Summary: Vanyel Ashkevron is beautiful. He's a talented musician. He's his mother's pride and joy. Too bad his father and siblings don't feel the same way about him. For that matter, too bad Vanyel doesn't feel the same way about himself. He can't seem to do anything right as far as anyone else is concerned. It seems like the only person who really loves him is his sister, Lissa. And she's just a woman, she doesn't have enough influence to protect him. So he lives, enduring the hatred of everyone, never able to do anything right, to please anyone. Then his father finally gets fed up with him and makes a decision that will change the course of his whole life. Vanyel is to be sent to the capital, Haven, and his Aunt Savil, one of the famous Herald-Mages of Valdemar. Anyone else would be thrilled, but Vanyel has met his Aunt once before, and he knows that she hates him just as much as everyone else. He has no choice but to go to Haven though, and maybe, just maybe, he'll find what he's been looking for, and the life he was destined to lead.
Review: Magic's Pawn has got to be one of my all-time favorite books. Mercedes Lackey (the author) conveys so much emotion through her characters that you just can't help but be swept up into the story. I admit it took me less than a day to finish this book. I just couldn't put it down, even though that meant staying up until 2 a.m. All I can say is 'Thank God I didn't have school the next day.'
In any case, this book is awesome. I laughed, I cried, I loved, I really felt for the characters. That is truly what makes a classic. Ignore the typos, the infrequent cliches, and just let your heart decide. Vanyel's story has captured so many people that I would recommend it to anyone. As long as you keep an open mind you won't have a problem. I can't stress enough how great this book is. I must have re-read it at least twenty times after the first, that's how much I love it. I think that Vanyel was the first character in a book that I actually cried for, if that helps you to comprehend any better how much his story affected me.
Now, if you've ever heard of this story before, you've probably heard one thing that may make you hesitant to read it. And if you haven't, well now you will. Yes, Vanyel is homosexual. But what does that really mean except that he's attracted to other members of the same sex as himself? Believe me, he has enough problems coming to terms with the whole thing. Even if you don't generally approve of homosexual relationships, you should still read this. If you despise the entire thing, then if nothing else it will give you something to criticize. Or maybe if you're lucky you'll gain a whole new perspective on homosexuality. In any case, you really should read it. It's simply a wonderful story of two people in love, and the ways the world has of interfering with our plans.
The Characters - My Analysis: