One of my earliest introductions to fantasy was The Last Herald Mage trilogy and it’s remained a favorite. I generally always love returning to Valdemar either to re-read old favorites or in this case to read a series of short stories. This was a great selection of stories featuring a variety of characters and themes set across the world of the Valdemar series. I think it’s a great option for anyone who has read these books and just wants a little more. Each story is a great length and with enough detail to be satisfying on its own.

I received this anthology as an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Many Splintered Thing is the 17th installment of the Valdemar anthologies, which allow other authors to play in the world of Mercedes Lackey. Although I’m not normally a fan of anthologies, I always make an exception for these. After all, aren’t we all united in our love of all things Valdemar!

Every new anthology I get reacquainted with some old favourites, among others Charlotte E. English as well as Fiona Patton whose Iron Street Watch stories, featuring the Dann family, are most enjoyable. Overall, the quality of the stories in this book was really high; there are always a few that don’t do it for me, but perhaps someone else did enjoy those.

And let’s not forget of course, we get a marvellous story by the Grandmaster herself, which never fails to stun me.
Well-deserved five stars!

A Many-Splintered Thing is another amazing anthology set in the Valdemar Universe. It features some amazing authors as well as a feature story by Mercedes Lackey. Each story is set as a small snapshot into the lives of the characters, but somehow still shows them as complete and developed. Many of the stories focused on love and the ways it can be broken and/or healed, be it between lovers, family, or friends. I especially liked Horses and Hounds by Ron Collins and Greater love by Mercedes Lackey. I would love to see either of these stories fill out or continued in a full book. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories. While it is helpful to know of the world of Valdemar, I think you might be able to get away with reading it even if this is your first experience with the universe.
I received a copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review of my own volition.