Foundation (Collegium Chronicles Series #1)

by Mercedes Lackey

Overview

In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, a thirteen-year­old orphan named Magpie escapes a life of slavery in the gem mines when he is chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar to be trained as a Herald. Thrust into the center of a legend in the making, Magpie discovers talents he never knew he had and witnesses the founding of the great Heralds' Collegium.


 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756405762
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/06/2009
Series:	Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	279,469
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is a full-time writer and has published numerous novels and works of short fiction, including the best-selling Heralds Of Valdemar series. She is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots. She can be found at mercedeslackey.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the Collegium Chronicles:

“Returning to her beloved Valdemar universe, Lackey opens her new series at a pivotal time in the history of Valdemar, when the education of Heralds is changing and dangers from other lands are felt in the court and on the training field. Series fans will enjoy the variations on a familiar theme, while enough information is presented for first-timers to discover a world of high adventure and individual courage. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal

“A real page-turner.... Outstanding characters, especially Mags, will greatly please Valdemar fans.” —Booklist

“An enjoyable and pleasant read.... Mags is an appealing protagonist facing challenges (and successes) with which readers will empathize." —RT Book Reviews

"Top Pick! ... A wonderful amalgam of fantasy and character study." —Night Owl Reviews

From the Publisher

For as long as he could remember, Mags had labored, along with other children, in the gem mines-underfed, overworked, and constantly reminded of his good fortune for having a place in the world despite of his mysterious "Bad Blood." The appearance of a King's Herald and a magnificent white steed with blue eyes changes Mags's life and introduces him to the rarified existence of an apprentice Herald, complete with his Companion Dallen, the sentient horselike mount. Returning to her beloved Valdemar universe, Lackey opens her new series at a pivotal time in the history of Valdemar, when the education of Heralds is changing and dangers from other lands are felt in the court and on the training field. Series fans will enjoy the variations on a familiar theme, while enough information is presented for first-timers to discover a world of high adventure and individual courage. Highly recommended.

—Jackie Cassada

Library Journal

The Valdemar fantasy series resumes. Past experience with the series is not essential for understanding this new offering but would provide useful background. In FOUNDATION, 13-year-old Mags, who is chosen by Dallen, a Companion, is rescued from the mine where he is a virtual slave. When he begins his schooling at the Collegium, he finds he has a lot of catching up to do. Nick Podehl uses a full-steam-ahead narrative pace. He develops the characters to show class and station effectively and with subtlety, and gives Mags the air of an innocent whose lack of experience helps to shield him from the elitism he encounters. His “mind speech” with Dallen is presented with slight reverberation. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2008 - AudioFile