First published 2008
Magpie has spent his thirteen years as a slave in the gem mines, knowing nothing but backbreaking labor and harsh overseers. Everything changes when one of Valdemar's magical Companion horses chooses him, offering escape from his brutal existence. The boy who never imagined freedom suddenly finds himself selected for Herald training, thrust into a world he never knew existed. As Magpie learns to harness abilities he never suspected he possessed, he becomes part of something much larger than himself. He witnesses the creation of the great Heralds' Collegium, watching as the institution that will shape Valdemar's future takes form around him. This orphaned mine slave must adapt to his new role while discovering what it truly means to serve the kingdom. Magpie's journey from bondage to purpose reveals how even the most unlikely candidates can become part of legend.
Genres: adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Valdemar
340 pages · Hardcover · DAW Hardcover
Content warnings: slavery