Review of Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Novel
Are you wondering if Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s first Founding of Valdemar book is worth reading? If so, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I’ll give a brief intro to the book (sans spoilers), talk about whether or not it is worth reading, discuss what I liked and didn’t, answer a few FAQs, and discuss other things to know about this sword and sorcery book and the series it kicks off.
Let’s dive in.
This post is a six-minute read.
Summary of Beyond (Spoiler Free)
If the prisoners in The Great Escape were the entire population of a duchy and the Gestapo were the evil East Empire, you’d get an approximation of Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s first Founding of Valdemar book.
Except this novel has a happy ending.
The Great Escape meets The Scarlet Pimpernel.
In Beyond, Duke Kordas Valdemar implements a three-generation plan to get him and his duchy out of dodge before the evil emperor comes to take everything from them.
Getting out of dodge involves experimental magical portals, subterfuge, and the Duke acting a part (reminiscent of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Shevraeth in Court Duel).
Add in court intrigue, a group of mages affectionately referred to as “preserved nuts,” an intriguing magical system, an eclectic cast, and a main character you can’t help but respect, and it’s no wonder this is a great read.
My Quick Take: Is Beyond by Mercedes Lackey worth reading?
Yes! I really enjoyed this book. It is excellently written, and the characters are well-rounded and have emotional depth and satisfying transformation arcs.
The twists and turns keep the pace moving, and the stakes build steadily as the book progresses.
Review of Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Sword and Sorcery Fantasy
Until a month ago, I had never heard of Lackey, much less Beyond. But I found mention of it somewhere and was intrigued. So, I took a break from binge-reading Brandon Sanderson’s books and gave it a whirl. I’m so glad I did.
There are few better things than discovering an excellent and prolific author. Granted, I can’t speak to Lackey’s other 139+ books, but this first foray into her written world proved promising.
If I like the others as well as this first one, it’s something to celebrate. I’m thoroughly looking forward to reading more of her works.
What I liked about Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Book
There’s plenty to love about Beyond. And while I don’t usually sit down and think through all the elements I like in a book, it’s a good practice.
Concept
I love stories about daring escapes, heists, underdogs tricking powerful bad guys, and risky rescues. Beyond weaves all of these elements into a cohesive story.
All these elements contributed to my thorough enjoyment of the story.
Characters with Emotional Depth
The characters in the novel are an eclectic mixture–delightfully eccentric and human. By human, I mean they have flaws, fears, secrets, and realistic reactions to events.
Duke Kordas was my favorite character, but he’s well supported by ancient stuffed-bread-baking mages and pig farmers with more to them than meets the eye. I loved that the Duke was a man of the land, wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, loved horses, and jeopardized his safety to rescue those who couldn’t rescue themselves.
Magical Elements
Another cool part of the book was the magic. I didn’t get how it all worked, but I understood what I needed to understand. It made sense and didn’t require me to stretch too far.
It also added intriguing elements to the story.
Twists and Turns
There were plenty of great twists and turns in the novel. I don’t know how many of them would be a surprise to people who’ve read other books in her world, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. For example, I wasn’t expecting some of the intrigue, the addition of more people to rescue, and other plot complications.
What I didn’t like about Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Book
I can’t think of anything off the top of my head that I didn’t like about Beyond. Lackey writes beautifully, her story is character-driven, well-plotted, has good pacing, and does a great job showing the internal world of multiple characters.
FAQS About Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Novel
What is the story of Beyond by Mercedes Lackey?
In Beyond, Duke Kordas Valdemar implements a three-generation plan to get him and his duchy out of dodge before the evil emperor comes to take everything from them.
Getting out of dodge involves experimental magical portals, subterfuge, and the Duke acting a part (reminiscent of The Scarlet Pimpernel or Shevraeth in Court Duel).
Add in court intrigue, a group of mages affectionately referred to as “preserved nuts,” an intriguing magical system, an eclectic cast, and a main character you can’t help but respect, and it’s no wonder this is a great read.
Will there be a third book in the Founding of Valdemar series?
Valdemar, the third book in the Founding of Valdemar series, was released on December 26, 2023. In this novel, Kordas and his people face dangerous magicians using dark magic and twisted methods.
What order should I read Valdemar books?
Although there are different schools of thought about this, many fans agree that reading in publication order is the way to go. By reading in publication order, you’ll get to see the world unfold naturally, gaining complexity and richness with each new book.
How many books are in the Valdemar series?
There are 40 books in the Valdemar world. They are divided into the following series:
- The Arrows trilogy
- Vows and Honor Series
- Last Herald-Mage Series
- Mage Winds Series
- Mage Wars & The Mage Storms Series
- Valdemar Prequels
- Collegium Chronicles
- Herald Spy Series
- Family Spies Series
- Founding of Valdemar Series
- Kelvren’s Saga
Conclusion: Review of Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s Novel
I hope you’ve found this Review of Beyond, Mercedes Lackey’s first Founding of Valdemar novel, helpful.
Also, unlike some books in a series, this one functions perfectly as a standalone. So you’re at no risk of being left hanging at the end.
If you enjoy fantasy, this book is well worth reading. I loved the story’s concept, characters, plot, and pacing. It came to a satisfying conclusion and left me wanting to read more books by Mercedes Lackey. You can find more reviews in the writer’s nook. For example, my reviews of The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner, and Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. You can also read some of my original fantasy stories by heading to the Short Story Shelf.
What about you? Have you read Beyond or any other books by Mercedes Lackey?
