Redoubt

Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 4

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Mags, a young Herald trainee in Haven, the capital city of the kingdom of Valdemar, has talents not commonly found in Herald trainees.

Recognizing this, the King's Own Herald decides to train Mags as a spy in order to uncover the secrets of a mysterious new enemy who has taken an interest in Mags himself. Why is the even deeper mystery. The answers can only be found in the most unexpected corners of Mags' past...assuming he can live long enough to find them.

©2012 Mercedes Lackey (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Nick Podehl made this better than the text

From my review of the text...
I found that I didn't enjoy this installment as much as I had the others in the series.
While it moved the plot along, Mags spent too much time alone in this one for me (and in drug dreams)
I find that my favorite Valdemar tales involve deepening the Valdemar lore, and seeing the characters interact.

This book was a bit thin on both of these.

An update... just listened to the Audiobook version of this as narrated by Nick Podehl and the drugged dream sequences are quite as tedious with someone else reading them.
I'll stick with my earlier judgment though; this book doesn't dwell in those areas that I find to be the most enjoyable aspects of the Valdemar mythos.
...And who knew? Karsite Firecats of that era have such thick Russian accents!

Very nice sequel

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. They were narrated very well. It was easy to tell which characters were speaking during the story. The story had excellent twists, and turns that amused and surprised me. I’m extremely glad I decided to pick up this series. I had not read the collegium set years ago when I read her others. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Great story, wonderful author

Where does Redoubt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

That's a tough one. I love the Valdemar series! All of them.

What other book might you compare Redoubt to and why?

Can't think of one actually other than other Valdemar books.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

Mags, of course! He made Mags into a real person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Mags was chosen! That was awesome.

Any additional comments?

I wish all of the Valdemar books were available on audible. I would buy everyone!

The glorious continuation of the story of Mags

In this book, the story of Mags and his compatriots continues. Incredibly well-written, the world of Valdemar continues to fascinate and inform us of our own human nature by showing it in a very different setting.

Fantastic story, excellant narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Redoubt to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I loved listening to the audio book.

What other book might you compare Redoubt to and why?

Tamora Pierce's Circle series as well as the Tortall books because they both feature characters that grow from often humble origins to achieve their destinies. I also hope Nick get hired to narrate the Owl series of books by Mercedes Lackey.

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I didn't think I had but when I checked my library, I realized that I did have another book that he narrated. He did a great job on the other book but I really enjoyed his narration of this series. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series that won't be released until November (I think). I really hope they get Nick to narrate Owlflight, Owlsight and Owlknight from Mercedes Lackey. They are some of my favorite books that she has written and I can't think of a better narrator for the series.

I had no idea how popular Nick was and how many books he has narrated. I will definitely check out some of the other books strictly on basis of his narration of this series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story of a boy taken literally from rags to . . . Herald?

Any additional comments?

I started listening to the first of the Collegium Chronicles books and was brought back into the wonderful world of Valdemar. I normally listen to books as I drive to work or when running errands. This time I couldn't stop listening and had to continue in my house. I think I listened to all four books in about a week.

Great listen

I have always liked listening to Nick Podehl read these books. They are my fall back when I run out of books to listen to.

Great Listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would like to see more of the Valdemar Series books - White, Silver and Black Gyphon books (Mage Wars), Brightly Burning, Vows and Honor Trilogy (Oathbound, etc...), The Heralds of Valdemar Trilogy (Arrow's Flight, etc...), By The Sword,....

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, most definitely

yet another brilliant tale from Valdemar

I was dubiously wary, when I found Misty was going to just past the time of Vanyel Ashkevron to bolster the history of Valdemar. I had enjoyed the Brightly Burning tale, but was wary due to the shortness of that tale. I have never been happier to be wrong.
this is a brilliant addition to the chronicles of the Heralds of Valdemar.

Different than the previous 3

I love the stories and Nick is awesome. i loved the fact that when they do mindspeech there was an echo in the previous audio books but not in this one. it made it easier to know the difference. other than that I loved it.

More Mags

Mags' adventure continues. He continues his training with the King's Own and runs into serious trouble.