Storm Warning (The Mage Storms, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Mercedes Lackey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994 | Series: Mage Storms

In war-ravaged Valdemar, Queen Selenay struggles to overcome years of hatred, hostility, and superstition to forge an alliance with Valdemar's long-time enemy, the neighboring kingdom of Karse, to combat a mutual enemy from the mysterious Eastern Empire.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this first volume of The Mage Storms trilogy, the prolific Lackey's fantastic themes, while not especially distinctive, are nonetheless deployed in entertaining and comfortingly familiar fashion. Picking up where The Mage Winds saga concluded, this story follows the novice cleric Karal and the young wizardly Adept An'desha as they struggle with adult responsibilities. In fact, while many meetings are held to discuss the threat of a nasty political takeover and an overwhelming evil, very little action ensues--the plot is almost completely concerned with the protagonists' personal growth. An'desha is afraid to sift though the nasty memories left behind in his brain by a diabolical Mage. When these memories become the key to solving the terrifying waves of magic that are wreaking havoc in the Kingdom, good-hearted Karal must help his friend find the internal strength to overcome his fears. Lackey populates her tale with wise adults and engaging magical animals, but ultimately delivers little that's new or original. Her book feels like a series of moral lessons (know thyself, do good works, etc.) from Saturday morning cartoons.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In the face of a growing threat from the mysterious and powerful Eastern Empire, the lands of Valdemar and Karse attempt to form an alliance despite old prejudices and misunderstandings. Readers familiar with the author's previous Valdemar series ("The Mage Winds," "The Heralds of Valdemar," etc.) will enjoy the return of favorite characters, while a vivid assortment of new protagonists continues to expand the wealth of cultures present in one of fantasy's most intriguing universes. Lackey's talent for evoking the youthful passions of her heroes and heroines brings life to this creation. Recommended.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886776112
• ISBN-13: 978-0886776114
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing change, November 10, 2002

By 

Leanna "moondance34" (South Deerfield, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storm Warning (The Mage Storms, Book 1) (Paperback)

Karse and Valdemar have long been enemies, each hating the other without ever really knowing anything about how each truly operates. Since Ancar of Hardorn's attempted invasions of each country, an uneasy alliance has been formed. Now Ancar is dead and his conquests along with him, but a new and more dangerous enemy has emerged: the mysterious and powerful Eastern Empire. Karse and Valdemar must decide what exactly their alliance entails.

The Son of the Sun, Solaris, High Priestess of Karse, sends an envoy consisting of Ulrich, a black-robe priest, and his secretary, Karal, to Valdemar to negotiate the terms of the alliance.

While the two countries work together to try to determine a way to defend against the Eastern Empire, a new and deadlier threat makes itself known, one so ancient and powerful that it may be impossible to stop...

"Storm Warning" is the first book in Mercedes Lackey's Mage Storms Trilogy. I absolutely loved this book. It was a refreshing change after reading the Mage Winds Trilogy. The story seemed much more about the characters than about the events, which really gave it a more human feel. Similar to Mage Winds, it had alternating perspectives, which made me want to keep reading.

The characters, as always, were wonderful to read about, particularly Karal. He is one of the most remarkable Lackey characters I have encountered yet (and this was my fifteenth Valdemar book). I absolutely loved him. He was an extremely compassionate, caring, sensitive individual, almost on the same level as Talia of the Arrows Trilogy. I was able to feel every step of his journey as if I were there with him. An'desha developed nicely, and I'm anxious to see what will become of him.

It was also nice to see enemies that were entirely human as opposed to insanely fanatic mages bent on revenge. Charliss wasn't completely without honor, and Tremane was a decent human being who just happened to be born an Imperial.

I also enjoyed learning the Karsite perspective. It was interesting to look at Valdemar through the eyes of its enemy and to see Karse painted as something other than barbaric.

Bottom Line: An amazing story with a delightful lead character. A must-read for any Valdemar fan, but make sure you read Mage Winds first.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moral Question: To Buy or Not To Buy, October 21, 2001

By 

"sylk" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storm Warning (The Mage Storms, Book 1) (Paperback)

For years Valdemar and Karse were traditional enemies. The Karsites, under the rule of the Son of Sun, would send demons against Valdemar and tell their children the tale of the White Demons and their riders until the fear was ingrained - and with the fear came hatred, perpetuating war.

Within a short span though, Valdemar and Karse went from being deadly enemies to allies, fighting together. The new Son of Sun in Karse reversed many of the teachings of the old regime. When the call came for discussion of permanent treaties between several countries, Karse was invited to Valdemar's capital. Ulrich, a priest and one of the new Son of Sun's strongest supporters, and his apprentice, Karal, were sent as envoy and secretary.

Lackey offers a look into Valdemar that hasn't been seen before, by letting us observe it through the eyes of someone raised to hate and fear the very people he now has to work with. Karal, though more open-minded than others would be, still harbors fear from the tales that he'd been told as a child. His relationship with Ulrich offers the needed tempering viewpoint, being one of both mentor/student and father/son. The look into Karsite culture is an interesting one - for the first time, we're offered a glance into what had been a culture with little known about it.

Karse is not the only new culture approached; Lackey also introduces us to Tremane, hopeful successor to the Iron Throne. His story is one of another touching character - a human leader who makes mistakes while trying to act in the best interest of his people. While this subplot seems disjointed from the rest of the story, the background information makes it much easier to understand what happens later on, as well as endears you to the characters. The book is difficult to put down once started; Lackey's skill with description and character development leaves you feeling like you know them as well as you know yourself.

This is definitely a book I would choose to curl up with on a rainy day. Lackey's talent at showing how the characters think and why they feel what they feel makes them all the more believable. Though there's little action, the politicking is more than enough entertainment for me. I enjoy the chance to get into the characters' heads, discover what they're thinking, and try and figure out what their next move is based on the information. Once again, Lackey's given me another keeper.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why this book?, August 21, 2001

By 

Prism - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storm Warning (The Mage Storms, Book 1) (Paperback)

This wonderful story of adventure and duty pulls you in with believable human, and not so human, characters. Admittedly a slow starter, once Karl (main man) reaches the palace things begin to pick up.

Although it would be best to read the other books of Valdemar to better understand and fully appreicaite the other characters you see, this book is worth a look.

Filled with magic, both in the story and in the writing, I find myself able to love the personalities within the pages almost more then the story itself. Not much on vauge villians, and you don't get any more abstract then a magical storm that started in the far distant past!, I had no trouble getting into this book and think that you should give it a try too.