DragonFlight for me was one of the books that really pointed me towards Fantasy. Up to that point I was more into hard core Science Fiction.
But DF I picked up late one evening while at college, and when I finished I realized the sun was coming up and the birds were singing. It grabbed me in ways that other authors never did.
That being said, I think she would have been better off going out in style as the Grand Dame of fantasy rather than let Todd screw things up.
Have not been favorably impressed with his "additions" lets say.
As to Mercedes Lackey, well yes she's shared a lot of ideas, tossed bones to lots of people trying to get started. But the vast majority of her Valdemar series absolutely rock in my opinion. Mercedes somehow manages to not only make me like her characters, but get so emotionally attached that tears flow.
Say what you like, but to me that is about as good as it can get.
And yes, I know I just told everyone in the world that I'm a big softie.
No big deal, most of you knew it already.
