Rating: 
Summary: Emotional kick-in-the-pants
Review: I've owned this book (and the rest of the series) for ten years now. At least once a year I dig it out and re-read it from the beginning. I never, ever fail to be sobbing my heart out by the last page of Magic's Price.To be brutally honest, strictly as a writer, Lackey is not the best. If you prefer polished prose, innovative storylines, and interesting bad guys, go look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you prefer a story that speaks straight to your heart, go for this one. It's often campy. It's sappy. It's got teen angst and drama. It's also one of the most beautifully sad (or sadly beautiful...) endings I've ever had the privilege to read. It's true to humanity, and that what makes it good, not the villians or the plot or the deeper meanings (what deeper meanings?). Read the series at least once. Give it a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed Vanyel proves out
Review: "Magic's Price" is a great book. Don't let anyone fool you regarding Ms. Lackey's writing competence; anyone who can weave so many subplots together, while showing flawed, real people making mistake-laden choices and having to live with the consequences, is a good writer. I think Ms. Lackey is an outstanding writer. I had a very long review written; not sure if it went anywhere. I really don't want to write the same review again, so let me try and sum up. Other folks have gone over the plot; I'd just like to say these things: Vanyel's biggest strength is his humanity. The fact he is afraid to love Stefan after so many years of being alone is very realistic. Also, the fact that Stefan had to try again and again and again to get Vanyel to open up to him was _also_ realistic. Anyone throwing this book to the side because it features a gay couple is really missing out. It's a fantastic, highly emotional book that deals with complex issues in a realistic fashion. I highly disagree with anyone who thinks that because Vanyel has a lot of inner monologue and can't seem to make up his mind very quickly, he's not a good character. He's a great character; yes, he's flawed, but so what? It makes him more believable overall. Not only that, I find it more than a bit sexist to say that Ms. Lackey's character shouldn't be so flawed, when George R.R. Martin is currently being revered for setting up a bunch of totally flawed "heroes" and truly revolting "villains" with semi-hearts-of-gold. Why is it OK for Martin but not for Ms. Lackey? Makes no sense to me. Anyway, buy this book; it's one of the best books Ms. Lackey has ever written, it has more than one moral (about love, and courage under the face of adversity, and duty, and shared goals and dreams even if they don't totally prove out), it's very readable, and best of all, it shows that even the most dense people (the Ashkevrons) can eventually get the message regarding people that are out of the mainstream. Gay people aren't any different than you or me. Ms. Lackey was absolutely spot on in her characterization, and I think she did a great, fabulous job with this book. I'd give it (and "Oathbreakers," another of my all-time favorites) more than five stars if I could.
Rating:
Summary: Heart achingly beautiful!
Review: I love this book and my heart is still aching 3 hours after I finished it. I thought being as old as I am no book would be able to move me to so much tears least of all a fantasy. But I was wrong as my eyes just blurred with tears towards the last part of Magic Price. This book is invaluable. Not because of the magic or the style of writing because I have read better ones. It is Vanyel, his Life-bond and his Companion which makes Magic Price and the series itself so special and priceless. I will always love Vanyel and remember Vanyel for his struggles to find himself, his vulnerability, his sensitivity, his inherent goodness and his sacrifice for those he loves. The Last Herald-Mage Series will always be one of my favorites to be treasured always. It is definitely not only for young adults as some claim. It is for all of us with love in our hearts.
Rating: 
Summary: A comfort-read, but little else.
Review: Having just finished Magic's Price, the final book in the Last Herald-Mage trilogy, I have to say that this last book is a genuine improvement over the first two, though it's nothing spectacular. However, I will speak of the series as a whole this time. I am of two minds when I speak about the Last Herald-Mage trilogy. Mercedes' main attraction in her writing lies in the emotional appeal rather than the storytelling. In one hand I enjoyed the book purely because of the emotional value and similarities to my own life and Vanyel's life, like how Vanyel is gay and lived in a negligent family and struggles with loneliness and homophobia. How he has passions and dreams that are forced to rot because circumstance grants him no outlet for them. Those are things that I identify with because they are a part of my life as well. Indeed, that is the only reason I continued from the first book to read the other two: curiosity based on empathy. But on the other hand, as a fan of fantasy literature, I find Lackey's two-dimensional, derivative, predictable, and even cheesy plots unforgivable. Her tendency to repeat herself is also annoying. Example, if you've read the ending-conflict of the first book than you have already read the ending-conflicts of the rest of the trilogy. They play out in almost exactly the same way. Vanyel confronts some mega-powerful mage who you've never seen before and who acts stereotypically villainous, then Vanyel realizes that the only way to defeat said mage is to do some dangerous and potentially lethal magic maneuver. The only difference between these ending-conflicts is the name of the mage Vanyel fights. Literally. That is but one example. You will find that many elements from her first book are repeated throughout the other two. You'll find yourself having a palpable sense of deja-vu from time to time. The trilogy is formulaic to a fault. So all-in-all, I would say that the Last Herald-Mage trilogy is mostly comfort-reading. It's allure, and I believe what wins the series its fans, is the emotional aspect, and it is purely on that basis that one will like the book. Otherwise, the series is a glorified fairy-tale, as trite and predictable as the story of Sleeping Beauty. But like a fairy-tale, the storytelling was never the real point, but the emotion and moral is. To be blunt: As a serious fantasy book, the Last Herald-Mage trilogy simply can't hold water. There is simply nothing new here. It uses common fantasy cliches and beats you over the head with them with no real twists to give it flavor. The writing itself is truly horrible, given Lackey's pentiant for italic words and internal monologue and bad prose. The end result is a bland fantasy book in the fantasy genre context. However, I would recommend this book as a comfort-reading or a light-reading, or as a young adult book. In all fairness, I can only grant this book three stars.
Rating:
Summary: wow!
Review: i loved this seris, but when i came to this book i was kind of sad, i mean it was all going to end. wow i was great, it made me
cry!! i recommend this book to anyone. wow.
Rating:
Summary: hit the spot!
Review: After finishing the last book, Mercedes Lackey has done an outstanding job of bringing a character to life. His thoughts, feelings and fears are brought to the front. She creates a realm that is both fascinating and exciting. With Vanyel, she has created a dynamic character that goes against the norm and it is that creativity and chance that makes this book so unforgetable and brings a sense of lost once the last page is finally turned.
Rating:
Summary: What an ending!
Review: I don't think I've cried over a book in years, that all changed when I picked up "Magic's Pawn" I believe I got the lump in the throat four times with that book! I read the first two in days, but I hesitated on the third. I just didn't want this trilogy to end! Besides a friend told me bluntly: "If you cried over the first, the third will knock you flat." But all of you who has read this series know the pull of it. Gods! It was fantastic! Vanyel, Savil, the army that is their family have all grown so much since the begining (I did how ever miss Jerivis, he grew on me in Magic's Promise) And some old favorites make a guest spot, The Hawkbrothers among them! This was the first set of Lackey's books I've read so I didn't accept Stefen right off (I'm an old romantic and there's no one for Vanyel except Tylendel) but because of one thing or another (not telling your gonna have to read) I loved him by the middle of the book. Vanyel is an enigma, and the character plays with the emotions so well. One second you understand why he's building walls, the next you want to beat him over the head and tell him to stop being such a jerk! (of course Yfandes will do that for you) but that's one of the reasons why I love him! In so many ways Vanyel is an unlikely hero, he tries to make his head drown out his heart, but he's ruled by his emotions, even if he *doesn't* want to listen to them, and that leads to confusion (which is his compainion as much as Yfandes) and then to doubt. Vanyel is rarely sure of himself, no matter how he sounds. He loses his temper, he does stupid things (often many in a row) He's human You just don't see that very much in Fantasy heroes. If you've read the first two, you have a good idea of what's coming in some aspects of the plot, but no matter how you steel yourself up for the coming blow it will do no good. I was crying like a baby by the end of this book, and could still get choked up by thinking about it a couple of days later. This Trilogy is a must read for any one who has no problems falling in love with fictional characters (it *will* happen) and enjoys books that will make you laugh, cry, and cuss all at once. (this'll happen too)
Any one who calls themselves a Fantasy fan must have The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy in their personal Library.
Rating:
Summary: lovely.........
Review: one of the few time I have ever cried was when reading this series. I NEVER cry. Need I say more?
Although, I feel compelled to say that the ..., sadistic, power-mad blood-obsessed mages are getting kinda old. Still, this one of the better Valdemar books. The new ones (the owl series, the storm series, Brightly Burning), they just aren't the same.....)
Rating:
Summary: All good things must come to an end, after all ...
Review: Magic's Price: somehow the title seems to say it all. This is the final book in the trilogy, a fact which I never cease to lament. I just don't want it to end.
As with the others, 10 stars, at least.
Vanyel starts this book more isolated and alone than ever. His King is dying, the King's lifebonded with him, leaving their daughter, fathered by Vanyel, heartsore because of it.
Then, a small ray of hope, and the introduction of Bard Stefen. (who we that have read the later books were waiting for) It seems the young Bard has a Wild Talent; he can sing pain away. For the King, who is in constant agony, this is a tremendous boon.
Bard Stefen also happens to have a thing for Herald Vanyel, and tries everything he can think of to... Well, you get the idea.
The irony never fails to amaze me, that Vanyel's father is mostly responsible for finally bringing them together.
There is a brief interlude of peace and happiness for Vanyel, as he also makes peace with his father finally, and I alway get the urge to close the book there and think, Oh, they lived happily ever after. I never do though. The story just pulls me in again.
Herald mages start dying, and soon Vanyel is faced with the knowledge that his foresight dreams of old may have truth in them.
I always, always cry at the end of this book. It gets me every time. ...
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: It is easy to see why Vanyel is perhaps the most beloved and popular character of Lackey. Through his frailty he remains selfless in his duties to secure peace for humanity. The first book foretold the events of the third book and Vanyel must come full circle. As for Lackey's writing style, I think she is at her best with emotionally driven characters and the first book, Magic Pawn, is where she really shined in taking us through Vanyel's teenage angst and maturing into a responsible young adult. Magic Price was just as fine because she doesn't shy away from the brutal inhumanity of humanity itself. From book 1 to book 3 Vanyel must survive rejection, loneliness, depression, lost love, suicide attempt, assassination attempts, more loneliness as friends are murdered, a gang rape, and the frightening knowledge of his own fate to come face to face with destiny itself. Fortunately no person is an island and Vanyel had the acceptance, support, and love to carry him to the end. Yflandes is still as loving and witty and she is perhaps the best Companion a Herald could ever hope for. Neat how Vanyel's mother is one of the very few in his family who has no trouble accepting the idea that Yflandes is not a horse and treats her like one of her ladies. While Yflandes was merely an introduction in Magic Pawn, her character was excellently fleshed out in the last two books and her loyalty to Vanyel to the end made me weep, though I was glad that Vanyel and Yflandes were together in the final battle, neither of them alone. Since I had not read the earlier Lackey books and hence had not already known of Vanyel's fate, the ending made me mad at first even though it seemed inevitable. I wanted Vanyel to return to Haven a hero and watch his daughter grow up to become Queen. Eventually I decided that how Lackey ended the trilogy was right. And I was very glad that Jisa knew Vanyel is her biological father because it made him less alone. Her love, spunk, and determination matched his own. It is a small consolation that Vanyel's bloodline exists in Valdamar's monarchy. All three books are my favorites and even though I considered myself open minded in regards to [alternative lifesyles] at age 19 (when I first started reading the trilogy), these books helped me to be more open minded and it did the same for a friend. I still get a chuckle over Stefan's brazen attempts at seducing Vanyel. Stefan's proclamation, "I would love you even if you were a ...a woman!" says it all. Ironic that it was Vanyel's father, typical homophobic of the first two books, who made it possible for Vanyel to accept Stefan's advances and finally his love. I think I have outgrown the fantasy & science fiction genre but I will never let go of the "Last Herald-Mage" trilogy books. And the bonus is the beautiful artwork on the book cover. I was thrilled to see a similar cover for the Valdamar Companion book, with Vanyel smiling a clever secret and a 'come-hither' eyes
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