Bastion by Mercedes Lackey

 

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey - 342 pages

Collegium Chronicles #5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mags returns to the Collegium, but there are mixed feelings--his included--about him actually remaining there. No one doubts that he is and should be a Herald, but he is afraid that his mere presence is going to incite more danger right in the heart of Valdemar. The heads of the Collegia are afraid that coming back to his known haunt is going to give him less protection than if he went into hiding. Everyone decides that going elsewhere is the solution for now. So since he is going elsewhere--why not return to the place he was found in the first place and look for clues? And those who are closest to him, and might provide secondary targets, are going along. With Herald Jakyr, Bard Lita, and his friends Bear, Lena, and Amily, they head for the Bastion, the hidden spot in the hills that had once been the headquarters of a powerful band of raiders that had held him and his parents prisoner. But what they find is not what anyone expected.

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey

 

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey - 330 pages

Collegium Chronicles #4

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Mags, a young Herald trainee in Haven, the capital city of the kingdom of Valdemar, has talents not commonly found in Herald trainees. Recognizing this, the King's Own Herald decides to train Mags as a spy in order to uncover the secrets of a mysterious new enemy who has taken an interest in Mags himself. Why is the even deeper mystery. The answers can only be found in the most unexpected corners of Mags' past...assuming he can live long enough to find them.

Changes by Mercedes Lackey

 

Changes by Mercedes Lackey - 326 pages

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Enter the thrilling third volume in the epic Collegium Chronicles. In Mercedes Lackey's classic coming-of-age story, the orphan Magpie pursues his quest for his parent's identity with burning urgency-while also discovering another hidden talent and being trained by the King's Own Herald as an undercover agent for Valdemar. Shy Bardic Trainee Lena has to face her famous but uncaring father, one of Valdemar's most renowned Bards. And Healing Trainee Bear must struggle against his disapproving parents, who are pressuring Bear to quit the Healers' Collegium because he lacks the magical Healing Gift.

Each of the three friends must face his or her demons and find their true strength as they seek to become the full Heralds, Bards, and Healers of Valdemar.

The Collegium Chronices by Mercedes Lackey

Foundation by Mercedes Lackey - 340 pages
Intrigues by Mercedes Lackey - 328 pages
Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey - 330 pages

The Collegium Chronicles

This is one of my favorite series.  I try to re-read it every few years.  It tells the story of Mags and his times training to become a Herald of Valdemar.  He also trains in espionage to protect his country and friends.

Changes by Mercedes Lackey

Changes by Mercedes Lackey - 236 pages
The Collegium Chronicles #3

Mags is facing new problems as a trainee at Heralds Collegium including a heat wave, arguments with friends, stopping the kidnapping of his girlfriend Amily, spying in the city, and facing off against two more enemy agents bent on either kidnapping or killing him.

This was a great audio version of the book.  I love this series and would love to find more of the books on audio to listen to.

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey  342 pages

Mags returns to the Collegium, but there are mixed feelings--his included--about him actually remaining there. No one doubts that he is and should be a Herald, but he is afraid that his mere presence is going to incite more danger right in the heart of Valdemar. The heads of the Collegia are afraid that coming back to his known haunt is going to give him less protection than if he went into hiding. Everyone decides that going elsewhere is the solution for now. So since he is going elsewhere--why not return to the place he was found in the first place and look for clues? And those who are closest to him, and might provide secondary targets, are going along. With Herald Jadrek, Herald Kylan (the Weaponsmaster's chosen successor), and his friends Bear, Lena, and Amily, they head for the Bastion, the hidden spot in the hills that had once been the headquarters of a powerful band of raiders that had held him and his parents prisoner. But what they find is not what anyone expected.

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey

Redoubt by Mercedes Lackey  330 pages

Mags, a young Herald trainee in Haven, the capital city of Valdemar, has very rare talents. Recognising this, the King's Own Herald trains Mags as a spy, tasking him with uncovering the secrets of a mysterious new enemy who has taken an interest in Mags himself. Why is an even deeper mystery. The answers can only be found in the depths of Mags' past, if he survives long enough to find them.

Changes by Mercedes Lackey

Changes by Mercedes Lackey  326 pages

The orphan Magpie pursues his quest for his parent's identity with burning urgency-while also discovering another hidden talent and being trained by the King's Own Herald as an undercover agent for Valdemar. Shy Bardic Trainee Lena has to face her famous but uncaring father, one of Valdemar's most renowned Bards. And Healing Trainee Bear must struggle against his disapproving parents, who are pressuring Bear to quit the Healers' Collegium because he lacks the magical Healing Gift.

Each of the three friends must face his or her demons and find their true strength as they seek to become the full Heralds, Bards, and Healers of Valdemar.