While I usually call out two specific stories in anthologies, my favorite and the one I’d most like to see expanded into a novel, I’m unable to do that with this Valdemar collection. I enjoyed most of the stories, but none of them jumped out to me as amazing. A few of the stories also dragged, and one I stopped reading altogether.

One thing this anthology did well was the fantastic representation of diversity in sexual orientation and even gender identity. I’d love future anthologies to explore farther beyond the realm of Valdemar for more representation of people of color (beyond Karsites being a little more brown). 

On a final note, did Lackey even write her submission? I liked the Herald, but kyree was a ridiculous Scooby-Doo caricature. Overall, it was very disappointing.

Rating: 3 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.