Rating:  -
I've been a big fan of the Bardic series for a while. While this book has next to nothing to do with the freebards, Wren's cousin Ardis is a BIG character. This book does let you see a side of her that wasn't present in the other books where she made some cameos. I'd reccommend it, but warn ahead of time that the freebards are mostly absent.
Rating: -
I anxiously opened Four and Twenty Blackbirds expecting to see more about the Free Bards and their tales, however they were never in sight, but only mentioned in passing. Usually when Merecedes introduces a new character in a series, it takes me awhile to warm up to them, then I start enjoying the story. However in this novel, I found it rather difficult to get into the story, which is unusual with her works, since I have reread the Valdemar Series (all of them to date!) AT LEAST 5 times over the course of the years. I doubt I would ever reread this paticular story again. If you are a fan of Mercedes Lackey, by all means read it, but just don't expect the action and pace of the Valdemar stories.
Rating:  -
Another great book by Mercedes Lackey!
Four & Twenty Blackbirds is the 2nd best book in this series, though as I read through, I was disappionted that there was nothing about the Free Bards in this novel, there is only mention of them. But , none-the-less, this was a very interesting, suspensful, wonderfully written book! But then again, what do you expect by todays best fantasy writer!!??
Rating: -
In Alanda, there has been a rash of murders in which female street musicians are viciously killed, followed by the culprits committing suicide. The murder weapon is a three sided stiletto (used mostly by Church dignitaries) which seems to mysteriously disappear from the spot of the crime. The murders seems to occur only when it rains so that traces of magic can be washed away before the police can begin their investigation.
Because the murderers kill themselves and the victims are lower class, the police are indifferent to the crimes except for Haldene constable Tal Rufen, who thinks there is more to the killings then meets the eye. Tal resigns in order to join the High Bishop's staff where he can begin to investigate the murderous use of magic.
The fourth book in Mercedes Lackey's "Bardic Voices" is a well written fantasy novel that will thrill fans of the series for its tremendous amount of detailed information on Alanda. However, for most other readers, including other fantasy fans, the minute detail overwhelms a well written novel. Harriet Klausner
Rating: -
Mercedes Lackey has returned to the world of her Bardic Voices and Bardic Choices novels.Although good, the problem with this book is that it is listed as a Bardic Voices novel. As I read the book, I kept expecting one of the Free Bards (the other books in the series centered on them) to appear as characters. Although mentioned, they never appear. I was a bit disappointed because I kept expecting bards as major characters. If this book is read by fans of the series, they should look on it as an allied novel to the series rather than an addition to it.
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