Mercedes Lackey
Mass Market Paperback | Pages: 351 pages Rating: 4.27 | 19512 Users | 341 Reviews
Identify Based On Books Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3)
| Title | : | Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3) |
| Author | : | Mercedes Lackey |
| Book Format | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 351 pages |
| Published | : | July 3rd 1990 by DAW Books Inc (first published July 1990) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Fiction. LGBT |
Representaion Conducive To Books Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3)
I had been warned. I sort of knew what was going to happen. I had no expectations, considering the trainwreck that was the first book. But when I read the ending, I was pretty much
I mean, after pretty much everything you've done for Valdemar, that's what you get in the end?
Forget about duty, responsibility, and doing what was right because you can't do otherwise. As Pat Jr from Silver Linings Playbook more or less said, there's enough shit we have to deal with in real life, why can't we have a happy ending in books? And don't tell me that Vanyel had a happy ending. He was a hero in the end. But just fucking once, couldn't he have been selfish and not punished for it?
(view spoiler)[Such as when he promised Savil that he would add to her shields but got distracted by Stefen. Vanyel needed the rest! He needed the sex, he needed that quiet moment with his lover. But no, Mercedes Lackey couldn't leave him alone, so Savil has to die because Vanyel dared let his guard down. WTF (hide spoiler)]
I liked Stefen's parts. He was nice, he was supportive. He was relaxing. I'm all fort Stefen. But sorry, Stefen. You're not allowed to be perfectly happy.
Massive spoilers ahead, also, tw for rape.
(view spoiler)[Basically, Vanyel was all into facing Leareth and 'protecting Valdemar' that Stefen notices that he's changed. Basically a calmer, yet more destructive version of Tylendel after Staven died. Idk if that was intentional, but Vanyel should have known better than to copy Tylendel. He knew what it meant to lose your loved one in that way. He should have known better than to do the same to Stefen. WTF Vanyel.
RAPE. Omg, TW: RAPE. The part where the bandits tie Vanyel up on his own harness, pinned Yfandes's tail on his back and raped him serially--well, what fucking purpose did it serve? To show us that it was real, to show us that Vanyel hadn't hit rock bottom yet? To show that Vanyel can count on Stefen? The whole thing was so horrible--like HORRIBLE OMG--and Vanyel broke, only to be slowly brought back to reason by Stefen and the wolves (can't remember what they're called).
Was that needed? Pacing! Pacing! I know it's not the most important part of the story, but coming hard before Vanyel's face off with Leareth, it made the whole thing anti-climactic. We have seen Leareth in the first book. We know that all this was culminating into the final stand off between him and Vanyel, but we barely even see what Leareth was like. Who the fuck was he? Where did he come from? What did he want? What were his motives?
Nope, you wouldn't get any of that, because you got Vanyel getting raped instead!
What. I mean, really. WHAT. (hide spoiler)]Particularize Books In Pursuance Of Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3)
| Original Title: | Magic's Price |
| ISBN: | 0886774268 (ISBN13: 9780886774264) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3, Valdemar (Publication order) #8, Valdemar (Chronological) #6 , more |
| Characters: | Vanyel Ashkevron, Yfandes, Savil Ashkevron |
| Literary Awards: | Lambda Literary Award for Gay Men's Science Fiction/Fantasy (1990) |
Rating Based On Books Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3)
Ratings: 4.27 From 19512 Users | 341 ReviewsRate Based On Books Magic's Price (Valdemar: The Last Herald-Mage #3)
This is the ending of this trilogy and though there is some real joy in this book there are also some incredibly sad moments. Vanyel has spent the last few years pulling away from those closest to him in an attempt to prevent them from becoming targets. And at the same time his responsibilities as the most powerful of the Herald mages have continued to increase, requiring him not only to protect the realm but also to take on diplomatic duties with the increasing illness of his king. But Steph, aThe books are well written, I'm not debating that. What I am hating is the main character, Vanyel. I usually tolerate goody two-shoes to a great extend, but this character just want to make me barf. Pretty much he sacrifices everything in order to save his kingdom, a kingdom that doesn't even like him for who he is and only care for his supermagic. Frankly the ending suck, so if anyone is expecting a HEA or HFN, this series is not for youit's a tear-jerker. It's one thing to give up your life
Things turn much darker in the conclusion (including sexual violence that really didn't contribute much of anything to the story). It's really weirdly paced - a combination of fan service, angst and a final confrontation that happens off page. In fact, a lot of this book could be used to illustrate a lesson on how not to write one's fantasy epic. And yet - there is some charm to this book and to this series, regardless of harmful tropes (less obvious at the time of writing than now), regardless
Sigh. As the final Act of an epic storyline, this novel was, in a word, disappointing.Plot-wise, it was anticlimactic, and utilized a literary device I particularly dislike: (view spoiler)[setting up the climax, and then cutting away to the POV of another character, who arrives on the scene only to witness the aftermath. (hide spoiler)]Character-wise, I enjoyed the character of Stef, but felt he lacked depth. The interactions between him and Vaneyl were well written, and believable, up until
3.5* from me. one of the big things i was missing in all three books in this series was some kind of central plot line that the books were following. when i'm reading a fantasy series i kinda want some deep plot in the background that the books follow slowly but surely. in this last book some portions felt really rushed and some things happened that just seemed useless and not important for the story. not entirely happy with how this ended and just in general how it all played out. still enjoyed
I had been warned. I sort of knew what was going to happen. I had no expectations, considering the trainwreck that was the first book. But when I read the ending, I was pretty muchI mean, after pretty much everything you've done for Valdemar, that's what you get in the end? Forget about duty, responsibility, and doing what was right because you can't do otherwise. As Pat Jr from Silver Linings Playbook more or less said, there's enough shit we have to deal with in real life, why can't we have a
Last one! It's a toss up whether this one or the first is my favorite, it's so hard to pick. Anyway, here we go:Price is set about eight years after the end of Promise. Vanyel is no longer on the front lines of the war; he's been put in a more or less administrative position in Haven. That doesn't necessarily mean he's not working as hard. The king, Randale, who has been suffering from a chronic illness for years, suddenly becomes fatally ill, and the Healers don't even know what is causing his
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