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Wintertide
For centuries the Infernal War has been waged by witches and sorcerers to control the Orb of Knowledge. The war must end.
Then, at Wintertide, the Hill Raiders attack the village of Cirrus Cove. The sea captain’s daughter is raped, and a child conceived.
“If the child is to be who the stones say she will, it’s best I raise her. She will live with me.”
Bronya the Healer accepts the responsibility of caring for the unborn child.
Having read the truth in the Stones, Bronya tends the birth and, in the midst of a maelstrom, takes the babe to her cave. Warded now by the signs and symbols of magick, Bronya keeps the child, Khamsin, safe from the Sorcerer.
On the eve of Khamsin’s eighteenth birthday, the Hill Raiders, those who wreaked havoc upon her mother, come again. They murder the inhabitants of her village, her husband and her family. Blaming Khamsin for witchery, for bringing the scourge down upon them, the survivors of Cirrus Cove nearly take her life.
The enigmatic Tinker, selling pots and pans, heals Khamsin. And he accompanies her on a journey that magick omens have directed her to take.
One of them knows the truth. One of them is seeking, just as she is sought. The war for the Orb is about to end. But only love can win it.
Then, at Wintertide, the Hill Raiders attack the village of Cirrus Cove. The sea captain’s daughter is raped, and a child conceived.
“If the child is to be who the stones say she will, it’s best I raise her. She will live with me.”
Bronya the Healer accepts the responsibility of caring for the unborn child.
Having read the truth in the Stones, Bronya tends the birth and, in the midst of a maelstrom, takes the babe to her cave. Warded now by the signs and symbols of magick, Bronya keeps the child, Khamsin, safe from the Sorcerer.
On the eve of Khamsin’s eighteenth birthday, the Hill Raiders, those who wreaked havoc upon her mother, come again. They murder the inhabitants of her village, her husband and her family. Blaming Khamsin for witchery, for bringing the scourge down upon them, the survivors of Cirrus Cove nearly take her life.
The enigmatic Tinker, selling pots and pans, heals Khamsin. And he accompanies her on a journey that magick omens have directed her to take.
One of them knows the truth. One of them is seeking, just as she is sought. The war for the Orb is about to end. But only love can win it.
316 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 15, 2000
33 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Linnea Sinclair
24 books695 followersWinner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair has become a name synonymous for high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels. Reviewers note that Sinclair’s novels “have the wow-factor in spades,” earning her accolades from both the science fiction and romance communities. Sinclair’s current release is HOPE'S FOLLY and, scheduled for 2010 from Bantam Dell, REBELS AND LOVERS, book #4 in the Dock Five Universe. A former news reporter and retired private detective, Sinclair resides in Naples, Florida (winter) and Columbus, Ohio (summer) with her husband, Robert Bernadino, and their thoroughly spoiled cats. Readers can find her perched on the third barstool from the left in her Intergalactic Bar and Grille at www.linneasinclair.com .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 18, 2017
Khamsin of Cirrus Cove was born from tragedy and raised by a local healer. When her guardian's life nears the end, she is married and goes to live in town. But then the hill raiders come and attack her village taking the life of her husband. Khamsin then travels to Noviiya with Rylan, the tinker. Khamsin discovers she has a quest to find the Orb of Knowledge.
The story is much more of a fantasy novel with a romantic element than it is a romance itself. Ms. Sinclair did a great job of transporting me to another land and time. It is my understanding that this is a sort of prequel to the sci-fi novel, An Accidental Goddess. Loved it!
The story is much more of a fantasy novel with a romantic element than it is a romance itself. Ms. Sinclair did a great job of transporting me to another land and time. It is my understanding that this is a sort of prequel to the sci-fi novel, An Accidental Goddess. Loved it!
July 19, 2020
I always enjoy Ms Linnea's books and it's a pity she only wrote a small bunch.
Two personal nits (my fault as she doesn't know angst ever)
-an overly easy resolution to quite a big problem (big lies) that leads to an overly easy end
-the ick factor (he's her uncle or half uncle)
I think she writes stronger SF than fantasy as the world/ magic here wasn't well built.
Alas there are no more books to read 😭
Two personal nits (my fault as she doesn't know angst ever)
-an overly easy resolution to quite a big problem (big lies) that leads to an overly easy end
-the ick factor (he's her uncle or half uncle)
I think she writes stronger SF than fantasy as the world/ magic here wasn't well built.
Alas there are no more books to read 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2017
An enjoyable read.
June 13, 2016
An interesting look at the world that relates to "An Accidental Goddess". Helpful to read this right before AAG, so you can see how the two relate. It's fun to see the changes in the same things from one book to another.
I kept waiting for some angsty, TSTL moments, but Sinclair never delivered that, which I greatly appreciate. I wan't sure how she'd write a female who is younger than her usual (most of her female protagonists that I remember are usually early 30s, Khamsin was 17-18 for most of the book), but I should not have doubted her. I did feel that the training with the Wizard was a bit glossed over, and I didn't get a good feel for what being a Healer actually meant or what she did while being a Healer. Plus, maybe I'm the suspicious type, but I saw the big reveal from way back.
All that being said, I did enjoy this book and the set-up for AAG.
I kept waiting for some angsty, TSTL moments, but Sinclair never delivered that, which I greatly appreciate. I wan't sure how she'd write a female who is younger than her usual (most of her female protagonists that I remember are usually early 30s, Khamsin was 17-18 for most of the book), but I should not have doubted her. I did feel that the training with the Wizard was a bit glossed over, and I didn't get a good feel for what being a Healer actually meant or what she did while being a Healer. Plus, maybe I'm the suspicious type, but I saw the big reveal from way back.
All that being said, I did enjoy this book and the set-up for AAG.
August 26, 2021
A Girl, A Cat and A Sword
AccidentalGoddess0.5
This is an accounting of the relationship of the Rahedrians and the Khalarians - the origin story of the peoples in An Accidental Goddess.
It’s not the same world in the two books, but does provide an explanation of why the hostilities exist.
A wonderful read!
AccidentalGoddess0.5
This is an accounting of the relationship of the Rahedrians and the Khalarians - the origin story of the peoples in An Accidental Goddess.
It’s not the same world in the two books, but does provide an explanation of why the hostilities exist.
A wonderful read!
December 8, 2014
Even tho the beginning was to slow for me, the story was great!
July 25, 2024
I got this probably close to publication date and it got lost for two decades in my physical TBR pile. I met the author (this is autographed) and her spiel must have been good because I bought a romance novel when that is so not my genre. Though I will say this is far more fantasy than romance (no bad thing imo) and the romance, for me, was not just the weakest part but also the squickest (sorry)
CW - implied rape, on page violence.
Khamsin is the daughter conceived by rape and falls solidly into the chosen one trope. The Sorcerer, the man responsible for the centuries long war, marked her at birth but she was whisked away and raised by the healer Bron who teaches her healing herbs and magic and puts her in with a blacksmith and his family.
When the Hill Raiders (the Sorcerer's men) slaughters everyone in the village but Khamsin and a few who hate her magic, Khamsin is rescued by Rylan the Tinker and he takes her to the big city where she tries to find the healer the magic told her to find.
In the mean time the tinker convinces her they're in love. Literally days have gone by since her husband, her sister in law and all her nieces and nephews are killed and she's like yep I'm good with all that and I'm ready for someone new. That's the entirety of the romance. Rylan rides off to do some work and we don't see him again until the last 50 pages or so.
That just didn't work for me. The rest of the fantasy did. Khamsin finds her teacher and learns her 'chosen one' path: she has to find the orb that the Sorcerer and his two other demi-god siblings are fighting over and destroy it. She learns that not everyone is what she grew up thinking they were, such as the Hill people.
The twist I saw coming by like chapter four or five. It works but it was still fairly obvious. It wasn't bad but it wasn't a tremendously memorable story either.
CW - implied rape, on page violence.
Khamsin is the daughter conceived by rape and falls solidly into the chosen one trope. The Sorcerer, the man responsible for the centuries long war, marked her at birth but she was whisked away and raised by the healer Bron who teaches her healing herbs and magic and puts her in with a blacksmith and his family.
When the Hill Raiders (the Sorcerer's men) slaughters everyone in the village but Khamsin and a few who hate her magic, Khamsin is rescued by Rylan the Tinker and he takes her to the big city where she tries to find the healer the magic told her to find.
In the mean time the tinker convinces her they're in love. Literally days have gone by since her husband, her sister in law and all her nieces and nephews are killed and she's like yep I'm good with all that and I'm ready for someone new. That's the entirety of the romance. Rylan rides off to do some work and we don't see him again until the last 50 pages or so.
That just didn't work for me. The rest of the fantasy did. Khamsin finds her teacher and learns her 'chosen one' path: she has to find the orb that the Sorcerer and his two other demi-god siblings are fighting over and destroy it. She learns that not everyone is what she grew up thinking they were, such as the Hill people.
The twist I saw coming by like chapter four or five. It works but it was still fairly obvious. It wasn't bad but it wasn't a tremendously memorable story either.
September 18, 2018
It has been a while since I read a fantasy book. I was delighted to find this one by an author I enjoy. The main character Khamsin was conceived in rape and was given to the local healer to raise. Bronya, the healer and something more, had read the stones and knew that Khamsin would have special magical power and was destined for a special fate. On her eighteenth birthday her village is again attacked and her family murdered. Survivors name her a witch and she is nearly killed. Her rescuer is an itinerant tinker who opens her eyes to the world beyond her village and takes her to a city where she can pursue her quest.
July 25, 2022
A good begining
Ever since I read an accidental goddess i wanted to read something more in the same world.
This is that but not space opera bit taken back to the very first Kisandra and her story.
I liked the storytelling and the book gave a background to the struggles we read about in accidental goddess.
I did think the book took a bit to long to get going and my favorite part was the last 50 pages.
Would enjoy and probably buy further installment but I think that involving space travel or how they got there will ad another deminsion to the book so hope that's the next book
Ever since I read an accidental goddess i wanted to read something more in the same world.
This is that but not space opera bit taken back to the very first Kisandra and her story.
I liked the storytelling and the book gave a background to the struggles we read about in accidental goddess.
I did think the book took a bit to long to get going and my favorite part was the last 50 pages.
Would enjoy and probably buy further installment but I think that involving space travel or how they got there will ad another deminsion to the book so hope that's the next book
July 29, 2017
Prequel to a book on my favourites shelf "Accidental Goddess", and a shift in genre from space opera to fantasy. I enjoyed the the book, although the story and character development were a bit sketchy in places.
January 10, 2023
Loved It
I wish Linnea Sinclair would write again. This story was delightful.I enjoyed reading about Khamsin’s earlier life and her first meeting with Rylan. This is the prequel to the book, Accidental Goddess”.
I wish Linnea Sinclair would write again. This story was delightful.I enjoyed reading about Khamsin’s earlier life and her first meeting with Rylan. This is the prequel to the book, Accidental Goddess”.
March 12, 2025
Not my cup of tea. But after due deliberation I'm still giving it 5* because it is so well written. My humble opinion based the 4K books in my kindle library and the estimated 4K of books I've read prior to kindle being invented.
February 20, 2017
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!!!!! I want more!
September 8, 2021
3.5 stars. A bit of a mess, but it's an early work.
April 2, 2024
Old Friend
I read this many years ago, and it is lovely to meet an old and dear friend again.
I love this story so much
I read this many years ago, and it is lovely to meet an old and dear friend again.
I love this story so much
January 9, 2017
This book was a bit hard to get through for me. It wasn't until past the halfway point that I finally found it interesting enough to sit and finish it. The ending was great, but the slow start made reading it a bit hard.
March 25, 2016
If you are a fan of author Linnea Sinclair, you might know all about Wintertide. A few years ago, as I was reading Ms. Sinclair’s SciFi romance novels, I became aware of Wintertide, but it was hard to find, so soon, I forgot all about it. Luckily for fans of Ms. Sinclair, recently Wintertide became very easy to find. After a re-release in February it found its way to my e-reader.
Khamsin’s story is a wonderful magical tale of adventure and realization. The child, Khamsin, was born during a dark magical storm and claimed by the powerful Sorcerer. She was raised by the wise old healer, lovingly called Tante Bronya. Bronya would devote herself to preparing Khamsin to face her destiny, though Khamsin has no idea what that will be.
Khamsin will take all of Tante Bronya’s teachings to heart. She will learn to seek wisdom and through that process, strength. I liked Khamsin’s determination to follow her destiny even if she has more questions than answers. And even if the path to destiny is encumbered by dangerous obstacles and dark magic.
Along the way, Rylin the Tinker will become Khamsin’s savior and friend. The friendship they develop feels comfortable and important. Khamsin also meets the healer Ciro. The shapeshifting, ancient, wise, warm teacher has an appealing sense of humor and a sense of Khamsin’s role in future of their world. The Kemmon-Ro Hill Raiders that Khamsin meets on her journey will cause her to question what she thought she knew, as will the final showdown with the Sorcerer.
I found Wintertide to be somewhat predictable. Despite that, there was plenty of charm in the protagonists, and lack of charm in the antagonists to keep me interested. I especially liked Nixa, the cat, and Cinnabar, the horse. Khamsin has a bond with both animals that allows her to see the world through their eyes. A talent that might come in handy for many of us that keep cats or horses as friends.
Wintertide is the ages-past prequel to the SciFi romance An Accidental Goddess. Each stands alone, but it fun to read both in order appreciate the evolution of this mythology from its very beginnings in Wintertide to its futuristic representation in An Accidental Goddess. These are two very different stories and both are recommended.
If you are expecting typical Linnea Sinclair military SciFi romance when you read Wintertide, you will be disappointed. If you are open to historical fantasy romance, you will be pleased. And if you also like cats and/or horses you will really like Wintertide! Wintertide is a fairy-tale complete with a quest, danger, adventure, magic and a happily ever after.
Originally posted at Smart Girls Love SciFi Romance.
Khamsin’s story is a wonderful magical tale of adventure and realization. The child, Khamsin, was born during a dark magical storm and claimed by the powerful Sorcerer. She was raised by the wise old healer, lovingly called Tante Bronya. Bronya would devote herself to preparing Khamsin to face her destiny, though Khamsin has no idea what that will be.
Khamsin will take all of Tante Bronya’s teachings to heart. She will learn to seek wisdom and through that process, strength. I liked Khamsin’s determination to follow her destiny even if she has more questions than answers. And even if the path to destiny is encumbered by dangerous obstacles and dark magic.
Along the way, Rylin the Tinker will become Khamsin’s savior and friend. The friendship they develop feels comfortable and important. Khamsin also meets the healer Ciro. The shapeshifting, ancient, wise, warm teacher has an appealing sense of humor and a sense of Khamsin’s role in future of their world. The Kemmon-Ro Hill Raiders that Khamsin meets on her journey will cause her to question what she thought she knew, as will the final showdown with the Sorcerer.
I found Wintertide to be somewhat predictable. Despite that, there was plenty of charm in the protagonists, and lack of charm in the antagonists to keep me interested. I especially liked Nixa, the cat, and Cinnabar, the horse. Khamsin has a bond with both animals that allows her to see the world through their eyes. A talent that might come in handy for many of us that keep cats or horses as friends.
Wintertide is the ages-past prequel to the SciFi romance An Accidental Goddess. Each stands alone, but it fun to read both in order appreciate the evolution of this mythology from its very beginnings in Wintertide to its futuristic representation in An Accidental Goddess. These are two very different stories and both are recommended.
If you are expecting typical Linnea Sinclair military SciFi romance when you read Wintertide, you will be disappointed. If you are open to historical fantasy romance, you will be pleased. And if you also like cats and/or horses you will really like Wintertide! Wintertide is a fairy-tale complete with a quest, danger, adventure, magic and a happily ever after.
Originally posted at Smart Girls Love SciFi Romance.
September 14, 2016
Linnea Sinclair is one of my favourite authors - She is at the top of the field of SF romance offering rich characters, decent romance and excellent genre plots. Wintertide is a little departure from her other books because it is fantasy rather than SF so it took me a little while longer to get into it - but the writing is good and the characters are engaging.
Our heroine Khamsin is a witch who has been claimed by a mysterious Sorcerer at birth and will be claimed by her 18th year - She attempts to avoid this fate and marries the local blacksmith who is soon massacred along with the rest of her family - but not before forging her a magic sword. She then falls in love with a roguish tinker but they separate as she goes into a town to learn sorcery... before she goes to the Sorcerer's castle to confront the sorcerer and his power hungry siblings.
Lots here to enjoy and the plot is gripping. While I didn't think the Blacksmith marriage added much - she did get a sword out of it and learned how to spot true love when it finally does come along later.
My biggest issue is the fact that it seems the hero ends up being Khamsin's half uncle. - His half brother is apparently her father - I found myself scratching my head and going eh? - Kamsin's mother is raped by hill tribes - but somehow it seems this Wizard is her father... which didn't make too much sense to me and also then makes the hero her half-uncle which just feels wrong somehow. But I guess her magic powers have to be explained somehow...
Other than that little blip I really enjoyed this - loved the original Dark Ages/Medieval setting and the fact that it used original mythology. Decent balance between romance and story and it was nice not to have squeaky clean characters.
While I prefer Sinclair's SF stuff, this made a welcome change and of course adds to the back story of an accidental goddess.
Our heroine Khamsin is a witch who has been claimed by a mysterious Sorcerer at birth and will be claimed by her 18th year - She attempts to avoid this fate and marries the local blacksmith who is soon massacred along with the rest of her family - but not before forging her a magic sword. She then falls in love with a roguish tinker but they separate as she goes into a town to learn sorcery... before she goes to the Sorcerer's castle to confront the sorcerer and his power hungry siblings.
Lots here to enjoy and the plot is gripping. While I didn't think the Blacksmith marriage added much - she did get a sword out of it and learned how to spot true love when it finally does come along later.
My biggest issue is the fact that it seems the hero ends up being Khamsin's half uncle. - His half brother is apparently her father - I found myself scratching my head and going eh? - Kamsin's mother is raped by hill tribes - but somehow it seems this Wizard is her father... which didn't make too much sense to me and also then makes the hero her half-uncle which just feels wrong somehow. But I guess her magic powers have to be explained somehow...
Other than that little blip I really enjoyed this - loved the original Dark Ages/Medieval setting and the fact that it used original mythology. Decent balance between romance and story and it was nice not to have squeaky clean characters.
While I prefer Sinclair's SF stuff, this made a welcome change and of course adds to the back story of an accidental goddess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2016
maybe 2.5
Mary Sue Khamsin runs around the world talking to animals and being loved by everyone (except maybe her fellow villagers). Also somewhat odd how *everyone* finds her attractive when she also apparently looks like a 10-year-old boy (at 18, or 19, or whatever she is?)
It's not terrible, but the blatantly obvious bit of foreshadowing near the start of the book is 100% accurate (should this have a spoiler tag if it's that obvious?), and when it comes to pass about three quarters of the book in I was excited that something new would happen... and it doesn't, because the story ends a few pages later and the rest is a preview for another book.
It's a little cute, and makes for easy and light reading, but in general if you never pick it up you won't be missing anything in your life.
(also, the names Kiasidera and Rynan appear, which also make an appearance in An Accidental Goddess which this is apparently a prequel to. Sinclair really needs to come up with more names.)
Mary Sue Khamsin runs around the world talking to animals and being loved by everyone (except maybe her fellow villagers). Also somewhat odd how *everyone* finds her attractive when she also apparently looks like a 10-year-old boy (at 18, or 19, or whatever she is?)
It's not terrible, but the blatantly obvious bit of foreshadowing near the start of the book is 100% accurate (should this have a spoiler tag if it's that obvious?), and when it comes to pass about three quarters of the book in I was excited that something new would happen... and it doesn't, because the story ends a few pages later and the rest is a preview for another book.
It's a little cute, and makes for easy and light reading, but in general if you never pick it up you won't be missing anything in your life.
(also, the names Kiasidera and Rynan appear, which also make an appearance in An Accidental Goddess which this is apparently a prequel to. Sinclair really needs to come up with more names.)
August 23, 2016
I very much enjoyed An Accidental Goddess and was intrigued to see there was a prequel setting up more information about the society in that novel. Where Goddess was SF, Wintertide is pure epic fantasy, but quite well done. The protagonist is a classic young person on a quest, but it's always a pleasure to see a woman in that role for a change. I figured out what was happening with the love interest from the scene with the flower chain, but it was still a satisfying read. I especially liked how she wasn't dependent on her lover to complete her quest.
A good, solid story with interesting characters, perfect for a long plane ride.
A good, solid story with interesting characters, perfect for a long plane ride.
August 17, 2013
It is a beautifully written book in style, but no in action. At no point did I feel dropped in the middle of an ongoing story. And yet there is not much pointless babble to introduce and build the world aroune the characters. But that os as far as it goes. The characters themselves are shallow and don't act naturally. the story itself is painfully predictable and the ending kind of anticlimactic.
February 22, 2016
This is a nice, well-written story. However, it gains most of its impact as a kind of "origin" of the belief system seen in An Accidental Goddess. On its own, it is a nice story that feels a little slow in the beginning and stays on the cultural and societal surface of things.
April 24, 2013
An interesting read with a world I'd be interested in seeing more of but it wasn't her best. It was long, i figured out some things way way early and it lacked a climax. It just sort of ended in a big conversation, which was really disappointing, but up to that point it was a good read.
August 30, 2016
I have immensely enjoyed all of Linnea Sinclair's SF romancesso far (I have read them one after the other after discovering her), but Wintertide just doesn't feel like it belongs to the same set of books...
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January 9, 2010Fictionwise multiformat ebook
April 25, 2014
Read it twice. Even better the second time. So what if one bit of the plot is obvious. Still fun, and a good read.
December 22, 2012
Suuuper wordy, but a surprisingly good read. Kept me up until 5am, so I'm going to bed now.
June 4, 2013
This is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down. The characters are great, and the story actually has a premise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews