Rating: Summary: Suprising. Review: I'll say it right now... I hated Magic's Pawn. I wanted to stop reading the trilogy after that, and as all the books are pretty much self-contained, I could have gotten away with that.I'm glad I didn't though. The plot focuses on Van's life as the numbers of Herald-Mages dwindle, the king is dying, and Valdemar faces war from an unknown -- or maybe not so unknown -- enemy on a suprising border. And, while that's not the most riveting of plots, that's not why this book is the staple that it is. Lackey more than makes up for the mistakes of the first book here. The flaws in Van's characterization are nearly completely gone; I feel like I know him this time. And knowing main charachters is really important to me. The only remaining flaw is slightly jarring; Van is still the "perfect character:" beautiful, powerful, angst-y, tempermental, loved by all, and the father of everyone's children. The other characters seem to be subtly fleshed out in the same way; I fell in love with the new character, Stefen, soon after his appearance, and even Yfandes seems to have grown up a little. The love story was what pegged it for me, and that was also the thing that ruined the first book for me. Van's hesitancy is priceless, and I don't even like Tylendel. The growing relationship BEFORE the romance actually had me wanting them to hurry up already. The culmination, the love the springs up, and the inevitable conclusion all made me heave a totally sappy sign when I finished... Even the one annoying tie in from the past books couldn't ruin it for me. I just ignored it. So, if you hated the beginning of the series, don't give up! If you want to read the trilogy for the love stories, but don't like convoluted ones, skip straight to this book. It really was redemption for the rest of the trilogy, and, yes, I did read it more than once.
Rating: Summary: Heart-stirring novel! Review: In this last part of the Vanyel trilogy, Mercedes Lackey really shows off all of her style. Although the two books before 'Magic's Price' was good, the last one stuck with me forever. The thing that I like about her books is that she really makes you feel like Vanyel is *real.* His emotions, his terrors, his pain, and his joys are all really felt and no one who reads this book can put it down without feeling sorry for Van. As for the subject of Van's apparent homosexuality, at first, I was shocked because he was the first gay character that I've ever read about. But Mercedes handles the subject greatly, and doesn't go into much detail about his love life like some other authors would. Also, his lover is shown to be a very supportive character, who helps Van through the toughest time. Mercedes' last Mage book also tackles some taboo issues, which I really liked. For one, the homosexuality is a biggie, which she does in a way that is either criticizing nor patronizing. She just tells it like it is. And the subject of male gang-rape in the book is also handled delicately, which I was impressed with. That subject is hardly read about or known, and Mercedes has enough guts to present that trial of Van's life in such a way that I felt sorry for Van by the end of that chapter. What I do say is that this is not your ordinary 'swords & sorcery' book, but it's one of the best fantasy stories out there. It's sensitive, touching, and immensely pleasing and controversial so that it challenges your beliefs and heart. I would recommend it!
Rating: Summary: absolutely wonderful Review: This is, without a doubt, a wonderful ending to the trilogy. It's heartbreaking, and I cry every time I read the last two or three chapters, because they are beautifully written and sad but happy at the same time. You absolutely HAVE to buy this trilogy.
Rating: Summary: Endings just don't get better than this Review: With things calming down on the border, Vanyel has returned to Haven to assume the responsibility of keeping things in order for the dying King Randale. Amidst the stresses he must face, Vanyel finds an unexpected friend in a Bard named Stefen who has the uncanny ability to sing away pain. But a dark power is haunting the edges of Valdemar, slowly eliminating the Herald-Mages in an attempt to make an evil magical assault unstoppable. Vanyel vows to stop this dark power at all costs. Will he be able to fulfill his quest with the help of Stefen and his Companion, Yfandes? "Magic's Price" is the final book in Mercedes Lackey's The Last Herald-Mage trilogy. It was an excellent conclusion to the trilogy. I never cease to be amazed at Lackey's gift of writing the perfect trilogy ending. I was left satisfied and extremely pleased for the main characters. As with "Magic's Pawn" and "Magic's Promise," Lackey does an admirable job with her treatment of homosexuality. It's subtle and not thrown at the reader in a preachy way, which I feel may encourage readers to be more tolerant of gays and lesbians. Bottom Line: An AMAZING conclusion with wonderful characters that I will truly miss reading about. Try to read the last ten pages without crying!
Rating: Summary: Vanyel is sexy. And his story changed my life. Review: Okay, you've already read what I'm about to say fifty times on this gushing set of online reviews-- but you are just going to hear about how incredible this book is one more time. I love The Last Herald Mage Trilogy so much. More than practically anything. I first read the series 6 years ago, but the magic still hasn't worn off. I can't count the number of times I've read this series, but ever time I read it is a new experience. I just finished Magic's Price, and started crying. These books embody so much of who I am. I've grown up reading them, and I'd be a completely different person if I hadn't. Definitely read them. At some points the writing is horrible- I admit. At others it doesn't even make sence. But when you move past those surface flaws the novel is . . . perfect. I can't think of any way to describe it. Its so real, and so true, and so pure, it just awes me. And as I already stated- I have a crush on the main character. Which is pathetic, but also funny (in a pathetic kind of way). These books are amazing. They make you laugh, cry, and become a nut case.
Rating: Summary: Misty at her best Review: When I first started reading Lackey (Arrows of the Queen), I had no intention of continuing on to The Last Herald Mage series. I was younger then, and my first thoughts when reading about Van's -the main character- *ahem* sexuality, I was like...ew. So a few years down the road and quite a bit more experience, I finally decided to give Magic's Promise a go. Less than a week later, I tearfully closed Magic's Price. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be gingerly setting this series on my overcrowded bookshelf. This is, by far, Misty's best series. Nowhere else is there such tragedy in Misty's works as there is in this series, nowhere is there such love, hatred, suspense, magic, and self-discovery. I cannot recommend this series enough. My heart always breaks a little whenever I finish a book, knowing the characters I had grown to love will never return, but at the end of this series, it shattered.
Rating: Summary: Heartwrenching and beautiful... Review: This book is one of the saddest books I have ever read. It is also one of the most beautiful, emotional, and "truest" books I have ever read. It strikes something deep inside me. Even thinking about the last 30 pages of the book brings tears to my eyes. If you do not read this series you are truly missing out on something.
Rating: Summary: The best one! Review: This is the best book in the entire trilogy. In this book, Vanyel learns to love again, but his dearest friends and family die one by one, until at last he faces the final battle. ...I really can't give you a summary without ruining anything. Basically...if you liked Magic's Pawn and Magic's Promise... You will LOVE this book. It is absolutely amazing, and Mercedes Lackey's finest piece of work ever. Don't push away the opportunity of reading one of the best books ever written: buy this book. You won't regret it. But be sure to have a tissue box ready when you sit down to read it!
Rating: Summary: If only I could give more stars... Review: I have read and reread this book so many times, I've gone through three copies of it. Magic's Pawn was the first fantasy book I ever read, and, goodness, it has never let me forget it. And this, out of all Lackey's novels, is her best. I will forever maintain that. IF you missed the poem called Magic's Price at the end of the book, read it, but only AFTER you've completed the novel. Even now, the poem... and the book make me cry. This is perhaps one of the best examples of modern fantasy available in print. Vanyel is a man who feels, suffers, loves, and lives, and as a reader, you can sympathize with it all. Two thumbs way, way up. READ IT!
Rating: Summary: Beautiful. Review: Like all of Mercedes Lackey's books, this one is great! The whole series is wonderful! (and it doesn't hurt that Vanyel's cute, either). Along with Bedlam's Bard, this one is the best. It inspired me when i was doing my own writing. I've read pretty much all of Lackey's books, and i like this one the most. I reccomend it to anyone... who can handle Vanyel, that is. :)
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