Desta and the Winds of Washaa Umera

Desta #2

by Getty Ambau

In the second act of this unfolding epic, the shepherd boy Desta is catapulted from his remote and isolated valley into a wider world. He pursues his dream of a modern education and vows to fulfill the destiny of his family by reuniting the twin Coins of Magic and Fortune. To accomplish this parallel quest, Desta must hold firm to his own moral compass, following a path laden with mysterious notes, spectral voices, the Cloud Man's counsel, and the seductive urgings of the ethereal Eleni. Driven ever farther from his origins by his dreams, Desta must confront the meaning of family and physical privation. He must use his own powerful gifts if he is to see his deepest aspirations take flight. Conjuring the sun-splashed land and a rich cultural pageantry that readers have come to love, Desta and The Winds of Washaa Umera is one boy's endearing journey of discovery, and a wise parable on the power of faith and aspiration.

355 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2013

About the author

Getty Ambau was born and raised in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. At nineteen, he came to the United States for his education, studying molecular biophysics, biochemistry, and economics at Yale University, and later earning an advanced business degree.

He has worked in research laboratories and built his own companies, but writing has remained his central pursuit.

He is the author of the Desta series, an internationally recognized body of work that blends literary storytelling with elements of history, spirituality, and mystery.

His work has received multiple honors, including the Moonbeam Young Adult Book Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, the Time International Award, and the Camel International Award for Literature.

In addition to fiction, Ambau has written several books on health and nutrition, including The Importance of Good Nutrition, which has been used as a textbook in graduate-level study.

He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife.

Reviews

[Censura Liber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tapestry of Culture and Courage

Every chapter felt like a vibrant piece of fabric layered with heritage, wisdom, and a touch of the mystical.
Desta’s path through foreign lands and shifting beliefs is one I won’t forget anytime soon.

The writing is immersive, filled with poetic imagery and spiritual weight. I found myself pausing just to savor sentences.
If you love epic quests rooted in cultural identity and timeless themes, this book will absolutely speak to you.

A rare kind of magic the kind that feels true.

[Debjit Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Light and Loneliness

There’s something profoundly lonely about Desta’s journey and I mean that as praise.
It captures what it’s like to be on a path no one else fully understands, even when they love you.

That ache of separation, even amid beauty, was so relatable.
This is for readers who’ve chased big dreams and paid the emotional cost to reach them.

It broke my heart a little. And it healed it, too.

[Sanureads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey That Stays With You

This book didn’t just tell a story it carried me.
Following Desta’s pursuit of knowledge and spiritual calling felt deeply personal, like watching someone you care about grow in real time.

What I loved most was the balance between worldly ambition and inner purpose. The writing was soulful without being heavy-handed.
This is for readers who crave meaning in their adventures not just movement, but direction.

It left me both humbled and inspired.

[Theinnocentheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desta’s journey is full of moments that ache loneliness, sacrifice, self-doubt yet he never loses his grip on hope.
It’s not blind faith, but something stronger: a belief forged through experience and hardship.

This book made me reflect on how inner strength is often quiet but immovable.
For those who’ve ever wrestled with purpose, this story will speak your language.

It’s not just beautiful. It’s true.

[Sundram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book read like a woven thread between the seen and unseen, the earthly and the divine.
There’s a softness to the prose that mirrors the sensitivity of Desta’s inner world.

The moments of guidance voices, visions, signs felt like gentle reminders that we’re not alone.
It’s a deeply spiritual story for those open to magic that doesn’t sparkle, but resonates.

Like a whispered prayer in story form

[Rishu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this series, and after finishing the first book, I jumped into this second one without a break. I’m hooked. The world is so vivid and the writing incredibly fluid.

It’s the kind of story that grows with you. Every chapter had something that stayed in my mind whether it was a scene, a thought, or just a sentence.

I rarely reread books, but this one? I absolutely will.

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something poetic about the way this book has been written. The imagery was rich without being heavy, and the emotions were quietly powerful.

It’s not just a story it’s a meditation on purpose, family, and strength. The message stays with you long after the final page.

If you’re looking for a meaningful and beautifully written experience, this book is a must.

[Riya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started reading during a long train ride and didn’t realize how fast the hours passed. The tone was soft yet filled with layers of insight.

It has a dreamlike quality that makes it feel like folklore mixed with personal memory. You don’t just read it you feel it.

Ideal for readers who enjoy slow-burning, meaningful stories with heart.

[Nidhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depth in this story caught me off guard. I went in expecting a light read, but what I got was something that made me pause and reflect.

There’s a lot happening beneath the surface morality, dreams, loss, and hope all wrapped into a beautifully crafted narrative. It left me feeling full.

Books like this are rare. They don’t just entertain; they leave an imprint.

[Megha Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of this book is about movement from one place to another, from one belief to another.
But the most powerful movement is inward, where Desta slowly learns who he really is.

I admired the way the author captured faith not just in a higher power, but in one’s own calling.
It’s a hopeful story, but never naïve. The hope is earned, page by page.

A story to be trusted and treasured.

[Arpita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Every Moment
I can’t explain how comforting this book felt. Every chapter brought a sense of peace and connection I didn’t know I needed.

The voice was so genuine, and it felt like I was being guided gently through someone else’s truth and transformation.

This is a perfect book to read slowly and savor. One of my favorite reads this year.

[Risha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up on a quiet weekend and what a surprise it turned out to be. I was swept into a world that felt both mythical and real.

There’s something calming and wise about the storytelling. It isn’t rushed; it flows like a long, deep breath.

If you love reflective stories with spiritual undertones, this book will feel like home.

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn’t just a coming-of-age story it was a meditation on purpose.
Through strange voices, signs, and symbols, Desta’s journey becomes something far larger than himself.

What resonated most with me was his constant tug-of-war between the world’s noise and his own intuition.
Perfect for readers who value stories where faith is both fragile and fierce.

It made me reflect on my own path and the courage it takes to stay on it.