Groundbreaking epic fantasy series in Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar universe • Lambda-Award winning novels with heartfelt high adventure and magic Though Vanyel has been born with near-legendary abilities to work both Herald and Mage magic, he wanted no part in such things. Nor does he seek a warrior’s path, wishing instead to become a Bard. Yet such talent as his, if left untrained, may prove a menace not only to Vanyel but to others as well. So he is sent to be fostered with his aunt, Savil, one of the fame Herald-Mages of Valdemar. But, strong-willed and self-centered, Vanyel is a challenge which even Savil cannot master alone. For soon he will become the focus of frightening forces, lending his raw magic to a spell that unleashes terrifying wyr-hunters on the land. And by the time Savil seeks the assistance of a Shin’a’in Adept, Vanyel’s wild talent may have already grown beyond anyone’s ability to contain, placing Vanyel, Savil, and Valdemar itself in desperate peril.

This is the second novel in the Age of Dragons series.This is the story of the life of Alexandria Dragonhater the speaker of the goddess of balance. After loosing her husband she finds herself in a strange world made more strange by the fact that her son, who was conceived in a future only she can remember, is marked with a grand destiny minutes after his birth. Journeying through the world and life she is hampered by the fact that as the Paladin of Gaia, she must constantly fight to save the balance of good and evil. While Alex is trying to live her life, her son does the same as he grows from a child into a man with great powers. His journey is hindered by the fact that he is world famous almost from the moment he is born. Just when both Alex and her son begin to figure things out, their greatest foe reappears and threatens the world.

The sources of power for each of the four wizard disciplines are declining while powerful fifth-sphere mages are disappearing in a wake of destruction. Is there a connection? No one knows. But Mara, a failed apprentice despite having magical affinities, intends to find out. Her mentor and adopted grandfather is one of those missing mages and she won't give up until she finds him. Mara enlists a reluctant Reese, a friend since childhood, to embark on an adventure wrought with all the dangers the world of Arath can offer. Along the way, they pick up tidbits and clues, allies and enemies, and face monsters and demons. All while discovering their relationship is far more complicated than expected.

Dematr is a world ruled by the diametrically opposed Mage and Mechanic Guilds. For centuries, the two Great Guilds have been bitter rivals. But now a Storm approaches, one that could sweep away everything that humans have built. Only one person has any chance of uniting enough of the world behind to stop the Storm. Mari is a brilliant young Mechanic, just out of the Guild Halls, where she has spent most of her life learning how to run the steam locomotives and other devices of her Guild. Alain is the youngest Mage ever to learn how to change the world he sees with the power of his mind. Each has been taught that the works of the other's Guild are frauds. But when their caravan is destroyed, they must join forces. Their union could save the world from the approaching Storm, but it could also upend the Great Guilds who will stop at nothing to preserve their power. Mari and Alain will have to choose between protecting their lives and their Guilds, or risking everything to protect Dematr from the coming Storm.

Apprenticed to a venerable wizard when his hunter and trapper parents disappear into the forest never to be seen again, Darian is difficult and strong willed--much to the dismay of his kindly master. But a sudden twist of fate will change his life forever, when the ransacking of his village forces him to flee into the great mystical forest. It is here in the dark forest that he meets his destiny, as the terrifying and mysterious Hawkpeople lead him on the path to maturity. Now they must lead the assault on his besieged home in a desperate attempt to save his people from certain death!