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Beyond

Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1

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Beyond

Written by: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated by: Paul Woodson
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About this listen

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 Action & Adventure Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic Magic Users Wizardry

Continue the series
Into the West cover art
Into the West Written by: Mercedes Lackey
Valdemar cover art
Valdemar Written by: Mercedes Lackey
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I am now heading to the second to continue the story!!! Very exciting, I hope this continues to the heralds and companion.

Great book

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Loved it, now I can invision how Valdemar started. Valdemar is one of my favourite series.

Fantastic read

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I was so happy to find this book of Valdemar. It’s great to know how it all began. The story is amazing. Action packed, fun and some romance. I can’t wait to read the next book. Valdemar is one of my all time favourite series. I have read/listened to it at least a million times over the years, and it never gets boring. I started it in book format, then in e-books and now in audio.
Mercedes Lackey Is one of my all time favourite authors.

Loved it!!!!!

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This is a satisfying story that goes into unexpected detail about the birthing of a foal and the use of magic portals. The characters could use more depth but are vividly painted and interesting to follow. Looking forward to more.

Entertaining, modern fantasy storytelling

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performance is a little dry but story isn't absolutely wonderful.
so happy to learn the beginning of Vladimir

Mercedes Lackey does it again

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