Winds of Fate

Reviewing at www.fantasyliterature.com.

This was not my first book by Ms. Lackey.

Before this book, I read the Mage Storm trilogy (which I loved with a vengeance) as well as the Phoenix Unchained (which I tolerated with a slight bit of enjoyment). I figured that because this book started the trilogy before Mage Storm, that it would be nearly as good. It wasn't.

If you want a fantasy/romance novel (strong emphasis on ROMANCE!) this might be the one for you. Although I believe you could find books in that sub-genre that had a good deal of more likable characters. In this book you deal with Elspeth, the heir to the Valdemar throne (as well as being a egotistical, self-centered brat) as she searches for a mage to help her kingdom; and Darkwind, a Tayledras scout that has sworn off his magic (and you get to read about one escapade with his lower ranking girlfriend (who he is the commander of)) as he tries to convince his clan that they are in danger from an Adept (a very powerful magic user) that has a stronghold just outside their boarder. You also get to read about Skiff, (Elspeth's bodyguard/friend) who seems to be in love with her for some completely unfathomable reason, and Nyara, (a half human cat like creature that the Adept twisted) who has nearly uncontrollable pheromones and lusts.

While I expected a small amount of romance, I also expected it to be more minute and tasteful and a good deal less explicit. The book, actually, would have been enjoyable (even including Elspeth) if not for the predominance of romance and innuendos (ranging from mildly suggestive to somewhat beyond suggestive). All that being said, if you like a lot of romance in your fantasy novels, (and are older than...oh, say fifteen as this book goes a bit further than a PG-13 movie) I might recommend this book to you - as it was well written and has an intriguing plot line.

There was very little action (none until the second from last chapter) and without a doubt none of the well written fight scene that you usually find in fantasy novels. Also, I felt as though Ms. Lackey did a better job of writing interesting characters in her Mage Storm series. I will most likely read the next book in the trilogy (because I don't like leaving trilogies unfinished - curiosity always overcomes me) however, it is not very high up my list of books to read. (Or, considering that I wrote this review years ago as have still not even looked into the second is the series, probably not.)

2 stars as it was below average, for me, though I have read worse.