Feuds by Mercedes Lackey

TL;DR: I don’t know how this hit so good but I loved this one just like the last one.
Source: NetGalley, thank you to the publisher – I also purchased my own copy so thanks to me too.

Plot: Various plots but the theme of this collection was Feuds, fights between families or friends, small squabbles.
Characters: Most of these featured Heralds, Bards, or Healers which are usually intelligent and hardworking. I love all those things in characters.
Setting: VALDEMAR! If I was going to pick a fantasy world to live I’d pick Valdemar so I loved these.
Fantasy: Very magic forward, though no HUGE fireballs or such. It felt magical to me.

Thoughts:

Last year I loved Anything With Nothing, I still do. I have a copy of that book on my shelf and honestly, I’m adding this to that collection. These stories are all set in Valdemar, are entry level friendly, and on the whole hopeful and interesting.

The focus in this volume is Feuds. Not wars or battles but small style fights. We had a set of Bard students who were making clashing and causing their fellow students and fans to clash. Two merchant families were fighting over matching pieces of furniture. True to Valdemar standards these end happily in some way, which is part of why I love this world and these stories so much. Mercedes contribution was one of my favorites, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet but with the ending we wanted them to have.

I can’t say too much on this, it’s all short stories but just like last year’s volume I say if you’re a fan pick it up. I would even recommend it to someone who wants hopeful fantasy stories. The land of Valdemar is my favorite for that and these ring true, while being engaging, fun and interesting.

Five stars, of course.