Magic's Pawn (The Last Herald-Mage Series, Book 1)

Magic's Pawn is one of the best books I have ever read. I've never read such a touching, sad tale; yet one that is so powerful and inspiring. Having read a majority of Mercedes Lackey's books, I have to admit this is one of my favorites. The other two in the series are amazing as well, but this one stands out in particular. Pick it up to find out why, just make sure you have a box of tissue with you.

I have read other novels by Mercedes Lackey, and somehow they didn't click with me. So when someone told me to read this trilogy, I didn't really listen. Until I read some of the reviews, and another recommended this series to me. So, I ordered it, and last sunday started to read the first book. It is now tuesday, late in the evening, and I have just finished book three. At the end I had tears in my eyes, as I had often through the book. The MC, Vanyel, is such a breathtaking character. I love his humanity, his pride, his arrogance, his vulnerability... This series deserves more than the five stars I am giving it right now. I do not know if I will pick up another Mercedes Lackey book after this series, I just cannot imagine anything else she writes to be better than this :)

This is the very first Mercedes Lackey book I ever read... and I very quickly bought not only the second two books in the trilogy, but some more of her writings.The first reason I picked up Magic's Pawn is the "horse" on the cover, because I am an animal lover. But I sat down on the floor of the bookstore to read a couple pages to get a feel for it, and I could hardly close the book to buy it!This book is an amazing love story. It does not matter that it is between two males at all -- it is simply portrayed as a deep love bond between two souls. This book actually changed my mind from being squeamish about gays to accepting, supporting, and understanding them. But more than a love story, it's a record of a boy growing up, learning a lot about himself. Throughout he has the wonderful support of his "horse" Yfandes, who is truely a lady, no matter her shape. She and Vanyel are mind-linked, which helps him through a lot of hard times. They also share a lot of fun bantering and generally affectionate teasing.If you want a "talking animal" story, get this. If you want a gay love story, get this. If you want a timeless love story, get this. If you want a simply magic story, get this.

I have written before, but because of some freak accident I wrote my E-mail address wrong, so here goes. I bought this book because my friend got me hooked on Mercedes Lackey when I first read "The Black Gryphon". I loved it. Then, when I was in a bookstore in Vancouver I found this one (actually the whole trilogy) I bought it, regardless of the cover and read it. I swear after three hours of straight reading, I must have used up the whole tissue box because the book was both horribly sad and very uplifting. It tought me alot about life and that you get what you work for. Vanyel and Tylendel really touched my heart! I really can't begin to describe how very touching this book is, and how very well Mercedes Lackey wrote it! I highly reccomend this book to any fantasy lover or someone who just needs a good cry. It will open your eyes to the world, and that anything is possible if only you try