Arrows of the Queen

It feels like forever since I read any Mercedes Lackey, so thanks Sword and Laser for bringing me back. This book transported me right back to my 14 year old self, idolizing strong female protagonists on horseback whom nobody understands at first but gradually grow into their own and find a true circle of friendship. Sigh. Oh, and one of those friends is a horse.

I've never read the Heralds books (14 year old me was partial to the Bardic series), but I definitely enjoyed visiting the universe. The plot is a bit formulaic and it's an extremely obvious Book I of III (or more depending on how you count the Herald books), but I still found myself emotionally moved by the sad parts and cheering at the heroic parts. Also, Lackey's writing (in everything I've read from her) has a really great attitude toward sex and sexuality that I think is important for young girls to read. It was unique at the time she wrote this series, and maybe it still is. For me, that's what elevates Lackey above a lot of YA fantasy from my generation.

It's a quick read, and after I get a couple of the graphic novels I've just got in read, I plan on finishing up the trilogy.