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Valdemar: Mage Winds #1-3
The Mage Winds: A Valdemar Omnibus
Long ago, high magic was lost to Valdemar when the last Herald-Mage gave his life to protect his kingdom from destruction by dark sorceries. But now the protective barrier over Valdemar is crumbling, and with the realm imperiled, Princess Elspeth, Herald and heir to the throne, has gone on a desperate quest in search of a mentor who can teach her to wield her fledgling mage-powers and help her to defend her threatened kingdom.
1054 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
35 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
432 books9,548 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 21, 2016
Can't believe I just finished the most boring series I've ever read, the title is fascinating but the content is totally not
September 21, 2015
Enjoyable character driven fantasy
I almost gave up on the first book of the trilogy. Winds of Fury was, to me, something of a disappointment compared to the others in the Valdemar series that I have read. Ellsworth and Skif's bickering and intransigence started to make my teeth hurt.
Very glad I stayed with it, though. Plenty of action, well-defined characters and a clever magic system all tied in with an intriguing back-story regarding the kingdom of Valdemar's "anti-magic shell.
All in all a worthy addition to the Valdemar milieu.
I almost gave up on the first book of the trilogy. Winds of Fury was, to me, something of a disappointment compared to the others in the Valdemar series that I have read. Ellsworth and Skif's bickering and intransigence started to make my teeth hurt.
Very glad I stayed with it, though. Plenty of action, well-defined characters and a clever magic system all tied in with an intriguing back-story regarding the kingdom of Valdemar's "anti-magic shell.
All in all a worthy addition to the Valdemar milieu.
May 20, 2016
High Magic was lost to Valdemar centuries ago, when the last Herald-Mage gave his life to save the kingdom from dark sorcery. But now the realm is at risk again, and it falls to Princess Elspeth, Herald and heir to the throne, to defend it. Abandoning her home, Elspeth seeks a mentor who can awaken her untrained mage abilities, and soon learns that others, too, are being caught up in a war against sorcerous evil. The Tayledras scout Darkwind is the first to stumble across the menace creeping forth from the Uncleansed Lands. As the dark sorcery begins to take its toll, Darkwind must battle an enemy able to wreak greater devastation with spells than with swords, and is forced to call upon powers he has sworn never to use again. The Mage Winds omnibus follows Princess Elspeth, future Queen of Valdemar, as she masters her mage gift and defends her threatened kingdom.
In Winds of Fate, Elspeth, the Herald who also happens to be the Heir, is in the midst of her training, but when an assassination attempt is made, one that has something to do with magic, she starts to think about the magical situation in Valdemar. Her conclusion? The protective magic is changing and it's high time Valdemar started using mages. Elspeth finally gains her mother, and the council's permission to go on a quest, to find a mage strong enough to get through the protections of Valdemar and help them fight against Ancar, training any Heralds with possible Mage gift. On the journey it becomes apparent Elspeth has a large mage gift, and decides to forge her own path, instead of the one laid out for her. When Elspeth makes it to her destination, she finds herself faced with new allies, a new group of people, and a battle with an evil Mage, Falconsbane.
Darkwind is dealing with his father's changes since their sacred Heartstone shattered, he is the first to notice the evil brewing beyond their borders. When he saves a change child who happens to be the daughter of Falconsbane, they have an insight in to their foe, but with Nyara being Falconsbanes daughter she can't resist his call. When the Gryphons and their gryphlets are attacked and the evil mages mark put upon them, as a way to get to their magical node, and a friend of Darkwinds is trapped in her bond bird, the truth about Darkwind's father and the shattering of the Heartstone comes out. Just as well that Elspeth arrives, ready to help take down Falconsbane.
In Winds of Change, Elspeth is in the Vale being taught magic by Darkwind, who is also learning himself, and Hydona when help from another clan arrives, powerful Adept Firesong. His purpose is to help Starblade and the Heartstone, but in order to help heal the Heartstone he will need the help of the only other two Adepts in the Vale...Elspeth and Darkwind...it's safe to say their teacher kicks their training up a notch! Unfortunately, Falconsbane isn't as dead as they where hoping, and the gang have to face him in battle again.
Meanwhile, pre-battle with douchey Falconsbane, Skif is on a mission to find Nyara and bring her back to the Vale, while Nyara is undergoing an attitude change courtesy of Need, and just in time. They will need Nyara's help to take down her father once and for all.
In Winds of Fury, Elspeth and the gang head back to Valdemar to deal with Valdemar's newly created Heartstone, and find out why, exactly, the power transferred there instead of to the new Vale. The answer is something they certainly weren't expecting, something ancient and spiritual, shall we say. When the shield around Valdemar has to come down, it's a race against time to train up and gather as many mages as they can to help defend Valdemar from Ancar.
Meanwhile, Ancar finally rears his ugly head, and he's not alone. When his magic goes wrong, he finds himself with a new best friend. Falconsbane. A very knackered Falconsbane, but still. Falconsbane is under Ancar's control, but not as much as Ancar believes, however, Falconsbane also has the remnants of the person who's body he stole, still floating about in his head....and he wants to fight back.
As the two kingdoms prepare for battle, Elspeth and co find themselves travelling undercover to Hadorn to deal with Ancar and Falconsbane once and for all.
Okay so this was a great omnibus and I need to read the first omnibus as soon as possible and then the next one! I think I'm going to be reading all the other books this author has to offer as well because this book was so good, and so engrossing and it sucks you in to this incredibly imaginative world and keeps you there the entire time you read.
The first book built the world fantastically around the plot and the action, you see the different areas of it and the world is created so vividly you feel like you're actually there. It's an impressive show of imagination and one that reaches out to your imagination, and brings it to life as you read. The world created is expansive, with a rich history and mythology and background to it that comes across in the story, alongside the plot. The first book is a perfect set up, moving the characters where they need to be for the next part, while explaining what's going on in the world politically and in general and while filling you in on the history.
But all of this information works because it's compelling and fascinating and you want to read about it as much as you want to read about the characters and what they're doing. Somehow all this background information is twined with the plot and the action so you get a huge understanding of the world without being bored.
The world sucks you in as much as the characters do, but what I loved was how original, at least to me, the books where. I loved the idea of the Heralds and their Companions and why they exist and how they came about and how the current set up of the kingdom came about. I loved the idea of the Hawkbrothers and their Bondbirds, and this series is so full of awesome!
I need to read the other two omnibus's and pretty much every other book the author has written because I want to know more about the world and the background and the history, I want to see other parts of the world, other lifestyles.
The politics, history and mythology to the world are not only rich, they're complex, and very well detailed and explained. I came away from the book with more understanding of the goings on of the world in the book than the one in my own.
There was some romance in the book but it was very subtle and secondary to the main plot of the book, I enjoyed the romances, they where natural, realistic, they developed realistically and where just so cute and adorable.
There's plenty of action in the book, as well as the splashes of romance, enough to keep you turning the pages, and reaching points where it really is impossible to put the book down. There's plot twists all over the place, the type where you're gasping out loud and like "oh hell no" and you're totally blown away. I could never tell what was going to happen next, it's like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded.
There where multiple POV's, these where marked in the first book, but in the second they where changing without saying the character, but the characters where all so well written that each one had a distinctive voice and you could tell which was which without having to be told. Each had an engaging narrative that added insight to them as well as other characters, there was no doubling of scenes with word for word dialogue, each POV had a fresh scene. Once they came together as a group the POV changes didn't need to be announced as it where.
Anyways, the POV's where mainly Elspeth and Darkwind with a couple of pages from another character, and once we hit the third book you get huge chunks that are from Ancar and Falconsbane's POV, which was interesting because Ancar wasn't as badass as I was expecting. I thought it was a great build up saving Ancar for the last book, you finally meet him and you know things just got real. Each POV change was smooth and seamless, at exactly the right moment. I enjoyed the interludes in the first book, they where very intriguing.
The characters are all utterly fantastic. They're so well written they practically come to life in front of you, each one is so different from the other and they have so much depth it's incredible. I connected with Elspeth immediately, she's definitely my favourite character, she's also very interesting in how she acts and behaves at home and then on the road, and then in the other books coming back to being more like her usual self, and her reasoning behind her actions. She's the kind of awesome fleshed out character that actors dream of getting a crack at. You can empathise with her so easily.
Darkwind is also very well written, you feel for him, he and Vree make you chuckle just like Elspeth and Gwena. Both Darkwind and Elspeth have had difficult lives, or at least difficult periods, and it comes across in them and their actions. Skif was interesting, but I loved Elspeth so much I found myself adopting her point of view of him at more than one point! He was kind of adorable though, but I felt like I didn't really get to know him that well, he clearly has an interesting backstory that I'm dying to know!
I really loved Kero and I wanted to see more of her, which is why I need to read the other trilogy I think! And the voices of Need and the companions and the Gryphons where just perfect. They came across on the page so well, and there was no confusion about who was speaking when it was all in mind speech, and I just really want a Companion okay.
There's excellent continuation throughout the three books, the first book starts with a prologue that's kind of like a "previously in history" bit. You learn more about the characters and their origins as the books go on, and you never fail to have surprises thrown at you. As well as the romances developing very nicely across the three books. There's three very distinctive parts to the series, the first setting everything up, the second being the Rocky training montage and the third being the conclusion and the final showdown.
This book has it all, action, adventure, romance, quests, magic, gryphons, fire birds, change creatures, ghosts, and everything under the sun. The author has created a colourful world with colourful characters that gives your imagination a stretch and sucks you in for hours on end. Thank God the version I read is an omnibus because I didn't have to faff about waiting for the next book and being agonised in the waits in between books, I could just keep reading and it was awesome.
In Winds of Fate, Elspeth, the Herald who also happens to be the Heir, is in the midst of her training, but when an assassination attempt is made, one that has something to do with magic, she starts to think about the magical situation in Valdemar. Her conclusion? The protective magic is changing and it's high time Valdemar started using mages. Elspeth finally gains her mother, and the council's permission to go on a quest, to find a mage strong enough to get through the protections of Valdemar and help them fight against Ancar, training any Heralds with possible Mage gift. On the journey it becomes apparent Elspeth has a large mage gift, and decides to forge her own path, instead of the one laid out for her. When Elspeth makes it to her destination, she finds herself faced with new allies, a new group of people, and a battle with an evil Mage, Falconsbane.
Darkwind is dealing with his father's changes since their sacred Heartstone shattered, he is the first to notice the evil brewing beyond their borders. When he saves a change child who happens to be the daughter of Falconsbane, they have an insight in to their foe, but with Nyara being Falconsbanes daughter she can't resist his call. When the Gryphons and their gryphlets are attacked and the evil mages mark put upon them, as a way to get to their magical node, and a friend of Darkwinds is trapped in her bond bird, the truth about Darkwind's father and the shattering of the Heartstone comes out. Just as well that Elspeth arrives, ready to help take down Falconsbane.
In Winds of Change, Elspeth is in the Vale being taught magic by Darkwind, who is also learning himself, and Hydona when help from another clan arrives, powerful Adept Firesong. His purpose is to help Starblade and the Heartstone, but in order to help heal the Heartstone he will need the help of the only other two Adepts in the Vale...Elspeth and Darkwind...it's safe to say their teacher kicks their training up a notch! Unfortunately, Falconsbane isn't as dead as they where hoping, and the gang have to face him in battle again.
Meanwhile, pre-battle with douchey Falconsbane, Skif is on a mission to find Nyara and bring her back to the Vale, while Nyara is undergoing an attitude change courtesy of Need, and just in time. They will need Nyara's help to take down her father once and for all.
In Winds of Fury, Elspeth and the gang head back to Valdemar to deal with Valdemar's newly created Heartstone, and find out why, exactly, the power transferred there instead of to the new Vale. The answer is something they certainly weren't expecting, something ancient and spiritual, shall we say. When the shield around Valdemar has to come down, it's a race against time to train up and gather as many mages as they can to help defend Valdemar from Ancar.
Meanwhile, Ancar finally rears his ugly head, and he's not alone. When his magic goes wrong, he finds himself with a new best friend. Falconsbane. A very knackered Falconsbane, but still. Falconsbane is under Ancar's control, but not as much as Ancar believes, however, Falconsbane also has the remnants of the person who's body he stole, still floating about in his head....and he wants to fight back.
As the two kingdoms prepare for battle, Elspeth and co find themselves travelling undercover to Hadorn to deal with Ancar and Falconsbane once and for all.
Okay so this was a great omnibus and I need to read the first omnibus as soon as possible and then the next one! I think I'm going to be reading all the other books this author has to offer as well because this book was so good, and so engrossing and it sucks you in to this incredibly imaginative world and keeps you there the entire time you read.
The first book built the world fantastically around the plot and the action, you see the different areas of it and the world is created so vividly you feel like you're actually there. It's an impressive show of imagination and one that reaches out to your imagination, and brings it to life as you read. The world created is expansive, with a rich history and mythology and background to it that comes across in the story, alongside the plot. The first book is a perfect set up, moving the characters where they need to be for the next part, while explaining what's going on in the world politically and in general and while filling you in on the history.
But all of this information works because it's compelling and fascinating and you want to read about it as much as you want to read about the characters and what they're doing. Somehow all this background information is twined with the plot and the action so you get a huge understanding of the world without being bored.
The world sucks you in as much as the characters do, but what I loved was how original, at least to me, the books where. I loved the idea of the Heralds and their Companions and why they exist and how they came about and how the current set up of the kingdom came about. I loved the idea of the Hawkbrothers and their Bondbirds, and this series is so full of awesome!
I need to read the other two omnibus's and pretty much every other book the author has written because I want to know more about the world and the background and the history, I want to see other parts of the world, other lifestyles.
The politics, history and mythology to the world are not only rich, they're complex, and very well detailed and explained. I came away from the book with more understanding of the goings on of the world in the book than the one in my own.
There was some romance in the book but it was very subtle and secondary to the main plot of the book, I enjoyed the romances, they where natural, realistic, they developed realistically and where just so cute and adorable.
There's plenty of action in the book, as well as the splashes of romance, enough to keep you turning the pages, and reaching points where it really is impossible to put the book down. There's plot twists all over the place, the type where you're gasping out loud and like "oh hell no" and you're totally blown away. I could never tell what was going to happen next, it's like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded.
There where multiple POV's, these where marked in the first book, but in the second they where changing without saying the character, but the characters where all so well written that each one had a distinctive voice and you could tell which was which without having to be told. Each had an engaging narrative that added insight to them as well as other characters, there was no doubling of scenes with word for word dialogue, each POV had a fresh scene. Once they came together as a group the POV changes didn't need to be announced as it where.
Anyways, the POV's where mainly Elspeth and Darkwind with a couple of pages from another character, and once we hit the third book you get huge chunks that are from Ancar and Falconsbane's POV, which was interesting because Ancar wasn't as badass as I was expecting. I thought it was a great build up saving Ancar for the last book, you finally meet him and you know things just got real. Each POV change was smooth and seamless, at exactly the right moment. I enjoyed the interludes in the first book, they where very intriguing.
The characters are all utterly fantastic. They're so well written they practically come to life in front of you, each one is so different from the other and they have so much depth it's incredible. I connected with Elspeth immediately, she's definitely my favourite character, she's also very interesting in how she acts and behaves at home and then on the road, and then in the other books coming back to being more like her usual self, and her reasoning behind her actions. She's the kind of awesome fleshed out character that actors dream of getting a crack at. You can empathise with her so easily.
Darkwind is also very well written, you feel for him, he and Vree make you chuckle just like Elspeth and Gwena. Both Darkwind and Elspeth have had difficult lives, or at least difficult periods, and it comes across in them and their actions. Skif was interesting, but I loved Elspeth so much I found myself adopting her point of view of him at more than one point! He was kind of adorable though, but I felt like I didn't really get to know him that well, he clearly has an interesting backstory that I'm dying to know!
I really loved Kero and I wanted to see more of her, which is why I need to read the other trilogy I think! And the voices of Need and the companions and the Gryphons where just perfect. They came across on the page so well, and there was no confusion about who was speaking when it was all in mind speech, and I just really want a Companion okay.
There's excellent continuation throughout the three books, the first book starts with a prologue that's kind of like a "previously in history" bit. You learn more about the characters and their origins as the books go on, and you never fail to have surprises thrown at you. As well as the romances developing very nicely across the three books. There's three very distinctive parts to the series, the first setting everything up, the second being the Rocky training montage and the third being the conclusion and the final showdown.
This book has it all, action, adventure, romance, quests, magic, gryphons, fire birds, change creatures, ghosts, and everything under the sun. The author has created a colourful world with colourful characters that gives your imagination a stretch and sucks you in for hours on end. Thank God the version I read is an omnibus because I didn't have to faff about waiting for the next book and being agonised in the waits in between books, I could just keep reading and it was awesome.
December 25, 2018
The “Mage Winds” omnibus is the second omnibus of Mercedes Lackey’s that I have read (the first being “The Heralds of Valdemar”), and whereas Talia’s story captivated me, the beginning of Elspeth’s story left me a little disappointed. I didn’t feel the same drive to keep reading, and it was a struggle for me to continue reading after the disappointing and slow start to “Mage Winds”. However, once the “set up” of the story and the disjointed beginning with several POV’s, I got really invested in the story. It took a while for me to become attached to the characters that were being introduced, but once I had the book began to captivate me in a similar fashion to “The Heralds of Valdemar” and although I didn’t like it as much as I had the first, it still became a book that I enjoyed. This omnibus really tied together the information that had begun to be revealed in Talia’s plot and learning more of the world was definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of this story, I also really enjoyed learning more of the magic-system and the other civilisations that are part of the universe.
September 17, 2025
I re-read this trilogy and found it still as entertaining as the first time I read it.
Ms. Lackey is terrific at world building and character development. The three stories are well paced. Each book is a story onto itself, but when taken as a whole, this trilogy is definitely an example of being greater than the sum of its parts.
This trilogy allows one of the most annoying characters in prior books in the Valdemar series, Princess Elspeth, to grow up and become a person you would like as a friend and have at your back. The “characters” around her are creative, imaginative, likable, and you want to see more of their individual stories.
Perfect? Not by a long shot. But if you want a story that holds up over time, this one is for you.
Ms. Lackey is terrific at world building and character development. The three stories are well paced. Each book is a story onto itself, but when taken as a whole, this trilogy is definitely an example of being greater than the sum of its parts.
This trilogy allows one of the most annoying characters in prior books in the Valdemar series, Princess Elspeth, to grow up and become a person you would like as a friend and have at your back. The “characters” around her are creative, imaginative, likable, and you want to see more of their individual stories.
Perfect? Not by a long shot. But if you want a story that holds up over time, this one is for you.
April 2, 2019
Well, this continued to deliver exactly what I came here for: magic horses! Political intrigue (more complex, this time)! Telepathic sex (tbh, could have exploited the premises more thoroughly)! Once again including solid male-female friendships, female characters with actual flaws (although tbh Nyara could have used some personality flaws - all her weaknesses are trauma derived), and supremely handwavey magic.
On the other hand, now including: genre-typical orientalism and noble savage tropes, a Magic Quest To The Noble Savage To Learn Magic, and a pretty fucking deeply embedded association between 'kinky sex' and 'megalomaniac evil blood magic taking over the world'.
On a craft level, the plotting definitely has become more complex, and stands up fairly well; but reading them as an omnibus makes it obvious how weak the conclusion is. Bam, bad guy dead, everyone home, in a tiny page count. What now? HOW DOES POLITICS???
I realise if I want politics and complex resolutions with my magic duels, I could be reading Game of Thrones. Believe me, the day is coming. Sigh.
On the other hand, now including: genre-typical orientalism and noble savage tropes, a Magic Quest To The Noble Savage To Learn Magic, and a pretty fucking deeply embedded association between 'kinky sex' and 'megalomaniac evil blood magic taking over the world'.
On a craft level, the plotting definitely has become more complex, and stands up fairly well; but reading them as an omnibus makes it obvious how weak the conclusion is. Bam, bad guy dead, everyone home, in a tiny page count. What now? HOW DOES POLITICS???
I realise if I want politics and complex resolutions with my magic duels, I could be reading Game of Thrones. Believe me, the day is coming. Sigh.
December 7, 2019
A trilogy containing Winds of Change, Winds of Fate and Winds of Fury.
Change is coming to Valdemar and their protections against magic are starting to fail. King Ancar of Hardorn is determined to take the neighbouring country of Valdemar and add it to his own country, and will do anything to do this.
Herald Elspeth decides it is up to her to do something about the lack of mages in her country and so off she goes to find Mages and also mage teachers.
Change is coming to Valdemar and their protections against magic are starting to fail. King Ancar of Hardorn is determined to take the neighbouring country of Valdemar and add it to his own country, and will do anything to do this.
Herald Elspeth decides it is up to her to do something about the lack of mages in her country and so off she goes to find Mages and also mage teachers.
November 8, 2022
Classic Fantasy with Diversity
Fans of Mercedes Lackey will love this earlier work following Herald Elspeth & Tayledras Darkwind over all 3 books of the Mage Wind Trilogy.
I read this first nearly 15 years ago & just reread it now. stands up to the test of time and remains fantastic
Fans of Mercedes Lackey will love this earlier work following Herald Elspeth & Tayledras Darkwind over all 3 books of the Mage Wind Trilogy.
I read this first nearly 15 years ago & just reread it now. stands up to the test of time and remains fantastic
February 12, 2025
Love the Heralds
I have such fond memories of reading this trilogy when I was younger and rereading this trilogy as an adult was even more engaging and fun. The world of the Heralds of Valdemar is one that has stayed with me since I read it for the first time as a teen and Elspeth, Darkwind and the Hawkbrothers are particular favourites.
I have such fond memories of reading this trilogy when I was younger and rereading this trilogy as an adult was even more engaging and fun. The world of the Heralds of Valdemar is one that has stayed with me since I read it for the first time as a teen and Elspeth, Darkwind and the Hawkbrothers are particular favourites.
August 1, 2021
OMG! I loved this!!!
I always felt a bit grumpy that Ancar wasn’t punished for what he did to Talia, this trilogy delivers that ending 110%!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next trilogy!
I always felt a bit grumpy that Ancar wasn’t punished for what he did to Talia, this trilogy delivers that ending 110%!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next trilogy!
September 5, 2019
Another omnibus. If I had to give up my paperbacks, I'd keep this over the hardcovers.
Read
June 5, 2021Turning paper pages is still more enjoyable than swiping to change pages, but shelf space...
Elspeth's adventures are still engrossing, though.
Elspeth's adventures are still engrossing, though.
October 17, 2021
Darkwind and Elsbeth grew on me during their adventures. What a great series is Valdemar.
November 13, 2021
Good, if a bit...disjointed. glad I read the om ibus edition, so I had all the story in one.
May 15, 2024
This was really good fun, if a little slow in places, the fact there was so much of it evened everything out.
July 30, 2022
J'ai adoré relire cette trilogie, que j'ai découverte en VO.
La version française n'est pas très différente, à part quelques passages/phrases qui ont été supprimés.
La version française n'est pas très différente, à part quelques passages/phrases qui ont été supprimés.
April 6, 2015
I must admit that I have reviewed quite a few of Mercedes Lackey's novels since I started writing my own blog. I truly believe that she is one of the best fantasy writers out there today and has been for a long time. That said, there have been a couple of times where her recent books haven't quite hit the levels of quality that her classic ones have but that's to be expected when you are such a prolific author such as Lackey.
Here we have the Mage Wind trilogy in a collected omnibus from Titan Books and we get to see the whole tale of Elspeth unfold before our very eyes but will it hook in the fantasy fans?
Well, if you are a Lackey fan then you will know what to expect from this one. Well thought out and planned worlds, great pacing and some action packed moments that feature well rounded characters. That's what we have here.
The entire trilogy here runs pretty well thanks to Lackey's use of pacing. Some moments are fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat but then there are also the slower moments where you get to know the characters. Both of those sit well with each other and really do give the story time to grow and make you really feel involved in the lives of the characters.
That said, there seemed to be a couple of characters that seemed to come and go without much of a purpose and even felt like they were there merely to make up the numbers. That took me out of the story a couple of times because they seemed to be built up like they were going to really make a difference to the story but then they were gone without another mention. That's always bugged me about the fantasy genre because it seems to happen the most there. However, Lackey does such quite work on the other characters that you are soon back in to being hooked in to the action.
One of Lackey's strengths as an author is the simple fact that she is always able to make you feel like the setting for her novels is realistic to the point where the world itself could exist. It's the same with the various characters abilities and adventures, it can feel like you are there watching it unfold in front of your very eyes.
The great scope of Lackey's writing really makes this trilogy one that is well worth picking up if you haven't grabbed a copy already. If you are already a fan of Mercedes Lackey, then this is a trilogy that is well worth picking up.
Story 7.5/10
Characters 7.5/10
Cover 7.5/10
Recommended 7.5/10
Overall 30/40
For more of my reviews then please visit www.curiosityofasocialmisfit.blogspot...
Here we have the Mage Wind trilogy in a collected omnibus from Titan Books and we get to see the whole tale of Elspeth unfold before our very eyes but will it hook in the fantasy fans?
Well, if you are a Lackey fan then you will know what to expect from this one. Well thought out and planned worlds, great pacing and some action packed moments that feature well rounded characters. That's what we have here.
The entire trilogy here runs pretty well thanks to Lackey's use of pacing. Some moments are fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat but then there are also the slower moments where you get to know the characters. Both of those sit well with each other and really do give the story time to grow and make you really feel involved in the lives of the characters.
That said, there seemed to be a couple of characters that seemed to come and go without much of a purpose and even felt like they were there merely to make up the numbers. That took me out of the story a couple of times because they seemed to be built up like they were going to really make a difference to the story but then they were gone without another mention. That's always bugged me about the fantasy genre because it seems to happen the most there. However, Lackey does such quite work on the other characters that you are soon back in to being hooked in to the action.
One of Lackey's strengths as an author is the simple fact that she is always able to make you feel like the setting for her novels is realistic to the point where the world itself could exist. It's the same with the various characters abilities and adventures, it can feel like you are there watching it unfold in front of your very eyes.
The great scope of Lackey's writing really makes this trilogy one that is well worth picking up if you haven't grabbed a copy already. If you are already a fan of Mercedes Lackey, then this is a trilogy that is well worth picking up.
Story 7.5/10
Characters 7.5/10
Cover 7.5/10
Recommended 7.5/10
Overall 30/40
For more of my reviews then please visit www.curiosityofasocialmisfit.blogspot...
October 8, 2015
These three books are the second set of books I picked up in the Valdemar series. I was enamored with the magic system in this world, as well as the almost holy righteousness of the Heralds and the fierce but civilized Tayledras in their forest home.
Elspeth and Darkwind both face daunting tasks, futures and pasts, all while being manipulated by those closest to them. The plight of Darkwind and the flight of Elspeth bring them together in a marvelous way without being a corny romance. They don't fall into bed or in love immediately, and face some powerful and embarrassing situations with an awkward grace.
The minor characters are just as interesting and their stories are moving and engrossing in their own right.
These books defined my view of fantasy and magic for years, as well as contain some of my favorite characters in any book I've read. It's a treat to read them over again, and I mean fully read them over again, not just scan for a chapter I like or a scene I want to read.
Elspeth and Darkwind both face daunting tasks, futures and pasts, all while being manipulated by those closest to them. The plight of Darkwind and the flight of Elspeth bring them together in a marvelous way without being a corny romance. They don't fall into bed or in love immediately, and face some powerful and embarrassing situations with an awkward grace.
The minor characters are just as interesting and their stories are moving and engrossing in their own right.
These books defined my view of fantasy and magic for years, as well as contain some of my favorite characters in any book I've read. It's a treat to read them over again, and I mean fully read them over again, not just scan for a chapter I like or a scene I want to read.
May 28, 2013
This is not my favorite of Lackey's books. Trilogy: Winds of Fate, Winds of Change, Winds of Fury.
Heir to the throne of Valdemar, Elspeth, goes off in search of mage training and finds herself with the Hawk/Falcon clan. First 2 books are the clans fight with the half-cat man, Falconsbane. Last book back links the first 2 books back to the war with Ancar.
Good enough to finish the trilogy, not one I'll re-read.
Heir to the throne of Valdemar, Elspeth, goes off in search of mage training and finds herself with the Hawk/Falcon clan. First 2 books are the clans fight with the half-cat man, Falconsbane. Last book back links the first 2 books back to the war with Ancar.
Good enough to finish the trilogy, not one I'll re-read.
Want to read
April 25, 20161% Winds of Fate: I quite liked Elspeth's story, but I somehow thought it would be…grander, or something. I didn't really care for Darkwind's story—so ominous—but it finally paid off. Well, now they've met, and I have hopes for the rest of the trilogy. 2.5-3 stars
34% Winds of Change:
34% Winds of Change:
October 7, 2013
I loved this series of books and am so happy to have read them.
March 7, 2016
This is As good as the 1st in this book trilogy
Very hard to put down. Loving getting to know lots of interesting characters and left wanting more of the same.
Very hard to put down. Loving getting to know lots of interesting characters and left wanting more of the same.
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