Windlord: First of the de Danann Tales

I can't quite tell you how much I love this book! Simply, this is the book that started me reading, I read it first when I was around ten and I'm now 18! Brilliantly told, engaging characters and a gripping story. The only minus perhaps is the fact it's over so fast! Look out for the other sequels Earthlord,Firelord and (Sealord)??.

It's a shame that some of the best Celtic fantasy out there is unnoticed, with a few rare exceptions like "Hounds of the Morrigan." Fortunately the De Danann Tales are published by a smaller, but higher-quality publisher.The two teenage heroes, from modern times, are suddenly swept up from our world to a different, earlier magical one--the world of Paedur the Bard, the isle of De Danann. Soon they are caught on a mystical struggle, with a bunch of unexpected new allies -- a huntress, a torc-alta, a bard with a hook rather than a hand, and a guy who controls one of the Elementals.In short, this young and strong band much rescue the Book of Windlord from the island's evil emperor, Balor (whose name will be familiar to students of Irish myth) and his hideous army of reptilian warriors. In addition to this, Our Heroes must also find a way to get home to their own time and place.Too many books collapse in under the wish to pander to mass tastes, simple sword and sorcery, and sacrifice the underlying tones that make them unique to start with. I include Celtic-influenced SF/F in that category. But often the best gems of this subgenre are to be found in smaller publishers, like "Riddle of Roses" and "Knockabeg." These allow the full richness of the storytelling to be seen and felt, and this one does not skimp on the details that need to be handled.The two human kids are saved from being standard by the excellent surroundings characters and how they interact. Though I felt the huntress was kinda flat, I liked the torc-alta, the bard and the Elemental lord. Balor is evil, nuff zed (although he is a villain that has been plumbed through many books, anyone with the name Balor remains utter evil).The writing is excellent and high-paced, though I sometimes wished that Windlord was longer than it actually was. The cover art is amazing, with the four people riding on a reptilian beastie over a castle...Overall, an engaging and exciting read. Well worth it.

This book, written by the Author of the unparalleled Trilogy "Tales of the Bard" was created for a young audience to whom the world of Fantasy is so much more real than those who have advanced to cynical adulthood. It brings to life Paedur the Bard, that most Unique of heroes, and a number of youthful followers. Included in this tale are two modern day youths. The author brings his teenage audience on an adventure they will always remember, where they suddenly realise that growing up can happen real fast. These youths walk down an ancient path on an Islet off the Irish Coast and into the world of Padeur, a Bard of millenniums past, drawn through the winds of time by uncontrolled powers that they, along with the friends they meet, must harness if they are to return home. Their Friends are a Huntress from the Icelands, A Torc-Alta (A Man Beast), A Lord of the one of the four most power Sources of Magic, The Elementals, and a Youthful Bard with a Silver Crescent Moon Hook in place of his Left Hand. This tale can be thought of as one in a parallel world to that which existed in Tales of the Bard. A Youthful Paedur still retains the ability to make us listen to his every word filling his word with mystery and magic. For a Youthful audience but otherwise worth reading just to get to meet Paedur once again.

Windlord is a great book. It is an andventure/fantasy book. It tells the tale of how Falon quest to find his uncle to teach him to be a Windlord. He then goes to free his parents and defeat Balor, the evil magician. This is the best of the DeDannan Isle tales. This is one of my favorite books.