This is absolutely the best of the SERRAted Edge novels, and works excellently as a stand-alone as well. Great characters, great development, great surprises, great magic, great humor, great adventure, great dragons, great mages, great ending. The only thing missing was the elves! AND--this is a miracle for contemporary (or even not-so-contemporary) fantasy--there are no overdone gratuitous sex scenes! The entire book is great. I want a sequel--not because the story was unfinished, but because it was a cursed good read, and left the perfect openings for a good sequel.

This is my favorite of the Serrated books. It tied up a lot of loose ends, as well as creating new ones. Talk about great characters! If you've read the other Serrated books, you need to read this one. Was I the only one to catch that mention of Deke Kestrel? Or am I the only one who has also read the Diana Tregarde books? Anyway, this book is a wonderful additon to your library. And if you've already read all the Serrated books, try the Diana Tregarde ones. They are just as good.

I loved this book--it's what got me so interested in Mercedes Lackey. Even if you haven't read the other SERRAted edge novels, get this book. I'm loving it!

I usually hate reading fantasy series because the beginnings and ends of them are so hard to find, and so the only books of Mercedes Lackey I had read before the Black Gryphon were not part of a series.

But that was in the past. The Black Gryphon was the captivating story of one of the best and strongest Gryphons created and his exploits. The characters were vibrant and three-dimensional, and the plot had some interesting turns. Lackey's writing brings to life a whole race and the thinking behind their creater, weaving a tale of love, trust, magic, and humor.

One of the only problems I had with the book was how it switched back and forth from one character to another. Usually I like that, but somehow in this book it just didn't work.

If you're a fan of fantasy or Mercedes Lackey, you'll enjoy this book very much.

I bought this book because I recognized the name, and was on a buying binge. I started reading it later and couldn't put it down. This book got me hooked on Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. I have managed to read all 20 something books about Valdemar. I'm waiting for the next one. Lackey's descriptions and world is entriguing. I wish some other books of the Mage Wars time were published. I have now read The Black Gryphon over 15 times. I love the was it progresses. My only problem with the book was it didn't describe gryphons or any of the magical created species well. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the illustrations. They made it easier to identify the characters, without lengthy descriptions. For a long time this has been my favorite book.

This is without a doubt her best book, and it explains the many mysteries surrounding on of the most evil and most resurrected character(s) in her books. We first meet him in this book as Ma'ar, you will know him then again best as Mornlithe Falconsbane. Ever does he hate Urtho's children and all he protected! So much so that he spreads his seed wide and reincarnates himself in the body of a child of his seed when he calls fire for the first time. To understand exactly how the other books in his series entertwine with the rest read this book and the two that follow. (White Gryphon & Silver Gryphon)

These three books make us understand the Shin'a'nin, Kaladin, Heratsi, and Gryphons and allow us to understand the special relationships the races once had with eachother and begin to have again in the last book before the second cataclysm (Storm breaking)

I tell all my friends who need a new fantasy book to read to start with this book as it introduces the mind to a wonderful fantasy world full of triumph, greed, war, peace at any cost, love, and friendships made and broken.

One thing Mercedes Lackey books never fail to do is to let us know that no matter how great the hero or the feats he/she performs they too make mistakes and have emotions.

WINDS OF FATE, by prolific sf/fantasy author Mercedes Lackey, is the first in the "Mage Winds" trilogy. The chapters alternate back and forth between the story of Elspeth, heir to the throne of Valdemar, and Darkwind, one-time mage and now a scout for his people, the Tayledras. This alternation continues until the two meet up near the end of the book, interrupted only by two brief "Interludes." Elspeth is on a quest to bring a mage into Valdemar to work with the Heralds against the growing threat of King Ancar of Holdorn, while Darkwind has to deal with the growing, magical threats to his sundered clan, the K'Sheyna.

I just finished reading the "Heralds of Valdemar" books, and I loved them. I was looking forward to reading this book, since it would involve more magic and also because I really like the character of Elspeth. However, though I didn't DISLIKE this book, I was more than a bit disappointed. Many parts of the story drag, and seem to go on for longer than is necessary, flaws that are hard to cover up. The story is not nearly as interesting as that of the "Heralds of Valdemar" books, which were very hard for me to put down. It wasn't until the last 150 pages or so (and remember, this is a 458 page book!) that the plot starts to pick up a bit, and even then it isn't nearly as good as I had hoped for. The characters are good--I liked them a lot--but without an interesting story to be part of, that fact is overshadowed. There are SOME interesting parts, but they come sporatically up until, as I said, the last 150 pages or so.

However, on the bright side, this book wasn't boring enough to turn me away from the rest of the trilogy, and the rest of the Valdemar books, and so it can't have been all that bad. Read it, if only so that you'll know what's going on in the other books.

Happy reading!

P.S. I would've given this book 3 1/2 stars if that were possible.

In the Arrows triology, we were introduced to "the brat", Elspeth heir to the throne, terror of the Queen's palace, tamed by Talia. After a failed attempt on Elspeth's life, she embarks on a mission to find magical allies in the war with Ancar, king of Hadorn. So begins Elsepth's journey into the outside world.

Meet Darkwind, exmage, scout of the elusive Talyderas, the hawkbrothers. Estranged from his father, he copes with the loss of his mother and a rogue heartstone.

Chance, or fate brings them together. This is the first story in a great triology by Mercedes Lackey. This book gives the background needed for the following books, and neatly ties in with all the history of her previous books, starting with The Last Herald Mage series, all the way through to By The Sword. If you are like me, after you read this book, you will want to reread all the previous books or at least look up some of the finer points in Valdemar's history, and continue on to the last two books in the Mage Winds triology.

Valdemar is in trouble yet again. The mysterious magical defenses that have protected it since the time of Herald Vanyel are eroding, while Ancar of Hardorn and his mages grow stronger. Elspeth, Herald and Heir to the throne, decides that she must take matters into her own hands and find mages to protect her beloved country. She sets off on a journey with her friend and fellow Herald, Skif, that will take them far to the south, where Elspeth realizes she may have a Mage Gift of her own...

K'Sheyna Vale is also in trouble. Its Heartstone is damaged beyond repair, and half of its inhabitants are stranded at the remote new Vale site. Darkwind, the head scout of Clan K'Sheyna and a powerful mage who has forsaken his powers, faces the daily battle of keeping his home safe from the evil forces of a mysterious Dark Adept that is seeking to destroy everything Darkwind holds dear...

"Winds of Fate" is the first book in Mercedes Lackey"s The Mage Winds Trilogy. It has an interesting structure to it. Throughout much of the book, the chapters alternate perspectives between Elspeth and Darkwind, with a few interludes of completely different perspective thrown in. I found this to be very effective. It kept me motivated and reading, especially during the Elspeth chapters that tended to drag a little more. The differences between the storylines were ample enough that I was never confused by events. It was also nice to look forward to the expected unification of the two storylines.

I was also pleasantly surprised and delighted by the abundance of Tayledras characters in this book. The Tayledras as a people have fascinated me ever since I read "Magic's Pawn" and became enchanted with Moondance and Starwind. "Winds of Fate" allowed me an even deeper look into their culture, and it was through the eyes of Darkwind, a member of that culture himself.

"Winds of Fate" is a fun book to read. Its characters are strong and behave like real people. Its setting is so real that I almost feel like I've been there. Mercedes Lackey keeps the mood light when it needs to be by adding little touches of humor here and there.

Bottom Line: A great continuation of the Valdemar books and an absolute treat to the Tayledras lovers out there. However, I would recommend that you first read The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy and The Heralds of Valdemar to truly appreciate this book.

I just can't see how anyone can NOT like it. I mean, all right,maybe it doesn't have as much action as The Black Gryphon--SO WHAT? Are authors allowed to have a change of pace now and then anymore? Besides, I think it's got plenty of action--the murders, when Skan and Drake get kid- and gryphon-napped by Hadanelith (spelling?) and when Skan saves the Black King, Shalaman, as the Black Gryphon again. I think that's gotta be my favorite part of the whole book. Also, be sure to read Black Gryphon first. I read this book first, And I was totally confused abuot a lotta stuff. ~Dragonblade END

It has been ten years since the magical Cataclysm that destroyed Urtho's Tower and the evil Adept Ma'ar. The Kaled'a'in Clan k'Leshya spent nearly a year traversing magic-warped lands to finally reach the shores of the sea where they would make their home. For nine years, under the leadership and guidance of the kestra'chern Amberdrake and the white gryphon Skandranon, they built a new and shining city: White Gryphon, in honor of Skandranon.

Just as life seems to be finally settling down for the Kaled'a'in, a ship appears, sailing up the coast straight towards White Gryphon. Aboard it are envoys of the rigid Haighlei Empire, sent to inform the Kaled'a'in that their precious city is situated on Haighlei territory. To avoid a confrontation, Amberdrake, Winterhart, Skandranon, and Zhaneel are sent to the Haighlei capital of Khimbata as ambassadors. Trouble quickly ensues as Haighlei courtiers opposed to the Kaled'a'in are found murdered. Will Amberdrake and Skandranon be able to clear their names and save their home from war?

"The White Gryphon" is the second book in Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon's Mage Wars Trilogy. I absolutely loved it! As in "The Black Gryphon," Dixon's voice and presence will be apparent to devoted Valdemar fans. It was a page-turner through and through, and the alternating perspectives only increased my desire to read on. It was one of those stories where you know the other half of the mystery, but the main characters don't and you feel like shouting out the missing pieces to them. Very intense and involving.

As always, the characters and descriptions were fantastic. I swear Amberdrake is the sweetest guy ever, and I love Skandranon's self-assurance. The fully fleshed out Haighlei culture was particularly interesting. It makes one wonder if Lackey and Dixon based it on a culture in our world.

I honestly have no serious complaints about this book. The pacing was infinitely better than "The Black Gryphon." The climax was more drawn out and much slower, with sufficient lower points, so that it didn't feel rushed. The only thing I'm still curious about are Hadanelith's motivations, but that is a very small flaw in an otherwise thrilling book.

Bottom Line: A taut, thrilling continuation to the Mage Wars Trilogy that Valdemar fans will devour. Enjoy! :)

Well, I don't like it as much as The Black Gryphon. Since The Black Gryphon is my favourite book in the world, that isn't saying much.
Here is my (brief) summary of the book.
The former Black Gryphon, Skandranon Rashkae, is now a leader in the Kaled'a'in tribe of K'leshya's new home. Taking place ten years after The Black Gryphon, the war refugees have built a beautiful city that they named in Skandranon's honor.
Just as the city is taking its final form, a mysterious boat sails into the harbour. There are a group of people known as Haighlei who are the actual owners of the land White Gryphon (the city) is built on. They offer to make an alliance with the city.
Skandranon and his fellow leader and friend Amberdrake take their families to the city of Khimbata to meet the Emperor Shalaman. They are surprised by the intricate and unusual customs of the Haighlei people.
Shortly after they arrive at Khimbata, the White Gryphon delegation is accused of commiting a murder... You'll have to read it to find out what happens, but the plot involves multiple murders, romance, and action.
Happy gryphoning.

So far, this is my least favorite of the SERRAted Edge novels. The things that really carried the book were Sam, Tannim, and Keighvin: old cranky Irishman, modern mage, elf. Cranky Irishman, modern mages, and elves just about ALWAYS make a book good--and the ywork for this one. Definitely worth the read, if just to stare at elves, even if it's just in the imagination.

I am part of a scifi/fantasy reading group that gets together once a month to discuss a book that we read the month before, and when this title was selected, I was not very enthusiastic. Very simply, the title, cover art and back cover blurb ("Fast Elves, hot cars and rock'n roll!" or something to that effect)just didnt seem like my particular cup of tea. So, imagine my suprise when I found it to be quite enjoyable. Great characters, brilliant concept (once I got used to the idea) and very well written. I finished it on a plane from Chicago to Los Angeles and the guy sitting next to me was in the Navy, and through our smalltalk discovered that he liked fantasy fiction. When I showed him this book, he stated that he didnt think he would like it, for pretty much the same reasons I assumed I wouldn't. I suggested he give it a try and gave him my copy. I guess I will never know whether he enjoyed it as much as I did, but its kind of interesting to think that my copy of this book is now in the library of a USNavy ship off the coast of Japan.

The best part of this book is the hero/main character, Tannim; a human mage who has a big heart with a soft spot for kids in tough places. He shares this sentiment with the good elves who race cars to get money becaues you just can't hand over a handful of silver coins to a needy mother these days without something going wrong!(what ever happened to those good old days?) I loved to follow this infectiously lovable and completely human character on his jaunts through the real world and the not so real. His faults are completely believable and make you like the guy all the more (if that is even possible) and makes you hold you breath as he gets into scrapes and hard spots galore! If you don't fall in love with Tannim and wish to hear more and more and more about him, you really need to see a doctor because you head isn't working too well! (No offense!) A great read and worth every penny!

I first picked up the Darian's Tale series because I thought that any fantasy author who takes up a great deal of shelf space in bookstores and libraries, as Mercedes Lackey always does, must be at least a competent writer. Of course, you would think that after my unfortunate encounters with Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind I would have learned my lesson. Anyway, "Owlflight" was mediocre, but "Owlsight" is much, much worse. There's much discussion among fans of the genre about the fact that many of the most popular authors can't seem to find a decent editor. "Owlsight" is an excellent showcase of this trend. The book is rife with errors in grammar and punctuation. There are awkward sentences ("There just wasn't enough readily available magic energy available to do such a task.") and inapt metaphors ("She felt as if her nerves had been rubbed raw and somebody was pouring saltwater on them.") The writing feels completely shoddy and hasty, especially when we get descriptions of people's clothes that go on for pages and sound more gaudy and tasteless than anything that the most incompetent fashion designer could come up with, or when we have to endure speeches about various trite morals, such "war is bad" and "judging people is bad". Normally editors are supposed to flag down all of this. When authors grow powerful enough to muscle past the editorial process, they risk embarrassing themselves, which is certainly what happened to Lackey and Dixon in "Owlsight".

If we look past the lousy writing, what do we find? Not much. I complained that the plot of "Owlflight" was slow. In this book, it's almost nonexistent. The first three-hundred pages are spent entirely on introducing the two main characters and showing us many, many, many scenes of them chatting with friends, eating, and otherwise going through the motions of an ordinary day. We have Darian, who's still hanging out with the Hawkbrothers and endlessly ruminating about unworthy and inferior he is. And then we have the healer Keisha, who is hanging out in Errold's Grove and endlessly ruminating about how unworthy and inferior she is. The new army of barbarians doesn't show up until almost the end of the book, and the authors' method for dealing with them sounds forced and unrealistic. After four-hundred-and-fifty pages, "Owlsight" limps to a close without giving us a proper climactic showdown, or even a single action scene. At no point do we ever get a decent portrait of any character. You would think that right before a showdown with a large and possibly dangerous army, these teenagers would be at least a little bit nervous, right. But in "Owlsight", they act like it's a walk in the park.

I don't think that I'll even bother reading the final volume of this syrupy series. After all, don't we all know how it's going to end? Darian and Keisha will fall madly in love, but it will somehow take them several hundred pages to express their feeling for each other. Meanwhile, a new bunch of bad guys will show up from somewhere, but our heroes will once again find a clever way to deal with them, and all will be right with the world. Yawn. I have better things to do with my time than sitting around reading predictable claptrap like this.

This book is well-written (what Mercedes Lackey book isn't?) and has very good detail and description. She's obviously done a great deal of research into the life of a rural herbalist, and has spent a lot of time mentally crafting the village and Vales. Unfortunately, she sacrifices plot and conflict for this, cramming the climax into a few chapters at the end, as if she suddenly realized that a deadline was approaching and she'd spent all her time describing the Vale and Keisha's work. Also, I found myself reading passages thinking that they could have been summed up in a few sentences--do we really need to know EXACTLY how Keisha decides what things to take when she moves? Most annoying, to me, was that none of the characters had any real character flaws. One of the great things about Lackey's Valdemar books is the humanness of the characters: Elspeth is impetuous and sometimes arrogant, Vanyel shuts himself off, Amberdrake won't believe that he's a leader. Unfortunately, she seems to have misplaced this knack for this series. Keisha is kind, sensible, and generous, and most of her minor "flaws" are simply the result of an untrained Gift; Darian is kind, sensible, generous, and eloquent to boot. And the Tayledras have suddenly turned into Purveyors Of All That Is Useful, rather than an isolated, forest-dwelling people with a small population who carry on a very limited trade of luxury goods for basic supplies. And Firesong, who was kind but fickle and EXTREMELY arrogant in the Winds trilogy, has not only mellowed but is in this book utterly calm and humble and seems to have lost any sense of vanity. Though I usually love Lackey's books, I was getting thoroughly sick of Darian and Keisha by the end. To sum up: this book is pretty good, but not up to Lackey's usual standard. It's fairly fun, especially if you like lots of description, but slow-moving, and understandable even to those unfamiliar with the series. Don't expect it to be on the level of the Last Herald-Mage trilogy, though, or to be a gripping adventure story.

I read some of the comments on the sequel to this, and I must conclude that I am either helplessly in love with Mercedes Lackey's and Larry Dixon's writing style, or that the books in this series are actually rather nice to read. OwlSight certainly doesn't have as much action and wild adventure as the other series that these two wrote, but it helps to satisfy my thirst for extra knowledge on the subject of the Hawkbrothers and their non-human associates. I like Darian a lot, but in a book with these authors' names on the cover that is to be expected. It is very easy to understand if you already know what all of the typical Mercedes Lackey vocabulary means, so if you are a fan of hers you are all set. Overall I loved it, and it made me laugh more than any of the other books she wrote except for the Vows and Honor duology. I hope you like it as much as I do!

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.

I just finished reading the other customer reviews of this entertaining tale. It sounds like most of them haven't read enough of this type of book and don't hang out with teenagers enough. It was a very satisfactory read and I did finish it in a little more than one sitting. Again I don't understand what people expect from fantasy. It shouldn't try to solve all the problems of the world, it should just be a good way to spend time. I enjoy most of the Lackey/Dixon books and am looking forward to more of the Valdemar history. I must admit I do love those grphons.

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.

It seems I've always been a rather large Lackey fan, and I've reread the Arrows trilogy and the Last Herald-Mage trilogy...and the first book of the Mage Wars trilogy over and over again. But it seems recently, when Lackey has been co-writing with Dixon, that the work is of almost lesser quality.

Okay, enough with the eloquence. THIS IS driving me, to quote Talia, "rather noisily mad"! What happened to the classic scenes that were in earlier books? What Lackey fan hasn't sobbed and reread Kris' death scene in Arrow's Fall fifty million times, and gone back and read it again? (My page of that book is tearblotted, hot-chocolate stained, and spaghetti-sauce stained. It's pretty pathetic.) What happened to solid, INTERESTING characters like Elspeth and Tremaine and Vanyel and Stefen and Tylendel? All we get now is a hairbrained idiot named Darian who's taking on waaaaay too many responsiblities, and his errant lover Keisha. The only reason I really stuck with this Owl trilogy was that the character of Shandi fascinated me, and Anda wasn't that bad for a secondary character. But I have to say, this book was still better than half of the science-fiction/fantasy junk that is out there.

I agree with another reader with a review below mine--why can't we read a trilogy about King Valdemar (that was NOT cowritten by Larry Dixon)? Or, jump ahead a hundred years...see what happens to Valdemar? Or explore Rethwellan a little more? (Tarma and Kethry and Kerowyn are fabulous characters. Why can't we see more mercs? They dropped off the face of the earth after By The Sword!)

Ah well, this is getting long-winded. Just wanted to give my opinion.

Ok, I've been holding my tongue and trying to objectively read all the reviews, but this is it! Mercedes Lackey is a human being. She cannot reel out soul-searching miracles at the drop of a hat. I freely admit that the Last Herald-Mage series and the Arrows series were more emotional than the Owl series, but the Owl series has more everyday details and is closer to real life. It includes no life or death struggle for the entire world, but what kind of a world would Valdemar be if it was constantly in mortal danger? I also agree that she is concentrating way too much on Valdemar, and not on the other countries, but if that is what she wants to write about, accept it. Some reviewers are being too critical about her writing. If you didn't like, don't read it again! It's that simple.

Now for my actual review. :) Owlknight is the end of the Owl series where Darian, a young Valdemaran who was adopted by the Taleydras (Hawkbrothers) has to deal with the pressures of being a responsible adult. He earns several honors in the beginning of the book, and then he decides that he is ready to search for his parents, who went missing some 6 years ago. Keisha, a young healer and Darian's lover, goes with him. During the trip, Darian has to resolve his feelings about the use of magic, and about his parents. Keisha has to resolve her feelings about a woman's role in marrage, and her feelings about her sister Shandi. I won't give away the ending, but the Owl series has good character development, an interesting storyline, and a determined (if not a 'rush or we'll destroy the entire universe by being slow') pace. This book isn't going to squeeze your chest and have you on the edge of your seat as if you are actually the person, but it won't bore you to sleep, either. Altogether a very good story to snuggle up with at night.

I've been a big fan of Mercedes Lackey since I was 15 years old. I have yet to read a book of hers that I haven't liked. I hardly expect her to write a wonderful, emotional book every time. That being said, I do think this book is one of her weaker novels. This is certainly not one of my favorite trilogies of hers. The book does develop the idea of having a Tayledras Vale in Valdemar and how everyone in the Vale lives and reacts to one another.

"Owlknight" is the last of the trilogy. Darian was an orphen found by the Tayledras Hawkbrothers six years ago. He is now a Master Mage as well as the head of the Vale of k'Valdemar. He's in a relationship with Keisha, one of the Vales healers. Now that Darian has made a successful life for himself, he struggles with the pain of not knowing what happened to his parents and uses his skills as a Master Mage to finally get some answers. While Darian worries over the fate of his parents, Keisha is trying to reconcile her desire for a future with Darian and her desire to continue to be an intelligent, independant woman.

I do not think that Darian and Keisha are up to the standards set by some of Lackey's previous characters in the Heralds of Valdemar series. Darian seems (pardon the pun) a little feather brained, and Keisha seems to act too immature to handle a serious relationship, since she can't even figure out that marriage doesn't necessarily mean giving up her independence and her career. Also, while Darian's bond bird Kuari played a rather large part in the previous books, I thought he wasn't mentioned nearly often enough in "Owlknight".

Lackey has developed a wonderful land, and the Tayledras are fascinating people. While this book may not have been the emotional, thrill-packed novel that some of her other novels have been, it is still a well-written book. If you are a Lackey fan, don't pass up the book. The Vale of k'Valdemar will most likely become an integral part of the series.

Having read and enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy, I was really looking forward to the conclusion. I needn't have bothered. Somehow I got the feeling that Lackey was just churning this one out to get it done. It was very poorly written. My advice: get it from the library if you really want to read it. You'll be glad you didn't waste your money on this one.

It has been twelve years since the city of White Gryphon became a part of the Haighlei Empire. The kestra'chern Amberdrake and his friend, the gryphon Skandranon, and their families have lived in relative peace. Amberdrake's daughter, Silverblade, and Skan's son, Tadrith, have grown up and are now members of White Gryphon's elite guard, the Silver Gryphons. They are given their first assignment: a remote rain forest post on the Haighlei border. Despite their parents' misgivings and concern, the two set out. Along the way, a mysterious force suddenly sucks the mage energy out of their equipment, causing Blade and Tad to crash. Injured and unable to call for help, will the two be able to outrun and outwit a deadly enemy they have never encountered before?

"The Silver Gryphon" is the third book in Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon's Mage Wars Series. As with the previous two books, Dixon's influence on the text will be apparent to Lackey fans. It is easily the weakest of the three, although it is still a worthwhile read for experienced Valdemar fans.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially Tadrith. He was a lot of fun and demonstrated all of the entertaining male gryphon quirks that have been present in Skan and Treyvan of Mage Storms and Mage Winds. I didn't like Blade so much at first, mainly because I was hoping she'd be more like Amberdrake (one of my favorite Valdemar characters), but she grew on me as the story went on. I came to appreciate her strength and courage. And of course it was a pleasure to read about Amberdrake and Skan again, even if only for a relatively small portion of the book.

The action in this book was quite good. There was ample suspense as Blade and Tad were chased and hunted (I won't mention by what as some other reviews have because I feel it ruins the surprise). The climax was also very tense and exciting.

My major complaint (and it really is a trend in Lackey's books) is the rushed feeling I came away with after completing the book. However, this book felt even more rushed than the others. I think this is mostly because I was expecting it to be the concluding book of a series. It really wasn't. These three books can be treated almost individually, unlike the Arrows books or Last Herald-Mage books.

Bottom Line: Good for its action and suspense, but lacking in the pacing of its ending. I would really only recommend this to readers familiar with Valdemar.

I loved this book, especially after reading the first two books in the series. The father characters took on several demensionals, not just the boring 'good guys' and, knowing their wartime background, their reasons to stupid commanders, mostly Skan's, was quite real to me. If you have not read this series, start with The Black Gryphons and go completely through because they are all well worth reading!