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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780743499057
ISBN number: 0743499050
Label: Baen
Manufacturer: Baen
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 538
Printing Date: April 26, 2005
Publishing house: Baen
Sale Popularity Level: 279083
Studio: Baen
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Eric Banyon, better known as Bedlam's Bard, has just discovered that he has a younger brother named Magnus whom his parents have kept secret from him. Just as Eric did years ago, 17-year-old Magnus has run away from home to escape his disfunctional family. Determined to find him, Eric finds himself caught in a desperate race against time. Young homeless children in New York have created a bizarre mythology about a demon called Bloody Mary who preys on young children-and somehow Bloody Mary has taken on an independent life and now stalks the streets of the city. Eric's friends, the Guardians seem powerless to stop her. Anyone who sees her is marked for death. And Magnus has seen her. . . .
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Rated by buyers 
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In this sequel to "Bedlam's Bard," and "Beyond World's End," Eric Banyon discovers the existence of a younger brother, who has run away from home, and sets out to find him. His brother, like him, has the Bardic gift, which makes locating him tricky. His brother, meanwhile, has taken up with two runaways, a girl called Ace, and an elf, Jaycie, both of whom are fleeing their own private hells. And as usual in these books, there is a Dark Force, this time one who is preying on street children. As a shelter volunteer, Eric's friend Hosea, who is also a gifted Bard, becomes aware of this. With their friends, both elven and human, they seek to find this monster and protect the city's homeless children.
Like the other books in the series, this one has way too many minor characters, especially with sound-alike names. There is a Tatiana, Juliana and Oriana for starters. After awhile, even the most attentive reader might lose track of them and how all the minor plotlines connect. However, it's a decent read for die-hard Lackey fans.
Rated by buyers -
MAD MAUDLIN is Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill?s latest installment in the Bard series. As such it adequately represents the series for what it is; a thoroughly average fantasy story. Although well written, the least one would expect from these two veterans, the story itself suffers from a serious case of the blahs.
What makes for an exciting, above average story? How about new and imaginative situations and plot line? Maybe character development and growth. Unfortunately we get neither in this particular volume.
Plot: lets see, Overhill, the human world, it threatened by death, destruction and domination by forces of evil including an evil elf lord, evil human magician and of course shadow forces within our own government. Eric, with considerable help from Ria, and the Guardians defeat them. Sound familiar? Probably does, if you change the names and a few of the faces it?s the same plot from BEYOND WORLDS END and SPRITS WHITE AS LIGHTNING. Or to quote Eric?s brother Magnus ?Things always this much fun around here?? The reply being ?Usually it?s quite for, oh, months at a time.? I?m not saying it?s boring but it does get a bit repetitive after awhile.
How about character development? I don?t see much here. Eric is basically the same as he was in BEYOND WORLD?S END. A couple of new characters are added, or fleshed out from earlier story lines, but the core characters exhibit very little change or growth. Ria, the workaholic half elf, is shown to be very much in love with Eric, although for her denial is not just a river in Egypt, however his feelings still seem to be at best ambivalent. Must be nice to have a beautiful, filthy rich girlfriend that you can use for casual sex and treat as furniture or an ATM, maybe there is something to this Bard business after all.
Anyway there really isn?t much new here. Just an average pleasant story good for passing a few hours. I would RECOMMEND it but probably only the die-hard fans will find it of more than passing interest.
Rated by buyers -
This is one of those books that let you know you have a good friend in the author. I had this book preordered when it came out, and tore through it the night and early morning I got it. Lackey and Edgehill get better and better each time they work together. Eric has left behind him occasionally obnoxious whining and self pity, His brother has managed to figure out his parents are scum, with out going over the edge into all people are scum. The other characters are rich, and full, even the elves seem more real in this book. I can�t wait for the subsequent one.
Rated by buyers 
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I have always been a fan of the Eric the Bard series. What modern fantasy fan wouldn't love the mix of magic, music, elves and old world legends? Add in one of Misty's greatest crusades (helping children in trouble), and you've got a great read in "Mad Maudlin".
Eric is once again facing a hurdle in life. This trial, perhaps, is his hardest: facing his troubled past. Let's face it, everyone has wounds inflicted by past pain, and facing that pain down is an act of courage. Eric has to confront his parents... and learns a shocking piece of information in the bargain.
In the meantime, Hosea Songmaker and his haunted banjo Jeanette are out and about the city of New York, with Hosea doing what he can to bring the gift of music to the city's homeless children. In the shelters, he learns a set of "Secret Stories" about a murderous ghost, Bloody Mary. This urban legend turns out to be a lot more than Hosea ever guessed.
And, of course, there is a trio of troubled runaways. Ace, who ran from her father's greedy ministry. Magnus, who left a stifling home. And Jaycie, who can come up with rolls of money out of nowhere and spends his time scarfing down blocks of baker's chocolate and cans of Coca-Cola. (Sound familiar to anyone?) These three find themselves bound up in a lot more trouble than trying to find a relatively safe place to live.
There are poignant references to 9/11 that had me literally in tears. These references gave me new perspectives on our national tragedy, and helped me gain more learning and perspective about it.
All in all, I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next.
Rated by buyers -
Mad Maudlin is the fifth novel in the Bedlam Bard series, following Spirits White as Lightening. In the previous novel, Eric and the Guardians manage to conjure the spirit of the dying Jeanette into Hosea's banjo. They also trap the vengeful Aerune in a maze, with the help of a dragon and Jimmy's spirit, cutting the Paranormal Defense Initiative off from their source of magic. Moreover, Fox finds the means for Kory and Beth to have a child.
In this novel, a child of the Unseleighe runs away to the World Above, pursued by his worried guardian. Heavenly Grace, the daughter of gospel preacher Billy Fairchild and the secret of his success, runs away and he is determined to get her back. The teenage son of a proper Cambridge couple runs away to become a rock musician.
In New York, Hosea and Jeanette discover that the youngest street children are telling the Secret Stories about Bloody Mary with more fervor lately, then the Guardians link these stories with a series of mysterious deaths within the city. Eric is doing so well in therapy that he decides that it is time to confront his parents in Boston and finds out more than he expected: a younger brother. Some older street children have gathered together around three runaways -- Ace, Magnus and Jaycie -- in the Place; they follow the rules or Ace will not buy them food and other supplies (with money from Jaycie). A conman gathers a cadre of gullible people and build up their magical power to assist him in his ambitions.
In Washington, Ria is gathering allies to destroy Parker Wheatly's reputation and organization. Parker unwittingly helps her by kidnapping a minor wizard to restore his source of magic.
This novel revolves around the search for the runaways in New York. It involves a mythago, a Prince of the Unseleighe, a conspiracy against the Guardians, and an previously unknown kinsman. It mostly takes place in New York from the Battery to Mid-town, much of it in the world of the street children.
This novel continues the adventures of Eric, the Bedlam Bard, and brings hims new friends and enemies. It is overflowing in magic, errantry and suspense. A sequel is forthcoming.
Highly recommended to Lackey and Edghill fans and to anyone else who enjoys urban fantasy.
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