This is the third installment of the Collegium Chronicles, about a young boy Chosen by a Companion of Valdemar while he was doing slave labor in a mine. It's set during the early years of Valdemar when the Collegium is just getting established. I enjoyed this as I do most books about Valdemar, but I do think this sub-series is taking a little long to come to a conclusion. There are vague hints about who Mags' parents might be so there will probably be at least one more installment, but I can't see where it's going. And I was disappointed that there is not more about the development of the Collegium.
 - Mercedes Lackey)