Set in the World of Valdemar, Gryphon in Light is the beginning of Kelvren Saga. The story focused on the gryphon Kelvren. Though past events from previous series were alluded to, it's fairly safe to read this on its own. However, if one is planning on reading the Heralds of Valdemar series, Winds of Fate trilogy; Mage Storms trilogy, Mage Wars, Owl Knight trilogies then I'd suggest reading those first.

This was a fun and quick read with just enough tension and stakes laid out. The world-building was a bit of a slow-burn, but still wonderful. The magic system in place was pretty interesting as well. The prose was easy to read - not too dense but not too simple that one gets bored easily.

There were some familiar casts that were introduced in here and I can't wait to see more of them. I love Kelvren so far and hopefully the next books flesh him out further.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

This would be 4 stars out of 5 stars for me.

Longtime fans of Mercedes Lackey- Rejoice! This novel, the first in a new series, is like a “Who’s Who of Favorite Characters”. I found myself smiling fondly and with delight as one after another made an appearance.

Kelvren, a gryphon from k’Valdemar vale (yes, I know! And he’s not the only one from the vale!) gets his own story in this novel. And what a hero he is. Like heroes in fantasy stories, he is willing to give is all, even if it means his life.

Shin’a’in proverbs are tossed around (oh, I’ve missed them), all sorts of magical beings are part of the tale, and so is a brave Herald, of course.

I loved this. It’s the best Mercedes Lackey book that I’ve read in years.

Thank you to DAW and Netgalley for this E- Arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I love Mercedes Lackey and have been slowly making my way through her catalog over the past few years. This one was a lot of fun - a great, classic fantasy, although I have to admit that the pacing was a bit slow and disjointed which kept me from enjoying the adventure as much. The world she's created here is incredibly interesting, and I enjoyed following Kelvren throughout his quest.

Overall an enjoyable read and I look forward to more!

Loved this new book in a new series . I enjoyed the characters and can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you to the author , publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Normally peaceful Valdemar is used to fighting border skirmishes with neighboring Karse and battling demons that arise from eldritch storms, but civil war, even on a small scale, is outside their experience. When Kelvren the gryphon is shot down in the midst of one such battle, far out of reach of healers and heralds, he is reduced to the status of “scary monster” as he slowly succumbs to his wounds. His vast, gryphon-sized ego won’t let him go without leaving a heroic tale behind him, however. In his attempts to do good on his way out, he does much more than even he imagined, turning himself into a literal beacon of light and trailing peace and confusion wherever he flies. So he sets off to bring his unique blend of peace and light to a place long thought too dark and dangerous to explore.VERDICT This book begins a new trilogy within the Valdemar world. Readers who discovered or rediscovered Valdemar in Lackey’s recent Beyond will find enough links to the events of that origin story to see this later Valdemar as a new but still beloved place, as will regular readers of the series.

Welcome back to the world of Velgarth, and more specifically to the end of Mercedes Lackeys' formidable timeline for her Heralds Of Valdemar series! In this novel, Lackey returns to adding new, non-historical stories to perhaps her most successful fantasy world for the first time since the Owlknight trilogy in the late 90's.

This book focuses primarily on the aftermath of the great wars against Hardorn and the Eastern Empire, as well as the lingering side-effects of the conflicts which took place in the north of Valdemar during the Owlknight novels. We join the Gryphon Kelvren, who had previously been featured in short stories, as he takes to the skies to help his Valdemaran allies quell some internal strife. During this situation, he is wounded and drained of magic.
Left with few choices, becomes the benefactor of a dangerous and untested solution to his problem.

Lackey's characterization is as strong as ever. We get the return of a number of previous characters from the Valdemar world, all of whom are busy with their own tasks and ambitions. Kel gets caught up in some of these, but largely by his own choice.

It's hard to imagine managing somewhere around forty years worth of lore. There are the occasional misrememberances that die-hard fans will notice and giggle at, but that's part of the experience of diving into a massive world with decades of plot development. After all, we all smooth over our memories from so long ago, and if checked against copious note-taking we'd find discrepancies. I treat these occasions as moments to laugh, or to wonder, "Is this change maybe deliberate? Maybe there's more to it than that." The things I love are still there, and that's what matters.

Overall, if you're already a fan of Valdemar, I don't need to tell you that you ought to pick this one up. If you're not, and if you're new, the novel does a fair job of introducing itself and its world, although you may be left occasionally wondering just how much background there is to these stories. Valdemar has come a long way, and it's still as awesome as ever.

It's some years after the Heralds of Valdemar trilogy, and major events (Winds of Fate trilogy; Mage Storms trilogy) have wrought major changes in Valdemar. These changes include, but are not limited to, the return of magical, intelligent creatures long absent, and long suspected to be entirely mythical.

These include, most notably for this book, gryphons. And specifically, Kelvren, a wingleader of the Silver Gryphons, part of the k'Valdemar Vale, which is allied with but not part of Valdemar. After intervening to help Valdemaran troops in a battle against merchants motivated solely by greed to secede from Valdemar and stop paying taxes (it's more complicated, of course, but that's the basis of it), Kelvren is very badly wounded. Since this is a Valdemaran troop far from k'Valdemar, and somewhat undersupplied because of the many challenges the kingdom is facing, there's only a "herb and knife" Healer, who does his best, but is not trained at all in caring for gryphons. Kelvren, like his Valdemaran tentmate, Hallock Stavern, Second of the Sixteenth, is unlikely to survive.

But Kelvren does have healing magic, not enough to heal himself adequately, but enough, if he gives it all, to heal Hallock. So he does, and therein, in many ways, lies the start of his problems.

An appropriately Gifted person, more knowledgeable about gryphons, does arrive in time--Treyvan, one of the two gryphons acting as ambassadors to the royal court at Haven. He gets Kelvren flying and accessing magic again, albeit at risk of bursting into flame if he's not careful. He returns to k'Valdemar, undergoes an ordeal he's only barely willing to tolerate, and restrictions he isn't willing to tolerate for long. He has to learn a completely new way of thinking and behaving.

So does the Mage, Firesong, who's helping him, though Firesong is slower to realize it. Though Firesong does come up with the excellent idea of getting Kelvren out of k'Valdemar and the restrictions he has to deal with, by setting out to deal with a problem left over from the Mage Wars, near Lake Evendim.

In k'Valdemar and on the expedition, we meet other magical creatures--the bondbirds (adapted from raptors, and bonded with the Hawkbrothers), the kyree (who might be related to wolves), the tervardi, human-sized, flightless beings adapted from songbirds, and others.

Also, more gryphons arrive, from Iftel. Heavy wing gryphons. Sort of like heavy cavalry rather than the Silver Gryphons' light cavalry, except that's wildly inadequate. Oh, and they have a message from two of the gods.

The fate of the world is at stake, and all stops are to be pulled out in dealing with it. And Kelvren is the gods' choice to lead the expedition.

This is the first of a trilogy, and while I found the introduction to the new state of the world of Valdemar, and the new peoples in that world, and especially the characters completely enthralling, this is part one of three, and at the end, they're making new discoveries of just how complicated this will be and just how much they don't yet know what's going on.

Did I mention the boy whose facial disfigurement has made him an outcast in Valdemar, who wants to learn to care for gryphons? Did I mention the Companion who comes to k'Valdemar to make an unusual choice of a new Herald?

Did I mention the Firecat?

No? I didn't mention any of those? Along with Kelvren and the very difficult Firesong and his lover, Silverfox, and Kelvren's trondi'irn Nightwind, and Ayshen, Silverfox's hertasi (lizard-adapted) assistant, they're among the excellent reasons for digging into this book and getting acquainted.

Worldbuilding and character development are a big part of the joy of reading for me, as long as it's going some place, and this is.

It's a lot of fun.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.

Valdemar books are always enjoyable to me. I haven’t read all of them yet, but I have read the white gryphon trilogy, and so I was drawn to this new book. Unlike many of the other Valdemar books, this isn’t about the Heralds who protect Valedmar- this takes place in gryphon society. It’s a place of magical talking beings like gryphons, lizards, and others, plus humans and a talking cat and horse, too.

The story grabbed me immediately. It has action, it has found family, and it has mystery. And it has the beginning of a quest. You don’t need to have read the other books to start with this one. It’s the first in a series- I think a trilogy. I’m looking forward to the next one! It comes out today. Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the eARC.

Gryphon in Light is a thrilling addition to the Valdemar series, transporting readers to a world of adventure, magic, and friendship. Mercedes Lackey's masterful storytelling brings Valdemar to life, with its vibrant landscapes, intricate cultures, and an array of fascinating characters. The gryphons are a central element in the tale, and Lackey masterfully depicts their struggles, triumphs, and camaraderie.

The themes of friendship, sacrifice, and courage resonate throughout the narrative, adding depth to the characters and their motivations. Kelvren's internal conflicts, Firesong's determination, and the dynamics among the diverse characters create a rich tapestry of emotions and interpersonal dynamics.

While Gryphon is slow to start, Lackey's prose is immersive and engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into the heart of the story. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the story moving at a slow but steady pace. However, at times, the narrative might feel slightly formulaic to long-time fans of the Valdemar series, with familiar elements reappearing.

Overall, Gryphon in Light is a satisfying return to the enchanting world of Valdemar. Mercedes Lackey's skillful storytelling, combined with the majestic presence of gryphons, make this book a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts seeking thrilling escapades in a realm of wonder and mystery.

Many thanks to NetGalley, DAW, and the authors for a digital advanced reader copy.

This is the first Lackey book that I have ever DNFed. Maybe it's because I did a big re-read of the entire Valdemar series last year, including the short story compilations, but it really bothered me that the first part of the book was a re-print of two of the short stories with minimal editing. The structure of the short stories this made the beginning of the book disjointed and difficult to get into, as the stories have a clear narrative arc and conclusion that felt off in the beginning of a full-length novel.

Giving 2 stars because I love the Valdemar world so much that I can't bring myself to rate it lower, but if it were any other author/series it would be 1 star for me.

Traveling to Valdemar is always a teat and this the brilliant start of a new serie.
Well plotted, entertaining and compelling
Highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher, all opinions are mine

A delightful addition to the world of Valdemar.

Kelvren, a gryphon whose near-fatal self-sacrifice made him popular amongst Valdemar's group troops, is struggling since his actions also caused a diplomatic crisis and way fewer hero's accolades than he hoped. His friend Firesong pulls Kel into an expedition to solve the mystery at the center of legendary Lake Evendim. But things are a bit more complicated than they seem.

First off, if you are familiar with Valdemar and the gryphon stories within that world, then this new trilogy will certainly be an enjoyable read. If you haven't read books set in Valdemar before, you will definitely be confused. At the start of the book, I was really worried that it was going to be too war focused and I wouldn't enjoy it, but as we got further into the story I really get drawn into the characters and the adventure. We also get a chance to read from multiple perspectives, which gives a more well-rounded story. Kel is great, but also very much a typical gryphon in this world and tends to feel everything strongly and from solely his perspective. The nuance of others' was helpful to fully enjoying the story. It also makes it feel more like a group quest, which it is, even if the trilogy is centered around Kel.

If you've enjoyed other Valdemar stories, definitely pick this one up! It has all the fun of many of the other stories and we get a chance to interact with so many of the beloved characters and communities.

First off, my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this to read. As for my rating, I would have given this uncorrected proof 3.5 stars, but rounded up because I just love Mercedes Lackey and Valdemar. Being an uncorrected proof, there were some typos and a couple plot issues that bothered me. I don't know if those will be corrected for the physical release or not. I did report them on the Kindle, so time will tell. Overall, this was a nice addition to the world of Valdemar, and a continuation of the story after the Owl series. If a reader hasn't read those, this might be difficult to get into and fully understand. At times, if felt as though the authors were trying to cram in as many "Easter eggs" as possible. Which was a bit bothersome to me, but might not be to other readers. But it was still a good story, and I look forward to reading my physical copy that I have on pre-order from my local store. And, thanks to the ending, I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel.

Gryphons arise!

The beginning of a new series centered around the gryphon Kelvren, wing leader of the gryphons of k’Valdemarr.
Nicely setup to include the many and varied inhabitants of the Valdemar world. Rogue Barons are looking to secede from Valdemar. A problem when they’re going about it in entirely the wrong way. This is a coup by supplied seized goods from honest tradesmen. That the crown cannot allow so forces have been detached to dissuade the Barons.
We open in the healers tents with a badly injured Hallock. Hallock gives permission to house a wounded gryphon in his tent.
I really like Hallock Haven of the Sixteenth Guard Regiment, and his wife Genni. The waif, the younling Jefti, is another character with promise.
The making of a legend is not all it’s cracked up to be as Kelvren learns. But a disparate group is assembled to take up a quest, a journey to a lake at the center of the change circle area at the behest of the gods. No one turns the Gods down!
Some excellent threads are being interwoven in this fresh Valdemar novel, some from the past and some new strands.
A very strong beginning!

A DAW ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

For all Valdemar fans, this new book that begins after The Mage Storms in Valdemar 's timeline focuses mostly on the gryphon of the title with a great supporting cast. Kel is a gryphon that wants to be a hero, so when he heals a member of the Guard at the risk of his own life, the events that follow nearly break him.

I loved this addition to the Valdemar lore, full of all the types of characters and events one expects from this world. There are cameos from beloved characters from previous books, but this is an all new adventure beginning and the main cast is new. If you love the Valdemar books with time in the Vales or with Hawkbrothers and those that live with them this is a great one for you. Of course, it ends with a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read what happens next. Valdemar is one of my favorite fantasy worlds and I'm always pleased to return to it for new adventures.

There are Valdemar fans and then there are people who haven’t read a Valdemar book yet. I only recently decided to pick up this series which I somehow missed in the prolific reading in my childhood. And I can’t imagine that there is anyone out there who has read it and not enjoyed it. It’s a wide-ranging series that spans hundreds (thousands?) of years, so surely there’s something in it for everyone.

I started reading all the Valdemar books in chronological order over the winter, and while I haven’t quite binged all of them yet, I have gotten through quite a few. When this book popped up in my NetGalley feed, I had just finished reading the series with Tarma and Kethry and I was eager to see a gryphon in a story again. Yes, this means that I’ve now read some stuff out of order, but then I suppose that’s always a risk with a series this large.

This particular book is from Kelvren’s point of view, and as always the impulsive, extroverted personality of a gryphon is both exhilarating and exhausting. He’s a charming, if self-centered, narrator and watching him struggle with the consequences of his decisions and grow into the hero I know he’ll be is enjoyable.

I enjoy this series; it’s just plain fun. Clearly there’s a reason why there are still new books coming out. As I already said, there’s plenty for everyone to get excited about. Gryphons, magic, spies, intrigue, politics, war, mercenaries, horses (and not-horses), animal companions (birds!), urban settings, rural settings, forests and deserts and nomadic peoples roaming across the plains. This series’ many, many fans are not wrong is what I’m saying.

And also, I have a lot of catching up to do.

This is not the book to start with if you haven’t read Valdemar books before. There’s a Lot of backstory and references. However if you’re already reading these books this is a fun return to an enjoyable world. If you haven’t read the series yet they’re not really cozies in the sense nothing bad happens but in the end everything is ok. Despite the occasional bad things in them I’d recommend them for a teen reader, I started reading them at 13 so I do have a soft spot for them but nothing in there is going to be too much for the average teen to handle. And the pick decent friends, healthy romantic relationships are great and work hard and behave ethically messages are great things for younger readers to hear. For an adult they are a relaxing read where everything is going to turn out ok.

Honestly could have been just the first four chapters. Kelvren essentially became a Mary Sue type character and then super mopey and a bit unsifferable.

This is not the best work from Lackey and Dixon.

I struggled through the forst four chapters, tried to get through the next three, and gave up halfway through chapter seven.

It feels like there's too much about politics and way too much filler about tiny little minutiae while Kel mopes about and Firesong pretends to be wise and all-knowing.

Meanwhile the triggering event, the defeat of the trade barons responsible for the secession crises that they want and the citizens don't, is incredibly rushed. It's barely glossed over. Honestly, what was even the point of the set-up? They have a merc company that's big and strong enough to hold the guard AND the Bolts at bay (and when did the Skybolts change their name, exactly?) but a lit up griffon comes along and just takes them all out in one quick move?

Willing suspension of disbelief GONE at that point.

And we have NO clue what's going on in Haven because all we get are short scenes with snarky remarks about the situation from Elspeth and Darkwind. Like, one or two two-line paragraphs paragraphs short.

Thanks, Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Very intriguing first book, which feels more centered around the setting and world-building with some solid character interaction, but not much of an action happening. But this is just the start and I am truly eager to know what happens next. All the characters are unique and I loved the dialogs! Can't wait for book 2.

Gryphon in Light is a sci/fi by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. This is the first of a series of I believe three. It ends with a to be continued at a cliff hanger. It is a fun read. I recommend this book.