If you're new to Lackey and the Valdemir series, I wouldn't begin with this book: I don't think the book, or the trilogy it is a part of, is the strongest in this series, and it would be a spoiler for the earlier trilogy that starts with Arrows of the Queen. Go back and read those first, and if you like them, I think you'll enjoy this tale of Elspeth, a character in earlier books, coming into her own. I enjoy Lackey's "Vows and Honors" series as well with Tarma and Kethry, and in the precursor to this book, By the Sword she melds the two series. So I'd recommend reading those, too, beginning with The Oathbound because for me a lot of the fun of this book is how Elspeth deals with the demanding sword, Need, that is important in those books. I also enjoyed how this book opened up the world Lackey created, with Elspeth in her quest having to deal with the Tayledras, an interesting magical world in its own right. A good read and a good beginning to an enjoyable trilogy.
