Beyond cover art

Beyond

Founding of Valdemar Series, Book 1

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Beyond

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
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Love your stories so interesting gets me every time looking forward to the next book in the series

Beyond time

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The narrators voice was expressive and well pitched. The story was engaging with interesting character development

Narrator

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Yet another back story to fill in the numerous unexplained holes of Valdemars background.
Obviously still reading this series and it's offshoots. Please keep up the good works despite jealous bookbinders.

Beyond is another comfortable Valdemar read

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A beautiful written and spoken introduction to the prequel series of the Valedemar books I have known and loved for so long!

Captivating

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