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Publication
DAW Hardcover (2010), Hardcover, 416 pages
Description
When Mags (Magpie), a thirteen-year-old orphan chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar and taken to the capital city, she is "recognized" by foreign secret operatives whose purpose is unknown, and then comes under suspicion.
User reviews
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is the second book of a trilogy centered on Mags, one of the first Herald trainees to be schooled though the Collegium. So you should definitely read the first book, Foundation first. I'd go farther than that--I wouldn't recommend this book as an introduction to Lackey or her Valdemar
If you're already familiar with the Valdemar books and like them, this book shouldn't disappoint, although it certainly doesn't break the formula. It's one so familiar to me, in fact, that it was easy to dismiss the first book as just more of the same. In that book, Mags, an orphan, is rescued from desperate circumstances when he's chosen by a Companion--a horse-shaped magical creature--to become a Herald. As such he becomes part of an elite force in service to the crown of Valdemar--a realm in the usual high fantasy mold of a pseudo Medieval European realm.
Yes, it's a very familiar formula--but it's a fun one. It's been years since the first book in the trilogy and I didn't recall details alluded to in this book from that one--but you I didn't really need to enjoy this book. And though there are loose ends left in this book that will no doubt be resolved in the last book of the trilogy, neither are we left hanging with a cliffhanger--the book feels nicely self-contained.
But, like the better of the Valdemar books, reading this was a pleasure--despite sometimes clutziness of style. Lackey, for instance is far too fond of showing Mag's impoverished background with sentences like these:
I'd be right there, 'fore even someun's Chosen could or one'a the grooms 'cause the Chosen 'd haveta run down from Collegium an' Dallen'd wake me afore a groom knew there was aught wrong.
That doesn't wear well. A little would have gone a long, long way. And we don't get just a little.
But I don't read Lackey because of a beautiful style. What I love is the idealistic Valdemar and the heralds with their close mystical bonds with the companions. And one thing different than the usual was that Mags best friends are a Harper, Lena, and a Healer, Bear, so we get to see more of the Collegium than just the heralds. I read Lackey because these books are a great escape, because it's like spending time with old friends and this book fully embodied that pleasure.
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books--instead I'd pick up either the first published book, Arrows of the Queen centered on Talia or the earliest chronologically, Magic's Price, centered on Vanyel.If you're already familiar with the Valdemar books and like them, this book shouldn't disappoint, although it certainly doesn't break the formula. It's one so familiar to me, in fact, that it was easy to dismiss the first book as just more of the same. In that book, Mags, an orphan, is rescued from desperate circumstances when he's chosen by a Companion--a horse-shaped magical creature--to become a Herald. As such he becomes part of an elite force in service to the crown of Valdemar--a realm in the usual high fantasy mold of a pseudo Medieval European realm.
Yes, it's a very familiar formula--but it's a fun one. It's been years since the first book in the trilogy and I didn't recall details alluded to in this book from that one--but you I didn't really need to enjoy this book. And though there are loose ends left in this book that will no doubt be resolved in the last book of the trilogy, neither are we left hanging with a cliffhanger--the book feels nicely self-contained.
But, like the better of the Valdemar books, reading this was a pleasure--despite sometimes clutziness of style. Lackey, for instance is far too fond of showing Mag's impoverished background with sentences like these:
I'd be right there, 'fore even someun's Chosen could or one'a the grooms 'cause the Chosen 'd haveta run down from Collegium an' Dallen'd wake me afore a groom knew there was aught wrong.
That doesn't wear well. A little would have gone a long, long way. And we don't get just a little.
But I don't read Lackey because of a beautiful style. What I love is the idealistic Valdemar and the heralds with their close mystical bonds with the companions. And one thing different than the usual was that Mags best friends are a Harper, Lena, and a Healer, Bear, so we get to see more of the Collegium than just the heralds. I read Lackey because these books are a great escape, because it's like spending time with old friends and this book fully embodied that pleasure.
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LibraryThing member AngelaCinVA
Disclaimer: I can't resist a Mercedes Lackey Valdemar novel.
Intrigues is the second book in The Collegium Chronicles. The trilogy follows the young Herald Trainee Mags and his companion Dallen. Mags is an orphan, who has difficulty fitting in at The Collegium after having been raised as a slave in
Yes, the story line is predictable. But it is still great fun to read. I thought Mags went just a bit far on the self-pity and self-doubt. But it did serve to further the story line, setting up the final climax. All in all, I came very close to staying up all night to finish it. Now I can't wait for Book Three. Yes, I confess, Heralds of Valdemar are my secret, escapist reading addiction.
Intrigues is the second book in The Collegium Chronicles. The trilogy follows the young Herald Trainee Mags and his companion Dallen. Mags is an orphan, who has difficulty fitting in at The Collegium after having been raised as a slave in
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a gem mine. His discovery that his parents were foreigners coincides with Farseer visions that the King is in danger from a foreigner. Predictably, suspicion falls on Mags, the relative stranger in their midst. Whispers behind his back speculate that Companions can be wrong or that some Heralds and their Companions may be "Black," evil and hiding amongst the true, "White," Heralds. Of course, Companions do not make mistakes and can't possibly be "Black." Mags proves himself brave and loyal.Yes, the story line is predictable. But it is still great fun to read. I thought Mags went just a bit far on the self-pity and self-doubt. But it did serve to further the story line, setting up the final climax. All in all, I came very close to staying up all night to finish it. Now I can't wait for Book Three. Yes, I confess, Heralds of Valdemar are my secret, escapist reading addiction.
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LibraryThing member Queensowntalia
Lackey's latest installment of 'The Collegium Chronicles' continues the tale of Herald trainee Mags as he goes about his schooling, even as he searches for information about his parents. Unfortunately his relatively peaceful existence is interrupted when ForeSeers predict a dire scene involving "a
For the first half, perhaps two-thirds of the novel, I was pretty unhappy with it, and set to give it two stars max. There are some pretty serious weaknesses here, and irritating writing quirks, such as Mags' dialogue being conducted in a heavy, overdone sort of street speech that's not much fun to read. Lackey overdid this in 'Take a Thief,' her book about Skif, as well. It's just not good. What's worse, apparently he THINKS with this accent as well. I didn't buy it.
The book also has some pretty obvious similarities to the 'Harry Potter' series. Mags and his friends get seriously involved in a team sport that certainly draws to mind Quiddich. Furthermore, there's the whole "Abused boy is saved by getting to go to Magic School!" theme. There are other similarities later in the book, as well. Individually these similarities wouldn't be quite so glaring, but together I found them relatively inescapable.
That being said...
The last quarter of the book or so is engaging and really grabbed me on an emotional level. The climax is riveting, the solution to the original mystery somewhat unexpected and satisfying. Ultimately I was happy to have read the book, despite its disappointments. While I can't give it as high as four stars, the solid conclusion reminded me just why I tend to enjoy Lackey's books.
For fans of the series, it's worth sticking through the tepid first half. For newcomers, this isn't a good place to start.
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foreigner" - something Mags had recently learned he was. Malicious rumors spread throughout campus, and Mags comes under serious pressure. Can he help uncover the truth behind the seers' vision? For the first half, perhaps two-thirds of the novel, I was pretty unhappy with it, and set to give it two stars max. There are some pretty serious weaknesses here, and irritating writing quirks, such as Mags' dialogue being conducted in a heavy, overdone sort of street speech that's not much fun to read. Lackey overdid this in 'Take a Thief,' her book about Skif, as well. It's just not good. What's worse, apparently he THINKS with this accent as well. I didn't buy it.
The book also has some pretty obvious similarities to the 'Harry Potter' series. Mags and his friends get seriously involved in a team sport that certainly draws to mind Quiddich. Furthermore, there's the whole "Abused boy is saved by getting to go to Magic School!" theme. There are other similarities later in the book, as well. Individually these similarities wouldn't be quite so glaring, but together I found them relatively inescapable.
That being said...
The last quarter of the book or so is engaging and really grabbed me on an emotional level. The climax is riveting, the solution to the original mystery somewhat unexpected and satisfying. Ultimately I was happy to have read the book, despite its disappointments. While I can't give it as high as four stars, the solid conclusion reminded me just why I tend to enjoy Lackey's books.
For fans of the series, it's worth sticking through the tepid first half. For newcomers, this isn't a good place to start.
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LibraryThing member bookgirl59
I was pulled into this series by the first Collegium Cronicles book, and I wasn't disapointed with this one. Mags, the orphan boy who was saved from child slavery in the mines, continues to become the Heraldic hero that we all know he always will be. In the mean time we share in his trials and
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adventures with all our heart. "Intrigues" lives up to it's title and keeps you tuning those pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member bgknighton
A very good addition to the series. Enjoyed it greatly. Can't wait for the next one. I like the way she writes teen-age characters as confused, but not (usually) whiny. Mags is going to have a massive collection of scars before he even gets his whites....
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
It's a middle book. In the first book Mags had been established as a boy who distrusted almost everyone, particularly people with power and this story continues with this idea. He is the focus of a prediction, covered in blood with the king, and people start to distrust him. The collegium is
It's not one of her best but it is a middle story, there's a lot of stuff that will probably be resolved in the next installment of the story and there's probably a long-game that will surprise me. Still it's a pretty typical Mercedes Lackey story and quite a lot of fun as a read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
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starting to come together like the collegium in Talia's time. You start to see the transition from Vanyel's time. You also see how the watchers work and how it can affect someone.It's not one of her best but it is a middle story, there's a lot of stuff that will probably be resolved in the next installment of the story and there's probably a long-game that will surprise me. Still it's a pretty typical Mercedes Lackey story and quite a lot of fun as a read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member Maaike15274
Interesting to know how the story continues, but it is a little sentimental near the end. At one moment it was too much and I almost put it down. (I am happy I did not, really). Everything turned out all right, so I will probably also read the last part of this trilogy, [Changes].
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Again, a lot like Talia - possibly even for some of the same reasons, as that Healer mentioned Mags was gaining Empathy as well as Mindspeech. The collapsing under hostile attention is painfully familiar, though Mags' solution isn't one Talia thought of. One highly amusing thing - the Kirball game
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is drawn almost directly from Kipling, "The Maltese Cat" (I think that's the name - it's a polo game, in detail, from the horses' point of view(s)). Not entirely - the flag isn't in that story, and no one breaks an arm in Intrigues - but a lot of the tactics are almost word for word. Very funny to encounter this old favorite in a completely different setting. That aside...unfortunately, all the bad guys keep dying and therefore not telling what's going on. Maybe Changes will have it? Great story, fun to read and makes me want to go on to the next. Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Continuing the story of Mags, the slave miner who became a Herald Trainee. He faces new challenges, including suspicion when a prophecy seems to point to him as a would-be assassin. This is a middle book, so there is no real resolution here, although the immediate storyline wraps up well
Lackey does well on set-up but tends to fall apart on follow-through. So far, however, this subseries is holding ground.
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enough.Lackey does well on set-up but tends to fall apart on follow-through. So far, however, this subseries is holding ground.
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LibraryThing member Krumbs
A tragic, conflicted teenage boy, and a bit too immature as a series for me so far. The story is just too influenced by the emotional and reactionary tendencies of the younger characters. Even Talia's story wasn't this fraught! I'm waiting to see how the next book turns out before I move away from
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this series entirely, but not one of my favorites so far. Show Less
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
It wasn't til the introduction of the made-up sport, which of course the plucky orphan boy is gifted at, that I realized that this set of Valdemar tales are Lackey's entry in the Harry Potter-knockoff genre. I love the Valdemar books like I love Velveeta-and-Ro-tel queso, and for about the same
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reasons, but these just aren't doing it for me. Maybe I'm just too old. Show Less
LibraryThing member Hyzie
The storyline moved much faster than the first one, but the angst got turned up to eleven. I have a high tolerance for angst, particularly in a Mercedes Lackey book, and I will admit to thinking that Mags' reaction to things was not that over-the-top given what happened to him. He is forgiven.
But
On top of those two, the idea that everyone in the whole Collegium would suddenly forget everything that Mags had done and also the fact that he was *chosen* and proceed to act like a group of middle schoolers just felt...wrong. They brought up Tylendel, which was a completely different thing, and then proceeded to act in a way that was *likely* to alienate Mags and potentially cause problems instead of even considering talking to him or possibly helping him if he needed it or doing anything at all that, you know, might have been useful.
Then Mags, after his suicidal episode, proceeds to spend a bunch of time thinking about how he needs to apologize and being all understanding about how the King's Own feels the need to "test" him by leaving him alone in the city with a bunch of terrorists on the lose, terrorists who know him by sight and are likely to hold a grudge against him. No, Mags, just no. Maybe you don't realize, given your upbringing, that these people are all way out of line, but I certainly do. Lackey has successfully given me a reason to root for Mags, though, which was possibly the point.
Dallen is a joy to behold, as always, and a genuine friend.
Kirball got old fast.
I'm glad this wasn't my first Valdemar series, because I'm not sure I would have realized how much I liked them. I'll finish the series, though, mostly because I feel like Mags will end up a hero in the end and maybe people will remember it for more than a month.
But
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dear Lord, I will never ever forgive Lena and Bear. Ever. And I have this horrible feeling that I am supposed to, somehow. Their behavior towards someone they considered a friend was appallingly self-centered and nasty and hypocritical and genuinely reprehensible. I have never like Lena--she was tolerable, but pathetic. At best I felt faintly sorry for her. But Bear, Bear I expected better from. He is not generally that stupid. On top of those two, the idea that everyone in the whole Collegium would suddenly forget everything that Mags had done and also the fact that he was *chosen* and proceed to act like a group of middle schoolers just felt...wrong. They brought up Tylendel, which was a completely different thing, and then proceeded to act in a way that was *likely* to alienate Mags and potentially cause problems instead of even considering talking to him or possibly helping him if he needed it or doing anything at all that, you know, might have been useful.
Then Mags, after his suicidal episode, proceeds to spend a bunch of time thinking about how he needs to apologize and being all understanding about how the King's Own feels the need to "test" him by leaving him alone in the city with a bunch of terrorists on the lose, terrorists who know him by sight and are likely to hold a grudge against him. No, Mags, just no. Maybe you don't realize, given your upbringing, that these people are all way out of line, but I certainly do. Lackey has successfully given me a reason to root for Mags, though, which was possibly the point.
Dallen is a joy to behold, as always, and a genuine friend.
Kirball got old fast.
I'm glad this wasn't my first Valdemar series, because I'm not sure I would have realized how much I liked them. I'll finish the series, though, mostly because I feel like Mags will end up a hero in the end and maybe people will remember it for more than a month.
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LibraryThing member Rosemarie.Herbert
This review has been crossposted from my blog Review from Rose's Book Reviews Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me.
Mags seems to be finally settling down in the Collegium. He has his great friends, Lena and Bear to look after him, but suddenly they are both in danger of being snatched
Much of 'Intrigues' is about Mags finding out his history, although it turns out to be something like he really was 'Bad Blood'. Mag's friends are being accused by their families, and it makes for an uncomfortable situation. When Dallen gets into an accident, Mags' world is thrown upside down, and he feels like there will never be light at the end of the tunnel.
In this novel, Mags is almost certainly suffering from depression. Because that is my own personal area of interest, it draws me to him. I found myself crying occasionally, because the situation just seemed so hopeless. I guess that's a mark of how much I empathized with him. His recovery though was swift and painless - he of course has a Companion, when the rest of us don't have a mythical horse to pull us out of the pit.
The settings are familiar to those who have read the other books. I agree with other reviewers that it seems very choppy, with some obvious errors in spelling and grammar. In other books, I have even noted where the publisher has changed a character's name to something else, such as an article of speech! It's still an ok novel, but it isn't the best she has even written. It feels a little like as Lackey has gotten older, her attempts of pushing books out onto the market quickly have destroyed the flow she had in the earlier novels.
Although it could be done, I wouldn't recommend reading 'Intrigues' without having first read 'Foundation'. It really is a trilogy - or I thought it was! Again, I didn't reread this book before reviewing it because I wanted to read the next one! Surprisingly, although this says it is a trilogy, the Mercedes Lackey website lists it as having a fourth book to come out. I find that a little disappointing - I love Mags, but I'd love to have a new character just as much!
I'd still recommend this book for teens and adults, although the themes are far darker than before. Blood, betrayal, fire and corruption - they're all here, but they are dealt with sensitively and not gratuitously.
Mags seems to be finally settling down in the Collegium. He has his great friends, Lena and Bear to look after him, but suddenly they are both in danger of being snatched
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away.To top that off, Mags is being accused of injuring the king.Much of 'Intrigues' is about Mags finding out his history, although it turns out to be something like he really was 'Bad Blood'. Mag's friends are being accused by their families, and it makes for an uncomfortable situation. When Dallen gets into an accident, Mags' world is thrown upside down, and he feels like there will never be light at the end of the tunnel.
In this novel, Mags is almost certainly suffering from depression. Because that is my own personal area of interest, it draws me to him. I found myself crying occasionally, because the situation just seemed so hopeless. I guess that's a mark of how much I empathized with him. His recovery though was swift and painless - he of course has a Companion, when the rest of us don't have a mythical horse to pull us out of the pit.
The settings are familiar to those who have read the other books. I agree with other reviewers that it seems very choppy, with some obvious errors in spelling and grammar. In other books, I have even noted where the publisher has changed a character's name to something else, such as an article of speech! It's still an ok novel, but it isn't the best she has even written. It feels a little like as Lackey has gotten older, her attempts of pushing books out onto the market quickly have destroyed the flow she had in the earlier novels.
Although it could be done, I wouldn't recommend reading 'Intrigues' without having first read 'Foundation'. It really is a trilogy - or I thought it was! Again, I didn't reread this book before reviewing it because I wanted to read the next one! Surprisingly, although this says it is a trilogy, the Mercedes Lackey website lists it as having a fourth book to come out. I find that a little disappointing - I love Mags, but I'd love to have a new character just as much!
I'd still recommend this book for teens and adults, although the themes are far darker than before. Blood, betrayal, fire and corruption - they're all here, but they are dealt with sensitively and not gratuitously.
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LibraryThing member humouress
This is book 2 of the Collegium Chronicles, and continues the story of Mags (short for Magpie). He is further into his Heraldic training, but still feels like an outsider (which fact is drummed into us in both books). The King's Own herald plans to use this to the advantage of Valdemar, and expands
In addition, the trainees at the palace are introduced to the newly invented sport of Kirball, with the idea of preparing them to cope with action in battle (which the royal advisors foresee as a possibility in the near future) and Mags is the perfect candidate for the first teams.
There's a lot of action in this book, what with Mags's training as a potential spy for the crown, and the descriptions of Kirball games; and our heroes (both Mags and his Companion Dallen) end up in the infirmary more than once.
I liked this book even better than the first. It's as we'll written as Lackey's other Valdemar books, and I'm looking forward to the third in the series.
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Mags's training to blend into the background and observe events. This leads to intrigue and action, and takes us down into the city of Haven.In addition, the trainees at the palace are introduced to the newly invented sport of Kirball, with the idea of preparing them to cope with action in battle (which the royal advisors foresee as a possibility in the near future) and Mags is the perfect candidate for the first teams.
There's a lot of action in this book, what with Mags's training as a potential spy for the crown, and the descriptions of Kirball games; and our heroes (both Mags and his Companion Dallen) end up in the infirmary more than once.
I liked this book even better than the first. It's as we'll written as Lackey's other Valdemar books, and I'm looking forward to the third in the series.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
This trilogy is set two generations after Vanyel’s life as the Collegium is being built to deal with the influx of new Heralds and the expansion of Valdemar’s size. Mags is a former slave, rescued from a terrible life in jewel mining, and has to learn to navigate his new status. It’s a lot
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about him getting cuddles and dealing with making friends; did not feel very high stakes. Show Less
LibraryThing member lyrrael
I've been disappointed for a while with Lackey's books. It seems like, when she decided to team up with her husband, the general quality level of her Valdemar books dropped significantly, and they began to read like YA titles. Very YA titles. And so I drifted away. I'd read the new ones, be a bit
I really feel like the first two books of the Foundation trilogy are a return to the writing style of the Arrows and Last Herald-Mage titles. They're not quite as grand -- the first books of a series tend to be the best, in my experience, and Lackey has done some significant exploration of the history and world of Velgarth. That she's able to return to some of the simplicity and grandiosity of the first few books really was a very pleasant surprise.
I just want to say, on the off chance that she checks the reviews for these books, that Lackey was really my introduction to epic fantasy as a genre, and it's really been something I've enjoyed for my whole life as a consequence. I was 13 when I started with the Last Herald-Mage, and it's been fifteen years of absolutely amazing adventures, and through her, I've had my eyes gently opened to some of the more pressing issues of our times. I would not feel guilty giving these books to a young adult in the early teenage years, depending on maturity levels, but also feel as though they're written for an adult.
Either way, definitely worth a read. Writing style and story are on the same level as Brightly Burning, though Mags is not as legendary or as outstanding as Lavan Firestorm -- which is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope I don't have to wait two more years to find out where Mags ends up. :)
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ho-hum about them, and wander off to something else. I really feel like the first two books of the Foundation trilogy are a return to the writing style of the Arrows and Last Herald-Mage titles. They're not quite as grand -- the first books of a series tend to be the best, in my experience, and Lackey has done some significant exploration of the history and world of Velgarth. That she's able to return to some of the simplicity and grandiosity of the first few books really was a very pleasant surprise.
I just want to say, on the off chance that she checks the reviews for these books, that Lackey was really my introduction to epic fantasy as a genre, and it's really been something I've enjoyed for my whole life as a consequence. I was 13 when I started with the Last Herald-Mage, and it's been fifteen years of absolutely amazing adventures, and through her, I've had my eyes gently opened to some of the more pressing issues of our times. I would not feel guilty giving these books to a young adult in the early teenage years, depending on maturity levels, but also feel as though they're written for an adult.
Either way, definitely worth a read. Writing style and story are on the same level as Brightly Burning, though Mags is not as legendary or as outstanding as Lavan Firestorm -- which is not necessarily a bad thing. I hope I don't have to wait two more years to find out where Mags ends up. :)
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LibraryThing member drhapgood
eh.
What else can I say? While I like these characters, this book left me cold. Nothing like a bad quidditch knockoff to try to pad some pages.
I look forward to the third book, though. It's actually the reason I reread this.
What else can I say? While I like these characters, this book left me cold. Nothing like a bad quidditch knockoff to try to pad some pages.
I look forward to the third book, though. It's actually the reason I reread this.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
The second of the Collegium Chronicles sees Mags beginning to fit in at the Collegium. While still mainly a loner who feels he has nothing in common with most of the other students, he has made some friends with Lena and Bear and Amily. Each of them are different than the other students too.
When
Meanwhile Bear is facing his own problems. He comes from a family of healers, but he doesn't have the magical gift of healing. However, he is an excellent herbalist consulted by everyone including senior healers at his school. And he is good at surgery and other healing too. But his family wants him to come home, get married, and sire children who might have the healing gift. He's under constant pressure because of their demands.
Then Mags comes in for his share of pressure when those who can see the future predict that someone foreign born will assassinate the king. Mags has just learned that his parents were captives of bandits and were from some unknown country. That makes Mags immediately an object of suspicion. And since part of his heraldic gifts includes a touch of empathy, Mags is totally aware of the suspicions which feed into his own insecurity about his right to be a Herald.
This was an emotional story with Mags and his friends all dealing with deep personal issues. But there is also the problem of the foreign envoys who disappeared from the palace and have some sort of hidden agenda. They seem to have some mind gifts to go along with their agenda and only Mags is able to tune into them.
This was a fun story with great worldbuilding. I'm enjoying watching Mags build confidence and become a Herald of Valdemar.
When
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Lena's father comes to the Collegium, Mags learns that he is a famous bard who had ignored Lena all her life. He is totally self-centered, but Lena wants his love and approval. He can only see her if there is some way he can use her like when Mags becomes a champion at a new sport being developed and when Mags becomes a hero for saving Bear's life when he's kidnapped.Meanwhile Bear is facing his own problems. He comes from a family of healers, but he doesn't have the magical gift of healing. However, he is an excellent herbalist consulted by everyone including senior healers at his school. And he is good at surgery and other healing too. But his family wants him to come home, get married, and sire children who might have the healing gift. He's under constant pressure because of their demands.
Then Mags comes in for his share of pressure when those who can see the future predict that someone foreign born will assassinate the king. Mags has just learned that his parents were captives of bandits and were from some unknown country. That makes Mags immediately an object of suspicion. And since part of his heraldic gifts includes a touch of empathy, Mags is totally aware of the suspicions which feed into his own insecurity about his right to be a Herald.
This was an emotional story with Mags and his friends all dealing with deep personal issues. But there is also the problem of the foreign envoys who disappeared from the palace and have some sort of hidden agenda. They seem to have some mind gifts to go along with their agenda and only Mags is able to tune into them.
This was a fun story with great worldbuilding. I'm enjoying watching Mags build confidence and become a Herald of Valdemar.
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Language
Original publication date
2010-10
Physical description
336 p.; 9.1 inches
ISBN
0756406390 / 9780756406394
Local notes
Valdemar - Collegium, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Lackey |