Intrigues

Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 2

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Mags was an orphan and slave of ‘bad blood’ who toiled in a gem mine all his young life. He would have died before adulthood, had he not been Chosen and taken to Haven to be trained in the new Herald Collegium.

Now, Mags was never hungry and never cold. He slept in a real bed in his own room and, most importantly, he had Dallen, who was like another part of himself. And yet, aside from Lena and Bear, both loners like he was, he couldn’t relate to most of the Herald, Healer, or Bard trainees. He was the only trainee who came from what - to the others - was unimaginable poverty.

There was another factor that contributed to Mag’s isolation. Foreign assassins, masquerading at court as envoys, were discovered. As they fled from the Guard, one of them seemed to “recognize” Mags. Now, Mags was an object of suspicion.

He had always been curious about his parents, but after the incident it became urgent for Mags to discover exactly who his parents were. And at Haven, he had access to the extensive Archives. Poring through the Archives, he got only incomplete information: his parents, found dead in a bandit camp, had been two of a number of hostages, some of whom had survived. The survivors had told the Guard that Mags’ parents spoke a language that no one understood or recognized.

This information did not help, for the ForeSeers had been having visions of the king’s assassination by “one of the foreign blood”. Some had even Seen Mags with blood on his hands. How could Mags defend himself against a crime that hadn’t yet been committed?

Enchanted? Spend some more time in Valdemar.©2010 Mercedes Lackey (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great story

I loved everything about this book. thank you once again Mercades Lackey for a wonderfull book!

Good story

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Enough of the evil versus good to stay interesting and unsure of what is going to happen next. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Teen angst

At the end of the fifth episode of this year’s season of Game of Thrones, Aryia is rescued from the burning city of King’s a Landing by a white horse. So what could I do but reread the tales of Valdemar? I had no doubt at all that her Companion had found her and she was on her way to the Heralds’ Collegium. Most of these books have aged well since I last read them. This is the exception. I’m too old for the teenaged sense of power and importance so that everything g that goes wrong is their fault. “I’m such a bad person” “You’re all better off without my presence tainting everything with evil”. The basic plot line is OK, but there’s just too much angst.

l love Mercedes lackeys book's. I read everyone I

can find specially the valdamer series. l wish I had a list of all of them in the order of the time line they accure.

Mags had a bad day!

Mags is hated by most of the school, because by researching
the the school’s records, he discovers his parents were the hated "furrrin

Wonderful!

Any additional comments?

I have yet to read a Mercedes Lackey book I didn't love, and this is no exception. The story of the beginning of the Heralds is one I've wanted to read for a long time, and the main character has a fascinating beginning. I enjoyed all three of these books tremendously.

valdemar

I have really enjoyed this book I have listened to it at least three times and probably will listen to it a few more I have always liked kingdom of valdemar all the books I've read get that world this one is a great addition I recommend it to everyone

action packed and emotional

This is one of my favorite Mags books. I love the spy training and emotional depth.

Good bedtime read and love the narrator!

I love Mercedes Lackey's books for that 'down time' read. When my mind needs a vacation and I need a 'feel good' book.

This is the 2nd book of the 'Mags' story line. It's a little too 'the poor dear boy' type of story, but at the same time all the characters are relatable when it comes to teenage angst. And the mystery of Mag's family has yet to be answered, but I'm hoping the 3rd book will answer this satisfactorily.This 2nd book left me wanting the 3rd.. immediately. I didn't want to wait and forget all the story. Lucky for me, the next book was just published. It's downloading to my iPhone as I write.

This may sound strange to some of you, but I listen to audiobooks as I fall asleep at night. It assists me in turning off my brain. I like a good easy story that doesn't have a lot of needless violence, blood shed, or 'whodunit'. I use Audible's timer function and the story turns off after half an hour. It's like someone is reading me a bedtime story.

I really enjoy the narrator, Nick Podehl. I find his voice soothing and easy to listen to for long periods of time. He does not mispronounce words and his cadence is good. While he doesn't do a huge variety of voices, I know exactly which character he is voicing, simply because he is consistent. I'm so glad to see that the last book in the series used the same narrator.

Mags' tale continued

Mags is still struggling to find his way as a Herald of Valdemar. He does not feel worthy and terrible rumors run rampant. Great narration.