This is the final book in "The Founding of Valdemar" series, in which the refugees from Baron Kordas Valdemar's have taken root in an old Hawkbrothers stronghold on the banks of a river, building the city which will become Haven. They still worry about an attack from the old Empire, but the stakes become deadly when it's discovered that a vicious, rogue mage has been extending tendrils into the area for months. Can they defend themselves? Kordas' meditation brings about the creation of the Companions and the development of the Herald system. In the meantime, Restal, the king's oldest, discovers a kindred spirit, as does Delia, the queen's sister.

Enjoyed this, but what's with all the emphasis on the cat? I love cats, but the worshiping of Sydney-you-asshole is excessive.

Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey


I have loved Mercedes Lackey’s books for thirty years. As I said in my review of her last book, I still have the SFBC omnibus of the Last Herald Mage trilogy on my shelf and I can’t tell you how many times I read it in my youth (it was a lot).

Until recently, I hadn’t read many of her Valdemar books in the last few years. I listened to the audiobooks of the Collegium Chronicles series, which was fun, but I felt it dragged on too long, with too many kidnappings, and the narrator’s interpretation of Mags’s accent drove me bananas. I lost touch with the series when my library stopped buying the ebooks of the Herald Spy series after Closer to Home, and I was disappointed in Spy, Spy Again, the third volume in the series focusing on Mags’s kids.

In the last two years, I enjoyed Beyond and Into the West, the first two books of this prequel series set before the founding of Valdemar. So I was eager to read the third and final volume, titled Valdemar, when I got it from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was irritated by a ten year time jump from the last book to this one, but otherwise, I have very few complaints. The story swept me up in its narrative. Finally, this is the book where we finally finally meet the Companions! Having been waiting for this moment for two and half books (and many decades as a fan) did the moment live up to the expectations? Mostly yes! It really felt like a classic novel of Valdemar, which is the highest praise I can bestow on this.

Thank you for letting me review this book. Book was well written and interesting. Would recommend to all who enjoyed author's previous books. 10/10.

Long-time readers of the Valdemar books, like me, will be absolutely delighted by this entry to the series. It's so wonderful to see how things wrap up/kick off!

Mercedes Lackey never fails to deliver a fun, action-packed and exciting world! This third book in the lates trilogy is best read as a conclusion to the first two books, but anywhere you enter her worlds you will have enough background to follow along. Lackey is prolific but also consistent!

Another great Valdemar book, and a wonderful fit for many of the tales that we have read through the many years of the sagas of the people of this kingdom. The reality of this series is even more than most of us could have imagined.

Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar(hard from DAW) series is defined by the intelligent talking horses called Companions who chose their herald riders. The appear a decade after the refugees have settled in what would be Valdemar, and Duke Kordas finally agrees to be called a king. Half the book leads up to the Companions' arrival through a magical portal, and the second half puts the young kingdom at war. Lots of fun and a must for fans.

Valdemar takes place about ten years after the events of the previous two books in the Founding of Valdemar series. As such, do not read any further if you don't want to be spoiled for Beyond and Into the West. My reviews for the first two books can be found here and here.

That being said, this is the book in this trilogy that I have been waiting for! I have been absolutely rabid for this book. Throughout my journey reading the Valdemar series, I've always been interested in learning more about how Valdemar was founded and where the Companions come from. Anyone else who has been waiting for the answers to these questions will not be disappointed with this book.

Valdemar opens with Kordas contemplating the blossoming city of Haven, the titular country's capital. Kordas and his people have endured much during both their escape from the Empire and the past ten years as they've worked to establish a relatively safe place to call home. Kordas feels they may have finally accomplished that last, but he's not totally satisfied.

The surrounding area is full of strange creatures, even if the dangerous change circles have been cleansed by their allies the Tayledras. The Tayledras are slowly moving on and away, though, and Kordas worries the people of Haven may not have the means to drive back a large magical threat should one come along. Additionally, Kordas is worried about his successors and future rulers of Valdemar.

Kordas knows that he is a good ruler, even if he beats himself up about mistakes and can never relax. He also believes his son Restil will be a good ruler. But what about those who come after them? How can Kordas guarantee Valdemar continues to be ruled fairly and well?

I really enjoyed reading about this inner-conflict Kordas had with himself. I think everyone doubts themselves and their abilities from time-to-time, and that can only be amplified when in a leadership position. Kordas feels especially responsible for his people because they left a relatively stable, if dangerous, environment for the complete unknown. He feels it's his responsibility to protect them, not just now, but well into the future. This book really did a good job illustrating that Kordas is a skilled leader. He uses every resource available to ensure his people are safe and secure.

Another interesting perspective is introduced in this book which comes from Restil, Kordas's eldest son. He was barely a teenager in the previous two books, but in Valdemar he's all grown up and learning how to lead the kingdom one day. Restil is also the source of a lot of sarcastic humor in the book. It was a great way for Lackey to break up some of the more tense moments. Kordas and Restil would often work together to solve problems as well, and that was fun to read.

Finally, my absolute favorite part of the book is when the Companions arrive. I won't give any spoilers away on how and when it happens, but I really loved this part of the book. I also liked that Lackey took this opportunity to explain more about Companion magic and magic in general in the world of Valdemar. These explanations will probably make more sense to readers who have already read other Valdemar books, but I still think the entire trilogy is a pretty good introduction to the world if you're new to it. I think the Founding of Valdemar trilogy would be a good starting point for anyone interested in Valdemar, and I definitely recommend reading it if you're already a Valdemar fan.

I gave Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey four out of five stars. This book is a great conclusion to the trilogy, and I really enjoyed reading it. I loved all the different perspectives and the few surprises that popped up during the story. The new information about the Companions and the Tayledras was also interesting reading. Definitely pick this and the other two books up if you're looking to dive into the world of Valdemar!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

OMG, this is the book that ALL Valdemar fans have been waiting for, even if they didn’t know it. It exceeded any expectations that I may have had and the author, Mercedes Lackey, has excelled once again. I loved it and yet, I still want more, more Valdemar to whisk me away from the humdrum world.

After a reading drought (I know it sounds unlikely, but life intervenes) I finished reading this book in a matter of days.

In short: filled with magic this book answers the questions of how, when and why the Companions appear in Valdemar and choose their partners and it’s an enthralling story.

If you haven’t read any other Valdemar novels do yourself a favour and at least go back to Beyond and Into the Wild before reading this title, to be really kind to yourself go back to the book (and other titles in the trilogy) that started it all, Arrows of the Queen.

Prepare to lose time as you immerse yourself in the story of the brand new kingdom of Valdemar, its King Kordas Valdemar, the advent of the Companions and the creation of the ‘Heralds of Valdemar’.

This was phenomenal like every single book that Mercedes Lackey writes! Such a great closing to this trilogy and it was everything I wanted, especially the history!

Readers have followed along as Duke Kordas and his people flee the empire and travel into untamed lands seeking safety and a future. We have held our collective breath as they encountered hideous monsters and foul magics. And we have cheered as they found allies in the Tayledras.

Now they are at a turning point. The city of Haven has been founded and fortified. The small groups of people already settled in the area are being approached with offers of peace and mutual aid. But many of the duke's people believe they would fare better as a recognized kingdom rather than a displaced duchy. They would like to negotiate from a position of strength, especially when they learn there is a powerful magician whose sights and soldiers are aimed at Haven. With the Tayledras only in reach through magical portals, will the fledgling settlement be able to defend itself?

I enjoy watching pieces of Valdemaran history fall into place. Seeing the arrival of the refugees, the palace taking shape, and other basics in previous books have still left many of us wondering about what has not yet been set in place. Will this be the book to explain the origin of Companions and Heralds? How will Kordas balance the people's desire for a king with his own dread of becoming an imitation of the evil empire they fled? (Especially since some courtiers and their offspring are already trying to assert their superiority over other citizens.)

And perhaps we can all learn some wisdom from Kordas. "Love every good day you get. Enjoy the peace. Accept that, for the moment, things around you are not exploding." Dive into this latest book to enjoy more magic, antics of Sydney the cat, encounters with terrifying magic, and even a pair of lifebonded lovers.

The founding of Valdemar has always been particularly interesting idea from the first book I read. In arrows of the queen you hear the story of the founding which was very small part of what you are seeing.

This is the third in the books about the founding and while I am not really happy with all aspects of what they have done with the series I do find that there is quite a bit good also about them.

Dealing with Valdemar and seeing his first name and his family is very much a good thing. It shows a more rounded picture of Valdemar and how it was created as a Kingdom as well as a man. Finding out about the royal family going back to the original is also very interesting.

The execution of this series with its characters just wasn't near as good as her other works I just wasn't as invested in them and wanted so much more.

Meeting Sunsinger was interesting as you only heard about him as a great bard but here you see him as a trainee and that he was very powerful as a bard.

This book finally has the Companions showing up. It is set about ten years after the previous book and has a mage in the North setting their sights on their new country. The Companions arrive after a prayer to every known deity of the people is offered and they are answered. Other things get started in this book as well and things are also deliberately removed from their history. A good story and I’m glad that it is finally on paper.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

What can you say about the Vademar series? They are like coming home to a big warm hug. This was no exception to that feeling. You know you are enjoying a book when you can happily read the first 3 chapters about city planning and still want to read more.

This book has all the staples of the series. The lovely characters, some humor, and action that is packed into the last 3 chapters for better or worse. At least in this book, there was a hint of what the action would be early on, unlike some of her other books. I especially enjoyed all the scenes about the cat and, of course, the Companions appearing. This definitely should not be anyone's first Valdemar book since it had all the references that would be missed if you were not a fan. But this is a perfect book for lovers of the series already. I really want to dive into the lore again and match what we were told in the past and what this book contained. It's been too long since I've read earlier books to see if everything matched up. While reading this book, I constantly wanted a map and timeline to match up where and when I was reading, but since I read from Netgally, that was available.

Overall, I loved this book and cannot wait for any more scraps of the Vademar series I can get.

Back into the world of Valdemar. The Companions finally make their appearance here and we get to fall in love with them for the very first time with Kordas, Restil, Isla and the rest. It's interesting what goes into building a society somewhere else when we're accustomed to a certain level of civilization. The necessity of sewing needles was something that I never considered when thinking of building a society it's a tiny detail but something that is mentioned that never occurred to me but it's so important because people can't buy new clothes, they have to mend the clothes they have people need sewing needles. The entire story isn't about sewing needles but that was something that stuck when I was reading the story. Of course there's more to rebuilding a society in the magical wilds of Valdemar necessities of life and a danger lurking that the new Heralds and Companions have to confront, combat and win to keep their new homes.

Another story of the founding of Valdemar: ms Lackey wrote a gripping and well plotted story, adding elements to the world building and developing great characters.
A master storyteller that can't write bad story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was super pumped and more than a bit nervous when I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of this book. I've been a huge fan of Mercedes Lackey's for 23 years now and the founding of Valdemar is a story I've wanted to read since I picked up the first book in this series. Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey turned out to be everything I'd hoped for and was honestly way better than anything I'd ever imagined over the years. With Valdemar Mercedes Lackey has once again proven that she's a master of her craft and knows how to write a truly engaging story.

In the span of the past 36 years, more than 30 books and 8 musical albums have been released that chronicle an in-world history spanning more than 2000 years. So one of the things I found most impressive about this book was how well Mercedes Lackey managed to maintain the continuity in a book that's a prequel to almost that has been released. Any major inconsistencies can easily be put down to the fact that the albums we got were written by in-world bards and minstrels and were always meant to be more entertaining than historically accurate.

Not only were we treated to the enthralling tale that was the story of Valdemar's founding, but we also got long-awaited answers to pivotal questions that have been on my mind for over two decades. Questions such as, "Who was the first grove born?" and "How did the populace of Valdemar genuinely react when a cadre of magical horses with the ability to speak mind-to-mind suddenly arrived proclaiming a divine mission?" were finally addressed in a very satisfying manner. Though to be fair Valdemar managed to leave me with enough new questions that I now want to see the history between the founding and Mag's books get fleshed out by the author.

All in all, I really enjoyed every moment spent reading this book, and my only gripe is that it had to come to an end. I would've loved to see more of the Heralds' training learning just how important they will be to the success of Valdemar as a country. As well as seeing how Haven and Valdemar grow and expand as more villages and people join the rapidly expanding Valdemar. I can't recommend this book enough to fellow Mercedes Lackey fans, and for those who haven't started the series yet, I highly suggest giving it a go. It's just plain fantastic.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read several books by this author and this is my favorite so far! It was great to learn how the Valdemarans were coming along 10 years after escaping the imperial rule and mess left behind and to see how Korea’s’ family and settlement is fairing. Many exciting turns!

The third book of this trilogy is the reward that fans needed. Fans have read so. much. history of Valdemar. We’ve experienced the lives of beloved (and hated) characters, lived and died with them through battles and wars, and always there were the Companions.

And now? Now we can know the origin of the Companions and see the first Heralds. This is so cool.

To be fair, the first part of the book is a little slow and fact-filled, but for Valdemar nerds, it’s ok. This book is wonderful. Five stars.

Valdemar is the third in the trilogy of the founding of the Kingdom of Valdemar and the coming of the Companions, the spirit intelligent horse like guides for the Chosen, who are a gift of the gods in answer to King Kordas' call for their help. Mercedes Lackey gives the reader a wonderful and uplifting fantasy