In this new series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, Heralds Mags and Amily must continue to protect the realm of Valdemar while raising their children and preparing them to follow in their footsteps.Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals … can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry’s dream is to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion.
Mags is more than happy to teach Perry all he knows. He regularly trains his children, including Perry, with tests and exercises, preparing them for the complicated and dangerous lives they will likely lead. Perry has already held positions in the Royal Palace as a runner and in the kitchen, useful places where he can learn to listen and collect information.
But there is growing rural unrest in a community on the border of Valdemar. A report filled with tales of strange disappearances and missing peddlers is sent to Haven by a Herald from the Pelagirs. To let Perry experience life away from home and out in the world, Mags proposes that his son accompany him on an expedition to discover what is really going on.
During their travels, Perry’s Animal Mindspeech allows him to communicate with the local wildlife of the Pelagirs, whose connection to the land aids in their investigation. But the details he gleans from the creatures only deepen the mystery. As Perry, Mags, and their animal companions draw closer to the heart of the danger, they must discover the truth behind the disappearances at the border—before those disappearances turn deadly.
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Interesting seeing Mags and Amily as parents. Their son Perry was a likable character. Solid story, but I wish more than Mags and Perry would have been in the family for longer.
The Hills Have Spies is the first of the Family Spies trilogy, set within the world of the Valdemar saga. This series focuses not just on Mags, whom we know from The Collegium Chronicles and The Herald-Spy, but on Amily and Mags’ children. This first book in the trilogy is Perry’s story, the oldest of the three children.
Unlike so many other heroes of the Valdemar stories, Perry is not a Herald. But that isn’t to say that he doesn’t have his own part to play in support of the monarchy. Perry has the gift of Animal Mindspeech, and his gift is powerful. And he uses it such creative ways. He also has the makings of a spy, just like his father.
In many ways, the book is a coming-of-age story for Perry, as well as a journey for Mags, as he starts to realize that his son is coming into his own. And he’s forced to do that when Perry takes matters into his own hands when his son realizes what Mags himself hasn’t… that there is no one else to stop what’s happening on Valdemar’s borders.
This is fantasy at his finest, bringing the reader deep in the world of Valdemar!
Such a pleasure to revisit characters you loved half a generation later. Not action-packed, but enough action to carry the story.
I love all her Valdemar books!
I love Mercedes Lackey & she is one of the 2 authors i follow & re-read her books. i think i’ve read this one 8 or 9 times since i’ve gotten it. i’d recommend her world for anyone
I had a hard time putting down this book. A great addition to the Valdamar world.
A delightful story from Valdemar!
Good read for young adults.
Enjoyed the book and will probably read the rest of the series. Leaned towards being a juvenile series but still very enjoyable.
it’s lackey
it’s valdemar
one of the authors i buy badrf on nsmr alonr
I love characters that make you wish you had real-life friends just like them, and this book is full of those!
Another great read from Mercedes
I have enjoyed Mercedes Lackey books about Valdemar and this one no less than the others. Now that Mags is a father going out on a mission is different with your son along. He now worries about him, not just himself, and of course his son doesn’t always listen to what his father advises him to do, as most teenagers do. Great story for me and hope there will be even more.
Loved this book! Another home-run introducing a fun new character while keeping up with Mags and his clan!
Love this book of father and son on a great fantasy adventure filled with danger. Can’t wait to read the 2nd in the series. Lackey ‘s writing makes you believe everything is real because her character’s are full of true feelings and reactions. The Herald series are phenomenal!
Excellent Can hardly wait for the next one.
Loooooooove the world of Valdemar. I grew up anxiously awaiting my library getting the next book. I also love the Tayledras characters. I wish there were more books set in this world. I will just have to wait patiently for Mercedes Lackey to think up another wonderful addition.
Love Mercedes Lackey. This series is particularly good. I love her character development and recommend this book highly.
Another Valdemar novel written so you get right back into the series and fall in love with it all over again
There is always great characters in these books. I enjoy reading the stories about Valdemar again and again