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.

Exemplary Finish!

This was an exemplary finish to a wonderful series! From the first book in the series where the quiet exodus from the land belonging to a malevolent emperor where Kurtos the Duke of the original Valdemar had raised his beautiful Valdemar Gold horses had been demoted to baron because the estate that originally belonged to his farther-in-law had been given to a relative of the emperor who then bestowed that man as the Duke of the area.

The three books chronicle the journey of these people who ultimately became the kingdom of Valdemar. It explains the creation of the Companions quite beautifully as well!

The plot development from book to book was done seamlessly and the main characters evolved beautifully as well.

The narrator kept me rooted to the story till the very end. I’m going to miss this series and truly hope that Lackey continues to develop beautiful and creative stories within the kingdom of Valdemar!

The connection has the details

Wonderful explanation that bears out in all the other stories that follow this one I know this one was written most recently, but it connects to all the ones written before it very well that was wonderful

So many emotions

I’ve been a fan of Valdemar for more than 30 years… so these founding books have been a delight for me. This book in particular, I laughed, cried, snickered and so on. I cried a few more times than I would have expected, sometimes happy tears and sometimes not. She left me on a laugh though and I can’t help but hope we get another book from the early days.

perfect

the reader read it right, a perfect pre look at how Valdmar started , explained what the companions are,

the story and the voice are perfect for each other.

heartwarming story that references pre established lore without the reader needing to know it. adventure, love, a bit with a dog and a cat. what more could you need.

So happy to hear the beginnings of Valdemar

As the last of the trilogy, this book evened out all the edges. Thank you Mercedes Lackey!

cat

I loved it as always. But I ended up crying pretty ugly when Sydney you asshole crossed the rainbow bridge. But I laughed and smiled hardly at the ending.

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.