Closer to Home Audiobook By Mercedes Lackey cover art

Closer to Home

Valdemar: The Herald Spy, Book 1

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Closer to Home

By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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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.
Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Royalty Science Fiction King Espionage
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Captivating Tale • Intriguing Storyline • Excellent Narration • Enjoyable Story • Entertaining Adaptation • Fresh Twist
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Rolan is described as having a deep sonorous mind voice. Not the catty nasal voice used.

only one thing wrong.

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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.

Well written

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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

Romeo and Juliet meets Valdemar

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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.😃

Fun and Fantastic

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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.

Closer to Home

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I wish the rest of her books were done by him. His range and inflection is well done.

Nick Podehl is an excellent narrator,

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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

Romeo and Juliet - NOT

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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!

Loved it!

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Think you recognize this storyline? You're wrong. And once again Nick Podehl is the master of character voices.

Surprise! You only Think You Know...

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My only comments have to deal with the vocal performance.
TONS of mispronunciations. “Fort” for forte.
“Collegium” has a long “ee” sound.
“Bransle” is pronounced “brawl”.

I don’t like the change in Mags’ voice from the lat one, and Rolan’s mental voice is whiney, with an attitude of an English prissy grandmother. I also wish he had kept the special effect (like a pisno dampener) on mind speech in book 1…so much easier to follow.

I did appreciate the way the narrator managed different voices for all the characters, Pacing and inflection were well done.

Reasonable audio rendition

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