So first, Winds of Change has a ridiculously long “Prologue.” It’s a recap of the events thus-far. Enough that you probably didn’t need to read Winds of Fate. I found this an interesting choice. Winds of Change itself is honestly middling. There’s a lot of “technobabble” to be found in Elspeth being taught magic and then setting up for helping with the k’Sheyna Heartstone.
I kind of liked being “taught” magic along with Darkwind and Elspeth. Helps to grasp what they’re doing a lot better. Which is a very good thing as this is the most in-depth into magic working Lackey has ever gone. Seriously, got into the “technobabble” weeds of how magic works or can work. It was honestly a lot and I’m not sure it was overall strictly necessary.
I think it’s funny that Gwena up and slips in saying “Sayv - Savil” instead of just Savil. Hints and hints at the true nature of Companions… or some of them anyway. I thought I remembered that particular personality correctly, so it makes me happy I at least remembered a tidbit from this book.
Interesting for Skif and Wintermoon to essentially doing some therapy between them. I probably wouldn’t have guessed that Skif did some solo assassination. That aside, I am really happy with the relationships in Winds of Change. The platonic ones as well as the romantic. It’s nice to not have Lifebonding shoved down our throats yet again. Nyara and Skif’s relationship is interesting. Completely opposite of how he was treating Elspeth last book, Skif supports Nyara’s decisions completely, even if he doesn’t like them. I can definitely see the beginnings of a strong relationship that can face whatever hardships end up in their way. Darkwind and Elspeth had kind of a classic “annoyance to lovers” arc that was pleasant enough.
Welp, Mornelithe isn’t dead after all and making some leaps of logic in his need for revenge. I find it semi-interesting that he’s actually Ma’ar rather than a reincarnation. Just body-jumping through the centuries. His absolute confusion over being thwarted this time is a little hilarious. Dunno why, after all this time, he thought things would stay the same after he’d attack k’Sheyna the first time. Much eye rolling. But also… how’d he miss Firesong? Mornelithe honestly comes out of this feeling much stupider than he probably should have. I was kind of viewing him as a Voldemort level baddie, but he’s just too… not that.
Ha! I KNEW Firesong was one of Vanyel’s descendants! Not sure how relevant that actually is to the plot, but I had a feeling. Also, in random “cameos,” we get confirmation that Tarma has passed away. She’s the rider who mind-speaks to Elspeth, in case you missed that. She isn’t named, but it’s still pretty obvious as she all but names herself to Elspeth.
Honestly, the ending to this one feels needlessly contrived. A way to get everyone back together, finally, after The Mage Wars separated them so they can… do stuff. Stuff I don’t remember. It’s both complicated and simple, but still feels very contrived. I had pegged the “black riders” as Shin’a’in pretty quickly, so them showing up in/at the Vale was not a surprise.
So… yeah. I liked Winds of Change well enough, though I will not lie, somewhere in the middle of the “technobabble,” I was semi-seriously considering DNFing it. I am glad I stuck it out, though, even if the ending was lackluster, in my opinion.
Favorite Line
"Unhappy servants were inefficient servants." - Mornelithe Falconsbane's narration
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