Beyond by Mercedes Lackey fantasy book reviewsBeyond by Mercedes Lackey fantasy book reviewsBeyond by Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lackey’s Beyond (2021) is the first book in her THE FOUNDING OF VALDEMAR trilogy which is set in her wider VALDEMAR universe. As the name of the trilogy suggests, it’s a prequel, so Beyond is a fine entry point in the VALDEMAR series and, in fact, I’d recommend it as a great starting point because it’s well-written and entertaining all the way through. Lackey’s books are often hit or miss for me and Beyond, despite containing some of the elements I often complain about in a Lackey novel, is a hit.

The story follows Duke Kordas Valdemar, who rules a small Duchy within the oppressive Eastern Empire. The emperor has methods to keep his nobles from revolting, but Kordas’s father knew that eventually the emperor would threaten them so, while other dukes were spending their money and time outfitting their castles in luxury, Kordas’s father was secretly collecting and hosting magicians who were working to find a way to protect their people when the emperor eventually came calling. The magicians discovered how to create a Gate that could allow the duchy’s citizens to flee to a distant unknown land. Now, right under the emperor’s nose, Kordas and his trusted allies are preparing for this escape. But, when the emperor calls Kordas to court, the timeline for escaping is suddenly moved up.

Beyond by Mercedes Lackey fantasy book reviewsThis sets the stage for an exciting and high-stakes adventure. The plot is compelling from the very first scene, and the occasional humor adds charm. There are several clever and amusing plot details, such as the spying desk, which adds a touch of whimsy to the narrative. The relationships in the book are sweet, and the characters are vibrant and engaging.

The main character, Kordas, is likeable, though he does come across as a bit of a Gary Sue—remarkably competent and progressive for his time. The villain, as is typical in Lackey’s stories, is too evil to believe. (This is probably my chief complaint about Lackey.) But despite these minor quirks, the plot remains exciting and very entertaining.

Beyond helps readers understand the history of Valdemar better, making it a must-read for fans of the series. The book’s engaging narrative and well-developed characters leave me looking forward to the next installment, Into the West.

The audio edition, produced by Tantor Audio and narrated by Paul Woodson, is very well done. I recommend it.

Published in 2021. The long-awaited founding of Valdemar comes to life in this new series from a New York Times bestselling author and beloved fantasist. Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Anticipating the day when the Empire’s exploitative and militant leaders would not be content to leave them alone, Korda’s father set out to gather magicians in the hopes of one day finding a way to escape and protect the people of the Duchy from tyranny. Kordas has lived his life looking over his shoulder. The signs in the Empire are increasingly dire. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics, including blood magic, the powers of the Abyssal Planes, and the binding and “milking” of Elemental creatures. But then one of the Duchy’s mages has a breakthrough. There is a way to place a Gate at a distance so far from the Empire that it is unlikely the Emperor can find or follow them as they evacuate everyone that is willing to leave. But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor’s Court. Can his reputation as a country bumpkin and his acting skills buy him and his people the time they need to flee?  Or will the Emperor lose patience, invade to strip Valdemar of everything of worth, and send its conscripted people into the front lines of the Imperial wars?

Author

  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.

    View all posts