
Closer to Home
Valdemar: The Herald Spy, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Nick Podehl
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By:
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Mercedes Lackey
About this listen
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. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. His daughter, Amily, is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?
©2014 Mercedes Lackey (P)2014 Audible Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry's dream is to follow in his father's footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion.
-
-
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-
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-
-
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By: Mercedes Lackey
-
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- Valdemar: Family Spies, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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-
Overall
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Performance
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Story
In this new series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, Heralds Mags and Amily must continue to protect the realm of Valdemar while raising their children and preparing them to follow in their footsteps.
Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry's dream is to follow in his father's footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion.
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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.
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-
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- Valdemar: The Last Herald Mage, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Gregory St. John
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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!
-
-
It's not him, it's me
- By J.A. on 11-21-14
By: Mercedes Lackey
-
Winds of Fate
- Valdemar: The Mage Winds, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Karen White
- Length: 18 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
High Magic has been lost to Valdemar centuries ago when the last Herald-Mage gave his life to save the kingdom from destruction by dark sorceries. Yet now the realm is at risk again. And Elspeth, Herald and heir to the throne, must take up the challenge, abandoning her home to find a mentor who can awaken her untrained mage abilities. But others, too, are being caught up in a war against sorcerous evil.
-
-
Very disappointing; could have been so much better
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By: Mercedes Lackey
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Arrows of the Queen
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Overall
-
Performance
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-
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- Valdemar: The Mage Storms, Book 1
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Overall
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Performance
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Great story! Slow narration.
- By ArtisticFool on 02-16-13
By: Mercedes Lackey
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The Oathbound
- Vows and Honor Series, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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She was Tarma. Born to the Clan of the Hawk of the nomadic Shin'a'in people, she saw her entire clan slain by brigands. Vowing revenge upon the murderers, she became one of the sword-sworn, the most elite of all warriors. She was Kethry. Born to a noble house, sold into a hateful "marriage", she fled life's harshness for the sanctuary of the White Winds, a powerful school of sorcery. United by sword-spell and the will of the goddess, Tarma and Kethry swore a blood oath to carry on their mutual fight against evil. Together, sword master and sorceress set forth to fulfill their destiny.
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Collection of Short Stories
- By E. L. Sapp on 07-27-19
By: Mercedes Lackey
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Gryphon in Light
- Kelvren's Saga, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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On the border between Valdemar and the deadly Pelagirs Forest, the gryphon hero Kelvren returns from a near-fatal self-sacrifice that won him the approval of Valdemar's ground troops, but caused a diplomatic crisis. Frustrated by his lack of a hero's welcome, Kelvren is talked into helping with an expedition by his old friend, Firesong. Firesong struggles with his own age and mortality, and he intends to solve a vast mystery at the center of legendary Lake Evendim as his crowning achievement.
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It’s as if the author hadn’t read the previous books
- By ChocolateChipCookie330 on 11-22-23
By: Mercedes Lackey, and others
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The Black Gryphon
- Mage Wars Series, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon
- Narrated by: Gary Furlong
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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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.
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Love the book
- By Lois McDonald on 11-03-18
By: Mercedes Lackey, and others
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Owlflight
- Owl Mage Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon
- Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Apprenticed to a venerable wizard when his hunter and trapper parents disappear into the forest never to be seen again, Darian is difficult and strong willed - much to the dismay of his kindly master. But a sudden twist of fate will change his life forever when the ransacking of his village forces him to flee into the great mystical forest. It is here in the dark forest that he meets his destiny, as the terrifying and mysterious Hawkpeople lead him on the path to maturity.
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Good story, ok narrator
- By Erin on 08-20-17
By: Mercedes Lackey, and others
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Brightly Burning
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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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.
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Terrible Narrator
- By Gypsydogs on 02-13-20
By: Mercedes Lackey
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The Fire Rose
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Kate Black-Regan
- Length: 13 hrs
- Unabridged
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Accepting employment as a governess after hard times hit her family, medieval scholar Rosalind Hawkins is surprised when she learns that her mysterious employer has no children and only wants her to read to him through a speaking tube.
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Great story, poorly presented
- By Che on 02-26-10
By: Mercedes Lackey
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Firebird
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Curt Bonnem
- Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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In Mercedes Lackey's Firebird, Ilya, son of a Russian prince, is largely ignored by his father and tormented by his larger, older brothers. His only friends are three old people: a priest, a magician, and a woman who toils in the palace dairy. From them Ilya learns faith, a smattering of magic, and the power of love - all of which he will need desperately, for his life is about to be turned upside down.
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great story!
- By Catherine on 06-10-20
By: Mercedes Lackey
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Briarheart
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Polly Lee
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Miriam may be the daughter of Queen Alethia of Tirendell, but she's not a princess. She's the child of Alethia and her previous husband, the King's Champion, who died fighting for the king, and she has no ambitions to rule. When her new baby sister, Aurora, heir to the throne, is born, she's ecstatic. She adores the baby, who seems perfect in every way. But on the day of Aurora's christening, an uninvited Dark Fae arrives, prepared to curse her, and Miriam discovers she possesses impossible power.
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Huge Lackey fan, this did not satisfy
- By GratefulHeartist on 12-18-21
By: Mercedes Lackey
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Crown of Vengeance
- The Dragon Prophecy, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd, Christopher Lane
- Length: 23 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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She does not have a thousand lifetimes. She has just one - and time is running out. For the prophecy spoke not just of her, but of a great Darkness that would destroy the elven kingdoms. A Darkness that is coming ever closer. She is Vieliessar Farcarinon and she must save her people. Even if she must shatter custom and destroy the world she was born to rule.
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Give it time...
- By R.F. on 10-15-16
By: Mercedes Lackey, and others
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The Lark and the Wren
- Bardic Voices, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Christa Lewis
- Length: 18 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Young, brash, and impulsive, Rune backs up a brag by ascending Skull Hill to play fiddle for the malevolent spirit that resides there, striking a bargain with the ghost to surrender her soul if he tires of her playing before sunrise.
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Narrator
- By Jena on 07-11-22
By: Mercedes Lackey
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The Outstretched Shadow
- The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training---all men, for women were unfit to practice magic---memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.
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Long, but enjoyable
- By AvidReader91 on 07-13-15
By: Mercedes Lackey, and others
What listeners say about Closer to Home
Highly rated for:
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- Adrian Matthews
- 11-04-20
only one thing wrong.
Rolan is described as having a deep sonorous mind voice. Not the catty nasal voice used.
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- niaskywalk
- 02-02-19
A lot of repetition
Nick Podehl hid the repetition very well, but it was there. Loving Nick's portrayal of Mags, but kind of wished some of his pronunciations were better.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Brittany
- 10-20-17
Dropped into the middle of a bigger series?
This was my first Mercedes Lackey book and I had high expectations because of so many reviews! CLOSER TO HOME was actually nothing like I expected. It was lighter than I thought it would be and I actually was really surprised with the plot... And that there wasn't one...?
I really didn't know what the point of this book was, to be perfectly honest. It wasn't until halfway through that the focus really started to shift to Brand and Violetta, but Mags and Amily are the main characters so it was confusing for a while what was really happening. I really did love Mags and Amily -- Mags even more so -- so it was kind of disappointing that they were more helpers of the plot and that the book wasn't even really about them.
I have been told that this book starts a new series BUT it is also part of a kind of series of series about the world of Valdemar... But while a series of series is fine, it really did feel like it picked up in the middle of story instead starting its own series. There was a mention of how Amily and Mags ended up coming back home but it was never elaborated on and so it felt really unfinished. There was so much more to discover as far as world-building, especially on the magical abilities, but I suppose that could be something I'm missing from a previous series of series.
I most just felt like I didn't know what the plot of this book was. Even though things happened, it just didn't seem like a large conflict and then at the end, all of a sudden it was this huge deal. It was a weirdly constructed book and I just didn't quite connect with it, which was a shame because I really did like the characters and the world! As much as I'd like to spend more time with them, I don't know what the rest of the series would be life and if it would be worth continuing.
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- Meg's Mom
- 12-03-17
Well written
although this book was well written it was indeed not my favorite of all the herald mags series. I believe it has more to do with the storyline and the content then they writing.
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- Cara
- 08-30-15
Romeo and Juliet meets Valdemar
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I put off reading this since I wasn't too impressed with all the flashbacks in the collegium chronicles / Mags' stories, but Lackey really aced it with this book. a slightly more realistic Romeo and Juliet meets Valdemar.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Closer to Home?
The prince tossing Amily onto Roland's back
Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I really enjoy Nick Podehl's work. he's very talented.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Romeo and Juliet meets Valdemar
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Overall
- Linda Osgood
- 01-28-18
Fun and Fantastic
I loved the tale, as all the Herald and Haven stories. I have followed Mercedes Lackey for many years and this story did not disappoint. Very exciting and I love the strong female leads.😃
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- Judy Draper
- 10-07-21
Closer to Home
This series is very enjoyable. Nick Podehl narrates the story just as I heard it in my head when I read it years ago. My favorite parts are the character interactions as they build on their herald training and grow with each experience. The action parts are just the right length and the romance sweetens the story as well. Read the series in order as it greatly adds to your insight to the characters. Thank you Mercedes Lackey for another fine experience.
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- Bethany Davies
- 11-05-22
Nick Podehl is an excellent narrator,
I wish the rest of her books were done by him. His range and inflection is well done.
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- Dennis
- 11-01-14
Romeo and Juliet - NOT
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
yes, I allways enjoyed Mercedes Lackey but this was the first time it pleasantly surprised
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
Most interesting - Mags and Emily
Least - Brand and Viola (sp?)
Which scene was your favorite?
the ending pursuit
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Romeo & Juliet = NOT
Any additional comments?
no
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- Nina Bigoloni
- 01-29-19
Loved it!
Nick did an excellent job. His reading made me enjoy this so much more, and a tale of love in the court was a very pleasant after the collegium series. I hope Violetta will appear in the next books!
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