The Last Herald-Mage (Deluxe Hardcover)

By Mercedes Lackey

Book Overview

This first-of-its-kind deluxe edition collects all three novels in the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed trilogy that established Mercedes Lackey as a master of fantasy and featured one of the genre's first openly gay male protagonists.

With an elegant new cover in a shimmering metallic finish, designed sprayed edges, a foil case stamp depicting the national crest of Valdemar, and the Vanyel novella "Uncivil Blood," The Last-Herald Mage is the perfect gift for returning fans and new readers eager to delve into a foundational piece of fantasy history.

Vanyel Ashkevron, the eldest of his brothers, is an utter disappointment to his father. Unlike the rest of the Ashkevron sons and cousins, he has no interest in any of the skills that are vital for a Border estate, such as horse breeding, estate management, or, most crucially, combat. The only thing he has any interest in at all is music: he wants to become a Bard. His father wants the estate Weaponsmaster to beat that nonsense out of him--literally, if necessary. And when the all-too-inevitable broken bones occur, in desperation he sends the youngster to his Aunt Savil at the Heralds' Collegium at the palace of Valdemar itself, hoping that she can "cure" him.

Instead tragedy awakens his latent magic, and by the time his powers, raw and unmastered, are released on the world, it may already be too late to avoid calamity on a truly devastating scale.

This is Vanyel's story: a boy who dreams of making music, he will grow into Valdemar's greatest-ever Herald-Mage. Along the way Vanyel will confront war and grief, dark magic, and the heaviest loss of all--the loss of his one true love. He must reconcile with his destiny, with his heart, and with his very soul. For the fate of the world lies on Vanyel's shoulders, and if he falters, both he and Valdemar will pay the ultimate price.

Featuring one of the genre's first gay male protagonists, this deluxe edition is the perfect gift for readers eager to delve into a foundational piece of fantasy history.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075642139X
• ISBN13: 9780756421397
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 912 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Last Herald-Mage Outstanding!

Quite an exciting and intricate story that flows through the 3 book trilogy. Great character development and interwoven storyline.

Wonderful stories shaped my outlook on life

I first read these stories when I was around 14 years old. I can honestly say that this trilogy shaped my view on the world, especially non-heterosexuals. I was learning about different sexualities, and this story first and foremost shows PEOPLE, not just sexualities, which was transformational for me. It sounds dramatic, I know, but I read this at just the right time. I agree with other reviews that Misty's stories can also be a little dramatic, but that is what I love about her writing. I would say that her stories are the perfect type of fantasy for me. I love Van!

Mercedes Lackey's best combined work

Mercedes Lackey's best combined work in the Valdemar Collection - containing Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, and Magic's Price. A young boy's life turned upside down and back, after discovering his special talents. The acceptance and non-acceptance of being different from everyone, or is he really all that different? Follow his life into the world of magic and love. A must have, must read trilogy. Beware, content my not be suitable for everyone.

Must read!

The Last Herald Mage is, in my opinion, Misty's best Valdemar series. Van is well developed and the characters are so good that Misty brings them back later even after they are well and truly dead. Vanyel's growth from the spoiled brat to the doomed hero is wonderful. His travails are well written and even though he sometimes comes over a bit thick, he is always very real and always very well worth reading. A lot of people make a big deal out of the gay thing with Van and all but to tell the truth, it hardly makes a difference. Van is human and identifiable, always. And one of my favorite 'romance' scenes as a teenager was in Magic's Price (just like my favorite death scene was in Arrow's Fall) The major developments of the kingdom take a back seat to the rest of the story but, like the gryphon's trilogy, this is one that makes the rest of the Valdemar books make sense. This is a must read for Misty's fan and a great introduction. You be sucked in forever if you can get through the first few chapters for Van's teen angst.

Fantasy With Passion

Mercedes Lackey's Last herald Mage series consists of three different books, originally published separately: Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise and Magic's Price. They describe the life of one man, from adolescence to maturity, who lives in a world peopled with kings, warriors, fantastical creatures and all of the things that readers of fantasy have come to love and identify with. One slight twist: Vanyel, the story's protagonist, just happens to be gay. From the titles, the stories obviously have to do with magic and the people who wield it. Lackey writes with great passion, and it is her love for the world she's created in these books that makes them worthwhile. Her system of magic isn't overly complex, but it is well thought out, and has appeal to a wide range of readers. Rather than focusing on epic battles and the machinations of vast armies, Lackey concentrates on character development and interpersonal relationships. One gets a sense that she spent time getting to know each character and giving that character a piece of herself. The first book deals with Vanyel's coming of age. I won't go into detail, because spoiling the plot is hardly the point of a reader review. I will say that where Lackey fails is that she sometimes is reduced to the overly dramatic. When something slightly funny happens, the characters shove fists in mouths to keep from laughing, and can barely stand up for fear of splitting sides. When something bad happens, it's always the worst thing imaginable. But such is adolescence, and one comes to enjoy Vanyel's strengths, be annoyed with his faults and earnestly hope he will mature. Which he does. Aside from creating a very competent feel for magic use, from the perspective of a reader of fantasy, the plots to each of the three stories are interesting and well written. The plots move, rather than just serving as an excuse for another writer to extrapolate upon what she thinks magic is. On top of all of that, a love story that touches the heart, if you're a reader who enjoys that sort of thing. Mercedes Lackey writes with grace and style. If you are a reader of fantasy who enjoys works by writers such as Anne McCaffrey or Terry Brooks, the Last Herald Mage series is definitely something you should consider putting on your reading list.