Valdemar

Founding of Valdemar, Book 3

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

The long-awaited story of the founding of Valdemar comes to life in this third book of a trilogy from a New York Times bestselling author and beloved fantasist.

The refugees from the Empire have established a thriving city called Haven with the help of the Tayledras and their allies. But the Tayledras have begun a slow withdrawal to the dangerous lands known as the Pelagirs, leaving the humans of Haven to find their own way.

But even with Haven settled, the lands around Haven are not without danger. Most of the danger comes in the form of magicians: magicians taking advantage of the abundant magical energy in the lands the Tayledras have cleansed; magicians who have no compunction about allying themselves with dark powers and enslaving magical beasts and the Elementals themselves.

Kordas, his family, and his people will need all the help they can get. But when a prayer to every god he has ever heard of brings Kordas a very specific and unexpected form of help, the new kingdom of Valdemar is set on a path like nothing else the world has ever seen.

©2023 Mercedes Lackey (P)2024 Tantor

Mercedes Lackey at her finest

bears will make this is not the final part of the beginning. the author has a way with words and storytelling that is absolutely wonderful.

Good

Good, but not great. The villain was not fleshed out as well as in all her previous books. The story answered some previously unanswered questions. I wish there had been more.

Serious with a hint of humor.

I have listened to all of the Valdemar stories and I like this series most because of its hints of humor that make me laugh out loud.

Finally, we know

The story started out slowly, but I enjoyed reading it to solve the mystery of the companions and conclude, to a point, the history of Valdemar.

Enjoyed it!

Enjoyed the final book in the series. Nice to learn about where the companions came from and some of the histories that weren’t captured.

Sydney you asshole stole the show

Valdemar was an excellent ending to the founding of Valdemar series. The companions origin is skillfuly woven into the fabric of the Heralds of Valdemar universe. The principal characters are well-developed and many secondary characters have unusual depth. Sunsinger ans Shadowdancer are given life and their story adds depth to the entire world of Valdemar. The vocal performance was exemplary. now I have to go back and listen to older books in the Heralds of Valdemar universe, where the background in this founding series will illuminate passing references throughout the series. One thing puzzles me, the titles of the first king of Valdemar are a bit confusing. He was a duke in the Empire, but then is only a baron when founding Haven. The references to him in Arrows of the Queen referred to him as a baron. If Mercedes Lackey explained why he took the titular demotion, I missed it. Great book. Great performance.

Wonderful story.

The narrator is outstanding. I really enjoyed listening to this and the previous two books in this series. My only problem with the book is that it had to end. I could have listened to this one for a very long time.

kept me on the edge of my seat

I loved learning the founding of Valdemar finally! As always, this was a great story! I love your characters and their stories which you weave so well!

The Conclusion of Another Chapter of Valdemar’s History

I have been reading Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books since I picked up my first copy of one of them. Coincidentally that book happened to be Arrows of the Queen, the book that started it all. I have since purchased every one of them, rereading many of them several times. They are my go to books when I want to revisit an old friend.

Valdemar was an excellent conclusion to the founding story of Valdemar. It definitely confirmed what I had long suspected regarding the companions. Even though we have long been told the synopsis of how the heralds came to be, it was wonderful to read or in this case hear the full story of how it came about. As is always the case in these books, the characters are wonderful, very likeable, some lovable, and most endearing. Having each sub series consist of trilogies allows us to see the character evolvement and really flesh out the stories.

Paul Woodson provides an excellent rendition which enhances the story. I will be reading and or listening to this story again and again as time goes by.

full circle

The story of Valdemar has finally come full circle. The voice actors did a great job bringing these stories to life. I very much enjoyed listening to all these titles. I hope the scattered short stories may someday be collected and added to Adubile too.