Is Mercedes Lackey's series Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, stand alone?

Question: Is Mercedes Lackey's series Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, stand alone!?

Or do they have to be read in order!? I've gotten the 2nd and 3rd books recently and didn't realize it, I haven't read the first one and am just wondering is there a story line throughout the whole series and I have to begin at the beginning or is each book a different story!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

They're mostly stand alone, but read the Fairy Godmother 1st, because that sets everything else up for the rest (explains the Tradition and all)!. Some recurring characters, so it does help to read them in order, imo, but not strictly necessary!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There are characters that reoccur in most, if not all, of the books!. However, there is no connective storyline running through all four of them!. Each one is A tale of the five hundred kingdoms!. The series is a collection of stories, not a long, drawn-out epic like, say, the Heralds of Vadelmar series!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I haven't read them for a while, but if memory serves me, they're set in the same world but each story stands alone!.Www@QuestionHome@Com