I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist. ( )

The usual assortment of stories, most of them serial (connected to stories in previous or future anthologies). The last anthology I read was...the next one. Oops. Some of these make those stories make more sense now... The Iron Street Watch one is odd - it seems primarily intended (aside from being a fun slice-of-life story) to remind readers that yeah, this is actually Valdemar, and there are Heralds. The Herald is mostly superfluous - unless this links to another story (or even novel) that I'm not recognizing? Not sure. I now understand what's going on with the wizard and the vrondi; she's overreacting, I think, though I can now see why. The one with the kyree and the Healer, though...that one makes _less_ sense with this backstory. I guess I missed yet another one, maybe if I read that I'll understand what's up with Nwah. There are several lovely stories in here, some that don't make any sense (or don't make sense in Valdemar, at least), and some that I found unpleasant to read. Mercedes' story, of course, is wonderful - Need's first switch of carriers, and a trans character - love it! ( )

Good entries into the series. Want to know about Paxia from the story by Dylan Birtolo. What happens when the Companions and Heralds make a mistake about how to handle a new mage? ( )

Worthy addition to Valdemar anthologies.

I always love stepping into the world of Valdemar! This collection of tales from such a magical place, always full of adventure is the equivalent of a chocolate lover's guilty pleasure.
Here be stories that encompass the known lands that are part of the Valdemar experience.
Written by a league of talented authors who love this universe Mercedes has created, 'Choices' brings those of us who have a long time relationship with Valdemar fresh new voices to enjoy. If however you're dabbling for the first time this is a portal into a startlingly different world.

A NetGalley ARC ( )