Oathbound, The by Mercedes Lackey

I read this book a couple years back and I was horrified at how it was written. Characterization was poor. They were stereotypical characters placed against a backdrop of inconsistencies. Plot was episodic. It did not really exist until the last 3 chapters and that's not how a book should be structured. If you're putting a collection of tales in a book you have to state you're doing that, not hope that no one else will notice. It felt like she really didn't know what she was doing when she was writing this book.

This is another of Misty's excellent books. It does not take place in Valdemar however, but in the lands of the Tayledras and others. It is a tale of two oathbound sisters. Tarma shena tale'sedrin whose Clan had been destroyed. She had become Kale'enedral, Sword-Sworn in order to declare blood fued. Kethreveris is a noble from one of the fifty houses. she had run away from her husband and been bonded to a geas-blade called Need. The blade could take over her bearer and force her to aid any woman in need of help. Tarma and Kethry were Goddess-blessed in their oath joining. and Kethry had made the vow that Tarma's Clan would live through her. Tarma, being sword-sworn, was also celibate. This book tells of many of their adventures. From Sword and sorcery, to intrigue. It is a must read.

This is the fist book of hers that I have read. Actually, I am not yet finished with it. I am, however, rather impressed with her writing. I started the book last night, and before I knew it, hours had pased. The book just absorbed me. I was not able to put it down. If her other books are anything like this one, I am soon to be an avid reader.