A MANY SPLINTERED
THING
Fantasy
RELEASE DATE:
November 24 , 2026
PUBLISHER:
DAW
ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780756421311
RATING:
4.5
A MANY SPLINTERED THING is the twentieth anthology of
short stories set in Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar world by various authors. Being
chosen to write in such a beloved setting must be a great honor. The authors
have done an admirable job. While a few stories did not appeal to me (that is
to be expected) not every story will resonate with every reader.
I also like that the authors explored different time
periods in Valdemar and settings beyond Haven and the Collegium. Some authors
even included, or mentioned, much loved characters.
TIME AND TIDES
AUTHOR: Charlotte E. English
RATING: 4.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://charlotteenglish.com/
Bardic Miriel is grieving the death of her luthier
brother. When she finally decides to clear out his room, she finds a familiar
shape waiting there. Herald Hiralda has spent years out on Circuit, doing her
heraldic duty. When she hears about Davon’s passing, she returns to Haven to
help Miriel. Can the two women overcome the misunderstanding that has kept them
apart?
TIME AND TIDES is a poignant and bittersweet story. And
short. I practically zipped through it. Regardless of its length, I still
enjoyed it.
ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD
AUTHOR: Brigid
Collins
RATING: 4
AUTHOR LINK:
https://brigidcollinsbooks.com/
After years stationed at Haven, Herald Marli is finally
setting out on a Circuit. And she will not travel alone. Her lifebonded
partner, Kimfer, a former bandit, will accompany her. A letter from her
hometown urges Marli to return. Despite her apprehension about being back, she
persuades her friend to seek the medical treatment she needs. Will her hometown
open Marli’s eyes to what is important to her?
I feel that parts of the story are missing. If Marli and
Kimfer appear as side characters in another book/series, it is possible I have
not read it or do not remember them. Sadly, I am behind on Lackey’s books,
especially the Collegium books.
TOGETHER
AUTHOR: Fiona
Patton
RATING: 4
AUTHOR LINK: https://grokipedia.com/page/fiona_patton
Laryn, a Bardic trainee, is assigned to compose a song
about romance. A friend commissions her to write one about her mother’s current
romantic interest. Laryn visits the woman and listens to her stories about her
late husband and her new beau. A week later, she presents the song to her
friend’s mother before submitting it to her teacher.
This story did not appeal to me overly much. It felt a
little lacking. I do like that Laryn took the time to listen to her friend’s
mother lament about her past relationship with her husband. And that her song
helped the woman decide her relationship with her new beau.
BOUND HEARTS
AUTHOR: Jeanne
Adams
RATING: 3
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/jeanne-adams/
Herald Investigator Beryl and Herald Zaleth have
concluded a child-trafficking case. They celebrate their victory at a tavern
and decide to act on their attraction. The next day, they wake bound and cut
off from their Companions. Beryl and Zaleth are forced to rely on their wits to
escape. Their ordeal leads them to another noble involved in child trafficking.
Can Beryl and Zaleth stop the noble before another innocent person is harmed?
And can they accomplish this without their Companions’ help?
I did not care for this story overly much. It just came
off as bland to me. It does touch on some sensitive subjects such as drugging
and child-trafficking.
COLLEGIUM CRESENDO
AUTHOR: Jennifer
Brozek and Marie Bilodeau
RATING: 3.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://jenniferbrozek.com/
Aimar Noteleaf and Ozan Newsong struggle to adjust to
life at the Bardic Collegium. One sings with too much emotional excess, while
the other needs to improve his breath control. They also have roommate
troubles. Aimar and Ozan search for the perfect song for their end-of-semester
performance. At the last moment Ozan chooses a song he knows suits them both.
Will Aimar and Ozan win over their audience? Or will they flub their
performance?
The only part of the story I enjoyed was the song the two
Bardic Trainees performed, “Sun and Shadow”. It is one of my favorite pieces
from Mercedes’ filk music. Sadly, I do not own the CD, so I must listen to it
on YouTube. I regret not buying more of the CDs when I had the chance years
ago. I am not a fan of the new artist performing Lackey’s filk music. I found
myself softly singing the lyrics under my breath as I read.
WITHOUT A NAME
AUTHOR: Phaedra
Weldon
RATING: 3.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.phaedraweldon.com/
Herald Reyes remembers neither his childhood in Karse nor
his surname. Two important notebooks, ones that hold clues to his past and
class notes, have vanished. Reluctantly, and with help from his healer friend,
Reyes accompanies his beloved to her parents’ anniversary party. There, he
begins to question the mysterious death of her brother. What truths will Reyes
unearth? And will his sleuthing cause him to become the next victim?
This story did not appeal to me. I could not get into it
or connect with the characters.
HORSES AND HOUNDS
AUTHOR: Ron
Collins
RATING: 2.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.typosphere.com/
Lady Annaliese Brig and Lord Klayton Medrys are both
skilled players of Horses and Hounds. Their fathers plan to use their victory
to advance their houses in Valdemar. Annaliese and Klayton cannot help admiring
one another’s competent abilities. However, Klayton is determined not to allow
his father’s underhanded tactics to prevail. Who will win the Horses and Hounds
match?
So far, this is my least favorite story in the anthology.
I do not see how it fits in the Valdemar world. It focuses on two young nobles
playing a game almost like chess. The only clear Valdemar connection is a
Herald overseeing the game. I do not remember this game mentioned in any of the
books I have read.
I do like how Annaliese and Klayton start off as
adversaries. Then, as they start to play, they learn about each other. Soon
they start to communicate through their moves, without anyone catching on.
Basically, it became their love language.
THE CIRCLE SPEAKS OF LOVE
AUTHOR: Brenda
Cooper
RATING: 3
AUTHOR LINK: https://brenda-cooper.com/
Marjom, a former border herald, is navigating a new
relationship with a fellow herald. She and Whitman, her new lover, must prepare
the latest group of trainees for war with Ancar. Before they graduate, Majom
has one final lesson to depart: the difference between lust, passion, and love.
Plus, the consequences each can carry in the field.
This is another story that really did not appeal or
resonate with me.
I do like that Marjom and Whitman are seasoned heralds
rather than fresh recruits. Marjom initially viewed her transfer as “forced
retirement”, and she hesitated to broadcast her relationship with Whitman. But
after sharing her past experiences with her students, Marjom decides to embrace
it openly.
A PITYING OF TURTLEDOVES
AUTHOR: Elisabeth
Waters
RATING: 4
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/elisabeth-waters/
Lord Arvid Melander is not a typical highborn. He is a
Novice of the Temple of Thenoth and enjoys his work. Arvid also teaches a
herald trainee to use her animal mindspeech gift. When his mother decides it is
time for him to marry, she gives him a short list of carefully chosen highborn
candidates. In secret, Arvid uses turtledove to learn more about each woman,
not to court them but to help them. Will Arvid find his ideal match?
I like that Arvid does not share his mother’s views on
social status. He does not care about his future spouse’s class, only that they
have compatibility and shared interests. I also like how he uses the
information gathered from his animal friends to better understand his mother’s
candidates. And help them.
PATRON OF THE ARTS
AUTHOR: Susan
Shwartz
RATING: 4.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://susanschwartzauthor.com/
Herald Jeri investigates the artist who has captivated
the Blues with her caricatures. The woman’s work, especially a portrait of a
young noblewoman, helps a grieving Count find solace. After meeting the gifted
artist, Jeri suspects there is more to her than she reveals. When a fire breaks
out, it becomes clear the woman is being targeted… And the truth about her
emerges.
This story features characters that I remember fondly.
Alberich, who has been a longtime favorite of mine, Myste, Selenay, and Skif
and his Comapnion Cymry. Skif does play a significant role in the background…
Talia and Dirk are only mentioned once. Though, it has been a long time since I
read the books, I never remember Alberich speaking like Yoda.
COURAGE AFTER ALL
AUTHOR: Stephanie
D. Shaver
RATING: 4.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://sdshaver.com/bibliography/
Maps and Kamden’s relationship changes when Kam is chosen
by his Companion at thirteen. He leaves for Haven to begin his heraldic
training and duties. She stays behind and eventually marries into a prominent
family. Maps soon discovers the true nature of her husband and mother-in-law.
Kamden’s return comes just when she needs it most. Will he help exonerate Maps
from the charges against her? And will her in-law’s abuse be exposed to their
community?
Trigger warning: this story includes depictions of
martial abuse. So, readers sensitive to this topic may wish to skip it.
ENCORE
AUTHOR: J.L.
Gribble
RATING: 2.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://jlgribble.com/
Bard Keona has every detail planned for her journey
south. She even includes two herald trainees to accompany her and her bardic
companion. Keona hopes the boys’ presence will make the trip easier for Ellie,
who is rumored not to travel well with others. The journey is not what Keona
expects, with Ellie getting along with the trainees. The greatest surprise,
however, awaits the two heralds-in-training.
I did not get this story at all! It never drew me in. I
did like that the two bards are older and experienced rather than young and
fresh-faced.
KEEP AND KIN
AUTHOR: Anthea
Sharp
RATING: 4.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://antheasharp.com/
Healer Tarek returns home with his bardic love. His
younger sister, the new lord of the keep, asks him to care for her quest. Tarek
discovers the woman is from Hardorn and that her wound is slow to heal. After
hearing her story, Shandara suspects she has Earthsense. They reassure Carinne
that Valdemar welcomes such gifts, unlike her homeland.
This story is one of my favorites in this anthology. The
four characters are easy to like. I love how confidently Elen held her own
against men trying to harm Carinne. She did not let them to belittle her
because she is a woman. I also like how Elen offered the Hardorn woman a safe
place to stay, where she could use her gift openly and freely.
WHEN THE WIND STOPS BLOWING
AUTHOR: Louisa
Swann
RATING: 4.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.louisaswann.com/?mbt_author=louisa-swann
Roli and his Tayledras companion has left the Vale to
search for his parents. Their journey has been plagued by misfortune, the
latest being a terrible storm. They seek shelter at a farmstead where the owner
has been wounded by a wyrsa. Roli is asked to brave the storm to bring the
healer herald staying at the village. He not only faces his fears but a wyrsa
attack. Can Roli return with help before it is too late? And what else does the
storm bring?
Finally, a story with a Hawkbrother in it! I would have
been disappointed if this anthology had not included one. They have always been
my favorite. Yeah, the Hawkbrother’s part in the story is small, but I am
alright with it.
CONTRACTS
AUTHOR: Kristin
Schwengel
RATING: 3.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.fictiondb.com/author/kristin-schwengel~68212.htm
Jaya belongs to a side branch of the Fifty Families of
Mornedealth. She is troubled by the growing distance between her and her
husband. Jaya tries to reconnect, but when her efforts fail, she turns to her
younger brother for help leaving. Throughout the journey, she clings to hope
that her husband will come after her. A week after Jaya reaches her destination
he appears, bearing small gifts meant to prove his love. Will Jaya forgive Kev?
Or is he too late to patch things up between them?
The story came off a little bland for my tastes. What
caused the distance? It left more questions than answers. And things between
them felt unresolved.
A COURSE ON COURTSHIP
AUTHOR: Dee
Shull
RATING: 3.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://valdemar.fandom.com/wiki/Dee_Shull
Healer Serrill knows little about romance, but he is
determined to do right by his beloved. When a friend facing the same dilemma
asks for advice, he agrees to seek guidance for them both. Serrill first turns
to his fellow Healers but finds no answers. He then widens his search to
friends beyond the Healing Collegium. A triad couple offers advice that helps
him understand how best to court his Herald.
The story felt a little dry and lackluster to me. It left
me feeling “meh”. I just could not empathize with the characters involved.
RIPOSTE
AUTHOR: Paige l. Christie
RATING: 3.5
AUTHOR LINK: https://paigelchristie.net/biography-paige-l-christie/
Kwell sets out to discover why one particular guard is so
disgruntled on happening upon trysting couples. She even enlists the help of
the guard’s friend, who is often caught in the act by that very guard. First,
Kwell and Relea must learn who Teig is interested in. Then they can devise ways
for their paths to cross so nature can take its course. Will their plan
succeed?
Kwell’s continuous use of puns annoyed me. Again, the
story left me feeling meh and disinterested.
GREATER LOVE
AUTHOR: Mercedes
Lackey
RATING: 5
AUTHOR LINK: https://www.mercedeslackey.com/
Lily and Violet are drudges – much like serfs – on a
Holderkin farmstead. Lily, the older sister, has garnered the unwelcome
attention of the Father’s spoiled son. Other servants and drudges try to
protect her, even urging the sisters to seek refuge at the Temple of the
Goddess-Wife. Then an unexpected ally steps in to help Lily, one even the
Father and his son cannot dismiss.
They saved the best for last! I always enjoy reading
Lackey’s books, especially her Valdemar books. They have a special place in my
heart. And this short story is no exception!
I suspected what became of Lily would happen. It was her
kind temperament that clued me in. The ending told me that is not the end of
her and Violet’s story.
