Initial Impressions 3/13/17: This was my first Mercedes Lackey book and I had high expectations because of so many reviews! CLOSER TO HOME was actually nothing like I expected. It was lighter than I thought it would be and I actually was really surprised with the plot... And that there wasn't one...? 
 I really didn't know what the point of this book was, to be perfectly honest. It wasn't until halfway through that the focus really started to shift to Brand and Violetta, but Mags and Amily are the main characters so it was confusing for a while what was really happening. I really did love Mags and Amily -- Mags even more so -- so it was kind of disappointing that they were more helpers of the plot and that the book wasn't even really about them. 
 I have been told that this book starts a new series BUT it is also part of a kind of series of series about the world of Valdemar... But while a series of series is fine, it really did feel like it picked up in the middle of story instead starting its own series. There was a mention of how Amily and Mags ended up coming back home but it was never elaborated on and so it felt really unfinished. There was so much more to discover as far as world-building, especially on the magical abilities, but I suppose that could be something I'm missing from a previous series of series. 
 I most just felt like I didn't know what the plot of this book was. Even though things happened, it just didn't seem like a large conflict and then at the end, all of a sudden it was this huge deal. It was a weirdly constructed book and I just didn't quite connect with it, which was a shame because I really did like the characters and the world! As much as I'd like to spend more time with them, I don't know what the rest of the series would be life and if it would be worth continuing.