• Bastion

  • Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 5
  • By: Mercedes Lackey
  • Narrated by: Nick Podehl
  • Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (994 ratings)

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Bastion  By  cover art

Bastion

By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Mercedes Lackey (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Bastion

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Emo Mags finally grows a backbone.

I adore the Valdemar world and most of Mercedes Lackey's books in general which is one of the only reasons I stuck with this series. The other is Nick Podehl, his narration made the characters live. In fact it may have been his voice as much as the authors words that made me want to shove a steel rod down the main characters spine. Every time Mags's inner voice would escalate emotionally out of control I would cringe. Not many narrators can do that to me.
This 5th book finally answers many questions and is the best one since the 1st book. It is obvious there will be more in the series but it could end here. This series has been the weakest of all Mercedes Valdemar stories for me. Maybe now that is has taken Mags 5 books to stop his emo whine the series will improve.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It could have been better

It was a nice end to a too long tale. Everything is nearly wrapped up .,... Mostly. I wish this series had been more condensed for a richer flavor.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disapointing ending.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I was disappointed with this book. It didn't hold up. The main characters & story line go along at a good clip. Then suddenly comes an old stand by with a mysterious family member showing up out of the blue to help save the day. There are no hints to this person showing up. The main character's ability to sense mental energy is touted from book 1. That this mysterious person shows up, is a 'family' member with a totally simplistic view of life and goals is annoying. I got the feeling as in book 3 of this series the author is trying to fill pages, not write a novel. The ending of this book would have fit book 3 better. Do away with Book 3's ending and the remainder of book 4 or make them a series of short stories.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I listen to a variety of things, sci fi, horror, mystery, urban fantasy and so on. There is no way to predict what I will listen too next.

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He characterises the main character well from book 1. I enjoyed his reading. His reading helped bring out things about the main character that I wouldn't thought about with reading alone.

Was Bastion worth the listening time?

The book was good until the halfway point. There it started to struggle to stay together. The last 1/3 of the book was a big disappointment. Nick Podehl's reading of the book is what kept me listening till the ending.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Ditto for the review of book 4 - needs feeling

Would you try another book from Mercedes Lackey and/or Nick Podehl?

I might think about another book from this duo. Her first 3 books of the series were enjoyable! Nick did a great job bringing the characters to life.

What could Mercedes Lackey have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not given up on this series after book 3. If feels like her heart just wasn't in the last 2 books of this series, like she had already moved on and just wanted to get this over with. I wouldn't be surprised if she had hired a ghost writer to finish with the instruction: "Just get it done, whatever. I don't care."

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't yet. I would consider it though, as he did great with this series.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

It was extremely disappointing!!! Even more so than book 4.

Any additional comments?

I just can't believe that Lackey gave up on this series so easily. It was so terrible in the end that I won't even consider letting my kids start this series. They only have so much time and I don't want them wasting it on these books.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Better than the last few!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jadrek, lot more back story and depth to this character in this installment.

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't say much without giving away the twist but there was a LOT more information revealed in this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

I look forward to the new Valdemar book in December 2023. I’ve read all the Valdemar books and others that Lachey has written.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • RB
  • 01-12-23

Enjoyable

Very nice. But a bit too much detail in places, sort of old fashioned in that way I think. But totally worth it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

I loved learning more of mag’s history. The ending was clever, but I don’t want to give it away to anyone!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More Mags!

Mags is ready for his further training, but the collegium has something different in mind to finalize his time in grays. A fun, insightful read into the collegium, the Valdemar people, Mags, and his blood relations. Great narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great

there was a sec towards the end where the quality changed. I think the story must of gotten changed or a line redone. good though it just kind of ended

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