Arrows of the Queen ~ Mercedes Lackey

Published March 1987 ~ Daw

The Heralds of Valdemar ~ Book 1. You are probably wondering why I’m reviewing this book. A couple of reasons - I think it’s one of the best fantasy stories written. I mean who doesn’t love a magical horse called a Companion that chooses its rider to be a guardian of the kingdom. Oh and they can talk to their chosen telepathically as well. I like this story because it has a strong female lead and there is a lesbian couple that supports her as she goes through training.

This book focuses on a young girl who is chosen. She reads books about the Companions and expects to spend her life living in a world where being a woman means she is a slave to her husband, who by the way, she has to marry when she’s thirteen. Well, she does get chosen and not by any Companion but by the Queen’s Own Companion, which means she will be the right hand to the Queen of Valdemar. There are three books in this series and each book tells the story of this young girl who grows into a young woman. There are other stories in the Valdemar realm, but these books are my favorites. If you want to read this book, select the link Arrows of the Queen.