Mercedes Lackey Book Reviews - The Last Herald Mage
Magic's Pawn A young boy names Vanyel leaves home to go live with his aunt in Haven - home of the magical creatures in the form of horses that bond themselves to humans with kind hearts and magical powers - in hopes of finding an undiscovered talent, specifically, that of the Bard. He is crushed when he learns he doesn't have it and could only amount to a mistrel at best and only the affection of his hithero unknown soulmate Tylendel keeps him from killing himself. But when a fued between families turns lethal for Tylendel's twin, causing the young Herald to go insane for revenge, Vanyel must choose between helping his soulmate and possibly loosing his life. 
Magic's Promise Now a Herald, Vanyel must save a newly Chosen boy from the wrath of his uncle, a mage bent on gaining control of the node beneath the center of the kingdom his nephew is heir to. Then something good happens, for the evil uncle. The entire royal family is suddenly and mysteriously killed by an unknown force, torn to shreds by a whirlwind, and only the young prince Tashir is left alive, with his memories of the night erased. When he is thrown in prison for the supposed murder of his family he is freed by a lone Campanion. Taken for a demon summoned by Tashir, an angry mob descends upon the pair. Alerted by the distressed mindscreams of the totured Companion, vanyel and his Companion Yfandes race across the border in time to save the newly Bonded pair from certain death and they flee the country back to Valdemar. But how long can Tashir hide when his uncle is bent on killing the only living witness as to the massacre of his family? 
Magic's Price Vanyel is faced with his final challenge. The war with Karse is chewing up Heralds and spitting them out dead, especially Herald Mages. Or is it really the war? Vanyel isn't so sure it is when his aunt Savil, home in Haven resting after field duty, is killed in her very own quarters within the Palace, otherwise known as the Collegium. But he has other concerns when a dream reveals to him a dark army bent on conquest qith Valdemar as its first target. Vanyel and his Companion Yfandes race North to take up the challenge of defending the country untill help can arrive. But if either Vanyel or Yfandes falter... Return to the Wall Disclaimer: All the material on this page is copyright (c) of Mercedes Lackey. The backgound is copyright (c) of Sorsha. If you wish to use it, ask me. DO NOT COPY THIS MATERIAL without the permission of the artist/author. |