Customer Reviews

Owlflight (Darian's Tale)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Owl Flight is the story of Darian, a precocious teenager, unwillingly apprenticed to mage Justyn after his parents (trappers) fail to return from one of their extended hunting trips. Resenting Justyn and believing him to be incompetent senile old man, Darian 'acts out' by running away and slacking off on his daily chores. This causes trouble with the local villagers who believe Darian does not act appropriately 'grateful for the charity they have given him. The hostile environment makes Darian wish he could run away from his problems and do as he pleases.

Punished by his mentor, Justyn, for slacking off, he is sent into the woods one day to gather mushrooms, and his village is attacked by raiding barbarians. Darian is befriended by the Hawkbrothers (a tribalesque group of people), and forms a friendship with Snowfire, a Hawkbrother hunter/scout.

Together with his newfound friends Darian must find a way to free the village of Errold's Grove from the ruthless clutches of the Bear Clan barbarians.

While Darian's whining and self-pitying attitude can get annoying at times, I found Darian and his mentor Snowfire believable. I especially liked Snowfire and the other Hawkbrother characters and would like to learn more about him. I admit, I was pleased to read about a character that was not a herald, and it was nice to learn how some of the more provincial characters view things. I am anxiously looking forward to reading to picking up a copy of the sequel! Great Work MS. Lackey and Mr. Dixon!

This is NOT a stand alone book. It is the first book in a new Valdemar trilogy, beginning with Owlsight. An excellent novel, if a little bit juvenille. A bit like Arrows of the Queen in writing style, but lacks in no area. Owlsight (the sequel), is more involved, but this book is a necessary prequel. I am anxiously awaiting Owlknight (the final volume), and having read all the Valdemar novels thus far, this series rates up there with the Mage Storms for entertainment value.

I loved this book. I am a major Mercedes Lackey fan and have read most of her books. I first started reading them when I saw one (The Lark and the Wren) on my sister's book shelf and from then on I was hooked. This book was much better than I expected. Her last trilogy The Mage Storms wasn't that great so I wasn't sure about this one untill I started reading and was snagged. I can't wait to read the next books Owlsight and Owlknight. Other books of hers that are cool are The Last Herald-Mage trilogy. I have read those books over and over. Her Bardic Voices and Bardic Choices books were good too, except for the last one Four and Twenty Blackbirds. I hope she keeps on writing her Valdemar books after this trilogy since I love them so much. If you are a Lackey fan you should also check out Tamora Pierce, Terry Goodkind, Robin Mckinley, Sherwood Smith, Andre Norton, Dennis McKiernan, or\and Ursala Le Guin books.

Well, this book did NOT improve with another re-read. It was still pretty painfully slow and rather boring over all. I think a big part of the problem is that, not only does it not pick up where _Storm Breaking_ left off, not directly continues any of the series' main characters, but it only has seven chapters - making each chapter feel even longer than it already is. I wish that I had liked it more... maybe the remaining two books will be faster because it won't be such and "introduction" - with lots of summaries of the excitement of previous novels. At any rate, it can't feel that much slower!

I like this book.The story of what happens to Darian makes you feel for him and travel on his path to maturity together with him. You can easily relate to his feelings.When his previous life is cruelly and suddenly destroyed,he goes with the Hawkbrothers and bravely helps them to help his village.Then he chooses to stay with them and learn to use his potential. Interesting and exciting,this book kept me up until I finished it,and I reread it many times since.Good reading!Enjoy!

This is without a doubt the best Mercedes Lackey book I have read yet. The story moves along at lightning speed (except for the first chapter, which moves rather slowly), and is full of action.

Many of the characters are very likable in this book. The only one who I thought Lackey made you kind of feel nothing for was Starfall. But, aside from that, this book is a definite MUST READ for all Mercedes' fans!

After reading all except the very first couple of the 'Valdemar Series' books, I've come 2 love the tales woven by Mercedes with or w/out her husband, Larry. This one is reminiscent of Arrows Flight, wherein 'younglings' come of age & learn how 2 maximize upon the use of their 'Gifts'. Although I'm not finished w/the book at this writing, I felt compelled 2 do so just on the pure enjoyment I'm having so far & the surety that it keeps on getting better until the very end. I sincerely hope Ms. Lackey will continue in this vein & look 4ward 2 the next one! This CAN'T be the end, can it???!!!???

I loved this book. Every minute I could, after school, in school, whenever, I was reading that book. I loved Darian's ways. I felt sorry for him, but in awe of the way his life turned out. He lived in a world that we can only daydream about but would love to live. He had gone through so much trama and yet took things the way they were. Then being picked on for being the typical teenage rebel. He was gifted with magical powers that only came as a curse to him. He was a major hero for the village kids, but he just wanted to fit in. He lived the life of a hurt loner, that was followed by bad happenings. If you have ever suffered loss of a loved one, you can almost relate to Darian. All I can say is that I wish that Mercedes Lackey would continue to make books of Valdemar or the Hawkbrothers. When I finished the last of the series, it was like a great loss and I felt a great feeling of sadness. I still do. I just wish it wasn't there, and I could be curled up in my chair instead. With a book about Valdemar.

One of Misty's best Valdemar stories, possibly because it did not deal with the powerful and highborn. Following Darian from an angry, insecure, child to a confident hawk brother ready to train as a mage, then as a silver was an interesting view into the human psyche.

We got to meet all the races we have become used to as the population of Valdemar, but learning the personality of each new character was great. I personally have loved all of the previous stories put out, but there always seemd to be a connection of some sort to Vanyel or Skan, it was refreshing to meet characters who had only heard of the famous Elspeth or Firesong, but weren't related in any way.<P

I love Mercedes Lackey books very much, but this series just isn't as good as the others. I've re-read every other book abut 5 times at least, this series I've only read once or twice. Darian is backwater and nobody really wants to read his story. I want to read about heralds or the Hawkbrothers or more about Rethwellan or Karse. I almost agree with some of the others, the writing is better when its only Ms. Lackey writing it without her husband. Its a good book don't get me wrong, but not near as wonderful as the Last Herald Mage tril. or the Arrows of the queen tril. I want more about headstrong women doing what they do best, and the exotic hawkbrothers way of life. Magic and excitement, not a backwater kid whos way out of his depth. Please, Ms. Lackey, write more like the other tril's. What was Urtho like? There is a tril from people who lived with him, but what about from his POV? Or maybe a story a Campanion's POV.