Winds of Fate

This book is about the heir to the throne of Valdemier, Elspeth, and a Hawkbrother, Darkwind. Elspeth wanted to go find mages for Valdemier, which was being attacked by a neighboring kingdom (though he hadn't sent any more major attacks since `By the sword'). So, she goes to find mages, and to get trained herself (they find she has a major mage gift), only with her friend Skif and their Companions. Darkwind is a scout for the Hawkbrothers, who used to be a mage. When they do meet, (after a while) they, Nyara (Falconsbanes daughter who hates him), and two grown griffons and their litter of three, not to mention the magic sword Need that went with Elspeth) get attacked by an evil (aren't all blood mages?) blood mage, Falconsbane. And they get whole new set of probolems...

Valdemar is in trouble yet again. The mysterious magical defenses that have protected it since the time of Herald Vanyel are eroding, while Ancar of Hardorn and his mages grow stronger. Elspeth, Herald and Heir to the throne, decides that she must take matters into her own hands and find mages to protect her beloved country. She sets off on a journey with her friend and fellow Herald, Skif, that will take them far to the south, where Elspeth realizes she may have a Mage Gift of her own...K'Sheyna Vale is also in trouble. Its Heartstone is damaged beyond repair, and half of its inhabitants are stranded at the remote new Vale site. Darkwind, the head scout of Clan K'Sheyna and a powerful mage who has forsaken his powers, faces the daily battle of keeping his home safe from the evil forces of a mysterious Dark Adept that is seeking to destroy everything Darkwind holds dear..."Winds of Fate" is the first book in Mercedes Lackey"s The Mage Winds Trilogy. It has an interesting structure to it. Throughout much of the book, the chapters alternate perspectives between Elspeth and Darkwind, with a few interludes of completely different perspective thrown in. I found this to be very effective. It kept me motivated and reading, especially during the Elspeth chapters that tended to drag a little more. The differences between the storylines were ample enough that I was never confused by events. It was also nice to look forward to the expected unification of the two storylines.I was also pleasantly surprised and delighted by the abundance of Tayledras characters in this book. The Tayledras as a people have fascinated me ever since I read "Magic's Pawn" and became enchanted with Moondance and Starwind. "Winds of Fate" allowed me an even deeper look into their culture, and it was through the eyes of Darkwind, a member of that culture himself."Winds of Fate" is a fun book to read. Its characters are strong and behave like real people. Its setting is so real that I almost feel like I've been there. Mercedes Lackey keeps the mood light when it needs to be by adding little touches of humor here and there.Bottom Line: A great continuation of the Valdemar books and an absolute treat to the Tayledras lovers out there. However, I would recommend that you first read The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy and The Heralds of Valdemar to truly appreciate this book.

I have to be honest with you. I am new to the works of Mercedes Lackey but I have become hooked by reading this book. I have always loved fantasy and sci-fi novels a little more than most young women should, but I don't care.On with the book review. I found that the tale of Elspeth and Darkwind was one that I could very easily find myself immersed in. When this first happened it was much like Elspeth learning her magic for the first time...very overwhelming.As you begin to read the book you find that everything Elspeth deals with by being heir to the throne of Valdemar is what every teenager in every walk of life goes through eventually. That was one of the points that sold me on the book. Misty does not make you feel anything more than sorry for Elspeth and her plight. She wants to be free, but realizes that will be impossible unless someone who is more worthy than her decides to take the throne of Valdemar and free her from her responsibilities.All through the book Elspeth doubts that she is even fit enough to rule the kingdom of Valdemar the way it deserves to be ruled. As Elspeth fights her mother Queen Selenay and the Valdamaran council to be able to go on her journey to find the mages and teachers that may very well keep Valdemar safe from the wrath of the evil blood mage that wants to take over the kingdom of Valdemar you feel her rock-solid determination that she is the only one able to carry out this task because she is a herald and as she sees it she is expendable to the kingdom because Talia has the twins that are far more capable of ruling Valdemar than Elspeth is.Once the council decides that Elspeth is the one for the job the next task is getting them to agree to let her go outside of the kingdom on her own. That is not to be however and the council decides that she can go but that she has to take one more herald with her. That herald turns out to be the well-loved and well-written Skif.Though Elspeth is not big on the idea of having someone else slowing her progress down she agrees and decides it is better that it is Skif and not a whole troop of Valdamaran soldiers as her mother and the rest of the council wanted to begin with.The way Mercedes Lackey describes the land that Elspeth and Skif travel through and the people that they meet, it seems like you are right there, riding on the back of the Companions Gwena and Cymry as they wind their way to their destination.Once Elspeth has the sword Need and she wakes up the action really starts to become intense. Elspeth is a female that every woman young or old can identify with. Her anger at being herded down a path that was already pre-chosen for her is an anger that I am sure every human being, male or female has felt and rebelled against at one time or another in their lifetime. Once they get onto the D'Horisha Plains and draw closer to the lands of the Tayledras and the gruesome horrors that Mornelithe Falconsbane has unloosed in that territory you begin to feel that El

Lackey has done it again. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. In this book, Elspeth goes to lands outside of Valdemar. This is a wonderful book, but I suggest that you read all of the Valdemar books according to the time line in almost all of the books. DO NOT START WITH THIS ONE. If you do, it will be hard to follow along. If you have already read the others, then . . . READ THIS ONE!

In the Arrows triology, we were introduced to "the brat", Elspeth heir to the throne, terror of the Queen's palace, tamed by Talia. After a failed attempt on Elspeth's life, she embarks on a mission to find magical allies in the war with Ancar, king of Hadorn. So begins Elsepth's journey into the outside world. Meet Darkwind, exmage, scout of the elusive Talyderas, the hawkbrothers. Estranged from his father, he copes with the loss of his mother and a rogue heartstone. Chance, or fate brings them together. This is the first story in a great triology by Mercedes Lackey. This book gives the background needed for the following books, and neatly ties in with all the history of her previous books, starting with The Last Herald Mage series, all the way through to By The Sword. If you are like me, after you read this book, you will want to reread all the previous books or at least look up some of the finer points in Valdemar's history, and continue on to the last two books in the Mage Winds triology.