Closer to the Chest (Valdemar: The Herald Spy, #3)

by Mercedes Lackey

New York Times-bestselling author Mercedes Lackey's Herald Spy series, set in the beloved fantasy world of Valdemar

Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar’s Herald-Spy, has been developing a clandestine network of young informants who operate not only on the streets of the capital city of Haven, but also in the Great Halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. In his own established alternate personas, Mags observes the Court and the alleys alike, quietly gathering information to keep Haven and the Kingdom safe.
 
His wife Amily, is growing into her position as the King’s Own Herald, though she is irritated to encounter many who still consider her father, Herald Nikolas, to be the real King’s Own. Nonetheless, she finds it increasingly useful to be underestimated, for there are dark things stirring in the shadows of Haven and up on the Hill.

Someone has discovered many secrets of the women of the Court and the Collegia—and is using those secrets to terrorize and bully them. Someone is targeting the religious houses of women, too, leaving behind destruction and obscene ravings.
           
But who? Someone at the Court? A disgruntled Palace servant? One of the members of the Collegia? Someone in the patriarchal sect of the god Sethor? Could the villain be a woman? And what is this person hoping to achieve? It isn’t blackmail, for the letters demand nothing; the aim seems to be the victims’ panic and despair. But why?
 
Mags and Amily take steps to minimize the damage while using both magic and wits to find the evildoer. But just as they appear to be on the verge of success, the letter-writer tires of terror and is now out for blood.
 
Mags and Amily will have to track down someone who leaves few clues behind and thwart whatever plans have been set in motion, and quickly—before terror turns to murder.

• ISBN10: 0756409012
• ISBN13: 9780756409012
• Publish Date: 4 October 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: DAW Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780756409012

Reviews

[Kim Deister]

Closer to the Chest is the third and final book in The Herald-Spy trilogy, part of the Valdemar saga. I love Mags as a character; he’s one of my favorites in the entire saga of books. 

In the other two books, the main conflict/intrigue was preemptive, stopping something before it could happen. The central conflict/intrigue of this book was different. In this one, they became embroiled in something already in progress. An unknown group was coming after the women of Haven, a group with a clear grudge against any woman who did not live their life in what that group believed was the proper way. 

While I would have enjoyed a little more intrigue, as I like to be kept guessing, I loved the story of Mags and Amily as they sussed out the bad guys. What I appreciated the most was the message of the storyline, the place of women in the world. Because that was what was at the heart of the story… the place of women, the rights of women, bullying, victim-shaming. It’s a book, although released only five years ago, seems incredibly poignant in late of the times we live in.

[Silvara]

Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book wasn't as fast-paced as most Valdemar novels. It was still interesting and kept my attention, but if you love the ones full of action, this book is more in the line of intrigue. Mags, Amily and a number of their friends from the last book, spend most of this book hunting a bully.

You know exactly who is responsible from the beginning, but finding enough evidence to prove it takes most of the book. I liked getting to see how Mags and Amily were settling into their roles. I also liked that we got to see more of Prince Sedric.

There was another scene with Haven's Heartstone, and I'm really hoping that if there are more books in this era of Valdemar, that they finally start learning what it is and how to use it. Instead of going to it as almost an afterthought, or when in the middle of a crisis.

One thing that irked me slightly, is that there is a discussion about Amily getting one of Lady Dia's mastiffs for protection from the Poison Pen letter writer. And she says she will talk to Dia about it the next day. But then there is no more mention of it, and no dog appears except the muff-dogs the courtiers own. Not sure if it was forgotten about or if it was forgotten by the characters or what.

I liked Lirelle and her siblings, they were very smart and it would be fun to read more about them. And for once, Mags was not kidnapped or held hostage!

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon