Technically a Reread Review
Winds of Fate is a dense book. So much detail packed into it. It’s really no wonder I don’t remember much from my first read. There’s a bunch of Darkwind’s story to flesh out, Starblade’s backstory, Elspeth and Skif’s journey, Nyara’s story, and then bits from Dawnfire and Mornelithe. It’s a lot and it’s skillfully woven together.
I had completely forgotten about this big ol’ plot point of everyone forgetting and not being able to talk about magic in this book. So clearly forgotten it that this plot point has led to a gigantic amount of frustration in any book in the chronology past Vanyel’s books. I have ranted about it in other reviews at length. I still am not sure what about his Herald-Web spell made all this nonsense happen, because that wasn’t explicitly part of his spell, at least not that I can remember. The problem of magic in Valdemar is just as frustrating to me as it is to Elspeth. That all this has something to do with Stefan becoming part of The Forest of Sorrows is odd. Stefen was supposed to bolster the view of regular Heralds and Herald Gifts, not somehow make magic anathema to the point it’s currently at in Valdemar. So very, very odd.
So, Quentin knows elementals exist. He has a little bit in his thoughts about “an earth-elemental in the scullery.” So… why are the vrondi not identified as elementals instead of just “whatever watches Valdemar?” I do find it somewhat funny that Need is the one to finally tell someone about the dang vrondi.
I have always enjoyed Elspeth as a character. She’s been fun to watch grow up through Talia and Kero’s books. I love that she’s decided being herded in a particular direction by the Companions is not in her cards. It’s pretty great. Love me a good independent female lead. I’m also actually really glad she has the cajones to stand up to Skif’s nonsense. Not nonsense I ever thought he’d be party to, mind, but utter nonsense all the same.
Skif… doesn’t really feel like the Skif from earlier books. I’m going to chalk this up as us basically jumping from child Skif to teenage Skif to “present day” Skif who is honestly acting horribly toward Elspeth. I’m not sure if it would have helped getting something from his POV during this adventure, but perhaps. I’m also not sure how I feel about his insta-bond with Nyara. Seems detrimental, if I’m honest.
Knew Mornelithe was evil, but to make his daughter a) into a Changechild and b) desire him as much as she does is just sick. Mornelithe actually reminds me of Hadanelith from The White Gryphon. They both use a twisted form of BDSM to warp and control their “playthings.” Both are just gross, personality-wise. Mornelithe just managed to get into an actual position of power, where Hadanelith was skulking around wishing he had it. All this was written before the reveal that Mornelithe has memories of his past lives, and… I won’t reveal it here, but Skandranon is mentioned so… yeah. Go figure I’d make a connection relating to him.
We get confirmation here that the Dhorisha Plains are the former site of Urtho’s Tower. So that’s fun. Really there’s a lot more connection between Winds of Fate and The Mage Wars than I was expecting. Not bad, by any means, just bits and pieces I found interesting.
I want to say I liked Winds of Fate, but that’s mainly because I didn’t hate it. It was good, just not super awesome and didn’t really leave me with a feeling of finality to this piece of the story. That’s definitely not a bad thing, given that this is the first of a trilogy… just a thing. I am looking forward to rediscovering Elspeth’s journey in the next one.
Favorite Line
"The hertasi were fond of referring to these unwelcome intruders as 'fertilizer.'" - Darkwind's Narration
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