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Foundation (Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles #1)
In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, a thirteen-yearÂold 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'...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
October 6th 2009
by DAW
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Let's get this out of the way: Mercedes Lackey is the comfort food of fantasy novels. I knew this even at thirteen, when the same relative that had turned me on to Anne McCaffrey's Pern suggested I pick up this similar series about magical horses. I inhaled the first two trilogies, reveling in the rags-to-riches stories about psychic steeds and their sometimes magically-homosexual riders; while I was pretty wrapped up the well-written characters (and the sex--Lackey writes sex quite well), I was...more
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I liked this book - although I read several bad reviews for it on Amazon. I want to know what happens next to Mags - and I don't care if they have fondue in Valdemar 500 years before Selenay or play "I Spy" at parties and even - GASP - call it "I Spy".
I guess I'm just a Mercedes Lackey junkie. I didn't see the same flaws that had the other reviewers calling it lazy writing - what they pointed out as goof ups or flaws were things that I just accepted as part of th...more
I guess I'm just a Mercedes Lackey junkie. I didn't see the same flaws that had the other reviewers calling it lazy writing - what they pointed out as goof ups or flaws were things that I just accepted as part of th...more
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fantasy fans
Shelves:
2008-reads
I'm a Mercedes Lackey fan from way back. I devoured her 'Magic' trilogy and haven't looked back since. This is one fantasy author I continue to buy as soon as her books hit the shelf because I know the story will pull me in and have me cheering for the hero or heroine. Her newest "Foundation" is no exception and as a bonus, it's set in Valdemar!
Mags is an orphan who ended up in the hands of a greedy cruel mine owner as a baby. His work in those mines began as soon as he w...more
Mags is an orphan who ended up in the hands of a greedy cruel mine owner as a baby. His work in those mines began as soon as he w...more
Most of Lackey's novels follow an easily seen formula-the character has an unhappy to horrible life until they are Chosen, then everything becomes sparkles and kittens while they solve problems that only their special talents can fix. 'Foundation' is, sadly, not different.
Despite this commonality, the plots are usually interesting and well thought out. This book, however, was very disappointing in that area. While character development is desirable, it was too great of a focus, and lef...more
Despite this commonality, the plots are usually interesting and well thought out. This book, however, was very disappointing in that area. While character development is desirable, it was too great of a focus, and lef...more
The Valdemar books are very much comfort reading-it was the first fantasy I every read and liked, back in high school, and I've always had a soft spot for them. The good guys are Very Very Good, the bad guys are Very Very Bad, and there are increasingly more details about life in a medieval(ish) society. overall, fun stuff, but definitely wait for the mass market.
If you're looking for moral complexity or beautiful prose, you should direct your gaze elsewhere. Mercedes Lackey writes uncomplicated characters, in simple sentences, moving through a world that is entirely black and white. If the protagonist thinks poorly of a character on page seven, by page 307 that character has been revealed as a proud, shallow, child-murdering, power-hungry weasel. Good guys are easily identified when they share their last piece of bread with a starving orphan or put them...more
How to write a Mercedes Lackey Valdemar book in Three Easy Steps:
Step One: Create a main character who is abused, socially stunted, living in abject poverty, living with religious zealots, or gay.
Step Two: Have a Companion choose them.
Step Three: Upon arrival in Haven, have them be awkward but keenly observant, picking up on a dastardly plot no one else has noticed, thereby saving the kingdom, while making friends, becoming more secure in their Gifts, and le...more
Step One: Create a main character who is abused, socially stunted, living in abject poverty, living with religious zealots, or gay.
Step Two: Have a Companion choose them.
Step Three: Upon arrival in Haven, have them be awkward but keenly observant, picking up on a dastardly plot no one else has noticed, thereby saving the kingdom, while making friends, becoming more secure in their Gifts, and le...more
I picked this book up at my favorite bookstore - which foolishly provides nice comfy chairs right next to their shelves - and read it in about three sittings. (Yeah, right there in the store. Tsk, tsk!) I'd never read anything by Lackey before, although certainly her name must be familiar to anyone who frequents the sci-fi / fantasy section. I admit what drew me to the book in the first place was the audacity of namimg it "Foundation" (a word never used in the story, as far as I ca...more
Well, it's no Magic's Pawn, but none of them ever will be again (let us not dwell on the probability that this is because I will never be twelve again) and in fact it's not a book I'm particularly ashamed of being given in hardcover. It sounds like a new series is being launched with some promising setup -- tension between the Heralds, Bards, and Healers! Herald turning on Herald! Ominous strangers from outside the borders! A certain lack of the preaching to the choir which has been driving ...more
A good start, but something that Lackey has been falling prey to lately is a lot of build-up and not paying it off in a satisfying way. I saw this in her latest Elemental book, and also The Phoenix Unchained.
An example from within the book is when Mags goes to a party, and Lackey spends almost two whole pages describing the food. Not necessary. She makes up for this (as always) with her characterization and conflict, but it is mostly unrealized. I assume she intends to finish it up trilogy-style...more
An example from within the book is when Mags goes to a party, and Lackey spends almost two whole pages describing the food. Not necessary. She makes up for this (as always) with her characterization and conflict, but it is mostly unrealized. I assume she intends to finish it up trilogy-style...more
I really enjoy Mercedes Lackey's books. They are fast-food reading. They aren't gourmet, but you go in pretty much knowing what you're going to get, and when you're in the mood for it, it's very satisfying.
In this book, set a few generations after the Last Herald Mage trilogy, Mags is an orphan (told he has 'bad blood') being 'raised' by a miner who uses orphan children to mine 'sparkies' (things like topaz). The children are malnourished and mistreated, but Mags is still a good kid....more
In this book, set a few generations after the Last Herald Mage trilogy, Mags is an orphan (told he has 'bad blood') being 'raised' by a miner who uses orphan children to mine 'sparkies' (things like topaz). The children are malnourished and mistreated, but Mags is still a good kid....more
Mags was slave working in the gem mines from his earliest memory. One day a strange man and a beautiful horse demand that he accompany them. Life changed for Mags the moment he met his Companion, Dallen. This is his story and the story about the founding of the Heraldic Collegium.
I love the world of Valdemar. I always find it comforting and homey; like warming yourself by the fire on a cold afternoon.
The one thing that bugs me about this book is how quickly Mag's character ...more
I love the world of Valdemar. I always find it comforting and homey; like warming yourself by the fire on a cold afternoon.
The one thing that bugs me about this book is how quickly Mag's character ...more
As with several of the Valdemar books that Mercedes has cranked out aside from the tales of Talia (Arrows of the Queen Trilogy), Elspeth (Mage Winds), and Vanyel (Last Herald Mage), this was just...bland. Part of this is likely due to the fact that anyone familiar with Mercedes Lackey's work would recognize her formula: mistreated, or, at the very least, under-appreciated or overlooked, child is swept up by circumstance and he/she comes of age and into his/her powers (physical, intellectual, or...more
I've read quite a few of Lackey's Valdemar series over the years, which is a reason this book gets a 2/5 score. It's not a bad novel, but it retreads the basic "young kid in wretched circumstances gets a Companion and grows up at the Collegium" tale yet again, without adding much to the equation.
The main difference in this book is that it's early in the history of Valdemar, and the whole idea of a Heraldic Collegium is brand new -- and resented by some conservative Heralds wh...more
The main difference in this book is that it's early in the history of Valdemar, and the whole idea of a Heraldic Collegium is brand new -- and resented by some conservative Heralds wh...more
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If you're already a fan of Lackey or her Valdemar books, this one will read like a dozen before it: a young person is abused and/or impoverished and escapes their desperate circumstances when they're chosen by a Companion (read, magical horse) and learns that as a result they will be trained to become one of the celebrated Heralds admired and respected throughout the realm. (Although Lackey certainly describes the desperate circumstances of "Magpie," a child miner, vividly and in a way...more
I was happy to get another Valdemar book and to have it be a book about the founding of the Herald's Collegium made it that much sweeter. The main character, Magpie, while reserved, is a good person to float through a world in the thoughts of. He made some of the simple things in life, such as a well stocked larder, that much more vivid and cherished when he discovers them for the first time. A good curl up on the couch with a blanket and cup of tea kind of book.
Jeffrey
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
lackey fans
Shelves:
fantasy,
read-in-2008
Another Valdemar novel set in the time period prior to the Seleny novels but after the Mage Pawn and Griffin series. AS in the early volumes of each trilogy, this is more abbout introducing the characters, and leaves us kind of right in the middle of the story at the end. Its engaging and Mags, the main character seems to have several mysteries that will probably be fleshed out in the later books.
Nothing amazing, but another nice little story in the Lackey universe.
Nothing amazing, but another nice little story in the Lackey universe.
Mercedes Lackey is one of the dirty little secrets that I hide under the mattress and don't tell people about. Reading her books makes me feel really good about my own writing. "If she can do it, why the heck aren't I?!" Plus, her novels are fluffy in all the right places--an easy, pleasant read between more serious works.
Foundation is the beginning of a new Valdemar series focused on the founding days of the Heraldic Collegium--Heralds being the magical peace-keepers of th...more
Foundation is the beginning of a new Valdemar series focused on the founding days of the Heraldic Collegium--Heralds being the magical peace-keepers of th...more
Like much of Lackey's recent work. I read 90% of the book learning the detail of the world and the intricacies of the main character (loving both by the way), but only after that 90% did any sort of plot emerge and that was superficial and unfinished. If you're a Lackey fan, give it a try. If you've never read Lackey, this is definitely not the place to start.
The first book of a new trilogy from the Valdemar series of books, this new 'Collegium Chronicles' series breaks new ground in the timeline of the history of Valdemar. Since it introduces a brand new period of time, prior reading of the other books in the series isn't necessary and makes a convenient introduction to Valdemar for new readers.
Overall, 'Foundation' isn't really breaking any new grounds for either fantasy or the Valdemar series in that it follows the tried and true 'rags ...more
Overall, 'Foundation' isn't really breaking any new grounds for either fantasy or the Valdemar series in that it follows the tried and true 'rags ...more
Read my first Valdemar book in the late 80s and have loved most of these books. I really liked going back to the founding of the Heralds' Collegium and beginning a new story in somewhat familiar surroundings. Another good book with interesting characters, intrigue, magic, and suspense . . . and, of course, Companions.
Basically a traditional abused orphan makes good fantasy book aimed probably for the 10-14 year old crowed or so as long as kids on younger end understand life isn't all that pleasant for everyone. That being said, it was a fun and relaxing evening read for me but then again, I sometimes like picture books.
I hope that this is the start of a trilogy, or at least a duology, and not a standalone book in the Valdemar series because the whole book feels very much like a build up to something bigger. It reads ninety percent character development and setting and a very teeny weeny bit of action at the end. Also, it leaves quite a few issues unresolved. (Ok, since posting this I've learned this book is the start of the Chronicles series so perhaps this book is more kindly viewed as a set up to "Intri...more
When I say this is Harry Potter meets Marion Zimmer Bradley, it may sound as if I'm in some way parodying, but I mean it in the best possible sense. In Foundation, Mercedes Lackey creates a cast of young, believable characters, the leader of whom is Mags, who use their talents, including the fact that they are not taken seriously because they are children, to protect the realm of Valdemar.
Great tale, compelling, fun, quick read. I'm not exploring the Harry Potter connection or the ...more
Great tale, compelling, fun, quick read. I'm not exploring the Harry Potter connection or the ...more
I say this as a Mercedes Lackey fan- this one not one of her best works. The story meandered, Mags acquired abilities with too little difficulty, and most people seemed to like him. The elements I considered more important were glossed over, but since I've recently re-read Arrows of the Queen (and read Oathbound over the summer), I think that's her way, to write a nearly plotless first book and then compensate later on.
I hope that's her way. This book read like a fanfiction rather than an origin...more
I hope that's her way. This book read like a fanfiction rather than an origin...more
What you get when you read Mercedes Lackey's work is a solid and fun read. The character Mags is an interesting if some what predictable character and the story in the book is progressing fairly nicely. My only minor complaint in this book is after I read it I thought to myself "I've read this story before. It seems like these are two other stories restitched into a new story". That thought is more a personal thought and speaks more as me as a reader then the author.
Over all go ah...more
Over all go ah...more
Another Valdemar book. This will actually be the first time that I've read the first book in one of the Valdemar trilogies before all three books were available and I'm afraid I regret that decision. It had been a long time since I'd read one of Mercedes Lackey's books and I was in the mood for it, but now I'm done, the story is 1/3 told, and by the time the rest is available I'll probably forget the relevant details from this book. Ah well, such is life.
If you like Mercedes Lackey, ...more
If you like Mercedes Lackey, ...more
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 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 title...more
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 title...more
First in the Foundation of the Herald's Collegium series within the main Valdemar series. This story provides the background on the change in how Heralds are trained. Previously, each Herald took on a trainee or three and mentored them individually. This worked well until there were so many Chosen being brought to Haven that each Herald was attempting to mentor six or more trainees.
The King has now declared that a separate building will be erected specifically to house all the trainees...more
The King has now declared that a separate building will be erected specifically to house all the trainees...more
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Mercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & ...more
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