It's definitely 5 stars 
 I spent most of the weekend reading Valor. I couldn't put it down, and I was using every moment I could to read few more chapters. This book is fast-paced, and it hardly lets you to take a break. Almost every chapter something happens, and you absolutely need to read more because you need to know what is going to happen...and then something else happens, and you need to read another chapter...that's why I read it withing 5 days, it was over 600 pages, but I didn't even notice. 
 There are two books left to read for me, but I can already tell that this series is probably going to be on the list of my favorite books. I am hooked to it by now. You know the book is good when it stirs all kinds of emotions in you. I found myself wanting to cheer out loud for some of the characters and next moment I wanted to hit something or someone badly...how can I not like a book like that? 
 There is a huge cast of the characters, and like in Malice, there are quite a lot of POVs. Some of them are the same characters that we know from the first book (that is, the ones that still live) and we also get introduced to some new intriguing characters, either "bad guys" or "good guys". I like that we can get a perspective from both sides of conflict, not only from the "good guys". And there are also a lot of characters without a POV, but equally interesting. 
 All of those pretty cool characters is what makes this story so good for me. I found myself rooting for a good guys, but also, feeling bad for some of the guys who are on the wrong site of the conflict and they still don't even realize it, although that is soon going to change I think. I can't wait to see what choices they're going to make. Because this war between Good and Evil is mostly about people's choices. There are a lot of betrayers, but also the cool moments when you want to hug a character because he/she made a right decision. 
 I am not even sure who is my favorite still, I think it's probably Corban, because he gets the most focus anyway, but the others are so cool too...like Veradis. He has a good heart and I am sure he is going to open his eyes soon, though it's going to cost him a lot of pain I think. 
 And then there is Gar, Brina, Halion, Cywen, Maquin, Gwenith, Corelan...and many others. And getting attached to some of them is going to cost you some heartbreaks, especially in the end of the book. But it's all worth it. 
 I also like that we finally got introduced to some strong female characters, particularly Fidele and Corelan. And Cywen plays a bigger role now, and she's got quite a temperament, and she can be pretty dangerous. I really like her. 
 And Alcyon...I can't wait to learn more about him, I can see what is going on now, and I feel so sorry for him. 
 And lets not forget the awesome animals: wolven, dogs and crows. They are all wonderful. 
 This book is largely about battles, duels, sieges, fighting, there is a lot of blood and violence, but at the same time, with such a long list of likable characters, it doesn't really feel like very dark or grim. 
 Is it very original? No, it isn't...but it doesn't matter. A boy with destiny, a prophecy...etc...I've read about it many times. But I still love it, and I think I always will. I am hooked to this story now, and I will be reading the next two books soon. It's very well written, full of action and with a lot of characters to root for...it's more than enough for me. It's the kind of the story that is very memorable, and I think I will be going back to it one day. 
 This may just sum it up: 
 Such friends. Following me through the mountains. Storming a fortress. This 
 world may be full of greed and tragedy and darkness, but I am fortunate beyond measure to have such people about me 
 So true. When I was reading about their little fellowship running away from the bad guys, I did think about Fellowship of the Ring. It's very different, and there is no ring, but sometimes it felt a bit similar. And it also has something from Game of Thrones I think. 
 Anyway, I recommend this series to anyone who loves reading fantasy:)