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Summary: Didn't want it to end
Review: I found the story of the Herald Mage Vanyel to be one of the most engrossing and powerful that I have ever come across. The characters were so real, the relationships and struggles so beautifully portrayed that when I saw the inevitable drawing near in the third book, I set the book aside for a few days to delay it. I am a member of the "happy ever after" fan club and it was difficult to see a character that so badly deserved a happy ending to meet with his fate. My only complaint about the writing in this series is that Lackey spent so much of the text developing believable characters that she sometimes made leaps in the plot without letting the reader know how or why something was suddenly different giving a few spots in the three books a less than polished feel, but for me, the strength of the story itself more than makes up for these few glitches.
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Summary: Amazing story! If only her writing was better...
Review: The Last Herald-Mage trilogy has got to be one of the best series of books I have ever read. It had just about everything I could ever want -- I just wish there was more of it. This book brings you from the heights of happiness to the depths of despair. I occasionally found myself laughing out loud, and a few times, I had to go in search of the Kleenex. There was no controlling it -- the tears just started rolling down my cheeks, and they wouldn't go away. I loved this story even though I was disappointed by Lackey's writing. I don't know how to explain it -- I just don't like the way she forms sentences. Every now and then, she tries to write a dialogue, but in the middle of it, she goes off on a tangent. Then out of nowhere, she's back in the dialogue, and you forgot what the last person had said. There are other problems, but I won't go into them. I wouldn't want to focus on the negatives of such a great book. Buy this book and read it as many times as you can.
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Summary: AMAZING!
Review: I am a big fan of Misty's works and I think she is a wonderful author. I read this trilogy in two days! I love this series and I thought it was wonderful even if it didn't end completely to me preferences. GO LACKEY! (I already know I'm crazy, but so are you.)
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Summary: Read it again & again
Review: I have read most of Mercedes Lackey's books, The last herald mage trilogy is by farthe best of all of them. I have read this book over and over again, I can't even count how many times I have read it. It's is so strongly emotional and drawsto the reader right into the story.
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Summary: Mercedes has filled a gap no other "fantasy" author could.
Review: I've never regretted lending a book without getting it back MORE than The Last Herald Mage trilogy. Not only was Vanyel's story the most stirring one I've EVER read but it solidified the role that Sci-Fi Fantasy plays in people's lives. The ability with which she was able to make me feel compasssion for a homosexual character had me rethink my feelings towards them. The negative comments which I read most likely stem from people who consider reading to be a past time for people of higher intelligence, therefore, books that explain things in simple language easy enough for a reader of any background or IQ level to understand is not worthy of praise because it lacks literary prowess. Guess what? This book does what every book should ... makes you think. Makes you feel. Read the rest of the Valdemar series. Then check out Steven Brust's books on Vlad the assassin. Also the Deathgate Cycle by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. All good non-award-winning literature(as far as I know)!! The people giving out these awards just don't get it ...
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Summary: I love this book, but it is by no means perfect!
Review: I just want to say that I really love this book. I respect it, and everything that it stands for to no end. The depth of emotion and reality in it draw the reader in instantly, despite a number of writing flaws. This isn't the best book ever-written, just to let you know, although some of the other reviews on this page would have you believe just that. In no way can this hold up to books like Tolken's, Robin Mckinley's, of Patricia Mckillip (who's writing I adore), but it is still good. The writing style isn't that amazing, but the story is. If nothing else read this book for the story, which is splendid. Every time I read this book, be it the first time of the eigth (I know that's rather obsesive), I'm struck by my love for it. Okay, I guess there isn't anything else worth saying, so I'll just stop.
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Summary: Love and loss and love reborn....
Review: I don't have words to describe how this book has changed my life. I read the series right after losing my _own_ shay-kreth-ashke (what a word!) and it gave me hope for what comes...after.Reading this book is the best thing you can ever do for yourself. It will open you in so many ways, that are so needful for today's society. I know I have to stay away from fantasy conventions, because I might see Mercedes Lackey there; and everyone would think I was a crazed stalker when I fell down at her feet and cried, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
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Summary: Simply one of the best series ever!
Review: My copy of this book is falling apart - I've read it again and again. The bonds between the characters draw you into their world, and you can't help but get caught up in the action. I'd recomend this book to anyone. If you're a fan of action adventures - it's there. Magic and Fantasy - ditto. And, yeah a romance novel to a certain extent. Enjoy! Whatever you do - skip the next review - a vital plot line is given away!
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Summary: It's good, but it's not THAT good, Sheesh!!
Review: I am sure I am offending a lot of people by saying this, but Mercedes Lackey's style of writing, despite her ventures into "taboo subject areas" don't have quite the adult audience more sophisticated fantasy authors claim. One should not immediately assume that her books, especially this one, are the be-all and end-all of the genre. They're not, this one is not. Let me explain before to many of you explode. Lackey has found a good style with which to get fantasy novels published, its witty, attractive, adventurous, and most of all, easy to read and understand. However, that does not make this book on a par with Robin Mckinley's THE HERO AND THE CROWN, which has won numerous awards and is targetted on the same sort of audience (its more lasting apeal is proven by the number of people I know who read it as teenagers and still love to curl up with it at least once a year). Let's put this book, and Mercedes Lackey, in persepective, then. If MAGIC'S PRICE is receieving five stars across the board, and so is Robert Jordan's THE EYE OF THE WORLD, and J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth books, then compared to one another, putting, for instance, THE LORD OF THE RINGS first among notable fantasy novels, do you think any of Mercedes Lackey's books would even come close to being found at the top of the list? NO, I don't think so!! For those of you who went into outraged contortions despite my explanation, maybe this will help you pick up the pieces: I liked this book, there I said it. BUT, just because I liked it doesn't mean I think my opinion has some sort of bearing on how "good" a book is (see above). Nor does that mean that a whole bunch of people's opinions (in this case, sorry, preteens and teenagers) necessarily result in this conclusion. If you're looking for an enjoyable read immersed in most of the best-loved aspects of the fantasy novel, Vanyel's adventures (and demise) will probably do the trick. Just don't expect people to understand when you begin comparing it in the ratings with fantasy's most acclaimed and accomplished writers!
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Summary: i love this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: this book is heartrending. the hero vanyel dies at the hands of the Dark Lord. it is a good fantasy novel. it also tells of vanyel's struggle to be acsepted as what he is--gay. finally he overcomes peoples prejudices and becomes a hero but not without losing friends and family to death.
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