Owlknight follows Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon's two earlier novels about Darian Firkin, Owlflight and Owlsight. By now the boy who ran from barbarian invaders is both knight of Valdemar and a master mage; he is governor of a small province and in love with Keisha who returns his feelings, but he still has problems and responsibilities. For one thing, he has never solved the mystery of what happened to his parents. For another, Keisha refuses to marry him lest his role as governor and hers of healer come into conflict--and there are still barbarians beyond the border who threaten one day to come back.

The story of how these problems are all resolved is told in a quiet tone unusual in this sort of epic fantasy. Darian has as much to look within for the solution to these issues as to struggle in the outside world. The woodland journey during which he does this is much of the time a celebration of the renewal of the human soul by the natural world.

Lackey and Dixon have found a courtly, meditative way of telling an attractively simple story. Darian's growth to final maturity is inevitable, but still fascinating. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk

From Publishers Weekly
The latest collaboration between the creator of the Valdemar universe and her husband concludes the trilogy begun with Owlflight and Owlsight. Grown to maturity in the multispecies woodland settlement of k'Valdemar Vale, Darian Firkin has become a knight as well as a Master Mage to increase both his influence with neighboring tribes and his prestige within Valdemar. Darian's work in government gives way to travel when he finds hints that his parents, whom he believed dead, may be alive in the North. He sets off to discover their fate. Keisha, Darian's lover and a town healer, joins him, along with a crew of companions, but she remains of two minds about the future of their relationship because of her belief that marriage demands a woman's subordination. More action is provided by the lovers' encounters with various threats, including with a marauding tribe, the Wolverines, who are both vicious and intelligent. Valdemar is now an immensely well-developed world, and the book is full of dry wit and rich detailAabout, say, the bathing habits of gryphons and the sarcastic, telepathic dyheli, deerlike sapient beings. The effect is marred by too much New Age sensitivity and didactic feminism, however, making the novel cloying for all but Valdemar devotees. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
When he discovers a clue that might lead him to the whereabouts of his missing parents, Master Mage Darien travels with the apprentice Herald Shandi and several allies to the barbarian lands far to the north, where he finds his diplomatic and magical skills tested to their fullest. Continuing the tale begun in Owlflight and Owlsight, Lackey's latest novel set in the world of Valdemar exhibits the author's characteristic attention to detail and character development. This welcome addition to the series belongs in most fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
From fantasy legends Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon comes the third and final volume in a powerful saga charged with war and magic, life and love....

Two years after his parents disappearance, Darian has sought refuge and training from the mysterious Hawkbrothers. Now he has opened his heart to a beautiful young healer. Finally Darian has found peace and acceptance in his life. That is, until he learns that his parents are still alive-and trapped behind enemy borders....

Praise for the Owl trilogy...

"Owlsight will bring new fans into the fold and please those who already love the land of Valdemar."-Starlog

"Vintage Mercedes Lackey."-Voya

"A pleasing coming-of-age adventure featuring an appealing set of characters."-Romantic Times

And for Lackey and Dixon...

" Suspense never lags, action is fast and furious, and their imaginings are totally credible." -KLIATT

• 3rd in the national bestselling Owl trilogy, following Owlflight and Owlsight

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From fantasy legends Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon comes the third and final volume in a powerful saga charged with war and magic, life and love....

Two years after his parents disappearance, Darian has sought refuge and training from the mysterious Hawkbrothers. Now he has opened his heart to a beautiful young healer. Finally Darian has found peace and acceptance in his life. That is, until he learns that his parents are still alive-and trapped behind enemy borders....

Praise for the Owl trilogy...

"Owlsight will bring new fans into the fold and please those who already love the land of Valdemar."-Starlog

"Vintage Mercedes Lackey."-Voya

"A pleasing coming-of-age adventure featuring an appealing set of characters."-Romantic Times

And for Lackey and Dixon...

" Suspense never lags, action is fast and furious, and their imaginings are totally credible." -KLIATT

* 3rd in the national bestselling Owl trilogy, following Owlflight and Owlsight

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The latest collaboration between the creator of the Valdemar universe and her husband concludes the trilogy begun with Owlflight and Owlsight. Grown to maturity in the multispecies woodland settlement of k'Valdemar Vale, Darian Firkin has become a knight as well as a Master Mage to increase both his influence with neighboring tribes and his prestige within Valdemar. Darian's work in government gives way to travel when he finds hints that his parents, whom he believed dead, may be alive in the North. He sets off to discover their fate. Keisha, Darian's lover and a town healer, joins him, along with a crew of companions, but she remains of two minds about the future of their relationship because of her belief that marriage demands a woman's subordination. More action is provided by the lovers' encounters with various threats, including with a marauding tribe, the Wolverines, who are both vicious and intelligent. Valdemar is now an immensely well-developed world, and the book is full of dry wit and rich detail--about, say, the bathing habits of gryphons and the sarcastic, telepathic dyheli, deerlike sapient beings. The effect is marred by too much New Age sensitivity and didactic feminism, however, making the novel cloying for all but Valdemar devotees. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

The third book in an untitled series, Owlknight once again follows the adventures of Darian and Keisha. The two, as foreshadowed in Owlsight (DAW, 1998/VOYA February 1999), are now lovers. Keisha has become a fullfledged Healer, and early in the book, the Owlknight Darian passes the test that makes him a Master Mage. Two Heralds have been assigned to the Vale; one is Keisha's sister, Shandi. Major celebrations are planned for this big event, exciting for the inhabitants of the Vale but very tedious reading. Nearly half the book describes the preparations in such detail that only anthropologists of imaginary culture might be interested. The adventures of the latter part of the book are much more eventful and riveting. Darian finds a clue as to the whereabouts of his parents, who disappeared when he was a teen, and a rather large party sets out to the North to look for them. It is difficult to keep track of this huge cast of characters. The authors seem to assume that because some characters were introduced in the earlier books, readers can remember all the details. Owlknight probably will be enjoyed only by Lackey's aficionados, particularly those who are fans of her other Valdemar novels. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 1999, DAW, Ages 16 to Adult, 400p, $24.95. Reviewer: Marlyn Roberts

KLIATT

Darian Firkin is now head of the new Hawkbrother Vale of k'Valdemar. Keisha, his lover, is a full-fledged healer. Plans are in order to welcome two new Heralds assigned to the area. In the midst of all the revelry, Darian discovers a clue to his parents' whereabouts these past six years and mounts an expedition to the northland to find out what happened to them. After many trials and tribulations, the search party finds his father and mother living in a far-north barbarian village. After helping his parents' new village fend off a marauding Mage and his barbarians, Darian and his group head home to plan Darian's and Keisha's wedding. A satisfying conclusion to the series, marred only by some unresolved questions from the earlier two books. They don't really affect this story line but readers may wish they knew what happened with the whole cast of characters, not just the leads. May mean other "side" series are planned, though. Once again, this is a great coming-of-age saga, perfect for YA fantasy fans. It is necessary to read all three in order to keep the large cast of characters straight. Best where there are already Valdemar fans. Book 3 of The Owl Trilogy. KLIATT Codes: JSA—Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 1999, DAW, 450p, 18cm, $6.99. Ages 13 to adult. Reviewer: Sherry S. Hoy; Libn., Tuscarora Jr. H.S., Mifflintown, PA, March 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 2)

Library Journal