Beyond

Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire's exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Korda's father set out to gather magicians in the hopes of one day finding a way to escape and protect the people of the Duchy from tyranny.

The signs in the Empire are increasingly dire. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics, including blood magic, the powers of the Abyssal Planes, and the binding and "milking" of Elemental creatures.

But then one of the Duchy's mages has a breakthrough. There is a way to place a Gate at a distance so far from the Empire that it is unlikely the Emperor can find or follow them as they evacuate everyone that is willing to leave.

But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor's Court.

Can his reputation as a country bumpkin and his acting skills buy him and his people the time they need to flee? Or will the Emperor lose patience, invade to strip Valdemar of everything of worth, and send its conscripted people into the front lines of the Imperial wars?

©2021 Mercedes Lackey (P)2021 Tantor

Exceptional Listen

Been waiting a long time for this book. Impatient for the next one in the series.Been reading this series since was a teenager in the 80s

Engrossing “return” to Valdemar

I too have loved Valdemar for decades, and this new series shows how deeply and well Mercedes Lackey has grown in her craft since the early days. This related world is beautifully built, and the characters are grounded enough to make me care what happens to them. Discovering the dolls was terrifying, then surprising, then thrilling!

Tacking me back.

Love background story. No foreshadowing. As a fan hope next book helps bring together story

Superb!

Another great tale of Valdemar. The author fleshed out the story of the beginnings of Valdemar. An engaging story, with an excellent performance by the narrator. I was especially taken with the Vrondi.

Great story

The story was very good. A little twist and turn here and there that kept the plot interesting.

The narrator was not great, but acceptable.

Through most of the book, I kept thinking, “I thought Valdemar was a Baron not a Duke!”