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Series · fantasy
Heralds of Valdemar
The Heralds of Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey has 7 known books (7 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Arrows of the Queen (1987).
- Books
- 7 known books (7 novels)
- Published
- 7
- First published
- 1987
- Status
- completed
- Shelved under
- Fantasy
- Last checked
Start here: Arrows of the Queen (1987) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Arrows of the Queen
Arrows of the Queen opens Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1987. It precedes Arrow's Flight in the reading order. The series ran from 1987 to 2003 across 7 books.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrows of the Queen - Book 2:
Arrow's Flight
Arrow's Flight is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1987 at 320 pages. It follows Arrows of the Queen and precedes Arrow's Fall in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrow's Flight - Book 3:
Arrow's Fall
Arrow's Fall is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1988 at 320 pages. In the reading order it comes after Arrow's Flight and before Brightly Burning.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrow's Fall - Book 4:
Brightly Burning
Brightly Burning is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2000 at 445 pages. It follows Arrow's Fall and precedes Take a Thief in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Brightly Burning - Book 5:
Take a Thief
Take a Thief is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2001 at 435 pages. In the reading order it comes after Brightly Burning and before Exile's Honor.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Take a Thief - Book 6:
Exile's Honor
Exile's Honor is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2002 at 432 pages. In the reading order it comes after Take a Thief and before Exile's Valor.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Exile's Honor - Book 7:
Exile's Valor
Exile's Valor is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2003 at 402 pages. It follows Exile's Honor as the final entry in the series.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Exile's Valor
The order the story's events happen in, novellas slotted where they belong.
- Book 1:
Brightly Burning
Brightly Burning is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2000 at 445 pages. It follows Arrow's Fall and precedes Take a Thief in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Brightly Burning - Book 2:
Exile's Honor
Exile's Honor is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2002 at 432 pages. In the reading order it comes after Take a Thief and before Exile's Valor.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Exile's Honor - Book 3:
Exile's Valor
Exile's Valor is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2003 at 402 pages. It follows Exile's Honor as the final entry in the series.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Exile's Valor - Book 4:
Take a Thief
Take a Thief is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 2001 at 435 pages. In the reading order it comes after Brightly Burning and before Exile's Honor.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Take a Thief - Book 5:
Arrows of the Queen
Arrows of the Queen opens Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1987. It precedes Arrow's Flight in the reading order. The series ran from 1987 to 2003 across 7 books.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrows of the Queen - Book 6:
Arrow's Flight
Arrow's Flight is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1987 at 320 pages. It follows Arrows of the Queen and precedes Arrow's Fall in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrow's Flight - Book 7:
Arrow's Fall
Arrow's Fall is a novel in Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series, published in 1988 at 320 pages. In the reading order it comes after Arrow's Flight and before Brightly Burning.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Arrow's Fall
About the Heralds of Valdemar series
Heralds of Valdemar is the original branch of Mercedes Lackey's sprawling Valdemar fantasy universe — the books that introduce the kingdom of Valdemar, its telepathically-Chosen Heralds, and the intelligent, soul-bonded Companions (horse-shaped beings who select each Herald and share their mind). The core is the Arrows trilogy, following Talia, a runaway farm girl Chosen by the Companion Rolan and thrust into training as the newest, and youngest, Herald, eventually becoming the Queen's Own — closest advisor and protector to the reigning monarch. Around that trilogy, Lackey later added books filling in other Heralds' stories from the same era: Take a Thief follows Skif, a young thief who becomes one of Talia's fellow trainees, before his Choosing; the Exile's Honor / Exile's Valor duology tells how Alberich, a captured Karsite soldier, was Chosen against every expectation and became the Heralds' feared but respected Weaponsmaster (he appears as Talia's own instructor in the Arrows books); and Brightly Burning stands furthest apart, set generations earlier, following Lavan Chitward, a Herald whose uncontrolled Firestarter Gift makes him one of the most dangerous — and tragic — figures in Heraldic history.
Together these seven books established the tone, magic system, and found-family emotional core (young outsiders Chosen into belonging and purpose) that every later Valdemar sub-series builds on.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in Heralds of Valdemar?
Seven: the original Arrows trilogy (Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall, 1987-1988), plus four later-written companion books set in the same era — Brightly Burning (2000), Take a Thief (2001), Exile's Honor (2002), and Exile's Valor (2003).
What order should I read Heralds of Valdemar in?
Start with the Arrows trilogy in publication order (Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall) — that's the classic entry point to Valdemar as a whole. The four companion books can follow in any order, though readers who want strict in-world chronology should read Brightly Burning, then Exile's Honor/Exile's Valor, then Take a Thief, before the Arrows trilogy.
Do I need to read Heralds of Valdemar before other Valdemar series?
It's the natural starting point since it's the original trilogy Lackey wrote, and it establishes Valdemar, the Heralds, and the Companions that every later sub-series (Last Herald-Mage, Mage Winds, Collegium Chronicles, and more) assumes you already understand.
What are Companions?
Companions are intelligent, telepathic beings who appear as unusually beautiful white horses but are something far stranger; each one 'Chooses' a single person to become a Herald, forming a lifelong mental bond. The nature of Companions is a running mystery gradually explored across the wider Valdemar series.
Is Heralds of Valdemar finished?
Yes, as a discrete unit — no further books have been added to this specific group since Exile's Valor (2003), though the wider Valdemar universe (Collegium Chronicles, Herald Spy, Family Spies, Founding of Valdemar, and others) continues to expand.
If you like the Heralds of Valdemar series
Reading order last verified .