Magic's Price is an epic fantasy novel by American author Mercedes Lackey. It is the third and final novel in the Valdemar: The Last Herald Mage series and eighth in the Valdemar universe. It was published in 1990 by DAW books. A magical and romantic tale that continues the story of Vanyel Ashkevron, the single most powerful Herald-Mage to ever exist and Yfandes, his companion. They are both tasked with saving the kingdom from dark forces that wield extremely powerful magic that threatens the entire land.
Being the last novel in the trilogy, significant plot lines are revealed, and the final battle comes to a close. Eight years after the ordeals in Magic's Promise, Vanyel has aged, Randale is dying and leadership has fallen in the hands of young Jisa. To be able to lead efficiently, he separates himself from the rest and focuses on becoming strong as the final ordeal ensues. As more and more Herald-Mages die, Vanyel's becomes weaker. His worst nightmare is manifesting into reality.
All hope is lost, and it looks like Vanyel will have to make the greatest sacrifice of all to save the kingdom from annihilation. As a closer to Vanyel's story, his life flashes before the reader's eyes as he comes to terms with death and the purpose of it all. Magic's Price won the 1990 Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction.
