The Eagle & The Nightingales (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
I originally reviewed this book on my blog - The Cosy Dragon. For more recent reviews by me, please hop over there.Nightingale has travelled on her own for a long time. Now she has been set by three people to do a seemingly impossible task - work out what is wrong with the High King of the Twenty Kingdoms. Settling herself in at Freehold with the non-humans, she discovers a plot that runs deeper than they ever imagined.I have no idea why the title of this book is 'the Nightingales'. There is only one Nightingale, although she does go by a number of other names. I love Nightingale, and have almost as much empathy for T'fyrr. Nightingale has things that she is a afraid of, but for love, she is willingto work around them.The reason that I love this book so much is that it combines a kingdom under threat with music and beautiful costumes. A strong female heroine doesn't hurt either. I love the idea that music can be magic, and I only wish I had as much talent.This book is decidedly plot driven, but that's not a bad thing. Just as you feel like things are being settled in, they change! The ending is thrilling really - the first time I read it I was too hooked to let go. Even on this millionth rereading, I still couldn't put it down.This is a book in the Free Bards world, and there are a number of other books that you could read in this series about the Free Bards. I don't feel that you need to read them in order, although it may be more interesting to do so. It references other books, but doesn't give too much away.You will find this book very hard to purchase! I personally got my rather battered copy from ebay - it was listed as being in good condition, but certainly wasn't, which was disappointing. I am yet to find a nice copy, but I have hopes that this series will be republished.I'd recommend this book for adults and teenagers. Although there are some adult themes, it is all very subtle and enjoyable. The hints about rape and sex are not explicit, and although torture is never nice to talk about, it's not badly done in this book.
This is my favorite book in Mercedes Lackey's Bardic Voices Series. The characters have personality and are very compelling. The addition of a significant non-human character adds some spice to the storyline. Of all the stories in the series, this is the one that comes the closest to being an actual romance story. The interspecies relationship is well done, with careful attention to details. This, more than any other book in the series, gives us a glimpse of the daily lives of ordinary people in this 'Verse.
What do You think about The Eagle & The Nightingales (2001)?
I actually love this series because none of the books are like the others. The only thing that they all have in common is the organization called the Free Bards, who stand for being able to play all over the world without having to be part of the very controlled bardic organization.This series I loved so much more because it dealt more with the non-human characters (or rather, half-human) which is just so fascinating! Lackey really writes her characters in so vividly, that they make the story come alive!
—♥Xeni♥
