Search - Magic's Pawn (Last Herald Mage, Bk 1)

This book has good storytelling behind it, but focuses too much on the main character's homosexuality, and how "Normal" it's supposed to be. Oh, please. It isn't presented in an offensive way, but the gay agenda is pushed pretty hard. Too bad, too. Without that "Beat you over the head until you agree with me" aspect, this could have been a good story.
Tedrick

This is simply the worst book I've ever read, the homosexuality in it was sickening and too dragged out.

I don't normally like Mercedes Lackey books. I'm not certain why, but most of her stories leave me cold, and I forget about them shortly after I close the cover of the book. But Magic's Pawn is different.

I truly care about Vanyel Ashkevron, the main character of this series. He is handsome and proud and arrogant and lonely and desperate and scared and insecure, all at once. There are moments in the story when I wish he would be a little less insecure and chin up, but those moments are rare. Mostly, we see Vanyel develop his talents and discover his true identity while identifying with him and cheering him on to each new phase in his development.

The magic/fantasy world of Magic's Pawn is typical Lackey, serviceable but forgettable. The main plotline is likewise not particularly memorable but merely serves to display Vanyel's thoughts and emotions. The main selling point of this series is the complex character interactions and Vanyel is the star. Other characters pale in comparison, especially the seemingly unnecessary Companions.

I will continue to Magic's Promise, the next book in the series, to see if Lackey can keep me interested in Vanyel's future trials and tribulations.

This book is an emotional roller coaster in the best possible way. Vanyel, the protagonist in this series, is easily relatable and had me cheering and crying out loud for him. There is a lot of action and drama that keeps the pages turning.

An interesting book. The main character's companion is not disimilar to Eragon's companion (and dragon) Saphira. Wasn't my favorite read though...

I just love this series. I have read these books out of order and then went back and read them all in order. I love the pre-mage/during the war ones as well. Skip these particular books if you are a homo phobe. None of the other books outside of the last herald mage deal in depth with homosexuals. They are usually kept as side characters, if it really bothers you. I was a little shocked when I first read it, but I was like 11 and had read a lot of the other books in her series. I would highly suggest The Oathbound (Vows and Honor). To have such an expansive world to read about truly rocks. I love seeing how their history has progressed and in the earlier books you can see how this world came to be and why there are talking horses.