Gryphon in Light is the first in the newest Valdemar trilogy by Mercedes Lackey. If you're familiar with the world of Velgarth, this new trilogy falls immediately after Darian's trilogy (Owlflight, Owlsight,Owlknight) and features the gryphon Kelvrin.

Although this is the first of a trilogy, it is by far not the first book set in this world. You can certainly read this book first, but there are many, many call backs to every other trilogy set in Valdemar and the surrounding lands. At a minimum, I would recommend reading the Arrows trilogy and Darian's trilogy first if you can. You won't be sorry if you do, Mercedes Lackey had created a world rich in detail, magic, and characters you will want to love and hate.

I enjoyed every minute reading Gryphon in Light. It is a blast reading about Kelvrin and seeing so many characters that I loved making appearances in the book. There are references to every other trilogy, but not direct references to the very few sets of books that have four or more books (like the Collegium Chronicles). I have to admit that I squealed a few times when I saw those bits. I love it when an author can weave their books together with such skill the way Mercedes Lackey does. Her writing will pull you in, hold you by throat, and keep you immersed in some of the best stories written by anyone.

Wow! What an amazing beginning to the the newest trilogy in the world of Valdemar. I could not stop reading this amazing book.

The gryphon Kelvren is joined by a cast of old friends and new, to go on a quest to solve a monumental mystery at the center of Lake Evendim the site of Maar's tower during the Mage Wars and the 2nd site of the cataclysm that created the lake itself and set off the mage storms.

I am thrilled to return to the world that is Valdemar! As always Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon bring their signature excellent world-building, magic, wonders and fantastic characters, both human and not, to us in this volume.

I love going back to the Valdemar books again and again and am already eager for the next part of the series.

This is a satisfying read full of magic, wonders and fantastic characters both human and not. Understandably 'Gryphon in Light' does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, since it is a quest trilogy, but it didn't dampen my enjoyment at all.

Mark your calendars for the release date - July 25 2023

I recommend this book and the whole series.

I received this ARC from DAW and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much.


#GryphoninLight #NetGalley #Valdemar

Gryphon in Light by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon is a delightful return to a much loved fantasy world.

What Made me love this book
-Gryphons! I have always loved the gryphon characters in this world and was happy to be back with them
-references to other trilogies I already love by the author
-Excellent pacing and Dialogue.
What didn't work as well for me
-over reliance on a readers knowledge of other books set in the world make this title a little difficult to grasp for readers new to lackey
Who I would recommend this book for
Fans of Lackey's earlier Valdemar chronicles will enjoy returning to this world and I know I personally will be adding it to my collection.

Gryphons arise!

The beginning of a new series centered around the gryphon Kelvren, wing leader of the gryphons of k’Valdemarr.
Nicely setup to include the many and varied inhabitants of the Valdemar world. Rogue Barons are looking to secede from Valdemar. A problem when they’re going about it in entirely the wrong way. This is a coup by supplied seized goods from honest tradesmen. That the crown cannot allow so forces have been detached to dissuade the Barons.
We open in the healers tents with a badly injured Hallock. Hallock gives permission to house a wounded gryphon in his tent.
I really like Hallock Haven of the Sixteenth Guard Regiment, and his wife Genni. The waif, the younling Jefti, is another character with promise.
The making of a legend is not all it’s cracked up to be as Kelvren learns. But a disparate group is assembled to take up a quest, a journey to a lake at the center of the change circle area at the behest of the gods. No one turns the Gods down!
Some excellent threads are being interwoven in this fresh Valdemar novel, some from the past and some new strands.
A very strong beginning!

A DAW ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)