Mercedes Lackey's Books: A Guide to Her Expansive World
Mercedes Lackey is a prolific fantasy author known for her vibrant worlds, complex characters, and engaging storylines. Her work spans across multiple series, encompassing a range of genres within fantasy, from high fantasy to urban fantasy. If you're a fan of Mercedes Lackey, or just looking for a new fantasy adventure, this guide will help you navigate her impressive body of work.
Valdemar
The Valdemar series is Lackey's most popular and enduring creation. This intricate world is populated by humans, elves, and a unique race called the Heralds, who act as living conduits of magic. This series features a strong sense of community and explores themes of duty, honor, and self-discovery.
Reading Order:
Main Series:
- Arrows of the Queen
- Swords of the Valdemar
- The White Dragon
- The Last Hearth
- The Silver Curtain
- The Bright Victory
- The Gift
- The Chosen
- The Owl King
- The Rift
- The Serpent’s Kiss
- The Eagle’s Shadow
- The Stalking Horse
- The Dragon Sea
- The Elemental
Spin-off Series:
-
The Heralds of Valdemar: (Can be read independently of the main series)
- Magic's Price
- Magic's Debt
- Magic's Promise
- Magic's Fate
-
The Companions: (Can be read after the main series)
- The Exile
- The Founding
- The Conqueror
-
The Mage (Can be read after the main series)
- The Mage
- The Wizard
-
The Phoenix (Can be read after the main series)
- The Phoenix
- The Phoenix and the Sword
-
The Flame (Can be read after the main series)
- The Flame
- The Flame and the Ember
- The Flame and the Fire
-
The Storm (Can be read after the main series)
- The Storm
-
The Dragon Lance (Can be read after the main series)
- The Dragon Lance
- The Dragon Lance and the White Dragon
Other Series:
The Elemental Masters:
- The Elemental Masters
- The Elemental Masters: The Black Water Mages
The Five Hundred Kingdoms:
- The Last Spell
- The Black Swan
- The Silver Unicorn
- The Wild Hunt
- The White Wolf
The Barons of Arielle:
- The Barons of Arielle
- The Barons of Arielle: A War of Bards
The Diana Books:
- The Diana Book
- The Diana Book: The Wizard's Daughter
The Sun Books:
- The Sun Book
- The Sun Book: The Moon Child
The Night Books:
- The Night Book
- The Night Book: The Moon Child
The Rift Series:
- The Rift
The Empress Series:
- The Empress of a Hundred Stars
The Queen Series:
- The Queen of the Moon and the Stars
The Tartan Series:
- The Tartan Series
The Bedlam Series:
- The Bedlam Series
The Elemental Series:
- The Elemental
The Dragon Series:
- The Dragon Series
Standalone Novels:
- The Secret of the White Wolf
- The Gallows Tree
- The Black Gryphon
Note: This list is not exhaustive, but it includes the most popular and important series. Lackey also has a number of short stories and novellas that are not included in these lists.
Starting Your Journey:
- For New Readers: Start with Arrows of the Queen to begin your journey into the world of Valdemar.
- For Fans of Romance: The Diana Books and The Sun Books offer compelling romances woven into their fantasy plots.
- For Fans of Urban Fantasy: Lackey’s Bedlam series is set in a contemporary world with magical elements.
- For Fans of Historical Fantasy: The Five Hundred Kingdoms series features a blend of fantasy and historical elements.
No matter what kind of fantasy you enjoy, Mercedes Lackey's expansive and imaginative work has something to offer every reader. Her captivating characters and epic storylines will leave you wanting more.