Oathbound

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Swordswoman and mercenary-magician - Rated
This should be read with a copy of _Oathblood_ (see my review) handy, because it occurs after "Sword-Sworn", in which Tarma and Kethry first met. Tarma is a Shin'a'in horse-nomad from the Dhorisha Plains, last survivor of Clan Tale'sedrin. Kethry is a White Winds mage, an order that's dirt-poor and few in number because they're sworn to certain standards of ethical behavior. The pair met during Tarma's long hunt for the bandits who murdered her clan.

Tarma must return to the Plains soon; the shamans decreed that if she didn't return from her quest within the agreed-upon time period, she would be mourned and the Tale'sedrin banner buried with the rest of the dead. First, though, she and Kethry have to scrape up some cash for the journey. And the place they have to start is the only nearby city: Kethry's hometown, Mornedealth.

The novel is somewhat episodic, rather than one flowing narrative, but that's logical: they're just taking up their mercenary calling, and need to establish reputations as independent adventurers before they can get steady jobs. (And before they can do that, they need to straighten out their status with the Clans.)

The first 3 chapters or so explore Kethry's past - the partners don't know each other well, and as Tarma's teachers point out, before Tarma broods over her past, she should consider another's. (Tarma's past is presented in "Sword-Sworn", in _Oathblood_.) They need to acquire enough money to return to the plains before any ugly problems crop up from Kethry's past history in Mornedealth... Only two of the incidents along the way were actually separate short stories (see _Oathbound_ review for details). Unfortunately for Tale'sedrin, one or two of those early 'episodes' aren't quite as finished as they seem at first...

A Great Book! - Rated
This is an amazing book if you have read it and there are only two reasons I did not give this book five stars. Their names are Oathbreakers and OathBlood. This book isn't as good as the other books on Tarma and Kethry in my opinion, but that's just because of Thalhkarsh. I didn't like him at all. Still, Mercedes is an awesome writer and if you want the other two books and By The Sword, you gotta own this one if only to know what they're talking about in the other books when they discuss previous missions!

Two powerful yet humble females fight for the good of women. - Rated
Tarma, a swordsworn tale'sedrin, hooks up with an adept mage named Kethry. Kethry is bound to a sword which brings her to women who are in need. They travel around vanquishing evil and want to become famous. After defeating demons and tyrants, the pair decide to start their own clan and school.

It was AWESOME!!!!! - Rated
It was a really good book, it kept me going 'till the end! I loved Tarma & Kethry-- they are the perfect heroines. One of Mercedes Lackey's best books!

An Excellent book with adventure, magic, demons,and gods! - Rated
Oathbound is another great book that Mercedes Lackey has written. If you like her other books you will love this one. I advise reading Oathbreakers after reading Oathound.