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Magic's Pawn (Last Herald-Mage Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,208 ratings

Groundbreaking epic fantasy series in Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar universe • Lambda-Award winning novels with heartfelt high adventure and magic
 
Though Vanyel has been born with near-legendary abilities to work both Herald and Mage magic, he wanted no part in such things. Nor does he seek a warrior’s path, wishing instead to become a Bard.
 
Yet such talent as his, if left untrained, may prove a menace not only to Vanyel but to others as well. So he is sent to be fostered with his aunt, Savil, one of the fame Herald-Mages of Valdemar.
 
But, strong-willed and self-centered, Vanyel is a challenge which even Savil cannot master alone. For soon he will become the focus of frightening forces, lending his raw magic to a spell that unleashes terrifying wyr-hunters on the land.
 
And by the time Savil seeks the assistance of a Shin’a’in Adept, Vanyel’s wild talent may have already grown beyond anyone’s ability to contain, placing Vanyel, Savil, and Valdemar itself in desperate peril.

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From the Publisher

Explore the World of Valdemar
Valdemar Universe Backlist
Valdemar Backlist 2
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Vanyel's disdain for swordsmanship earns him an unexpected exile--at the High Court of Valdemar under the guardianship of his stern and implacable Aunt Savil, one of the legendary Herald-Mages. A young man's painful discovery of his own immense talents and his true nature form the core of this richly detailed fantasy, the first in a new series set in the same world as "The Heroes of Valdemar." Lackey's talent for characterization lends depth to this coming-of-age adventure that will appeal to most fantasy readers.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Praise for series:

"Lackey has written another 
intensely wrought, finely detailed story of heroic victims struggling to do the best with their fate. Vanyel’s magical strengths are countered by his very human insecurities." —VOYA 

"Lackey’s characterization, plotting, and wit are all of a high order. 
A real page-turner for any fantasy collection." —Booklist 

"Emotionally tense and full of 
drama and magic." —Locus

"In Vanyel, [Lackey] has created 
her most empathetic male character to date, making our emotions run high as he meets his fate. And best of all, the very last plot twist is one of haunting beauty that will touch your heart." —RT Reviews 
 
"In this trilogy, Lackey reaches an intensity she had only begun to achieve.... The story of Vanyel is 
darker than her earlier books, and the pace is unrelenting." —American Fantasy Magazine

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002IEUV64
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DAW; Reissue edition (June 6, 1989)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 6, 1989
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1504 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,208 ratings

About the author

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Mercedes Lackey
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Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over 145 novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a skilled needleworker, jewelry maker, and collector and costumer of asian ball-jointed dolls. Many of her works go to charity auctions for good causes. She has also been known to play City of Heroes MMORPG and D and D with a close group of friends. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots. Over half of their parrots are rescues. Her website is www.mercedeslackey.com.

Photo by Mercedes Lackey (her own work)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,208 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They find the characters appealing and relatable, with an easy character flow. The world is believable and well-crafted, with great themes like magic and heroism. Many readers describe the romance as tender and touching. The writing quality is praised as well-written and bold. The pace is described as smooth and effortless.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

73 customers mention "Readability"73 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging. They describe it as an epic fantasy novel with magic and old-world themes. It's one of their favorite Valdemar books, a joy to read even after many years. The author creates amazing stories and populates them with appealing characters.

"...Such a wonderful epic read! This review originally posted on my blog, The Caffeinated Diva reads." Read more

"...Personally, I love her writing. She is my favorite fantasy author, and one of my favorite authors, period...." Read more

"...You'll meet a varied cast of characters that are very likeable.I've read this book multiple times and I haven't gotten tired of it yet!..." Read more

"...It still made me emotional. I think this is one of Lackey's better series. I like that she was writing gay protagonists before it was common...." Read more

31 customers mention "Character development"28 positive3 negative

Customers find the characters engaging and appealing. They appreciate the inclusion of a gay main character, which is unusual in this genre. Readers also mention that the book has LGBT representation in the 80s before it was common.

"...I absolutely love the blend of characters in this book. No matter what your life story is, there is a character in this book that is relatable...." Read more

"...The characters are believable and REAL to me; that's not something I find often, and I am an avid reader...." Read more

"...You'll meet a varied cast of characters that are very likeable.I've read this book multiple times and I haven't gotten tired of it yet!..." Read more

"...Vanyel is an intriguing character. Glad I reread this. The man who performs the audio book is great, glad I bought it with the Kindle version...." Read more

22 customers mention "Characterization"18 positive4 negative

Customers find the characters relatable and believable. They appreciate the author's blend of magic and issues of our world. The book captures their attention with its depth and portrayal of the struggles of a youth.

"...that the character isn't portrayed to be perfect, that he is portrayed as realistic...." Read more

"...The characters are believable and REAL to me; that's not something I find often, and I am an avid reader...." Read more

"The Valdemar books are something special. They are filled with magic, extreme bravery, romance; both heterosexual and homosexual, and storing tales...." Read more

"...I found it to be a well written, well paced novel that illustrates the struggles of a youth as he learns to stand on his own after a loveless..." Read more

21 customers mention "Romance"17 positive4 negative

Customers find the romance in the book touching and tender. They say the series is about love, self-love, and never giving up on love. The characters grow together through their longing for each other. Overall, readers describe it as a good book with a love story.

"...There is some flirting, romance, and a few suggestive lines between the lovebirds - that's it...." Read more

"...I often feel that this book is very bittersweet. And I like that...." Read more

"I read this many years ago, in my teens. It still made me emotional. I think this is one of Lackey's better series...." Read more

"...They are filled with magic, extreme bravery, romance; both heterosexual and homosexual, and storing tales...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the world rich and believable, with depth in characters. The author creates a well-thought-out fantasy world with devices and social aspects. Overall, readers describe the book as well-written, bold, and timeless.

"...Personally, I love her writing. She is my favorite fantasy author, and one of my favorite authors, period...." Read more

"...Good: characters you can sympathize with, well written, strong character development, diverse cast of characters..." Read more

"...A second major flaw is the general tendency of the author to tell rather than to show...." Read more

"...For those of you who like real, readable magical books: Read the Jim Butcher series." Read more

8 customers mention "Pace"6 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pace. They find the story flows smoothly with plenty of action.

"...Without revealing much, I found it to be a well written, well paced novel that illustrates the struggles of a youth as he learns to stand on his own..." Read more

"...it makes my family seem normal (but what is normal lol) I enjoyed the pace of the book, it felt like I was right there with them. Such a great read!" Read more

"...The story flows so effortlessly that you feel the book has ended only moments after starting." Read more

"...Some better than others, but all very readable with lots of action!" Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing. Some find it engaging and keep you guessing what's going to happen. Others mention issues like superficiality, errors in formatting and editing, and childish characters.

"...He’s a misfit, however, to small and scrawny, and far too pretty, to fit in with his rough and tumble family...." Read more

"...There are a NUMEROUS amount of errors I have found in formatting AND editing with this edition..." Read more

"...The character development of all the main characters is continuous and gratifying. Highly recommended." Read more

"...the main character seems spoiled and childish, but he is spoiled and childish. His character develops into maturity with each series of the book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2015
    I love all of the series and singles that make up the entire Valdemar saga, and this one has always been one of my favorites. Vanyel is a character that I think, in some way, is a universal character that we can all identify with in one way or another.

    Vanyel Ashkevron is the eldest son of a rather minor noble in the out country. His father is a rigid man, believing very firmly in certain things. And if you do not fall into his idea of what should be or what is right, then you are somehow lacking. This describes the relationship between Vanyel and his father for most of his childhood. His brothers and cousins, while not stupid, were far more interested in weaponswork and women than intellectual pursuits. Vanyel was intelligent and a gifted musician that took after his mother far more than his father. None of these things raised him in the eyes of his father. His mother, however, celebrated most of these things. She was a flightly woman who knew all too well how to play all of the "womanly" games and she loved having a son who could entertain her so well. However, she spent a lot of time throwing her lady's maid at him, despite his repeated assurances that he was not interested, often creating a bit of a mess for them both.

    When Vanyel's father finally tires of trying to change him, he sends him to his aunt in Haven, a rather brusque woman who is a Herald. Vanyel knows, even as he lives the prison that ihis own home has become, that he is really only trading one prison for another. But things at Haven aren't what he expects and his life changes so very much.

    I absolutely love the blend of characters in this book. No matter what your life story is, there is a character in this book that is relatable. No two characters are the same, giving a rich tapestry of characters in a wonderful story. I have heard many complain about the rather whiny attitude of Vanyel throughout the book. They are not wrong; he is whiny. But it is totally appropriate for the story. He is a young teenager, a fact easy to forget, and the reality is that he has a lot to whine about. I love that the character isn't portrayed to be perfect, that he is portrayed as realistic.

    My Recommendation: As with every book in the Valdemar series, I am in love with this book. Such a wonderful epic read!

    This review originally posted on my blog, The Caffeinated Diva reads.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2015
    I adore all the Valdemar books! I have never been disappointed with one of them, and this particular series (of which this book is the first of) is no different. I have read reviews that claim a love for the content but that Lackey's writing style was...well, lacking. Personally, I love her writing. She is my favorite fantasy author, and one of my favorite authors, period. The characters are believable and REAL to me; that's not something I find often, and I am an avid reader.

    As far as this book goes, I would give it 6 stars if the option was available. Yes, there is a lot of teenage angst and family issues, but Lackey puts just the right amount needed to build the story and develop the characters without making you want to strangle the angst-y teenager (as a mother of 2 teenage boys, I can relate to this feeling very well). I remember being surprised the protagonist was gay when I first read it, but seeing whereas I had no opinion regarding that particular issue in society at that time (I was a sheltered kid) and I was invested in the story, I kept reading. For those worried about homoerotic scenes - don't be. There is some flirting, romance, and a few suggestive lines between the lovebirds - that's it. Lackey translates the attitudes and reservations about homosexuality into this book well, giving the reader a chance to glimpse the thought process behind both sides of the issue, especially regarding parents coming to terms with their children being gay. Don't worry, the book is not entirely focused on that, either; it's just a vital element of how the protagonist develops into an adult, and into the use of magic. Overall, my emotions went through triumph and heartbreak and back again. It's a roller-coaster ride in a book, and I highly recommend it!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2011
    This book really makes you want to hug Vanyel since it's always one after another with him. He's virtually unloved by his family except for his sister and even she is taken away from him. His father is a conservative thinker and doesn't like Vanyel's way of thinking and sends him away, hoping for him to "man up". While he doesn't do that, he certainly goes up quite a few levels in terms of character development! Still while I feel bad for Vanyel, it isn't until two-thirds of the book when I really like him since he spends a lot of time feeling sorry for himself.

    I often feel that this book is very bittersweet. And I like that. This isn't one of those books where nothing bad really happens to the main characters. Pace varies throughout the book. It's slow (but not aggravatingly so) in the beginning but things pick up in the latter half. You'll meet a varied cast of characters that are very likeable.I've read this book multiple times and I haven't gotten tired of it yet!

    Good: characters you can sympathize with, well written, strong character development, diverse cast of characters
    Bad: we're introduced with the bad guy about five pages before we confront him (even if it's a coming-of-age book, it's too abrupt!), Vanyel spends a lot of time sleeping or injured (things happen to him more than he does something)
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Tiago Kietzmann
    4.0 out of 5 stars a well-done MM fantasy book with a teenage main character and lots of magic
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 5, 2024
    It's a very good book. It had been on my list for a long time, and I finally decided to read it—no regrets at all! The characters are well-written and consistent, the world-building is interesting, and the plot is solid. Maybe I went into it with too-high expectations, but that’s on me.

    The story follows a teenager, Vanyel, who is the heir to a rigid and oppressive lord. Vanyel doesn’t want to be a fighter or a lord; he dreams of becoming a bard. However, his father pushes him to his limits, eventually deciding to send him away to be raised by his aunt, one of the heralds (royal mages).

    Vanyel is a sensitive and confused teenager, trying to find his place in the world. He feels lonely and inexperienced, and this is reflected in his thoughts and decisions in a very well-done, believable way. It's really nice to follow his journey, and his insecurities, self-doubts, and dark feelings are engaging and consistent (for the most part). My only critique would be about two moments when his behavior changes too quickly: first, when he accepts his feelings toward his future lover, and second, when he regrets running away from his magical trainers. His previous angst seems to disappear too fast, and I found it hard to believe that he would forgive his burned hands so easily without comparing them to his broken arm.

    Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I'm not completely sure if I'll continue the series, but if you’re looking for a well-done MM fantasy book with a teenage main character and lots of magic, you should definitely pick this one up!
  • Glorfindel
    5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading about the characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2016
    I was looking for m/m fantasy books when I found out about Magic's Pawn, it is more or less what I was looking for. I really enjoyed reading about the characters, especially the protagonist, there is a lot of angst and introspection. On the other hand the plot is not very good, very slow and mostly concentrated in the last few chapters, I think it was a bit rushed, however I cared more about the characters relationships so it didn't bother me at all.
  • Dustin Karpovich
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended by a friend
    Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2012
    This is the first book I'm reading from Mercedes Lackey that was recommended by a friend of mine, and it's the first one that's more character driven than other plots I've come across. At first, I hate Vanyel because he was a whiner and would not shut up, and then I find out that he has horrible parents who try to force them into their ideals of what a man should be like and then he meets Tylendel, his soul mate. Poor Vanyel. It didn't take me long to really feel for this character. Losing so much while trying to harness his powers. I would give him a hug.

    The only thing that I didn't like about this book is that the chapters are too long for me, but that didn't stop me for enjoying it. I have read the second one in the trilogy and I will give you my thoughts with that one as well. Until next, Seacrest out!
  • Ornella S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
    Reviewed in France on August 9, 2012
    The book is in very good condition and it was awesome ! I was so enthralled by the story that I couldn't stop reading, I loved Vanyel's character and I will buy the rest of this trilogy as soon as I come back in France !
    The illustration on the cover is beautiful by the way !
  • Nik
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book is also a good read for fantasy lovers
    Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2018
    An upset man hugging a horse? I think the cover alone is worth the price.
    The book is also a good read for fantasy lovers.

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