Oathbreakers (Vows and Honor, Book 2) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Evil had cast its shadow over the kingdom of Rethwellan. When Idra, leader of the Sunhawks mercenaries, failed to return from a journey to her home, Tarma and Kethry, warrior and mage, set out in search of their vanished leader.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: DAW (January 3, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886774543
• ISBN-13: 978-0886774547
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,539 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Vows and Honor Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tarma and Kethry take on the Royal house of Rethwellan, February 24, 2000

By	shel99 - See all my reviews

This book, with the possible exception of "Storm Breaking" (it's very close!), is my favorite out of all of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. Tarma and Kethry are great characters, and the plot has all of the elements that make a good fantasy: treachery, revolution, vengeance, magic, and a little bit of romance. You don't necessarily have to read "Oathbound" before reading this, it could easily stand alone - however, I'd recommend it as it gives a good introduction to the characters and their backgrounds.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of all her books, June 14, 2003

By	Barb Caffrey "writer-for-hire" (In a Midwest State (of mind), USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Oathbreakers" is my favorite Mercedes Lackey book.

Here's why: in "Oathbreakers," Ms. Lackey put together a very appealing plotline with believable, complex characters, just enough humor to balance the action and violence, and a tiny bit of romance to leaven the mix.

Other reviewers have explained the plot; I don't want to do that again. I will say, however, that to me, the best parts of the book are the Tarma-Kethry friendship, the Warrl-Tarma friendship, the Warrl-Jadrek friendship, and the strong, romantic marriage of Stefansen of Rethwellan and his wife Mertis. (I hope I'm remembering her name right; I can picture the page where she's introduced -- something about a "frank, soft gaze" and brown eyes and a crisp, competent manner. But I'm really bad at remembering character names.)

In fact, although this book definitely is feminist (and well it should be, considering it's featuring a woman warrior and her fighting mage partner), I think the best part about it is how it shows real-life partnerships.

Marriage and family are valued commodities, here; not only do we have the Stefansen-Mertis pairing, there's the eventual Jadrek-Kethry pairing (which resurrects Tale'sedrin, as another reviewer so pithily said), the Sewan-Tresti union (Sewan is Lady Idra's second in command of the Sunhawks; Tresti is a Healing Priest of Shayana, because Shayana's devoteés make no difference between priest and priest_ess_), and Tarma's rapport with the children only adds to the "family values" theme.

Most people have missed this, because, once again, we're talking about a woman warrior, a _neuter_, a sworn votary of her goddess, and a woman fighting mage.

However, just because they are fighters, that doesn't mean they've forgotten what's important. Love matters; friendship matters; honor matters.

Those three things are what drives the very real people who populate "Oathbreakers," and it helps add a great deal of realism and depth.

Btw, some of what is shown here is very, very graphic; not so much the killing, but some of the aftermath of killing, along with a few other things. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book for someone under the age of 12 or so; even then, it'd have to be an awfully mature 12 year old to understand some of what's going on, and not just be repulsed by it.

To conclude: this is my favorite book of all of Mercedes Lackey's output, mainly because it has everything. It has a great plot, wonderful, believable characters (yet flawed and very human -- even if Warrl the neuter kyree would disagree with me), and a satisfying conclusion.

Definitely one of my favorite books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The thrilling conclusion to Vows and Honors, April 4, 2003

By	Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

A lot has changed since Oathbound. Tarma, the shin'a'nin swordsworn, and Kethry, the sorceress, are members of the Sunhawks, a famous mercenary clan leaded by Captain Idra. After fighting and finishing up one civil war they find that they may need to get involved in another one. Although she doesn't act like it, Idra is actually royalty and her two brothers are fighting over who deserves to win the throne in the country of Rethwellen. Because of this, Idra leaves the Sunhawks for a little while, and then never comes back. Tarma and Kethry are very concerned and volunteer to go Rethwellen in disguise to find out what happened to Idra. When they get their they realize that in many ways it's almost like she had never been there. Her horse is gone. All of her belongings aren't there. Where is Idra? They find out from friends that she had claimed to go off in search for some mysterious sword that would decide once and for all who was really king. What happened after that will shock Tarma and Kethry more then they ever imagine.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Oathbound, but this one really blew me a way. Not only is it better plotted but the new characters, including Jadrek and Lodesh, are fascinating. Tamra and Kethry prove once again to be strong heroines that don't let others push them around. This book also has one thing that the last in the series didn't, romance, and very good romance at that. Mercedes's Valdemar novels are always a treat and this one is no exception. The glossary of Shin'a'nin terms in the back are very informative and the songs Mercedes Lackey had added in the end are quite entertaining. I can't wait to read Oathblood, a short story collection staring Tarma and Kethry. I recommend this to any Valdemar fan who hasn't picked this up yet. It's really good!