Magic’s Pawn, the first book in Mercedes Lackey’s The Last Herald-Mage trilogy, is a superb coming-of-age adventure. The trilogy itself is without a doubt the best thing Lackey has ever written, and represents required reading for fantasy fans even if the rest of Lackey’s work holds no appeal. The story begins approximately two centuries prior to the events of Arrows of the Queen, at time when mages were still well-known within Valdemar…
Vanyel Ashkevron was born to a life of privilege and responsibility: as the first-born son of Withen Ashkevron, a border lord of Valdemar, Vanyel’s duty is to take up the seat of honor and the lands of his family, protecting and leading the people of the region, and providing an heir to continue the family line. But Vanyel’s interests lie in other things: music, books, the social games and fashions of court. The martial life holds no appeal for him, and no wonder, for his father’s armsmaster seems more likely to kill him than a battle. Vanyel’s misery and his father’s disappointment conspire to send him into exile with his aunt Savil, a Herald-Mage stationed in the capital city of Haven, as his last chance to make something of himself.
What happens at Haven will touch the heart, thrill the soul, and shape the future of Valdemar for centuries to come.
