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The Black Gryphon
- Mage Wars Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Gary Furlong
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
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The Black Gryphon
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-
Foundation
- Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 29
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 29
In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey's best-selling world, a 13 year-old 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.
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5 out of 5 stars
-
I love the world of valdemar
- By A Net In Time on 2022-06-06
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Magic's Pawn
- Valdemar: The Last Herald Mage, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Gregory St. John
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
In Magic's Pawn, an ancient age in the history of Valdemar comes to life - an age when the kingdom was ravaged by the ungoverned fury of bandit warlords, ferocious ice dragons, and the wild magic of wizards. A new addition to Lackey's Valdemar kingdom - and her most powerful series to date!
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A decent listen but really lacked something
- By Zuzy Rocka on 2023-05-08
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Beyond
- Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 27
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.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great book
- By C on 2023-06-20
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Closer to Home
- Valdemar: The Herald Spy, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 18
Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift.
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Brightly Burning
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 12
Lavan Chitward is a very unhappy young man; pulled away from his country home by his parents' ambitions and resettled in the big city of Haven, he is desperately lonely, bullied and beaten at school, ignored by his parents. It is not surprising that he falls ill - but his illness is the first manifestation of a terrible power, the Gift of the Firestorm, a power which can and does kill. If controlled, the Gift of the Firestorm can save Valdemar, but if it is uncontrolled, it will destroy the country - and him.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great story well narrated
- By KarineS on 2023-06-02
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Arrows of the Queen
- Heralds of Valdemar Series, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 43
Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen's own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense. But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason that could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good narrator
- By Shari Bell on 2023-11-22
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Foundation
- Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 29
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 29
In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey's best-selling world, a 13 year-old 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.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I love the world of valdemar
- By A Net In Time on 2022-06-06
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Magic's Pawn
- Valdemar: The Last Herald Mage, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Gregory St. John
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
In Magic's Pawn, an ancient age in the history of Valdemar comes to life - an age when the kingdom was ravaged by the ungoverned fury of bandit warlords, ferocious ice dragons, and the wild magic of wizards. A new addition to Lackey's Valdemar kingdom - and her most powerful series to date!
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A decent listen but really lacked something
- By Zuzy Rocka on 2023-05-08
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Beyond
- Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 27
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.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great book
- By C on 2023-06-20
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Closer to Home
- Valdemar: The Herald Spy, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 18
Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift.
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Brightly Burning
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 12
Lavan Chitward is a very unhappy young man; pulled away from his country home by his parents' ambitions and resettled in the big city of Haven, he is desperately lonely, bullied and beaten at school, ignored by his parents. It is not surprising that he falls ill - but his illness is the first manifestation of a terrible power, the Gift of the Firestorm, a power which can and does kill. If controlled, the Gift of the Firestorm can save Valdemar, but if it is uncontrolled, it will destroy the country - and him.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great story well narrated
- By KarineS on 2023-06-02
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
-
Arrows of the Queen
- Heralds of Valdemar Series, Book 1
- Written by: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 43
Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen's own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense. But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason that could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good narrator
- By Shari Bell on 2023-11-22
Written by: Mercedes Lackey
Publisher's Summary
It is an age when Valdemar is yet unfounded, its organization of Heralds yet unformed, and magic is still a wild and uncontrolled force.
Skandranon Rashkae is perhaps the finest specimen of his race, with gleaming ebony feathers, a majestic wingspan, keen magesight, and sharp intelligence. Courageous, bold, and crafty, Skan is everything a gryphon should be. He is the fulfillment of everything that the Mage of Silence, the human sorcerer called Urtho, intended to achieve when he created these magical beings to be his champions, the defenders of his realm - a verdant plain long coveted by the evil mage Maar.
Now Maar is once again advancing on Urtho's Keep, this time with a huge force spearheaded by magical constructs of his own - cruel birds of prey ready to perform any evil their creator may demand of them. And when one of Urtho's Seers wakes from a horrifying vision in which she sees a devastating magical weapon being placed in the hands of Maar's common soldiers, Skandrannon is sent to spy across enemy lines, cloaked in the protective of Urtho's powerful Spell of Silence.
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What listeners say about The Black Gryphon
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- KarineS
- 2023-04-30
Backstory - and Griffons!
I enjoyed the "history" of the mage wars detailed in previous books. The narrator really sold it, though. So much packed into the book...wonder what is coming next.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Donovan Sullivan
- 2022-01-19
Review
Pacing won't be for everyone (some would say 'slow' because there isn't a ton of action), but it's purposefully so and well made. Still a page turner for me because of the characters, and the kind of story being told (character relationship focus along with other things threaded through) was interesting, lovely, and felt refreshing and original to me.
And the narrator's voice and personality fit really well with a lot of the characters. He gets into it in a way that felt immersive, which made for a fun listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2021-01-19
Love it!
Love the story. Though I found some of the pronunciation jarring. Still, well worth a listen for any fan.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Lois McDonald
- 2018-11-03
Love the book
I love this book but held my breath as it started because I don't like every narrator. I laughed out loud as I listened to the first sentence. He is great! Every character name pronounced exactly as I has imagined it, every exciting and nuanced passage came across splendidly. I listened to the whole thing in two days and may start it again tomorrow.
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26 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Momma Kay
- 2018-10-20
Wonderfully written, beautifully performed.
I have always loved this book, and was extremely excited to see it had finely gotten an audio book. Gary Furlong has done an outstanding job in bringing the characters to life. Amberdrake, and all of his wisdom, brought chills to my spine once again. Everyone needs to hear, or read, this book, and marvel at the truth, beauty, and sadness of war, love and hate, and ultimately hope that Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon so masterfully brought forth for us. We see from not just both sexes, but different jobs, as well as different species, the affect war has on our bodies, minds and souls. And indeed, there is always hope, and a moment of silence.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brittany
- 2019-01-19
Love this book
I absolutely love Mercedes Lacky’s books and valdemar story line. It has become such a wonderful thing for me to hear the stories come to life. Only problem I have is I want to hear The White Gryphon and The Silver Gryphon. Sad to see that Audible hasn’t even listed this book as part of the Mage War series. Yet this is the series that starts all of the other valdemaren series.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Gary Bishop
- 2020-01-26
Dull, unimaginative, too many info dumps.
Narrator was good. No complaints. The story itself is ungodly boring. Each paragraph is an infodump. More tell than show in this story than I'm used to by a long shot. Obviously written by furries.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. Johns
- 2018-12-01
One of my favorite books!
I love this book to pieces and I was so excited to find it on audible. I hope they hurry up and finish the other 2 books!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SylphSong
- 2018-10-22
Excellent,as always!
I've always loved this series! I hope the next two books in the series are released quickly.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 2020-10-16
couldn't finish it
The narrator did not speak clearly. Or with any emotion. I felt like I needed Closed Captioning. Wait! Just read the print book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Garrett Frey
- 2023-09-25
High quality high fantasy!
Great story, well told. The way every story thread is woven together is what makes this a masterpiece. Looking forward to the White Gryphon next!!!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Douglas Sundseth
- 2023-07-11
The Beginning of the Valdemar Series
The Mage Wars series tells the story of how the world of Valdemar was formed. It has the inevitable faults of a prequel, but significantly mitigated by being set in a time outside the living memory of the characters in the main stories of the world.
Solid characterization, though a bit marred by all the non-humans having only limited character flaws and nearly all the villains being humans. Good character growth of the main characters. Solid plot even within the constraints of the prequel format.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chamberlin
- 2023-05-05
Love the series
The book is great and if you can follow along for some other more slow areas you will love it sometimes the speaker says words that we’ve seen in the books that are pronounced differently but it’s still really good book and a Greatly appreciate the fact that he took the time to read it for me cause I’m too busy to sit down with a book cause I got kiddos and I never have time to do any of that now
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