Redoubt

Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 4

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2012 Mercedes Lackey (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great story, wonderful author

Where does Redoubt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

That's a tough one. I love the Valdemar series! All of them.

What other book might you compare Redoubt to and why?

Can't think of one actually other than other Valdemar books.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

Mags, of course! He made Mags into a real person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Mags was chosen! That was awesome.

Any additional comments?

I wish all of the Valdemar books were available on audible. I would buy everyone!

Fantastic story, excellant narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Redoubt to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I loved listening to the audio book.

What other book might you compare Redoubt to and why?

Tamora Pierce's Circle series as well as the Tortall books because they both feature characters that grow from often humble origins to achieve their destinies. I also hope Nick get hired to narrate the Owl series of books by Mercedes Lackey.

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

I didn't think I had but when I checked my library, I realized that I did have another book that he narrated. He did a great job on the other book but I really enjoyed his narration of this series. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series that won't be released until November (I think). I really hope they get Nick to narrate Owlflight, Owlsight and Owlknight from Mercedes Lackey. They are some of my favorite books that she has written and I can't think of a better narrator for the series.

I had no idea how popular Nick was and how many books he has narrated. I will definitely check out some of the other books strictly on basis of his narration of this series.

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

A story of a boy taken literally from rags to . . . Herald?

Any additional comments?

I started listening to the first of the Collegium Chronicles books and was brought back into the wonderful world of Valdemar. I normally listen to books as I drive to work or when running errands. This time I couldn't stop listening and had to continue in my house. I think I listened to all four books in about a week.

Great story!

Would you listen to Redoubt again? Why?

Of course! I love the whole series so far. Just a bit of mind candy to entertain you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mags of course! He is a strong, well developed character and has a way of expressing himself that I find to be compelling.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

I love his voices and accents. He reads at a steady pace that is very easy to listen to and his voice is just lovely.

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

Very much so. Wish I had the time!

Any additional comments?

I had a hard time pausing this story and stayed up half the night to listen to parts of it. I can't wait to listen to it again.

yet another brilliant tale from Valdemar

I was dubiously wary, when I found Misty was going to just past the time of Vanyel Ashkevron to bolster the history of Valdemar. I had enjoyed the Brightly Burning tale, but was wary due to the shortness of that tale. I have never been happier to be wrong.
this is a brilliant addition to the chronicles of the Heralds of Valdemar.

Great voice Actor, Story is Refreshing

Where does Redoubt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Redoubt was very enjoyable to listen to; one of the top audiobooks I've heard.

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

Nick is an amazing voice actor! I can't even believe how well he switches between accents. I have to admit, he reads the books to me waaaay better than I read the books in my head. I have to giggle a little every time he reads a lady voice, but it's passable.

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

I wanted to listen to the whole thing all at once. I couldn't put it down. I'm a little sad that there's only 11 hours. It went by too quickly.

Any additional comments?

Most importantly, I wanted to say how refreshing this particular book was. I've read all of the Valdemar books. Most seem to follow a theme: heraldling grows up in the collegium feeling unsure of himself and navigating new friendships. For most of this book, the heralding is removed from that environment. We got a little break from Emo mags. As we follow the new story developments we got to learn so much about Karse, revisit sun cats, and talk a little about survival skills. It was pretty fun. While not stand-alone, this book definitely stands out in the series.

Great Listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would like to see more of the Valdemar Series books - White, Silver and Black Gyphon books (Mage Wars), Brightly Burning, Vows and Honor Trilogy (Oathbound, etc...), The Heralds of Valdemar Trilogy (Arrow's Flight, etc...), By The Sword,....

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

Yes, most definitely

Continue the Adventure

Mercedes again, kept me enthralled with the story plot, and Nick on the edge of my seat with his enticing story telling. I can't wait for what is to come...

Fine, but repetitive

I like the characters and story, but I feel like a third of the book was copied and pasted word for word from previous books. Made me roll my eyes quite a bit.

still a good performance though.

Different than the previous 3

I love the stories and Nick is awesome. i loved the fact that when they do mindspeech there was an echo in the previous audio books but not in this one. it made it easier to know the difference. other than that I loved it.

hard to put down

The book made me a bit confused, but the audio put everything in perspective. can't wait to get Bastion

Mag's adventures inch onwards

I think the best way to explain this book is "slow". It's another typical Lacky novel, but not one of her best efforts, unfortunately.

Picking up at some point after the last installment, "Changes", we get an in deep look at Valdemar. Whilst Bear and Lena get some plot, nothing really happens in the first half and the second half could have been told in half the space. I think the thing that really irritated me was the "plot twist" about Mags which was painfully obvious from even the plot synopsis. Urgh.

I often see in the other reviews the complaints that this series could've been a much stronger trilogy, rather than 5 books. I agree with this whole heartedly! This series started off really strongly, but has been getting weaker with each progressive book. Disapointing.