enter the Wyrding Lands. They encounter unicorns and a fox along the way before meeting the dragon and his brother. Then Andromeda learns that all is not as it seems.
Andromeda is nineteen and naive. Then she is faced with one of the most difficult of issues: does her mother love her. While many events occur in this plot, this one issue is the crux of the story. Even her interspecies romance with the younger dragon is only a temporary relief from this main concern.
Highly recommended for Lackey fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of adventure, betrayal and romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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67 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A light read-but not as good as THE FAIRY GODMOTHER, March 14, 2006
First off, I have to say that I LOVE Mercedes Lackey's style of writing and I instantly fell in love with her writing after reading The Fire Rose.
I read The Fairy Godmother and was in absolute book heaven! I was so enthralled by the fairytale world Ms. Lackey created that I could barely put the book down! It has now become one of my all-time favorite books. I couldn't wait to get a hold of the next novel set in the 500 kingdoms...but, this book was kind of a let-down.
I started reading the book and DID instantly fall in love with the writing style and the characters (although I had a hard time imagining Andie as PLAIN looking throughout the story) but halfway through the book I felt almost cheated. I can't really explain why without giving too much away, but I felt like the romance in the book was pretty much KAPUT!
There was none! That is what this story mainly lacked. I did like the story and read it very fast, but I couldn't help but wonder if Ms.Lackey wrote this one in a rush. The ending wrapped up WAY too fast and I felt like things were resolved too quickly.
Anyways, I just wanted to put my two cents in. If you are looking for a light-hearted, fun adventure this is a good book to read. If you are looking for a romance novel-DEFINETLY pass this one up.
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