Another book in the Heralds of Valdemar series. Comes about 650 years before the Arrows of the Queen. Anyway it's a book about the most famed Herald of all: Vanyel, the Last Herald Mage. Starting off before he'd even thought of being a Herald, at his father's manor, Vanyel dreamed of being a Bard. But his father decided he needed to be turned into a "man" and that he couldn't deal with his "fopishness" at Forst Reach, so he sends Van off to his Herald aunt. There Van finds a lover named Tylendel, and they stay together until Fate intervenes on a tragic, stormy night. On that same night Van's Mage-gifts are awakned, and to find out what happens next, you'll just have to read the book! BTW don't miss the next 2, Magic's Promise and Magic's Price. Not to mention the short stories featuring Van in Sword of Ice.

Vanyel. And all the other characters, esp. (of course) the Companions. I love all these books, Mercades is a wonderful writter, and she really draws the reader in, you just have to read these books, I can't describe how good they are with mere words.

I cried. Very, very sad and dark.

Read the next two!!!! As well as finish the series!

Sad, but pleased, because it was such a good book!!!!

Has written lots more and is just amazing! Shes one of the few authors that can just come out with book, after book, after book, and the quality, plot, characters, etc, never falter, you can tell in them (at least all the ones ive read, and thats a good number) that shes put an extrodinary amount of time and thought into each; theyre all unique and amazing stories.

It's masterfully written, and if your a die-hard Valdemarian fan like me, it gives some history about Valdemar.

Hmm how do I put this delicatly...... the books in this series have some "questionable content" and Vanyel's love prefrences will not go over well with the conservative....

Just an all around awesome book! I highly recomend it, it's one of the best books i've ever read, and not to brag or anything, but I've read A LOT of books, esp. fantasy ones!

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Created Jan 26, 2003 at 12:14am • Submit your own review...