Magic's Promise (Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage, #2)

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Magic's Promise (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #2)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 9,971 ratings · 122 reviews

The wild magic is taking its toll on the land, and even Vanyel, the most powerful Herald-Mage to ever walk the world, is almost at the end of his strength. But when his Companion, Yfandes, receives a call for help from neighboring Lineas, both Herald-Mage and Companion are drawn into a holocaust of dark magic that could be the end of them both.

Paperback, 320 pages

Published January 2nd 1990 by DAW (first published 1990)

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Mar 17, 2009 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, fantasy

Herald-Mage Vanyel has spent long years defending Valdemar against wild magic at its borders, and has seen many of his friends and fellow mages die in the fierce demonic battles. Returning from one such bitter victory, Vanyel is exhausted, haggard, lonely and heartsick. By king Randal's order he takes time off to rest and recuperate, all the while knowing the safety of Valdemar rests on his shoulders - for who else could do his job? There is no one else.

Reluctantly returning to his family's esta...more Herald-Mage Vanyel has spent long years defending Valdemar against wild magic at its borders, and has seen many of his friends and fellow mages die in the fierce demonic battles. Returning from one such bitter victory, Vanyel is exhausted, haggard, lonely and heartsick. By king Randal's order he takes time off to rest and recuperate, all the while knowing the safety of Valdemar rests on his shoulders - for who else could do his job? There is no one else.

Reluctantly returning to his family's estate for a "holiday", as much of one as you could get amongst his family, Vanyel faces up to many past torments. There's his father, Withen, and his homophobia; Melenna, who doesn't believe she can't convince Vanyel to become heterosexual and marry her; Melenna and his brother's bastard son, Medren, who has a Bard's gift; his brother's half-baked ideas of running the farm; and his old nemesis, Jervis, the armsmaster.

Family troubles take a backseat when Vanyel and his Companion, Yfandes, sense a Companion's distress from the next kingdom over, Baires, where trouble has been brewing between it and its neighbour, Lineas. The ruling families have intermarried but the king of Baires disinherited his first-born, Tashir, because it was widely believed he was the son of the Queen's uncle, a mage from Lineas. Now the entire royal family of Baires is dead except for Tashir, shredded to bits inside the palace, and a Herald from Valdemar, Lores, thinks it's Tashir's doing. Tashir has exhibited some magic and he's the only survivor. It's Tashir's new Companion's distress that they heard, as Lores thinks he's a demon and is whipping him.

Vanyel rescues the boy, who looks scarily like his long-dead life-bonded love, Tylendel, and whisks him off to the family estate while he and Savil try to figure out what really happened.

The character development of the first book is something that really impressed me, and it continues here. Vanyel, older now but still fairly young, has experienced a lot but still has much to learn - about himself, about love and life. He's isolated himself, and is often confused and angry and hurt, but he's definitely more mature and better able to deal with other people - in short, he's the same Vanyel, just more weathered. And still changing. I can't help but feel for the poor man, and want a bit of happiness to go his way, for his loneliness comes through clearly and painfully.

Lackey's infamous habit of italicising very second word doesn't become any less irritating, and italics are hard to block out, especially when used so liberally (it always makes me think of L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon, who was told by her grumpy teacher to stop using italics in her writing). Other than that, I enjoy her writing style and I love her characters.

The world, while it has a narrow focus and often vague details, feels strong and real because of the prose, and because the story focuses so much on Van and his inner angst. "Angst" is such a bad word, I know, but you'll empathise with Vanyel; it's hard not to. He's a moody lad, broods too much, and doesn't always stand up for himself when he should - like with poor Melenna - but he has a nice balance of decisiveness, courage, self-torment and humbleness, that makes him familiar yet new.

The plot is a little tricky to follow at times because, as with the previous book, you're thrown in with an assumed prior knowledge that, while it makes the world feel very real, does make you fall behind the characters at times. But it's a matter of faith, I think: things do come clear, though the minor characters got a bit muddled in my head and a map would be really really helpful with this trilogy. Now, let's just hope it doesn't take me another year to read the last book, or I'll forget what happened to Tylendel all over again!(less)

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Jul 26, 2012 AnnaLund rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: top-read-of-2012

This is what magick is supposed to be all about. Saving the world. Things that explode without reason. People who finally realize their full potential. Youngsters who grow up to be valiant adults, and get their due kudos from those who used to scorn them. The revenge for having been treated poorly? To live fully and be good and happy.

I adore the language in this book, it is so uplifting, even in the parts where everything goes to hell with a bang. And the humor is outstanding, listen to this, s...more

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Mar 22, 2008 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, guilty-pleasures

This one was probably the weakest of the entire trilogy; it's set twelve years after Pawn. Since the end of book one, Valdemar has become involved in a war with Karse, it's Southern-most neighbor. We never get told why, who started it, or anything else. It's just a fact that there's a war going on, and Vanyel is a key part in it. His powers make him an invaluable tool, and he gets used almost to his breaking point until he finally is given leave.

Vanyel decides to go visit his family instead of...more This one was probably the weakest of the entire trilogy; it's set twelve years after Pawn. Since the end of book one, Valdemar has become involved in a war with Karse, it's Southern-most neighbor. We never get told why, who started it, or anything else. It's just a fact that there's a war going on, and Vanyel is a key part in it. His powers make him an invaluable tool, and he gets used almost to his breaking point until he finally is given leave.

Vanyel decides to go visit his family instead of staying in Haven with Savil; by now they have a very close relationship. He's afraid that if he stays in Haven, it will be easier for those in charge to send him back in the field if some crisis emerges, but if he's visiting his family on their remote holding, he'll be less likely to be recalled unless there's a truly dire emergency.

Needless to say, Vanyel doesn't have a very healthy or close relationship with his family. By now they all know he's gay, but because of his powerful position in the Court (as well as his magical abilities) they don't shun him like they might have if he was still "normal". They pretty much ignore that part of his life, except for his mother, who is constantly introducing young women to him in the hopes of effecting a cure.

While he's home, he hears a magical cry for help from across the Western border. He responds of course, and stumbles onto a grisley crime scene: all of the occupants of the neigboring kingdom's royal palace have been slaughtered, literally torn to pieces, except one: Prince Tashir, who was recently disinherited by his father because of rumors that he was a bastard. Tashir has the Gift of Fetching, and since the people of the kingdom are suspicious of magic, and since he's the only survivor and has a motive, he's also the only suspect. BUT, when Vanyel arrives, he discovers that Tashir has been Chosen, so it's clear that he couldn't have been responsible for the carnage, because Companions only Choose Good people.

You can see where this is going. There are actually several sub plots going on, but giving out details about them is also giving out spoilers, so I'll leave them for you to discover, if you choose. There's more Angst, of course, because it couldn't have Misty's name on it if it have Angst. But I still love it, although it's not my favorite of the trilogy.

The Review: In this book we learn a lot about how magic works, what it can and can't do. I think that Misty has created the most unique and detailed magic system I've ever read, frankly. First, there's a distinction between "true" magic (abra cadabra and all that) and "mind" magic (reading people's thoughts, moving objects with the mind). I like all those technical details, oddly enough.

One thing that really irritates me about this book is: why is there a war going on? I didn't pay attention to that detail at first, because throughout the Valdemar series, Valdemar and Karse are pretty much always fighting, but since there was no mention of a war going on in Pawn, then it's pretty obvious that the problems started in Vanyel's lifetime. So what event, specifically, started it? I would think that Misty would take the time to answer that question, definatively.

Another flaw is that the story tends to drag. The Tashir incident happens until almost halfway through the book. I think what Misty wanted to do here is really focus on Vanyel and how he deals with his warped relationships, but something in the way of action had to happen, so she came up with having Vanyel solve a murder mystery. It really does seem rather incidental. But then, I like the whole dealing-with-relationships part better than the murder mystery part, anyway, so it doesn't really bother me except in a vague sense of feeling disappointed because Misty got a little sloppy.(less)

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Sep 28, 2010 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, read-in-2010

The fabulous Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron decides to take a vacation after pretty single-handedly defeating Karse in a border war. This and other magical displays have grown Vanyel from the hurting, uncertain sixteen year-old from Magic's Pawn to the twenty-eight year-old hero of all Valdemar. To take the break that the living-legend of song and story deserves, Vanyel goes back to the Ashkevron home and all the people who gave him so much trouble in the first place.

There is a very interesting e...more

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Mar 01, 2010 Chuck rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm behind on my blogging, so this will be fast. This is the first book in 'The Last Herald Mage' trilogy. The best book in the Last Herald Mage trilogy.

Vanyel is now a full Herald Mage and has gotten over the sniveling of the first novel. He is a competent warrier and magician, giving his all to Valdemar. Most of this novel is taken up with him and his travel to his home, and the (sort of) reconciliation with his family. But the trip home is a disguise for a border war and magic dealings beyond...more

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Mar 06, 2010 LKM rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the first book.

Recommended to LKM by: Jaina

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have to admit, I hesitated on whether to rate it 3 or 4 stars.

The book started rather annoying, but I have to admit, it got much better near the end- particularly if you can overlook the weird placings for emphasizing the words; and every two (whiny) sentences, too. Once you get past that, and are able to read a full sentence fluidly enough, the book's not half bad.

In fact, I enjoyed it! But that doesn't mean I didn't find faults, or things that didn't appeal to my preference on books.

Likes:

*...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Jimmy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, fantasy

I was jarred from the beginning when I surprisingly realized that this book takes place 10 years after Magic’s Pawn. So as I’m reading along and trying to get into it, in the back of my mind I’m hungry for the Valdemar short stories that will fill in this time gap. I assume what I miss is how Vanyel learns to control his awesome ability and how he deals with his loneliness.
In Magic’s Promise Vanyel discovers that his friends, family, and the population are not leery of him because of his sexua...more I was jarred from the beginning when I surprisingly realized that this book takes place 10 years after Magic’s Pawn. So as I’m reading along and trying to get into it, in the back of my mind I’m hungry for the Valdemar short stories that will fill in this time gap. I assume what I miss is how Vanyel learns to control his awesome ability and how he deals with his loneliness.
In Magic’s Promise Vanyel discovers that his friends, family, and the population are not leery of him because of his sexual preference, but are scared of him because of his power. In addition to his new found celebrity status as a hero of Valdemar, he’ll keep coming back and questioning his own feelings for Shavri, who is lifebonded to Randale, the King of Valdemar.
For me, this book doesn’t get good until Van and Yfandes cross the border into Highjorune and find the palace that sits on top of a very powerful node. There’s the mystery of why would the Tayledras leave the most powerful node Vanyel has ever known still operational with its incredible power? And then there is the young boy Van rescued, who looks identical to Tylendel. Naturally it stabs Vanyel in the heart to even look at him. Also somehow Vanyel finds himself forced into taking a more authoritative and active role in his own family. He’ll play the role of the mediator/peacemaker in his own home in the keep of Forst Reach when he is actually supposed to be resting because his own energy is down to life-threatening zero. Emotions run high for me when Van desperately attempts to prevent a war between Valdemar and Lineas without sacrificing his own life.
Although Vanyel is rightfully still in turmoil over his lost love Tylendel, Mercedes Lackey steps away from their intimate relationship and goes in another direction in this book, (which I believe keeps the story of Vanyel and Valdemar interesting.) She addresses those who are unfortunate to fall in love for the wrong reasons and/or fall in love with the wrong persons, which can tear a heart just as badly as Van’s lose on Sowan.(less)

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Mar 06, 2013 D rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge, lgbtq, series

I wrote a review and it's gone now, so whatever.

Magic's Promise is so much better than the first book you have no idea. Here we finally see Vanyel getting some use out of his amazing Herald-Mage powers. It also means that he's exhausted most of the time and trying desperately to hold things together even though he's so painfully lonely--and those are feelings I can definitely get behind.

Bit of a jump from the first book to this one: Vanyel is older, more experienced, more confident, and easier...more I wrote a review and it's gone now, so whatever.

Magic's Promise is so much better than the first book you have no idea. Here we finally see Vanyel getting some use out of his amazing Herald-Mage powers. It also means that he's exhausted most of the time and trying desperately to hold things together even though he's so painfully lonely--and those are feelings I can definitely get behind.

Bit of a jump from the first book to this one: Vanyel is older, more experienced, more confident, and easier to handle. I didn't feel like throttling him like I did in the first book, so that's a good thing, right? Could be because I'm getting used to the narrative voice, or maybe I'm better suited reading about heartbreak than about lovesick couples being sweet on each other, but there we are. Even Tylendel sounds like a nice thing now.

It still gets preachy. Vanyel learns a lot about his feels and dealing with his loneliness, and sometimes he does that on his own. But most of the time these realisations happen with the help of other characters (Tashir and Jervis are new suspects, Savil has always been guilty of this, except I can forgive her because of seniority). It doesn't really get so repetitive or tedious so that it bogs down the storyline, but well, it IS preachy, and who wants that all the time? Feelings are mostly obvious, not opaque. Not a lot of thinking about motives needed here: Mercedes Lackey's probably going to tell you about it in the next few pages, so you just wait and be patient.

I dunno if I should read the other Valdemar books (something tells me I couldn't live through the experience), because suddenly new monarch and political consequences because of new monarch? I'm a big fan of court politics in fantasy novels, so it's rather disappointing that this book focused on the border problems of Lineas than actual Valdemar itself (but anyway, give Vanyel a rest, people).

I guess it was worth it slogging through the first book to get here. Magic's Promise isn't too bad. Not the best out there, but not as bad as I first thought either.

Now on to the final book! (less)

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Feb 22, 2011 Catherine Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this, the middle book of The Last Herald-Mage trilogy, it's 11 years after the events of *Magic's Pawn*, and Vanyel has turned out to be the most powerful Herald-Mage Valdemar has ever seen. After a long and grueling deployment to the Karsite border, Van is allowed some R&R at his family's keep, Forst Reach. Within days, however, Vanyel is drawn into the troubles in the neighbouring kingdom of Lineas, when young Tashir Remoerdis is Chosen by a Companion mere hours after he apparently has...more

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$Tommy /|\$

Dec 10, 2010 Tommy /|\ rated it 4 of 5 stars

An excellent book that chronicles an all-out adventure covered in mystery and mixed with major character growth on the part of Vanyel, the Herald Mage. Miss Lackey takes you on a journey through a potential border-dispute between two countries on the edge of Valdemar, Vanyel's country. Mix in a murder/mystery plot, magic, and the mystique of the Heralds of Valdemar - and you get an excellent piece of work. But wait! As with most of Mercedes Lackey's novels, you get excellent character growth - i...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Sian Jones rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-scifi, third-person-narrator

The rating reflects my re-reading of this series. When I first read it, as a teenager, it would have given every star I could have assigned it. (For more on that evolution, see my review of the first book, Magic's Pawn.) One of the things this series does well is manage time -- this novel picks up years after the first in the series, and it does so with purpose. I've been reading another series where it feels like very single day of the saga is described, and it was a relief to have the author m...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Doris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall a really good read. It literally put me to sleep, but I decided to pick it up and finish it, and was very glad I did.

This book allowed us to see more of Vanyel and how his decision to isolate himself was harmful in many ways. However, the action at the beginning is miniscule, and although it picks up with the locked room mystery, it could have been better.

Synopsis: The neighboring kingdom has a prince, Tashir, who is central to the plot of WHAT HAPPENED to a magic-related butchery of an...more

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Dec 09, 2010 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, glbtq

This book only loses a star because the resolution to the whole war was a bit of a let down. It seemed to build throughout the book, and the end didn't justify all of that.

But I love Vanyel and it was great to see the changes in him interacting with his family again and the armsmaster compared to the first book.

Again, this was a reread for me. It had been 10 years or so since I had last read this trilogy. Unlike the first and last book, I hardly remembered a thing about this one.

Don't get me wr...more

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Nov 19, 2009 WillowBe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: traumatic-pasts, gay-protagonist

Again, the sexy boy. But again the tragedy and the suffering the humiliation. This is the book that I believe includes an extended rape scene and other brutality. It's the other side of the Ren Fest that noone ever talks about- the otherside of the bawdyness is sexual exploitation. Val does horrific things in reponse and can barely live with himself. He breaks. But again, love saves and redeems him. Very powerful. Of course, it makes you wonder what kind of person are you if you really identify...more

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May 05, 2012 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Maria by: Wyatt

Shelves: science-fiction-fantasy

Unexpectedly, the second book in this series is even better than the first, which I have not often found to be the case in any trilogy. Vanyel is now 28, twelve years have passed, and he is the strongest Herald in Valdemar. Yet he is besieged and beset by other people's problems and with no one but his Companion and a few friends to share the burden. There are some surprising twists and turns in his relationships with some of the characters from the first book and by the end your heart aches for...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Kirsti rated it 4 of 5 stars

The second in the last herald-mage trilogy. I enjoyed this book, if only for the Valdemar connection, and finally seeing Van heal slightly from the major loss of his lifebonded, 'Lendel. We get to know more about the Ashkevron family, and see Van's relationships change there for the better.

There are some interesting young characters introduced also. Unexpected characters crop up again and for the better this time.

My only issue is the writing seemed slow an inconsequential. I found myself confuse...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Ward Bond added it · review of another edition

With King Randale stricken by a mysterious illness and the powerful Herald-Mage Vanyel at the end of his strength, a neighboring kingdom is threatened by a magical holocaust.

Annotation

...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Allie rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fantasy fans, fans of books with gay protagonists

Shelves: fantasy, glbt-m-m, valdemar

Magic's Promise, the second book in Lackey's Last Herald-Mage series, finds Vanyel Ashkevron in his role as a Herald-Mage of Valdemar, 12 years after the events of the first book in the series, Magic's Pawn. He takes a leave of absence to spend some time at his home in Forst Reach, but while there he becomes involved in a conflict between the nearby "counties" of Lineas and Mavelan - a conflict that is not what it seems.

As this book takes place 12 years after the first, much has happened in the...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Victoria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-science-fiction, books-in-a-series, valdemar

Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series provides one of the cornerstones of my reading history. After discovering her when quite young, I still follow new additions to the series - nearly twenty years later! I read and re-read these books over and over again throughout my youth, but I haven't re-read this series in its entirety in a long time - and never as an adult. There are some new books added to the series since the last time I read them, so this re-reading project is pretty exciting for me since...more Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series provides one of the cornerstones of my reading history. After discovering her when quite young, I still follow new additions to the series - nearly twenty years later! I read and re-read these books over and over again throughout my youth, but I haven't re-read this series in its entirety in a long time - and never as an adult. There are some new books added to the series since the last time I read them, so this re-reading project is pretty exciting for me since it will include these new volumes, and will be in a new order. These books really just remind me of being young, reading them in the back seat of the car on family road trips... I think I was in 4th or 5th grade when I first started reading them, and they've always been a pleasure to re-read - and I am sure this will continue to be the case! The Valdemar series is broken up into (for the most part) separate trilogies. In my re-reading project, I am going to try to read them chronologically - not by publication date, but by their timeline within the series.

Reaching one of my favorite trilogies in the entire series, The Last Herald-Mage trilogy, is particularly exciting for me. And though this is one of my favorites within the entirety of the series, this particular volume, the follow-up to Magic's Pawn, is perhaps my least favorite of the trilogy. Oh, it’s still quite good, but is the most depressing to read (and re-read) because of Vanyel’s abject loneliness. Well, actually, the last book in the trilogy, Magic's Price, is probably the actual saddest in the series, but it has more lighthearted moments to balance that out than this one does. I love seeing all these characters again - Vanyel, Savil... I am having such fun re-reading these books and can’t wait to continue onwards with this fun and for me, very nostalgic, reading. Lackey has a real gift for bringing her epic fantasy world to life with wonderful characters who stay with you long after you close the book’s cover. (less)

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Jan 20, 2011 Bibliotropic rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: valdemar

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What is it about GoodReads descriptions for this trilogy that land so far off the mark..?

Anyway, the Last Herald-Mage trilogy continues with this second novel, in which Vanyel has accepted his responsibilities as a Herald and has aged, not only in years but also in experience. Gone is the whiny and insecure teenager we knew from the previous book, replaced by an older and wiser man, one who has seen far too many battles, and far too many dear friends fall in the line of duty.

We have, in short, s...more What is it about GoodReads descriptions for this trilogy that land so far off the mark..?

Anyway, the Last Herald-Mage trilogy continues with this second novel, in which Vanyel has accepted his responsibilities as a Herald and has aged, not only in years but also in experience. Gone is the whiny and insecure teenager we knew from the previous book, replaced by an older and wiser man, one who has seen far too many battles, and far too many dear friends fall in the line of duty.

We have, in short, someone who's quite earned his chance to be a nervous wreck.

What starts off in a fairly boring way (Vanyel returning to his family home for a rest) quickly gets the action going when he and his Companion receive an urgent call for help, and quickly get embroiled in a murder investigation, political and magical assassination, and something that, improperly handled, could devestate more than two countries with a spectacularly large and magically-triggered earthquake.

Business as usual, then.

When I'd first read this series, I was much younger, in my teens, and this book was my least favourite of the trilogy. Now I find myself liking it a lot more, partially because I can relate a little more to the adult that Vanyel has become. While this doesn't necessarily say much for Lackey's ability to convey characters well to any age group, it does speak well for her ability to create characters that readers of certain age groups can relate to.

If there's anything that really grated on me while reading this, it was Vanyel's identity crisis. He goes through a period of not being able to figure out if he's really homosexual or just happened to hall in love with a man. Which, on its own, may sound like a wise thing to ponder, but half the time, the way he went about it made me want to smack him on the head. Consider the time he's in disguise and is being pawed at by a rather despicable woman, who turns his stomach, and then is hit on by a creepy man who gives him the same reaction. He spends the next few pages wondering why, if he's really gay, didn't he just give in to the man hitting on him, and if he's not gay, why doesn't he just sleep with the woman the way she wants. And it took him over half the book to figure out, "Oh right, being gay doesn't mean I'll automatically hop into bed with every single male I come across." Admittedly, he chastises himself for forgetting then what he knew so well when he was young, that sex and love are different things and that he prefers love, or at least affection, to go along with sex, but still. Hearing him debate over and over again whether or not he's really gay just wore on my nerves after a while, and it got frustrating to read.

I still enjoyed the book, following along with the murder mystery and piecing together little clues myself (that's the fun of reading about mysteries, after all), but frankly, this book could have been cut from the trilogy without affecting the main plot very much. It's good for building character, for tying up some minor loose ends, for introducing a character or two that will play minor parts later on, but aside from emotional healing, it doesn't play a very large part in Vanyel's story. More could have been written about him battles on the Karsite border, I think, and have been more important to the plot of the trilogy as a whole.(less)

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Aug 24, 2010 Ryan G rated it 5 of 5 stars

I will be giving you a brief overview of the second book in The Last Herald Mage trilogy, Magic's Promise by Mercedes Lackey. In most trilogies the middle book is normally the filler that sits in between the introduction of the first and the climax of the third. It's generally more of a transitional book than anything else. In Magic's Promise, while Mercedes Lackey may do a little of that, the story is more about building an image in our minds of who Vanyel Ashkevron has become.

The story takes p...more I will be giving you a brief overview of the second book in The Last Herald Mage trilogy, Magic's Promise by Mercedes Lackey. In most trilogies the middle book is normally the filler that sits in between the introduction of the first and the climax of the third. It's generally more of a transitional book than anything else. In Magic's Promise, while Mercedes Lackey may do a little of that, the story is more about building an image in our minds of who Vanyel Ashkevron has become.

The story takes place about 12 years after the conclusion of Magic's Pawn. Vanyel has become one of the most powerful Herald Mages in Valdemar and he is quickly becoming the most important as well. Off page a few of the characters of the first book had been killed in a war with the bordering kingdom of Karse and Vanyel had been sent to take their place. He had not only done that but had hunted down the mages responsible for those deaths, earning him the nicknames of Demonsbane and Shadow Stalker (if you click on the nicknames it will take you to youtube videos for two of the many songs that Mercedes Lackey wrote to go with the series).

The story starts as Vanyel is entering Haven on his way back from the border. He is tired and worn out and is barely able to stay on Yfandes' back. He doesn't appear to be the mighty Vanyel of songs and stories, instead he appears to be worn out and in great need of a vacation. However once at court he quickly notices how sick the new king, Randale, is becoming, and as both a Herald and a friend he is concerned. Shavri the one and only Herald Healer is Randale's lifebonded and also Vanyel's friend. She lets Vanyel in on the truth and you can feel the anguish that Vanyel goes through trying to weigh his personal needs against those of his King and friend as well as those of the kingdom. Does he stay and help out or does he do as suggested and go home for an extended vacation? Through the encouragement of both the King and his friend and his more formidable Aunt Savil, Vanyel sets out to join his family.

Now things are still strained between him and his father Withen. His father is still uncomfortable with Vanyel being gay and is convinced Vanyel spends most of his time chasing boys into bed. His mother, Treesa, is still throwing women at him trying to cure him and Vanyel isn't convinced he will be able to rest with all that going on. Luckily for him things aren't as bad once he gets there. He's drawn into a few family arguments and deals with discovering an illegitimate nephew who is Bardic gifted and needs to go to Haven to be trained. I could talk about how he deals with Jervis and Father Leren, who are the keeps arms master and priest, but I don't want to get into too much of the relationship dynamics. Mainly because I want you to discover them for yourselves, but also because I could write way to much about it, you would get bored and stop reading the review before I was even half way done.

The rest of the book finds Vanyel and Savil, who joined him on vacation, dealing with a crisis across one of the borders. The royal family of a neighboring kingdom was slaughtered down to every last man. woman, and child in the castle, save one. Tashir Remoerdis, the oldest living son who had just been disinherited for fear of being fathered by someone else, is the only living person in the castle. He is only 16 and has shown to have strong Fetching (telekinesis) powers and had just been Chosen by a Companion after the carnage. Vanyel quickly takes the young man into his care and takes him back to the families keep. Because of the political ramifications of the act Vanyel, Savil, and a few others must quickly figure out what happened before it's too late.

This is a brilliantly written book about family secrets and dynamics and what happens when those dynamics break down and the secrets are too dangerous to allow to come out. It's also about the power struggles that take place within a family and the ramifications of what happens when those struggles get out of control. It's a brilliantly written book and unlike most "middle" books, it stands on it's own and is just as strong as the first and last.
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Mar 27, 2008 Sianeka rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-themed, fantasy

This is book 2 in Mercedes Lackey's "The Last Herald-Mage" series. The first book, Magic's Pawn, introduced us to Vanyel Ashkevron, a complex and alienated youth just coming into his Herald-Mage powers. In that book, he met and lost his life partner, Tylendel.

This book opens twelve years later, and Vanyel is now a very powerful and respected Herald-Mage. He is still alienated, he's a loner and most fear him since his power is so far beyond others like him. He is still grieving for Tylendel, unab...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Readingspree joseph rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't know how she does it.Mercedes lackey makes such a convoluted story seem simple.When i first read this i was put off by Van's personal confusion and in fact i even stopped reading it for a while, but when i got back to it i was sucked back into the magical world of Valdemar. Most of the time i ached for van and if there is anything i would fault in this book it would be how they treated our hero.

The details about magic and the functioning of Valdemar politics never gets boring.

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May 20, 2013 Stephanie Jobe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Vanyel has come into his own and the weight of a nation lies on his soldiers. It should have been a vacation, at least as much of one as Vanyel could manage around his family. He has spent years dealing with border trouble, but this is a different kind, more politics than battles. Luckily Vanyel is the right man in the right place.

I always have a hard time writing about sequels. Vanyel has grown, years have passed. He is hardened and scarred by war. His vanity has faded some to be replaced by ex...more

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Nov 01, 2011 Gail rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This is the second book in The Last Herald Mage trilogy. I read this trilogy first, but in order. Vanyel is the last Herald Mage—the last Herald who can also work magic. In this book, he’s an adult, he’s been working overtime and he goes home for a rest and winds up involved in diplomatic intrigue when a boy in the neighboring kingdom—a boy who’s just been deposed as heir—is “chosen” and Vanyel must rescue him, then find out what happened to his murdered family.

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Oct 19, 2012 Marco rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, english, lgbt

The hero of this story is Vanyel, a young man, completely crashed and lost after the tragic loss of his love. Unfortunately for him, there is no time to mourn the loss, he is catapulted in the middle of a multi national crisis involving magic, murder, and a young man, Tashir, that just discovered enormous powers inside himself. In the background, young Vanyel and his family come to terms with their differences.

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Apr 22, 2010 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy Fans

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, novels

I loved Lackey's Herald series set in Valdemar from the first set of books that began with Arrows of the Queen. This set of three, however, though published after, is set centuries before, so you need not start with those, and I think this set of three is the strongest among those novels she wrote--so you only need read the preceding book, Magic's Pawn.

This protagonist of this book, Vanyel, is gay--unusual in fantasy even now. In this book he returns home and deals with some unsettled business....more

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Dec 17, 2008 Noah Soudrette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

A vast improvement from the first novel. Here we see Vanyel a lot more grown up and dealing with threats to the kingdom as well as a visit home. This is really one of those series that grows with the character, the main theme here being self doubt, where the first was mostly about adolescent confusion and melodrama. Good stuff.

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Jun 21, 2012 Ben rated it 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed the focused nature of this plot for Vanyel more than the first book. The characters feel more fleshed out and I liked the personal arc Vanyel went through coming to terms with a number of personal issues for himself. I wasn't sure if I'd like more of Mercedes Lackey's work, but I was pleasantly surprised.

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Jul 19, 2009 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fantasy

Quote from WORD for Teens:

I managed to get into it, but it's not one of my favorite books... the plot line seemed a bit hurried at times and a bit too slow at others.

To read the full review, click here.

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About Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts &...more Mercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.

"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as `my job.' My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of `story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the `folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.

"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't `not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a `high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL [`There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the `evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.

"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:

"There's no such thing as `one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."

Also known as Misty Lackey.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/merced...(less)

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Books by Mercedes Lackey

Arrows of the Queen (Heralds of Valdemar, #1)

Magic's Pawn (Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage, #1)

Magic's Price (Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage, #3)

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“The gods gave you a brain, boy,' he'd say. 'If you want to honor them, use it.” — 1 person liked it

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Magic's Promise (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #2)

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