Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Magical Mystery
Review: Vanyel has now become the most powerful Herald-Mage in all of Valdemar. In the ten or so years that have passed since the end of "Magic's Pawn," Vanyel has defeated numerous enemies on the Karsite border, earning him an intimidating reputation.When Vanyel goes home to escape the pressures of the border war and the stresses of watching the ailing King Randale suffer, he expects to be able to relax and replenish his spent energy. His Aunt Savil comes along as well to make sure that his family leaves him alone long enough to get the rest he needs and deserves. Then a cry for help in the night sends Vanyel off on a dangerous adventure: The newly Chosen Tashir, heir to the throne of Lineas, is being accused of murder by Mage-Gift. Will Vanyel be able to unravel the mystery and discover the identity of the killer? "Magic's Promise" is the second book in Mercedes Lackey's The Last Herald-Mage trilogy. This is my least favorite of the three, but it is still a very worthwhile book. As with "Magic's Pawn," Lackey's treatment of homosexuality was quite remarkable. She pulls it off so subtly that I barely even notice it. It is just a part of who Vanyel is. I almost wish more authors would take the risk of writing about homosexual lead characters. It really is a refreshing change. Bottom Line: Good continuation of the trilogy and good setup for the final installment. Make sure you read this before picking up "Magic's Price"!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful character development
Review: Vanyel's character continues to develop as he learns that his uniquely powerful mage skills are even more isolating than the fact of being gay in a straight world, and advances in his understanding of his loss of his love, Tylendel (in the first book of the trilogy). To learn that we need not forget those who have died, but that we can choose how to remember them, that you can remember the love and life or wrap yourself in loss and self-pity... what insight! And with that, there is a wonderful mystery, nice action, humorous moments and a fabulous battle of good and evil. The story moves well, but the emotional resonance of this trilogy is what makes it shine for me.
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