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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I legitimately do not care how cheesy, angsty, or melodramatic this book was (that is to say: very). I still loved it because I love these characters so damn much. There's been so much character and relationship growth for so many characters throughout this series and I absolutely adored it.
I was spoiled for part of the ending and was ready to be a combination of devastated and disappointed, because I honestly find sad endings more of a cop out than happy or bittersweet ones in most cases. But I was pleasantly surprised and actually very happy with how the book ended, and can now be confident in saying this is exactly the book series gay little teenage me needed five years ago. But even coming to it late, I still adored it.
The only thing that really bothers me is the one rape scene. I understand why it was there, but I don't think it needed to be, particularly because there wasn't a lot of time for the character to work through that in any meaningful way. That would be my only hesitation in recommending thus series. Otherwise? A fantastic and heartwrenching gay fantasy romp that may not be high literature, but still impacted me way more than any of the "literary fiction" I've read of late.
I was spoiled for part of the ending and was ready to be a combination of devastated and disappointed, because I honestly find sad endings more of a cop out than happy or bittersweet ones in most cases. But I was pleasantly surprised and actually very happy with how the book ended, and can now be confident in saying this is exactly the book series gay little teenage me needed five years ago. But even coming to it late, I still adored it.
The only thing that really bothers me is the one rape scene. I understand why it was there, but I don't think it needed to be, particularly because there wasn't a lot of time for the character to work through that in any meaningful way. That would be my only hesitation in recommending thus series. Otherwise? A fantastic and heartwrenching gay fantasy romp that may not be high literature, but still impacted me way more than any of the "literary fiction" I've read of late.
I had been warned. I sort of knew what was going to happen. I had no expectations, considering the trainwreck that was the first book. But when I read the ending, I was pretty much
I mean, after pretty much everything you've done for Valdemar, that's what you get in the end?
Forget about duty, responsibility, and doing what was right because you can't do otherwise. As Pat Jr from Silver Linings Playbook more or less said, there's enough shit we have to deal with in real life, why can't we have a happy ending in books? And don't tell me that Vanyel had a happy ending. He was a hero in the end. But just fucking once, couldn't he have been selfish and not punished for it?
Such as when he promised Savil that he would add to her shields but got distracted by Stefen. Vanyel needed the rest! He needed the sex, he needed that quiet moment with his lover. But no, Mercedes Lackey couldn't leave him alone, so Savil has to die because Vanyel dared let his guard down. WTF
I liked Stefen's parts. He was nice, he was supportive. He was relaxing. I'm all fort Stefen. But sorry, Stefen. You're not allowed to be perfectly happy.
Massive spoilers ahead, also, tw for rape.
Basically, Vanyel was all into facing Leareth and 'protecting Valdemar' that Stefen notices that he's changed. Basically a calmer, yet more destructive version of Tylendel after Staven died. Idk if that was intentional, but Vanyel should have known better than to copy Tylendel. He knew what it meant to lose your loved one in that way. He should have known better than to do the same to Stefen. WTF Vanyel.
RAPE. Omg, TW: RAPE. The part where the bandits tie Vanyel up on his own harness, pinned Yfandes's tail on his back and raped him serially--well, what fucking purpose did it serve? To show us that it was real, to show us that Vanyel hadn't hit rock bottom yet? To show that Vanyel can count on Stefen? The whole thing was so horrible--like HORRIBLE OMG--and Vanyel broke, only to be slowly brought back to reason by Stefen and the wolves (can't remember what they're called).
Was that needed? Pacing! Pacing! I know it's not the most important part of the story, but coming hard before Vanyel's face off with Leareth, it made the whole thing anti-climactic. We have seen Leareth in the first book. We know that all this was culminating into the final stand off between him and Vanyel, but we barely even see what Leareth was like. Who the fuck was he? Where did he come from? What did he want? What were his motives?
Nope, you wouldn't get any of that, because you got Vanyel getting raped instead!
What. I mean, really. WHAT.
I mean, after pretty much everything you've done for Valdemar, that's what you get in the end?
Forget about duty, responsibility, and doing what was right because you can't do otherwise. As Pat Jr from Silver Linings Playbook more or less said, there's enough shit we have to deal with in real life, why can't we have a happy ending in books? And don't tell me that Vanyel had a happy ending. He was a hero in the end. But just fucking once, couldn't he have been selfish and not punished for it?
I liked Stefen's parts. He was nice, he was supportive. He was relaxing. I'm all fort Stefen. But sorry, Stefen. You're not allowed to be perfectly happy.
Massive spoilers ahead, also, tw for rape.
RAPE. Omg, TW: RAPE. The part where the bandits tie Vanyel up on his own harness, pinned Yfandes's tail on his back and raped him serially--well, what fucking purpose did it serve? To show us that it was real, to show us that Vanyel hadn't hit rock bottom yet? To show that Vanyel can count on Stefen? The whole thing was so horrible--like HORRIBLE OMG--and Vanyel broke, only to be slowly brought back to reason by Stefen and the wolves (can't remember what they're called).
Was that needed? Pacing! Pacing! I know it's not the most important part of the story, but coming hard before Vanyel's face off with Leareth, it made the whole thing anti-climactic. We have seen Leareth in the first book. We know that all this was culminating into the final stand off between him and Vanyel, but we barely even see what Leareth was like. Who the fuck was he? Where did he come from? What did he want? What were his motives?
Nope, you wouldn't get any of that, because you got Vanyel getting raped instead!
What. I mean, really. WHAT.
CW: gang rape
This was so bad. It’s been >20 years since the last time I read it and it does *not* hold up. It’s just 🚩 after 🚩and I ended it not even liking Vanyel. He’s turned into this self-righteous hypocrite who spends all his time explaining why no one is as awesome as he is 🙄🙄🙄 It’s definitely a Kill the Gays™️ and it includes a gang rape that serves no purpose whatsoever. I *hate* the people that use rape as a plot device but this isn’t even that. It adds nothing to the character, relationship dynamics, or story. It’s just there. Brutal gang rape just hanging out in a fantasy story. Um ... no.
The writing is sloppy and lazy, the editing nonexistent. So many inconsistencies and head scratch choices within the book itself and the broader series arc - including Vanyel’s rape and death. Super jarring POV shifts done to build conflict/angst presumably in an effort to hide the fact that the author can’t manage it on her own. It’s clear that this series was written to provide historical filler for the main Valdemar arc and because the author had to prove that she’s just as pompous and out of touch as any other so-called white feminist ally by having an Important Queer Character™️.
As far as I can tell, Stef should’ve repudiated the lifebond. He’s constantly having to call out bad behaviour and mistreatment, at least when he’s not squinting through the gaslighting so dense that someone else has to call it out. Plus how tf is it ok to tell someone “sorry I was an asshole and hurt you but suck it up cuz I’m doing Important Work™️ and will continue to trample you until it’s done.” Um, sure, yeah, love you too ... except no. Hard pass.
This was so bad. It’s been >20 years since the last time I read it and it does *not* hold up. It’s just 🚩 after 🚩and I ended it not even liking Vanyel. He’s turned into this self-righteous hypocrite who spends all his time explaining why no one is as awesome as he is 🙄🙄🙄 It’s definitely a Kill the Gays™️ and it includes a gang rape that serves no purpose whatsoever. I *hate* the people that use rape as a plot device but this isn’t even that. It adds nothing to the character, relationship dynamics, or story. It’s just there. Brutal gang rape just hanging out in a fantasy story. Um ... no.
The writing is sloppy and lazy, the editing nonexistent. So many inconsistencies and head scratch choices within the book itself and the broader series arc - including Vanyel’s rape and death. Super jarring POV shifts done to build conflict/angst presumably in an effort to hide the fact that the author can’t manage it on her own. It’s clear that this series was written to provide historical filler for the main Valdemar arc and because the author had to prove that she’s just as pompous and out of touch as any other so-called white feminist ally by having an Important Queer Character™️.
As far as I can tell, Stef should’ve repudiated the lifebond. He’s constantly having to call out bad behaviour and mistreatment, at least when he’s not squinting through the gaslighting so dense that someone else has to call it out. Plus how tf is it ok to tell someone “sorry I was an asshole and hurt you but suck it up cuz I’m doing Important Work™️ and will continue to trample you until it’s done.” Um, sure, yeah, love you too ... except no. Hard pass.
The final installment of the Last Herald-Mage trilogy is one that I can never read with comletely dry eyes. The whole story in the trilogy comes to a head when, after a series of assassination attempts and successes, Vanyel learns that he is the only Herald-Mage left in Valdemar. Not only that, but that the enemy who has been gradually picking off the Herald-Mages has also been murdering unChosen children with the Mage-Gift, to ensure that no more Mages get trained in Valdemar’s borders. Coupled with the plight of a dying king and war on the border, Vanyel decides, rightfully, that he is the only one to deal with this enemy.
Interwoven with this story is Vanyel new relationship with the Bard Stefan, who, as we learn later, is the reincarnation of Tylendel. Yes, it’s sappy, and no, it never fails to bring a little smile to my face when I think about it. The reasoning behind the reincarnation was explained quite simply, in that there was a good amount of unifinished business and guilt in Tylendel’s heart when he died, and, as Vanyel confirms at the end of the novel, Heralds are given the choice to come back after they’ve died, if they so desire. It may not be an original reason, but at least it’s a reason.
The part of this book that never fails to tug at my heartstrings is when Vanyel realises that in saving the kingdom, he will, without fail, go to his death, and yet he keeps on pretending, for Stefan’s sake, that things will be fine. And the bitter triumph when Yfandes comes to his aid at the very end, providing him enough strength to be sure he’ll take out the enemy when he goes…
Yes, when you end up grieving for fictional characters, you know the author’s done something right.
It’s interesting to note that, as in many other novels of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey includes song lyrics in the back of the book, relating to the trilogy that has just finished. Most of them are songs of Vanyel’s exploits, but one, My Lady’s Eyes (well-known to be Vanyel’s mother’s favourite song) has commentary before it that I believe we’re supposed to infer was written by Stefan. It’s a nice touch, and lends a bit more of a connection to the song lyrics we’re seeing and the time they came from.
A great ending to a great trilogy. Lackey did not only tell Vanyel’s story, but also did a wonderful amount of explanation and set-up for the future of Valdemar, which is a delight for fans of the series to see and to be a part of. Well worth reading!
Interwoven with this story is Vanyel new relationship with the Bard Stefan, who, as we learn later, is the reincarnation of Tylendel. Yes, it’s sappy, and no, it never fails to bring a little smile to my face when I think about it. The reasoning behind the reincarnation was explained quite simply, in that there was a good amount of unifinished business and guilt in Tylendel’s heart when he died, and, as Vanyel confirms at the end of the novel, Heralds are given the choice to come back after they’ve died, if they so desire. It may not be an original reason, but at least it’s a reason.
The part of this book that never fails to tug at my heartstrings is when Vanyel realises that in saving the kingdom, he will, without fail, go to his death, and yet he keeps on pretending, for Stefan’s sake, that things will be fine. And the bitter triumph when Yfandes comes to his aid at the very end, providing him enough strength to be sure he’ll take out the enemy when he goes…
Yes, when you end up grieving for fictional characters, you know the author’s done something right.
It’s interesting to note that, as in many other novels of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey includes song lyrics in the back of the book, relating to the trilogy that has just finished. Most of them are songs of Vanyel’s exploits, but one, My Lady’s Eyes (well-known to be Vanyel’s mother’s favourite song) has commentary before it that I believe we’re supposed to infer was written by Stefan. It’s a nice touch, and lends a bit more of a connection to the song lyrics we’re seeing and the time they came from.
A great ending to a great trilogy. Lackey did not only tell Vanyel’s story, but also did a wonderful amount of explanation and set-up for the future of Valdemar, which is a delight for fans of the series to see and to be a part of. Well worth reading!
Loveable characters:
Yes