Series: Valdemar #53
Editor: Mercedes Lackey
Authors: Mercedes Lackey, Dylan Birtolo, Kristin Schwengel, Stephanie Shaver, Jennifer Brozek, Elizabeth Vaughan, Dayle Dermatis, Anthea Sharp, Michele Lang, Louisa Swann, Charlotte E English, Elisabeth Waters, Brigid Collins, Fionna Patton, Angela Penrose, Paige Christie, Phaedra Weldon, Brenda Cooper, Ron Collins, Terry O’Brien
Publisher: DAW Books
Released: December 7, 2021
Received: NetGalley

Boundaries is the latest Valdemar series, and once again, readers are regaled with a short story anthology written by those who love the series very much. Honestly, I love that Mercedes Lackey (and the publisher, DAW) allow for this to happen. Not only must it be a delight to fellow authors and fans, but it lets the world become a little bit bigger each and every time. For those that are curious, this makes the fifteenth anthology in the series.

In this anthology, you’ll find the following short stories: Tides of War by Dylan Birtolo, A Time for Prayer by Kristin Schwengel, The Ghost of the High Hill by Stephanie Shaver, Unsavory by Jennifer Brozek, Final Consequences by Elizabeth Vaughan, Hearts of Made for Mending by Dayle Dermatis, A Gift of Courage by Anthea Sharp, Sacrifices of the Heart by Michele Lang, They Don’t Burn Children by Louisa Swann, Out of Bounds by Charlotte E English, A Clutter of Cats by Elisabeth Waters, Ghost Cider by Brigid Collins, The Beating The Bounds by Fionna Patton, Stepping Up by Angela Penrose, The Measure of Imagination by Paige Christie, Puppies and Ponies by Phaedra Weldon, The Gift of Twins by Brenda Cooper, No Simple Kyree by Ron Collins, The Upper Air by Terry O’Brien, and Boundaries by Mercedes Lackey.

For the first time in a long time, I forgot to take notes while reading this anthology. So you’ll have to forgive me, but my review will be on the overall tone and theme of the collection (there are too many for me to remember the fine details without assistance).

Boundaries is yet another delightful collection of so many different stories from the world of Valdemar. The anthologies are something I always delight in reading if I’m being completely honest. They are just so well-suited to the world. Or is it the other way around?

My favorite stories included A Time for Prayer, A Clutter of Cats (no surprise there), and Boundaries. I enjoyed many others, but those are the three that keep coming to mind every time I stop to think about this anthology.

Thanks to DAW Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.