Helpful Score: 1
Book one of the Last Herald Mage
Helpful Score: 1
I would have to say the 3 books of this trilogy are the best books Mercedes Lackey has ever written. These were the first books I read by her and i've read them over 150 times. I reread them at least once a year and sometimes more. I would highly recommend them to anyone. Vanyel just touches you heart and his story won't let you go. I would post my paperback copies on here as I finally obtained an omnibus hardcover copy but they are well loved and spine creased so bad you can no longer read the title.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite Lackey's series.
Vanyel's disdain for swordsmanship earns him an unexpected exile--at the High Court of Valdemar under the guardianship of his stern and implacable Aunt Savil, one of the legendary Herald-Mages. A young man's painful discovery of his own immense talents and his true nature form the core of this richly detailed fantasy, the first in a new series set in the same world as "The Heroes of Valdemar."
Vanyel's disdain for swordsmanship earns him an unexpected exile--at the High Court of Valdemar under the guardianship of his stern and implacable Aunt Savil, one of the legendary Herald-Mages. A young man's painful discovery of his own immense talents and his true nature form the core of this richly detailed fantasy, the first in a new series set in the same world as "The Heroes of Valdemar."
Helpful Score: 1
Book 1 in a trilogy. This is another from the Valdemar series. Wonderful book about the beginning with Vanyel.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't normally like Mercedes Lackey books. I'm not certain why, but most of her stories leave me cold, and I forget about them shortly after I close the cover of the book. But Magic's Pawn is different.
I truly care about Vanyel Ashkevron, the main character of this series. He is handsome and proud and arrogant and lonely and desperate and scared and insecure, all at once. There are moments in the story when I wish he would be a little less insecure and chin up, but those moments are rare. Mostly, we see Vanyel develop his talents and discover his true identity while identifying with him and cheering him on to each new phase in his development.
The magic/fantasy world of Magic's Pawn is typical Lackey, serviceable but forgettable. The main plotline is likewise not particularly memorable but merely serves to display Vanyel's thoughts and emotions. The main selling point of this series is the complex character interactions and Vanyel is the star. Other characters pale in comparison, especially the seemingly unnecessary Companions.
I will continue to Magic's Promise, the next book in the series, to see if Lackey can keep me interested in Vanyel's future trials and tribulations.
I truly care about Vanyel Ashkevron, the main character of this series. He is handsome and proud and arrogant and lonely and desperate and scared and insecure, all at once. There are moments in the story when I wish he would be a little less insecure and chin up, but those moments are rare. Mostly, we see Vanyel develop his talents and discover his true identity while identifying with him and cheering him on to each new phase in his development.
The magic/fantasy world of Magic's Pawn is typical Lackey, serviceable but forgettable. The main plotline is likewise not particularly memorable but merely serves to display Vanyel's thoughts and emotions. The main selling point of this series is the complex character interactions and Vanyel is the star. Other characters pale in comparison, especially the seemingly unnecessary Companions.
I will continue to Magic's Promise, the next book in the series, to see if Lackey can keep me interested in Vanyel's future trials and tribulations.
