A Vibrant Novel - Rated 
I enjoy Mercedes Lackey but I would not read every one of her books. They did not have that kind of power for me, except for this new series of hers about Vetch/Kiron. Some claim that details are lacking, however I find that it is just right. To begin with, it was never the type of epic fantasy that seems to go on forever, it would have slowed the pace too much. The dragons in Alta were beautiful, packed with colours and character. The same goes for the characters themselves, especially the new type of Jousters that Kiron was training. They were each and every one of them different. The only regret that I have is that they could each have a bigger role in the story but as I said, it would have stolen the pace and the limelight from Kiron so maybe just as well that there wasn't. If I say any more, I suspect I will start commenting on the story itself and I do not want to give away any plots to spoil the story. However, I will say that this series to me because I started having a greater interest in dragon-novels because of it. Also, if a warning that if you are looking for a fantasy that scales on the epic, then this is not for you, for again I remind you that this is not an epic, though I wish that it could be a bit longer, so I could have read more of it.
Dragons and their riders learning to fight - Rated 
I don't agree with the previous reviewer that said Alta was better than the previous book called Joust. I would give them both three stars, but for different reasons. Joust had more suspense and conflict in it, but ultimately led nowhere. Vetch was a likable character, but we wanted more about the dragons. In Alta, the second instalment, we are treated to a more varied range of dragons and characters, but in this one there is not much conflict until very late in the story, and the climax is a let down. Reviewed by Mark E. Cooper
Great Fun And Much Better Than Joust - Rated
Mercedes Lackey follows on from Joust (think dragons in ancient Egypt) (no, really) with Alta, which follows on so closely it actually overlaps with Joust, giving us another perspective on Vetch's flight from serfdom. Joust mainly concerned itself with world and character building & now here in Alta we get actual plot, as Vetch arrives in his homelands and has to find a place for himself and his half grown dragon Avatre in what proves to be a complicated and treacherous land. I don't want to give too much away, but let me tell you although I found Joust a bit of a one-note tune, fun to read once, but not really worth a re-read, Alta is far superior. Lackey has really pulled out the stops to give us a rich, beguiling world full of appealing characters and complex situations. Give it a go! I'm really looking forward to the third one now, and feeling slightly less sore at Lackey's three year embargo on writing any new Valdemar books...
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