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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This has a very self-conscious narrative defense of the problematic-age-gap romance in it that really sours me on it. On the one hand, I think the move to have the younger love interest be the active party in pursuing a relationship, to the point of romcom farce, does a lot to endear me to the Vanyel and Stefan. However I think the magical justification for why dating someone less that half your age is Fine Actually (that Stefan is the reincarnation of Vanyel's True Love that died 17 years ago...) really undermines the character development in Vanyel that is a part of them getting together. Still very glad I read this series, and there's certainly a lot for me to chew in academically in how sexual violence shows up in fantasy, but overall I think this final book might be the weakest in the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The best book in the trilogy even though you know how it's going to end before it starts. A bit long winded in parts. Quite a few plot meanders that left me wondering why they were included, but a good end to Vanyel's story.
Update 12/3/18: 4.5/5
Still my favorite book in the trilogy. I start to understand the meandering plots as I believe the ending could have been a book unto itself. I appreciate that Lackey kept this part short and to the point as everyone knows how the story ends before it begins.
Update 12/3/18: 4.5/5
Still my favorite book in the trilogy. I start to understand the meandering plots as I believe the ending could have been a book unto itself. I appreciate that Lackey kept this part short and to the point as everyone knows how the story ends before it begins.
Herald Mages are few, and Vanyel is the strongest. King Randale is dying--no one knows the cause. But a Bard is found who can sing pain away--Stefan. He's also shaych, and he and Van end up life-bonded. When Herald-Mages start dying under mysterious circumstances, they try to pass it off as accidents. But then Savil is killed, and Van realizes it is murder. He is the last Herald-Mage at that point, and he must stop the killer. The enemy mage is so powerful that the only way to kill him is to sacrifice himself and Yfandes. But they don't die--they become protectors on the border of Valdemar. And Stef, who is Tylendal reincarnated, joins them when his work is done.
Online summary
Four of the last Herald-Mages, Vanyel among them, create a magic barrier around their nation of Valdemar. This barrier prevents hostile mages from using magic. Vanyel intends to add other defenses when he has the time.
Valdemar's King Randale is dying of a mysterious ailment. He is barely able to move from bed and only has a few years to live. Vanyel has taken over nearly all the responsibilities of the throne, while young Prince Treven is trained.
A young bard named Stefen is discovered in the Bardic Collegium. He has the unusual ability to block pain with his music. Vanyel arranges for Stefen to play for Randale during an official audience, proving his ability.
Stefen is openly shaych and falls in love with Vanyel. Vanyel hesitates to love anyone because he fears his enemies will attack those he cares about, but finds that he and Stefen have become lifebonded--a type of psychic link. It is unheard of to have more than one lifebond in one lifetime, and Vanyel had already had such a link with (now dead) Herald-Mage apprentice Tylendel when very young.
While visiting his family with Stefen and his aunt and mentor Savil, Vanyel wanders alone to think things over and is ambushed by a rogue mage, who he overcomes and delivers to the family priest. The mage escapes and attacks a group of women who are listening to Stefen's music. Yfandes tries to help but is injured; Vanyel shows up just in time to step in front of a thrown dagger meant for his mother.
Savil recognizes the dagger as a leech-blade, which sucks life energy from its victim. Savil Gates away to the land of the Tayledras Hawkbrothers to ask for help; she returns with Moondance and Starwind. They discover that Vanyel's lifebond with Stefen may have saved his life and speculate that Stefen is the reincarnation of Tylendel. Vanyel is not told, as the Hawkbrothers think it would complicate his relationship with Stefen.
Vanyel, Stefen, and Savil return to Haven, bringing Vanyel's parents along for their protection. King Randale has deteriorated further. Queen Shavri has decided to provide him with strength through an unrestricted psychic link. When Randale dies, so will Shavri.
To make matters worse, Karse, the traditional enemy of Valdemar, is about to declare a holy war. Vanyel departs to negotiate a treaty with the land of Rethwellan.
Upon his return he finds that Herald-Mages are dying in what look like accidents. Savil doesn't believe it and asks Vanyel to strengthen the protective wards around her home. Vanyel is tired and puts it off; the same night a mage-made creature murders Savil. Vanyel is now the last Herald-Mage.
Vanyel sets out to find the mage behind the deaths, followed by Stefen. They are ambushed by bandits who work for the mage, whom they call Master Dark. As instructed, Stefen runs away to hide and returns later. He finds Yfandes injured and Vanyel kidnapped.
A blocking spell has been put on Vanyel to prevent him from using his powers. The bandits rape and beat Vanyel brutally; nearly killing him. The bandits then send for a healer to revive him. This man sees the magical block on Vanyel's mind and removes it. Vanyel revives, and temporarily loses his sanity, killing everyone in sight. Stefen and Yfandes arrive and so do a pack of kyree, who take the humans in and help them.
Vanyel is healed, but is determined to find "Master Dark", who he now suspects of having been behind a number of mysterious deaths in Valdemar. Vanyel finds a mountain pass, where the mage intends to take his troops down into the heart of Valdemar. Vanyel sends Yfandes and Stefen to the Guard post for help; knowing he may never see them again.
The dark mage's army shows up. Vanyel defeats them and finally faces Leareth, "Master Dark" himself. Yfandes returns and together they invoke the ultimate spell, Final Strike, which kills not only one's enemy but oneself. Vanyel and Yfandes die together. Stefen, who has felt Vanyel die, finds only a cracked and burned amber focus-stone--a present he had given Vanyel--and a few strands of blood-soaked horse hair.
Some months later, King Randale and Queen Shavri die. Lost in grief and despair, Stefen returns to the site of Vanyel's death, intending to commit suicide, but Vanyel's spirit appears before him. Vanyel tells Stefen that in order for Stefen to be free to join him, he must convince all of Valdemar that Herald-Mages are no longer necessary, and that Heralds are enough; a nearly impossible task. Stefen agrees and spends the rest of his life working for this change, until his death when he is able to join Vanyel at last.
Online summary
Four of the last Herald-Mages, Vanyel among them, create a magic barrier around their nation of Valdemar. This barrier prevents hostile mages from using magic. Vanyel intends to add other defenses when he has the time.
Valdemar's King Randale is dying of a mysterious ailment. He is barely able to move from bed and only has a few years to live. Vanyel has taken over nearly all the responsibilities of the throne, while young Prince Treven is trained.
A young bard named Stefen is discovered in the Bardic Collegium. He has the unusual ability to block pain with his music. Vanyel arranges for Stefen to play for Randale during an official audience, proving his ability.
Stefen is openly shaych and falls in love with Vanyel. Vanyel hesitates to love anyone because he fears his enemies will attack those he cares about, but finds that he and Stefen have become lifebonded--a type of psychic link. It is unheard of to have more than one lifebond in one lifetime, and Vanyel had already had such a link with (now dead) Herald-Mage apprentice Tylendel when very young.
While visiting his family with Stefen and his aunt and mentor Savil, Vanyel wanders alone to think things over and is ambushed by a rogue mage, who he overcomes and delivers to the family priest. The mage escapes and attacks a group of women who are listening to Stefen's music. Yfandes tries to help but is injured; Vanyel shows up just in time to step in front of a thrown dagger meant for his mother.
Savil recognizes the dagger as a leech-blade, which sucks life energy from its victim. Savil Gates away to the land of the Tayledras Hawkbrothers to ask for help; she returns with Moondance and Starwind. They discover that Vanyel's lifebond with Stefen may have saved his life and speculate that Stefen is the reincarnation of Tylendel. Vanyel is not told, as the Hawkbrothers think it would complicate his relationship with Stefen.
Vanyel, Stefen, and Savil return to Haven, bringing Vanyel's parents along for their protection. King Randale has deteriorated further. Queen Shavri has decided to provide him with strength through an unrestricted psychic link. When Randale dies, so will Shavri.
To make matters worse, Karse, the traditional enemy of Valdemar, is about to declare a holy war. Vanyel departs to negotiate a treaty with the land of Rethwellan.
Upon his return he finds that Herald-Mages are dying in what look like accidents. Savil doesn't believe it and asks Vanyel to strengthen the protective wards around her home. Vanyel is tired and puts it off; the same night a mage-made creature murders Savil. Vanyel is now the last Herald-Mage.
Vanyel sets out to find the mage behind the deaths, followed by Stefen. They are ambushed by bandits who work for the mage, whom they call Master Dark. As instructed, Stefen runs away to hide and returns later. He finds Yfandes injured and Vanyel kidnapped.
A blocking spell has been put on Vanyel to prevent him from using his powers. The bandits rape and beat Vanyel brutally; nearly killing him. The bandits then send for a healer to revive him. This man sees the magical block on Vanyel's mind and removes it. Vanyel revives, and temporarily loses his sanity, killing everyone in sight. Stefen and Yfandes arrive and so do a pack of kyree, who take the humans in and help them.
Vanyel is healed, but is determined to find "Master Dark", who he now suspects of having been behind a number of mysterious deaths in Valdemar. Vanyel finds a mountain pass, where the mage intends to take his troops down into the heart of Valdemar. Vanyel sends Yfandes and Stefen to the Guard post for help; knowing he may never see them again.
The dark mage's army shows up. Vanyel defeats them and finally faces Leareth, "Master Dark" himself. Yfandes returns and together they invoke the ultimate spell, Final Strike, which kills not only one's enemy but oneself. Vanyel and Yfandes die together. Stefen, who has felt Vanyel die, finds only a cracked and burned amber focus-stone--a present he had given Vanyel--and a few strands of blood-soaked horse hair.
Some months later, King Randale and Queen Shavri die. Lost in grief and despair, Stefen returns to the site of Vanyel's death, intending to commit suicide, but Vanyel's spirit appears before him. Vanyel tells Stefen that in order for Stefen to be free to join him, he must convince all of Valdemar that Herald-Mages are no longer necessary, and that Heralds are enough; a nearly impossible task. Stefen agrees and spends the rest of his life working for this change, until his death when he is able to join Vanyel at last.
In his 30s, Vanyel now works in the heart of Haven, advising the king and training new Heralds. One trainee, a remarkable young bard named Stephen, has his sights set on Vanyel--but so does the agent behind the war which has threatened Valdemar for all these years. In Magic's Price the plot finally comes full circle, but it's a disjointed, unevenly paced, and unfailingly predictable circle; what's somewhat more compelling is the conclusion to Vanyel's emotional journey. Vanyel has aged, but his emotional growth continues to feel delineated rather than convincing; any hope that the angst may have been scaled back is quashed by a gratuitous rape scene and melodramatic conclusion. The Last Herald Mage series ends as it began; like Magic's Pawn, Magic's Price is again memorable--and, again, for all the wrong reasons. The melodrama of these these books left a strong impression on me as an adolescent and I can see why, but upon reread I in no way recommend them.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this book truly sucks and makes the previous 2 books even worse by extension
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail