Collegium Chronicles, Vol. 1 - Foundation (Valdemar, #1) (Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, #1)

by Mercedes Lackey

In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, a thirteen-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 centre of a legend in the making, Magpie discovers talents he never knew he had, and witnesses the founding of the great Heralds' Collegium.

• ISBN13: 9781781165850
• Publish Date: 26 October 2012 (first published 7 October 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Titan Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kim Deister]

Foundation One of my favorite parts of the Valdemar epic saga are the Collegium so I love that there is now an entire series based on them! Foundation is the first in a (so far) five book series set in the Collegium. While Mags is the center of the series from the Herald Collegium, the Bardic and Healer Collegiums are also at play through Mags' two best friends.
 
Mags has spent his childhood as little more than a slave, a paid worker in name only. He has been neglected and abused his entire life and seen those around him treated the same way. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that he had a natural knack for finding the "sparklies," life would have been even worse for him. But no matter how bad it has been for him, he has still remained kind and loyal, often sacrificing what little he has for others. And then one day, his entire life changes when a white clad Herald and a seemingly crazed horse come charging into the mine to claim him. At first, he is terrified, completely uinaware of what is happening to him. He doesn't realize that this will prove to be the best thing to ever happen to him.
 
I love Mags,one of my all-time favorite characters in the Valdemar series. He is uneducated, but far from unintelligent. When he is finally exposed to knowledge, he soaks it up like a sponge, ever aware of how little he knows about the world around him. He has lived a life of mere survival, never experiencing anything other than mistreatment at the hands of the mine's owner.
 
This is one of my favorites, full of mystery and intrigue and emotional characters!
 
NOTE: The books in this saga were not published in chronlogical order, but it is on her website here, about 3/4 of the way down the page.
 
My Recommendation
 
Admittedly, I am a Mercedes Lackey junkie, but this is one of my all time favorite series within the entire saga.
 
FTC Disclosure: Regardless of how I received this book, this is an honest review based on my own opinions.