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The Hills Have Spies Mass Market Paperback – June 4, 2019

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,284 ratings

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 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.
"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
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From the Publisher

Explore the World of Valdemar
Valdemar Universe Backlist
Valdemar Backlist 2
Valdemar Backlist 3

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Herald Spy trilogy:

"Whether it’s the spellbinding world, the intrigue of the plot, or the simple yet remarkable narrative style – it is impossible to say which of these makes the story so good, but one thing is for sure:
Closer to Home marks the beginning of another fantastic Lackey series." —RT Reviews

"With an unusually strong Gift that allows him to Mindspeak and Mindhear, Mags is perfectly suited for his role, and this sequel gives fans another opportunity to explore Lackey’s storied universe of Valdemar,
one of the best-imagined fantasy universes in history." —Barnes & Noble Bookseller Picks

"Mags remains an engaging character, and makes a very capable spy/investigator...his adventures still make
engrossing reading." —Locus

Closer to the Heart has the two things that have always made me love these books: a richly detailed history of the world, and beautiful writing.” —The Arched Doorway

About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is a #1 New York Times-bestselling writer and has published numerous novels and works of short fiction, including the bestselling Heralds of Valdemar series. She is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DAW (June 4, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0756413184
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0756413187
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 0.9 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,284 ratings

About the author

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Mercedes Lackey
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Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over 145 novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a skilled needleworker, jewelry maker, and collector and costumer of asian ball-jointed dolls. Many of her works go to charity auctions for good causes. She has also been known to play City of Heroes MMORPG and D and D with a close group of friends. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots. Over half of their parrots are rescues. Her website is www.mercedeslackey.com.

Photo by Mercedes Lackey (her own work)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
3,284 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They enjoy the well-developed characters and the continuation of the series. Readers appreciate the animal mind-speaker and the creative writing style. The book is described as fun and lighthearted, with a great adventure.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

140 customers mention "Readability"132 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it a fun, delightful tale that is well-written and a good use of their time. Readers also mention that the series is pretty good.

"...It was worth the wait, worth the read, and I look forward to the next chapter in both Valdemar and Family Spies." Read more

"This first book about the children of Mags, is a delight...." Read more

"...couple of years just because they really are, for the most part, very good...." Read more

"I love this author. You just love to read about grown up Mags. I was worried about kot being interested in anyone new but dont worry...." Read more

131 customers mention "Story quality"119 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story with exciting events and a grand adventure. They find the characters well-crafted and the plot complex. The book is described as an excellent coming-of-age tale that furthers the story of Mags and his offspring.

"...As far as the overall story and plot it was enjoyable...." Read more

"...This is Perry's first big adventure and an excellent coming of age story as Perry steps into his own future." Read more

"...I wrote above-- it had the potential to be an excellent and engaging tale, but fell short of Ms. Lackey's usual standard...." Read more

"...Valdemar timeline, The Hills Have Spies is more lighthearted and exploratory than the "mainline" stories set on Velgarth...." Read more

40 customers mention "Character development"33 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters in this book. They find the characters engaging and well-written, with a nice resolution for an unexpected character. Readers also mention that Perry is clever and fun to read about.

"...The final resolution for an unexpected character was nice. I did enjoy meeting the King-Stag, Roya and learning more about the Dyhel...." Read more

"...I found this first book to be typical Lackey with well-crafted characters and a complex plot...." Read more

"...She is a storyteller of utmost talent and craft!" Read more

"...Mags adult life, get to know his oldest child and his gifts, and personality...." Read more

29 customers mention "Series development"29 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series development. They find the book a good continuation of the Valdemar series and consistent with the previous books about Mags. The book helps readers put the entire series in perspective.

"...I have everything, except for the fan fiction anthologies. It was worth the wait, worth the read, and I look forward to the next chapter in both..." Read more

"...All in all, a good part of the overarching series." Read more

"Another good addition to the Valdemar series - a nice, fast paced little adventure following roughly the same span of time as the last eight novels..." Read more

"This is my second time reading this book. It is a sequel series set in Valdemar, and about the Children of Mags and Amily." Read more

24 customers mention "Language"20 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's language. They find the animal mind-speak interesting and appreciate the animals who help humans. The book is described as spellbinding, with an ethical and philosophical stance. Readers also mention that it will resonate with parents who have had children go into dangerous situations.

"...Also, even allowing for having a very strong Gift of Animal Mindspeech, it was as if Ms. Lackey tossed out all her notes on all her previously..." Read more

"...Perry has the gift of Animal Mindspeech, and his gift is powerful. And he uses it such creative ways...." Read more

"...It going to really hit home with any parent who has had a child go into a dangerous occupation...." Read more

"...story revolves around Mags and Amily’s son, Perry, who is able to animal mind speak and ends up with a Kyree, Larral...." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-written and creative stories. They find the characterization great, the writing craft excellent, and the book fast-paced.

"...The kid is fairly well done, but the kyree doesn't really match the descriptions in her previous books, and as for the Herald!..." Read more

"...Great fanatsy writer...." Read more

"...GREAT job, Misty, and thank you very much...." Read more

"...She is a storyteller of utmost talent and craft!" Read more

17 customers mention "Fun to read"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining, with old friends and new ones interacting with different creatures. The story is described as lighthearted and exploratory, making readers laugh and cry.

"...in this part of the Valdemar timeline, The Hills Have Spies is more lighthearted and exploratory than the "mainline" stories set on Velgarth...." Read more

"...this first book of a series she has created a gem of a story that made me laugh, made me cry and gave me a fantastic ride with all the bells and..." Read more

"...so glad she's chosen to continue this story arc, it's fun to get to know the next generation...." Read more

"It was fun to revisit Mags and Amily as adults. The story is really around their son, Perry, who is more than you could wish...." Read more

16 customers mention "Pacing"12 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it fast-paced and intriguing, with well-crafted characters and relationships. The story is described as a grand adventure with amazing allies and enemies.

"...I found this first book to be typical Lackey with well-crafted characters and a complex plot...." Read more

"...Perry leads them into a grand adventure with some truly amazing allies and enemies. Can't wait for more!" Read more

"...Fact is, you just have to get into it a bit. It starts slow but then presents a great story...." Read more

"...A fast good read. Looking forward to the next 2" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2018
    I freely admit to being just a bit addicted to Valdemar. I also admit that there are characters and stories that I enjoy more than others. I have enjoyed traveling with Mags and Dallin since they were introduced. The original synopsis did not match the book at all. There is no Justyn, there is no troupe of performers, and while the Hawkbrothers are mentioned, they certainly never appear. There is some irony in having a book jacket that does not match the book. My daughter plans to be an author. I told her about the jacket and recommended that she personally approve all marketing materials for her books. It is disappointing to anticipate a story which is not delivered.

    With that said, I very much enjoyed reading the book. There was good exploration of the struggles of parents and adolescents as they learn and grow together. The exploration of the feelings of a parent letting go and a child coming into their own is something to which every parent and child can relate. It may even help them understand or remember the other side of that experience. There was also a little bit of "don't tell your mother" that many parents can relate to. Mags has stayed true to character, becoming a more mature version of himself.

    Perry is struggling with personally challenges and struggling to come into his own. He can be impetuous, but also learns from the consequences of his choices. This is balanced out by a logical side of him due to the training received from his father. He longs for the companionship that he sees between his father and Dallin but finds a friend and companion while on his journey.

    As far as the overall story and plot it was enjoyable. However, I spent the last quarter of the book thinking that I would have to wait for the sequel for a resolution. (It should be noted I was working up to a tirade about being left in a cliffhanger.) But then, in just a few pages, everything came to a head and was resolved. The final resolution for an unexpected character was nice. I did enjoy meeting the King-Stag, Roya and learning more about the Dyhel. Larral is not as sardonic as some of the Kyree we have met in the past, but still is basically true to what we know; Perhaps he is just young.

    I enjoy having this as my latest addition to my Valdemar collection. I have everything, except for the fan fiction anthologies. It was worth the wait, worth the read, and I look forward to the next chapter in both Valdemar and Family Spies.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2022
    This first book about the children of Mags, is a delight. In Mercedes well developed nation of Valdemar where Companions that look like horses but are realms above them exist, and mind magic (psychic powers) has been developed to a fine art the story of Mags continues with this new addition about his children. His oldest son, Perry, seems set to become the kingdom's spy master after him. Mags gets a call from one of his agents about some missing people. Thinking it would not be a very dangerous trip Mags takes his son with him for some training. Things turn out to be more complicated and dangerous than they knew. This is Perry's first big adventure and an excellent coming of age story as Perry steps into his own future.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2018
    Okay, I waited until I read the whole book (twice) before deciding to put in a review. So.

    First off, as others have said, the dust jacket is horrible. Not only does the plot description not match the book's contents, but the cover art is awful and makes no sense. The kid is fairly well done, but the kyree doesn't really match the descriptions in her previous books, and as for the Herald! Ghastly, and not really pertinent to the story. It took a second read-through before it was clear that the Herald on the cover was NOT Mags-- which actually was a good thing to find out, because it was VERY off-putting to see an old man with Mags' son and absolutely didn't match the chronology of the Herald Spy books. I won't spoil things, but even "guestimating" ages, there is no way that Mags would match the age of the cover Herald.

    Secondly, the story. It wasn't *bad*, but not as good as I had expected. And, as at least one other reviewer mentioned, the "Scooby-Doo" aspect was incredibly tacky and almost had me tossing the book into the "read only if desperate" pile. The first instance was a genuine "wth??" moment and enough to kick my mind right out of the story. I was truly aghast that Ms. Lackey would turn an interesting, intelligent, non-human species into a bad joke.

    Thirdly. Perry is an "almost but not quite" believable character-- he didn't really have the depth and well-rounded personality of other characters she has created. Also, even allowing for having a very strong Gift of Animal Mindspeech, it was as if Ms. Lackey tossed out all her notes on all her previously created species from her earlier books and decided it would be easier to just make all of them, regardless of their intelligence and her previous characterizations, sound identical to humans (well, except for the dogs-- their thoughts were pretty much as one would expect a dog to think). It seemed as if fast publication was given priority over crafting the story.

    The best writers are those who can make a reader suspend their disbelief and accept the book's world as "true" while they are reading the story, and for the most part, Ms. Lackey does that extremely well. I cannot give this book 5 stars for the reasons I wrote above-- it had the potential to be an excellent and engaging tale, but fell short of Ms. Lackey's usual standard. And of course, there is the cover. So, 4 stars is what it gets: not good enough for a 5 star rating and not bad enough to get only 3 stars.

    I have enjoyed Ms. Lackey's books very much over the years-- I still have my original copy of "Arrows of the Queen" (paperback, March 1987, that I bought new)-- and I reread all her Valdemar books in chronological order every couple of years just because they really are, for the most part, very good. I truly hope the next book returns to the quality her readers have loved over the years.
    50 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
    Like the rest of the books written in this part of the Valdemar timeline, The Hills Have Spies is more lighthearted and exploratory than the "mainline" stories set on Velgarth. These books are more "young adult fiction" compared to the books set in earlier and later parts of the Valdemar timeline. Mostly light escapist fantasy, set in the familiar universe we all love.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2018
    I love this author. You just love to read about grown up Mags. I was worried about kot being interested in anyone new but dont worry. The blending of the old and the new is as natural as life and change. Great fanatsy writer. Theure talking about the Great Mage Urtho and gryphon lore and there are slytha and wyrsa and noone knows anything about it because theyre so old. The vrondi are back. Whats going on is real magic showing itself in Valdemar again? This story is so much fun and I cant wait to see where it actually ends up going.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sean Talbot
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mags
    Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2018
    Was very pleased with this novel as while it does deal with Mags he isn't the main focal point. I truly think this is one of her better novels of the last few years and it brought in a character that I think will make things easier and more entertaining.
  • Jennine
    5.0 out of 5 stars another brilliant series begins
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2018
    Mercedes Lackey is definitely taking up the slack left by Anne McCaffrey's demise and doing it brilliantly with yet another series. The story, like other valdemar themed books, follows on from other series and is a very good read. I can't wait until book two comes out, I was enthralled by the storyline and the new charactersas well as how older characters have evolved.
  • Belinda Haynes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quality Assured!
    Reviewed in Australia on June 9, 2024
    As the first in this series of us jam packed with magnificent plot twists and well formed characters. Yet another example of the excellence that is Mercedes Lackey.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 9, 2021
    This latest installment of the Valdemar saga certainly doesn't disappoint. It makes me want to go back and re-read the Vaniel trilogy. Also the Hawk Brothers books. Mercedes Lackey's talent is at its peak.
  • Janet
    5.0 out of 5 stars More great characters and storyline in the continuing saga of early Valdemar.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2019
    I loved the story of a character who was not a herald but had all the characteristics of one and collected his own coterie of ‘companions’ along the way.
    The only issue I had was where did the years go? I felt I had missed out on a huge chunk of Mag’s and Amily’s life and how they arrived at this stage on the journey. Please fill in the gap!