Vanyel, a young lordling, is sent, in disgrace, to live with his aunt. His father was unable to make a "man" out of him and so sends him to be fostered in the capital city. Once there Vanyel falls in love with a young Heraldic Trainee (kind of a soldier with a magical "horse")named Tylendel. They manage to keep their love almost a secret until Lendel's death. But, by the time Vanyel's father storms in to beat the fey out of the boy Vanyel himself has been Chosen by Yfandes (one of the magical "horses"). Devastated by the death of his lifebonded, suddenly burdened with mage-craft he cannot control,and very ill besides, even Yfandes is not enough to save Vanyel from madness or death. So, his aunt takes him to the only people who can both heal and train him, the Hawkbrothers. Among these mysterious mages Vanyel slowly heals body and heart, and learns to control the most powerful mage-talent his teachers have ever seen. One wonders why he might need it..
Click here to see the rest of this review...
The review of this Book prepared by sarah rossi
A young boy with hidden magical powers comes of age as a gay teen in a fedual earth-like society. He wants to escape his parent's and finds love in the city. Later, his powers manifest and hurt him and he goes for healing from some friends. In the end, he has to learn to accept himself and his fate that he is a messenger with special powers with a talking horse as a friend, as he defeats an evil magician.
The review of this Book prepared by Nell
Vanyel Ashkevron is the eldest son of a country nobleman, but he is unlike his brothers and not pleasing to his father, for instead of being tough and strong like his brothers, Vanyel is handsome, willowy, learned, and secretly dreams of being a bard, and feels like he just doesn't fit in. His life changes abruptly when his father sends him to the capital to live with his aunt Savil, a herald of Valdemar, one of those few people who protect the country with their magic. "Aunt Ice-and-Iron" turns out to be a lot nicer than he expected, but Vanyel soon has other things to deal with: love, loss, and great magical powers thrust upon him unnaturally...
The review of this Book prepared by Amanda
Vanyel, a young boy, is a misfit on his father's manor. He is sent to Haven, the capital of Valdemar, to go to school. This is viewed as a punishment by the father, and at first, by Vanyel himself. However, Vanyel had dreams of becoming a Bard at the Collegium in Haven, and he is glad to get away from his father and the cruel weaponsmaster on the manor. Vanyel does not have many friends at first, but finds himself falling deeply in love with . . . a young man named 'Lendel studying to become a Herald, or protector of Valdemar. Vanyel and 'Lendel become romantically involved. Unfortunatly, 'Lendel's twin brother is killed by an enemy of the family. 'Lendel tries to get revenge for his brother's death, by using his heraldic powers. This is against the rules of the collegium -- Heralds may not use their powers to hurt others. The result of his actions, and inexperience, is 'Lendel's death.
Some teachers at the collegium blame Vanyel for the death of 'Lendel, but as Vanyel has gone into a deep shock, he can sense these thoughts, and plunges deeper into a guilt-ridden coma. When he comes-to, it is discovered that he is not only a mage, but the most powerful mage to live in Valdemar for centuries.
The review of this Book prepared by Katie
All Vanyel wants to do is become a bard, even though everything around him warns against it. Sent off to his aunt's school, Vanyel's whole world changes as the strong willed and celf centered boy finds much more than he bargained for.
The review of this Book prepared by Clay
