Book Five of the Collegium Chronicles (A Valdemar Novel) (Valdemar

I am content. While it would be lovely to continue to journey with this generation it is not required. Mags/Meric has grown into his potential. His success at adapting from feral to Herald explained by Dallen's ability to "gift" memories and skills 'whole hog' as it were.

If I could I would ask for an explanation of Bear's family's punishment and then spend at least a duology on Amily's growth into a power behind the scenes at court. There is room to go further yet there is no burning need to.

The world of Valdemar continues to explore how things should be and how to adapt from victim to survivor to role model. Punches are not pulled, the tortures are not sanitized. Needful explorations of how to cope when things go bad are given. My only surprise is in not seeing the hot line numbers for Domestic Abuse and Mental Health support. Knowing that it is ok to call and ask "am I being treated in a normal, healthy way?" can be the first step out of the grip of abuse.

Brava Mercedes Lackey, once again you offer hope.

I love all of Mercedes Lackey's books. My problem is that I have read so many, I cannot remember which I have read and which I have not. She "grinds them out like sausage," as a friend says. It really makes me angry with myself to buy one of her books, only to remember that I have read it after a chapter or so. So, my only "safe" way to get them is to buy only the newest published -- hot off the press.

Unfortunately this felt like a "let's just wrap this up so we can move on" book. I really like Mags and his friends. I felt a bit let down with how easily this one wrapped up. The mystery of Mags was solved but so much was left unsaid. It just felt rushed to me overall.

I've read Lackey for a long time. I like her style. I like her works. I like her imagination. This book simply didn't give me what I hoped for. Still, I've already ordered book one in the Herald Spy series which is more about Mags.

I'm hoping to see more of a certain shadowy character who turned up in Bastion...

While this book didn't quite make it for me, the character arc of Mags was wrapped up. You could tell that he's grown as well as grown up. I was pleased to see Herald J show up who also had his story line from book 1 wrapped up. If you remember, he just kind of fades to black with a question about a certain harper.

I think I'm just spoiled. I was so in love with the Elspeth trilogy that I hold everything up to that. This is not up to that but I did love that the Hawkbrothers were mentioned here.

Some have complained that Lackey borrows too much from other stories but that's a bit silly. Surely snow storms happen more than that and caves are all over that part of Valdemar. Who wouldn't go hole up in caves? So what if they are comfortable...that's the Hawkbrothers for you!

So if you are a Valdemar fan, you may find this one just doesn't quite hit the mark but we will get more Mags.

I absolutely loved this continuation of the Mags saga. It moved along nicely and the storyline was great. It was good to find out more about Mags' past. Ms Lackey's characterizations make you really "know" the players. They become your friends and you can't wait to find out what happens and how the do. The only drawback is that the story ended too soon. Oh well I just have to wait for the next book which I hope is sooner rather than later.

When I read book Four of the Collegium Chronicles I wasn't sure if that was the last book, so when this book came out I was thrilled as I really liked the characters of Mags, Bear, Lena, and Amily. It was a book I couldn't put down and highly enjoyed the entire series. I just hope that Ms. Lackey comes out one day with a book about the actual founding of Valdemar sometime.

If you have invested the time to read the previous books in this series, you will be surprised at the turn of events in this in this episode in the life and times of the Herald Trainee Mags. Over an eventfull winter Mags begins to take his place as a full Herald on circuit. He also learns much about his birth family from his close double and cousin, while fighting off yet more kidnappers/assasins sent, as he learns by his own uncle. We leave Mags in a decent place at the end of the book, but there are many loose ends to be tied up to finish this story, and I can't wait!

Mags and Amily continue in their adventures. A new family member is introduced in Mags life. Old friends are brought back as part of the story. Mags investigates his parents early life. Many questions are answered. This story is not the cumulation of the series, but is merely a bridge to further adventures. There is no doubt that mags has more adventures to come.

The last book is not as intense with emotional trials for Mags. It has a satisfying conclusion to the mystery of his parentage and introduces a roguish new character. This a typical Lackey's "the good will always win in the end!" Satisfying conclusion to a story.

The story has what appear to be several contrived plot twists.The heart of the plot is good and the continued development of what happens out in the field is good. I enjoyed the story and really have enjoyed the whole series. The explanation of Mags history is interesting and clearly leaves room for more stories.

This set of Collegium story's are both brilliant and captifying to an array of readers! There's just enough suspense and action adventure to keep the reader hooked and in want of the next book! If you haven't read anything by Metcedes Lackey yet you are missing out on a most glorious author!!! Also if you're easily swayed Mercedes Lackey has a way with making your mouth water with the way she describes the food in her stories. I find I am very hungry to read more and to make the delicious things she talks about!!!

But this practice of copying text wholesale from previous books has got to stop! No one reading these books hasn't already read the previous ones. It's a shoddy practice that cheats readers and lessens our respect for the author.

Mercedes Lackey is filling in her Valdemarian history. This set of 5 books introduced several memorable and lovable characters. Each book was very good in itself, but the entire set makes an excellent story. If read in order, these can make an interesting introduction to Valdemar.

Good book and an interesting ending to Mercedes Lackey's "Collegium" series. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the remaining loopholes. I'll be very interested to see if she does any more Valdemar books set in this period.

I love Mercedes Lackey's books, and enjoyed this series as well. I read a book for many reasons, and the reasons I like these books are because they take me away from the world I am in and place me in a far more interesting place. Love the main characters.

Mercedes Lackey is my favorite author. I love her entire Valdermar series. I will re read her books with the avidity that some play computer games, or re watch old favorite movies. It feels as if Bastion may be a finale for the Collegium Chronicles. It answers all the questions about the primary character. I truly hope there will be more books in this series though. I will miss my friends and their various story lines.

I played City of Heroes video game on-line, years ago with Mercedes. Her book brought me back to that happy time. It is well written, and enjoyable. The seller was fast and well-priced. If you are looking for a hero-themed-scifi-fantasy series that is riveting, then get this one.

The entire Collegium Chronicles are fascinating. Pure Lackey! With humor interspersed with sold action, and a cast of believable characters, anyone who enjoys solid fantasy and well written verse cannot help but enjoy these books. Highly recommended.

Mercedes Lackey never fails to please. I have been a fan for years. Her books set a pace that's comfortable to read and as you settle into it you will eventually look up and say "crap I should have been to bed hours ago.

I admit it, this book grabbed me more than Redout did. I had also forgotten how densely packed Mercedes Lackey’s books are on the page. It may say 353 pages long, but there’s 600 pages of reading. And it is all enjoyable.

Bastion picks up right were Redout ended, with Mags and Dallen returning to Haven and the collegium after their forced vacation into Karse. He’s greeted by a mass of well-wishers and friends. There’s a bitter-sweet moment as Mags realizes that life continued on in the collegium and he’s not quite up to speed on everything.

First things first, experts try to figure out just who had kidnapped Mags, meaning what group of people. Mags’ people at that.

Then it’s determined that “Mags” should die. No, no, not the character, just the persona, to stop further kidnapping attempts, and harm towards the Crown and the collegium. The plan is to have word come back that “Mags” died during his circuit training. Turns out that his mentor for this last bit of Mags training will be none other than Herald Jakyr, the man who rescued Mags from the mines and escorted him to Haven. They will meet up with Bear and Lena, who will be doing her journeyman training as well. I won’t spoil things by confirming who her mentor is for the trip, but it’s easily guessable knowing Ms. Lackey. Also along for the trip is Amily, who is supposedly going to visit some relatives.
Mags’ circuit training will be based out of the Bastion, a valley full of caves that was once a bandit hide out. The same bandits that killed Mags’ parents.

The last 20% of the book is several intense action packed scenes, where, though the plan doesn’t go quite as planned, we do learn fully about Mags’ past. Relationships grow and change.

I forgive Ms. Lackey for the scenes at the Fair that don’t move the plot along and seem misplaced. This book makes a good ending to the series and I look forward to starting the next series.

The evolution of Mercedes writing has become more teen oriented and prone to just present the next event. The people have become simple and more shallow. The books length is becoming shorter. I am disappointed in the last few purchased. Sorry to see this happening because the plot lines have held me captive many years.

I have been reading Mercedes Lackey for more than 20 years and I have never been so disappointed in something she has written. This series started with promise, then veered off into something strange that stretched my credulity beyond its limits - and as a fantasy and sci-fi fan, that is hard to do.

My first problem with the series began with book 3, I suppose. The subtitle of this series is "The Collegium Chronicles." The title of the first book was "Foundation." The implication was that the entire series would revolve around the development of the Heralds Collegium. Well, that certainly didn't play out.

Reviewer "E.M." hit the nail on the head in several areas - lack of consistency, even accounting for maturation, across the characters. The timeline is very odd as well - usually her series make it relatively probable to add up the character's years and see how old the person is. Also, it seemed to me after reading all 5 books that she had difficulty deciding on a main plot and most definitely had trouble tying her various subplots together in a cohesive manner.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Too much relationshipy dreck. Yes D-R-E-C-K. And since when has Mercedes Lackey attempted to write semi-detailed sex scenes? It was painful to read the Mags/Amily sex bits - not to mention pointless. What ON EARTH did any of that crap add to the story? Most of book 5 felt as if it dwelled endlessly on the relationships between Lita & Jakyr or Mags & Amily. Boring and really confusing as to why it was important. Bear and Lena might as well have stayed back in Haven for all they added to the story! And then this cousin Bey just sort of pops up, literally, out of nowhere and is an integral part of the plot? What?!?! C'mon Mercedes, was this series a joke?

This book had so many bizarre, jerky, incredible plot shifts I started to get a bit sea sick from all the bumping around. Absolutely DREADFUL. The plot in this particular book read like Mercedes sketched it in general terms then handed it over to a protege and said "run with it!" Only Lackey's name got this past her editors because this is a POORLY written book.

This series was terrible. Even though I enjoyed Book 1 very much, and tried to like Books 2 & 3 (parts were good), Books 4 & 5 take the cake for truly bad writing. Awful, just awful. I love Mercedes Lackey, I have read many of her books (including the Elemental Magic and Bardic series, not just Valdemar)and even I cannot justify the poorly conceived and executed series, the misnamed, "Collegium Chronicles."

DO NOT BUY THIS NOVEL - go to your public library if you simply MUST know what happens.

PS - the initial plot outline on the store mentioned Herald Jadrek (Arrows series, not this one!) and Herald Kylan (may be Weaponsmaster's replacement, but s/he was NOT sent to the Bastion).

Another fine read in the Collegium series. Our knowledge of the characters continues to deepen, and there are new twists and new characters to keep our interest. Isn't Valdemar a place we would wish our world to become? People are honorable (even the antagonists are usually so according to their standards), and even disagreements can be resolved with proper understanding. I recommend this highly, although it would be hard to follow without reading the previous books.

Very satisfying the wrapping up of Mags story and the advancing of his and Amily's relationship. The background information on the history between Jakr and Lita was nice. I hope there are more Mags books to come.

After being a bit disappointed with the previous book in this series, it was with some concern that I bought Bastion. But I have gotten so much enjoyment out of the prior Valdemar books that I had to give it a try. I was happy to discover that my concern was unfounded. This is back to the writing style and plot twists I expect from Mercedes Lackey Valdemar books. She finally wraps up the mystery of Mags identity and matures the characters in a way I kept hoping for in the last two books of this set. This book also felt that it had the length that made it worth the purchase and kept me up way too late last night reading. There were only 3 times where I noticed flashbacks and they were all more briefer and appropriate to context than in the prior book.

One reviewer mentioned disliking the turnabout of Jakyr's cooking but that was explained as an intentional subterfuge on his part and I did not feel it distracted from the overall story. I'm not sure if this is the end of the Collegium Chronicles...I can be content if it is as I wasn't left hanging with significant unresolved questions at the end. But I also feel there is a potential to now carry it forward with more mature, multi-dimensional, adult characters...and there is still the unexplained surge in the number of heralds that led to the Collegium model being created in the first place (and that was hinted at in the first book)...unless that is simply being left as a response to the country's expansion as the simple solution.

Either way, I think this book has improved the entire series and made me want to go back and re-read the earlier books (with the new insights in place) and even more tolerance for having to skip through the overly repetitious flashbacks and Kirball play-by-play.

Very much enjoyed this series. Excellent action and suspense, and they did a great job in character development. Clean except for the violence, which is standard warfare stuff. Hoping they keep adding to the series.