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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the final book in Mercedes Lackey's fantasy trilogy "The Last Herald Mage." I found the first two volumes an almost-unbroken pleasure, this one slightly less so. I enjoyed it very much, but, although it did complete the arc of the trilogy, it felt a little rougher. There were several points where I felt as if an important scene had been skipped over, a scene that mattered to the main characters, a scene that I missed. Despite this, the story held me from start to finish, because I cared about the characters. I've cared deeply about Vanyel throughout the trilogy, and in this third volume, I was also very drawn to Stefen. There are other reasons to enjoy the trilogy, but it is primarily on the strength of my attachment to the characters that I highly recommend it.
Spoiler
I note that I was offput by the age gap between Stefen and Vanyel. It didn't break the story for me, but it skated close to the edge. Curiously enough, I had a similar difficulty with Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner books, which, like this trilogy, I mostly enjoyed immensely, thanks to the appeal of the characters.milliemudd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
sandramarie's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Last Herald Mage Trilogy was fantastic.
bookjerm's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fabulous. Great conclusion to the series. Ties up really nicely. My only complaint is the pacing in the second half of the book. It felt rushed compared to the pacing of the previous part.
fuchsiarascal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The conclusion to Vangel's tragic life... but also one with love, and Vangel does truly find love again in this book. After holding everyone at arm's length for decades for "their safety", Vangel finally encounters someone who won't accept that... and is willing to face whatever it takes to be with Vanyel. Of course, Vanyel knows "whatever it takes" is going to turn out to be a lot more than expected...
I will admit, the pacing on this book is odd. A lot of slow, daily life happens for most of it, with pretty much all the action happening at the last 10%. When Vanyel is off on Herald duties, we skip over those months with a page break and a brief summary. And yet, it's okay. The focus in this story is Vangel and his relationships, not his duties to the Valdemar (although that’s the impetus for everything he does). We've already seen him be heartbroken, be determined, and be an amazing battle-mage. What we had not seen, up until now, was letting himself be human again, letting people in and loving them without holding back. Magic’s Promise was Vanyel isolating in depression; in Magic’s Price, he really starts to live again finally - and we understand then why he's willing to make the sacrifice that he does. Vanyel cares so much, more than anyone suspects, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about.
As a bonus, after reading the song lyrics at the back, do yourself a favor and look them up on YouTube. The record label sadly no longer exists that put the CDs out, but they’re beautiful renditions (especially The Shadow Lover) that Misty didn’t *have* to put time into making but she did.
I will admit, the pacing on this book is odd. A lot of slow, daily life happens for most of it, with pretty much all the action happening at the last 10%. When Vanyel is off on Herald duties, we skip over those months with a page break and a brief summary. And yet, it's okay. The focus in this story is Vangel and his relationships, not his duties to the Valdemar (although that’s the impetus for everything he does). We've already seen him be heartbroken, be determined, and be an amazing battle-mage. What we had not seen, up until now, was letting himself be human again, letting people in and loving them without holding back. Magic’s Promise was Vanyel isolating in depression; in Magic’s Price, he really starts to live again finally - and we understand then why he's willing to make the sacrifice that he does. Vanyel cares so much, more than anyone suspects, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about.
As a bonus, after reading the song lyrics at the back, do yourself a favor and look them up on YouTube. The record label sadly no longer exists that put the CDs out, but they’re beautiful renditions (especially The Shadow Lover) that Misty didn’t *have* to put time into making but she did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Terminal illness, Torture, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it lots. Stephan and Vanyel's romance was well done - better-done than his romance with Tylendel, truth be told. I liked much of the way 'old' (he wasn't really that old, but whatever) Vanyel was portrayed, as well as the follow-through on the previous stories where his interactions with his family are brought to a conclusion. I admit to being slightly underwhelmed by the ending - I was looking forward to reading about how Vanyel turned the entire region into the Sorrows, and in the end it was glossed over slightly. But overall I thought it was well done, and certainly loads better than her first trilogy.
gypsydawn's review against another edition
5.0
An older fantasy novel, but one that still speaks loudly among a long-running series. This is the last in Vanyel's individual tale - and the one that hits the hardest. Book 1 was all introductions and angst, book 2 was character growth... this one? This one is all about sacrifice and fulfilling the legends we've read about in other books set in this Universe.
Fair warning, it deserves some trigger warnings for non-explicit rape and trauma. It is definitely an R-rated novel, but only for the themes it covers, not for descriptions or cursing. Even the romantic scenes are fade to black and should cause no issues. That said - it is still somehow brutal and the last few chapters can rip a heart out.
Fair warning, it deserves some trigger warnings for non-explicit rape and trauma. It is definitely an R-rated novel, but only for the themes it covers, not for descriptions or cursing. Even the romantic scenes are fade to black and should cause no issues. That said - it is still somehow brutal and the last few chapters can rip a heart out.
mamap's review against another edition
1.0
yucky as the gay guy gets together with a younger man. some powerful stuff ... still ...
margotfoster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
jaggo's review against another edition
5.0
No I definitely didn't almost start crying at work because of the ending, nope, not at all I would never