Good book spattered with irritating logical contradictions.

books:

	• Winds of Fate (The Mage Winds, Book 1) Mercedes Lackey DAW, 1992 - 464 pages average customer review:based on 49 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Good book spattered with irritating logical contradictions.

This book really does make for exciting and somewhat fearful reading with the introduction of the arch-adept bloodmage 'Falconsbane' into the picture and how he nearly comes to destroy the Sheyna Tayledras community.

The plot is good and there are a couple of of twists and turns that aren't entirely expected. Overall rather charming reading.

However, some contradictions truly do destroy the pleasure of reading this story:
- AFAIK Companions technically _cannot_ be affected by direct magic. They are immune to magic strikes unless there is an embedded body spell. (mentioned in the herald mage series). So, how did they get affected by direct energy strikes merrily thrown by Falconsbane?
-Skif is supposed to be wordly-wise and mature (Arrows of the Queen). Why does he suddenly decide to behave like a stupid dog-in-heat while accompanying Elspeth? I was wincing all the time at this sudden change in his personality.
-The HORRIBLE tendency of every bloody character to sound like the other (with the possible exception of the Taleydras), when they constantly refer to each other using pet nicknames. Mercedes Lackey (I will *not* call her misty) simply has to get rid of this fundamental flaw in her writing. Its supremely irritating! Here we have Elspeth making a *formal* speech to the Valdemar Council and she refers to Kerowyn as 'Kero' 4 times in that speech....aargh.

for more information click here

It's...Okay

I read all three books in this series, and Skif's...uh...'emotions' were akin to one such as a uncastrated dog who smells a female in heat. That was very irritating considering he did this two or three times before giving up.
Gwena irritated me more then Elspeth personally, and the gryphons were highly likeable. The Tayledras and Shin'a'In were very interesting cultures and Mornelithe Falconsbane was a very hate-able evil guy.
I agree with what someone said about the 'crash course' so-to-speak of becoming an Adept, that it should have taken her much longer, and the meet-Darkwind-who-automatically-likes-her thing was very stereotypical as well.

for more information click here

Fantasy Bloat, some interesting points

Herald Elspeth is the heir to the kingdom of Valdemar and a rather difficult person to like. Darkwind is a 27 year old Tayledras scout/wizard. This novel alternates between both characters and their respective lives as their paths slowly join.

I admit, I didn't empathize with Elspeth. She's too whiney and I don't like the way she treats her companion. I also think she handled the situation with Skif poorly. Darkwind is ok, but a little too cookie cutter, and the relationship between him and the seventeen year old scout skeeved me out. Also his scenes at times were boring.

Overall this was an OK novel. I found the parts with the gryphons a bit strange, and the sections told from Darkwinds POV were bland.

Overall: 3 star read.

for more information click here

Mercedes Lackey Does It Again.

This book drew me in from the beginning and held me in thrall to the end. Ms. Lackey is superior in fantasy novels. I completely enjoyed this trilogy.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

With the realm at risk, Elspeth, herald and heir to the throne, abandons her home to find a mentor who can awaken her untrained mage abilities. Reprint.

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

Ciarrai's Favorite Books - Part 2 (Chiaverini - Lackey )
Valdemar Time Line - "Mercedes Lackey" Collection
My favorite Mercedes Lackey Books
The Horses of Valdemar!
Valdemar

fate

The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence
Black Dog of Fate: An American Son Uncovers His Armenian Past
A Fate Worse Than Death: Indian Captivities in the West 1830-1885
Fate is the Hunter
Life and Fate

search for books
winds of fate, book, fate, mage, winds

Impressum / about us