Changes: Collegium Chronicles, Book 3

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mags was a Trainee in the Heraldic Collegium in Haven, Valdemar’s capital city. Though his background of poverty and abuse at Cole Pieters’ gem mine set him apart from most other trainees, nonetheless he had found his own group of friends. Bear, Lena, and Amily were all students whose situations in life set them apart from more usual Trainees. The four of them had found mutual support in their shared misfortunes, and together struggled to help one another find solutions to their individual problems.

But Mags’ friendship with Amily brought him to the attention of the King’s Own. The seemingly immortal Companion Rolan had Chosen Nikolas to suit the specific needs of the current monarch, and those needs were for an agent who could collect information surreptitiously. Nikolas recognized the same traits in Mags that Rolan had recognized in him, and because of Mags’ friendship with Amily, no one would think twice about seeing her overprotective father spending time with Amily’s “suitor”. So Mags began training as Nikolas’ partner.

They worked in disguise at night with Mags as Nikolas’ deaf and mute helper, where his extensive knowledge of gems - especially his skill at separating the real from the fake - would be an added benefit. Hiding in the shadows behind the desk, pretending to neither hear nor speak, Mags could better “observe” the clients, and even the surrounding neighborhood. And Nikolas could send him out on “errands” to chase down leads.

But this new job was far more dangerous than Mags had ever considered. For there were mysterious agents in the city - agents who sought to bring down the kingdom, and no one knew where they came from or who they worked for. They were smart, talented, and preternaturally fast. And most of all they were willing to do anything - anything - to bring Valdemar to ruin.

Enchanted? Spend some more time in Valdemar.

©2011 Mercedes Lackey (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

White Horse Guardians and Heralds

I am a great fan of the Collegium world having read everything available on Audible and beyond so the following comes from a fans point of view.

Brilliant!

Starting with Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 1 and continuing through Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 2, this book completes a segment that covers a period in the World of Valdemar. The whole series spans several ages of Valdemar beginning with this series of 3 books. Along the way the Collegium grows to 1000's of Heralds, the war with Karsits, the Mage heralds and the appearance of the Sons Cats. All the books are in the same environment but there are many vastly different main characters. And it is not really necessary to read them in any order, although it is best to start here.

If you are like me, once you read this, you will want all the other books. But be warned, they are not all available as Audio Recordings.

Kerball craz and ploting.

Would you consider the audio edition of Changes: Collegium Chronicles, Book 3 to be better than the print version?

yes, I have always liked to listen to books, I've always thought of it much same way as listening to things on the radio as our grandparents did. Leaving us free to be less worried about the words and able to give more attention to the details of the story

Who was your favorite character and why?

it's hard to pick just one. so my top four are; Mags Nicholas kaylin and Keral (the king)

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

I think he has the right style and tone for this story line. He is good at his craft.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

expect the unexpected

i loved this version of Changes after i listened to the book it is very hard to go back and read it. i felt like i truly got to know the characters in this book more then i had ever when i was just reading it. a great read that will leave you wanting more.

pretty good

Changes which is the last book in the Colegium Chronicles Trilogy, was a good read. Lackey definitely brought that special Valdemar touch into this story as well, although it is not as good as some of her previous Valdemar works such as the Last Herald mage or Mage Storms trilogies. The author stil leaves a few unanswered questions at the conclusion of this trilogy, but the plot line is good, and we begin to watch Mags complete the transformation from Mine slave orphan to Heraldic trainee and a future herald of Valdemar. Nick podehl does a truly excellent job as the narrator. His portrayal of the characters, and the ease with which he manages the various idioms of language, makes the book all the more entertaining. If you're a Valdemar fan, you should certainly get this. It is well wirth the credit.

Great Story

This story was very enjoyable.

The ending was fantastic!

The narrator is wonderful, switches voices up between the characters with such ease

Excellent escape novel.

I enjoyed the book. It is a great light read. It is not a complex story, but it is a good escape from reality.

Wonderful

This is a story that can be read over and over again, and it never gets old.

Mag's

Mercedes is always great in Valdemar!
So mote it be from here after into time eternal. Love. Light. Laughter. Grace.

Great Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Changes: Collegium Chronicles, Book 3 to be better than the print version?

Yes, enjoyed listening to it. Couldn't "put it down"

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

Yes, He does a wonderful job.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not sure, but The Valdemar Series would be great for the movies

Love it

What made the experience of listening to Changes the most enjoyable?

Nick podehl know what he's doing.

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

He's good. He has fantastic accents and knows how to make you tell the emotions of the characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

absolutely

Any additional comments?

Must have for any fans of Valdemar

Disappointing

The story came to a disapointing ending and did not flow nicely.

Too much teenage stupidity. Not enough original Valdemar feeling. And I know all the books, this trilogy is a little better than the owl one, but still very bad.