A Cast of Corbies (Bardic Choices) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Mercedes Lackey (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-No sooner had the Free Bards joined the Duke of Kingford's Company to escape the king's edict banning street performances than accidents began to happen. Spilled paint, forgotten lines, and actors tripping escalate to theft from the wardrobe mistress, life-threatening scenery crashes, and finally, the theater set ablaze during an opening performance. Magic, fantasy, romance, court intrigue, details of medieval life, and church politics are spiced with people who don't fit their stereotypes. A fast-paced romp.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

When representatives of Alanda's Church seek to ferret out unauthorized magic and music, the Free Bards--those who will not or cannot join the priest-condoned Guild--fight back.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Baen; 1St Edition edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671722077
• ISBN-13: 978-0671722074
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #379,171 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Free Bards Tale, July 20, 2001

By	Fred Camfield (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This is the third book in a series about the Free Bards. It takes place after book two, "The Robin & the Kestrel." It is desirable to read the earlier books first in order to understand the setting. Contrary to the advice of an earlier reviewer, you should not skip this book as it sets the stage for the following book. The king has outlawed street busking, causing the Free Bards and other street musicians to become creative in finding places to perform. By chance, Duke Arden of Kingsford is forming his own theatre company which presents an opportunity for Raven, Magpie, and their friends. However, an unknown enemy is trying to use sorcery to destroy the theatrical production. Various heroes and villains emerge as the story progresses. Lady Ardis, Justiciary Mage from book one ("The Lark and the Wren"), is reintroduced (she also appears later in "Four and Twenty Blackbirds"). The story reaches a blazing climax as various people are brought together by tragedy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, February 7, 2000

By	Beth Birdsall (Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews

This book wasn't actively BAD, which is why I didn't give it one star, but it wasn't that great either. Most of Lackey's other stuff is much better. (Haven't read much Sherman, so I can't judge whether this is low-quality for her or not.) If you want to read about the world and conflicts of Alanda, I'd recommend skipping this book and reading the first 3 books of the Bardic Voices trilogy (skip Four And Twenty Blackbirds, it's a very flat last book.) If you really want good Mercedes Lackey, read the Valdemar series, especially the Last Herald-Mage trilogy. A Cast Of Corbies does have some good parts, and it's nice to know what happens to Raven, who was a minor character in the Bardic Voices books. Unfortunately, though, it seemed like the authors weren't really trying with this one; the villains don't have a real motivation, and the good guys seem to mostly stumble around, except for Raven and occasionally Magpie. It's interesting to watch the dynamics between them, but the end is kind of predictable, and most of the book just seems really flat. Not what I'd expected from this series and this author. I'd skip it unless you want a nice, quick, somewhat shallow YA read.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

I did not expect to like this book, and though I wasn't as drawn to it as I was the Valdemar books, I was soon trapped in a world of Bardic Choices. A great book full of magick, and the knowledge of what is allowed to happen when any one force tries to be in complete control.