Winds of Change is the story telling of the training of the Heir of Valdemar, Elspeth, in real magic.
From the publisher's description:
"None but the Companions remember the long-ago age when high magic was lost to Valdemar as the last Herald-Mage gave his life to protect his kingdom from destruction by dark sorceries. But now the protective barrier set so long ago over Valdemar is crumbling, and with the realm imperiled by the dark magic of Ancar of Hardorn, 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."
Characters[]
- Elspeth
- Darkwind k'Sheyna
- Skif
- Gwena
- Cymry
- Tre'valen shena Tale'sedrin
- Kethra
- Kra'heera shena Tale'sedrin
- Dawnfire
- Star-Eyed
- Iceshadow k'Sheyna
- Starblade k'Sheyna
- Treyvan
- Hydona
- Jervan - one of Treyvan and Hydona's twins
- Lytha - one of Treyvan and Hydona's twins
- Torrl
- Wintermoon k'Sheyna
- Winterlight k'Sheyna
- Stormcloud kSheyna
- Brightmoon k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Daystar k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Earthsong k'Sheyna
- Thundersnow k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Firedance k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Sunfeather k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- K'Tathi - one of Wintermoon's owl bondbirds
- Corwith - one of Wintermoon's owl bondbirds
- Elivan
- Starsong k'Sheyna
- Tilredan
- Nyara
- Need
- Vena
- Lashan
- Heshain
- Rris
- Summersky k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Autumnwing k'Sheyna
- Winddance k'Sheyna - Tayledras mage
- Songlight k'Sheyna - Tayledras mage
- Summerstar k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Lightwing k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Shadowstar k'Sheyna - Tayledras scout
- Sathen
- Snowstar k'Sheyna
- Nightsky k'Sheyna
- Rainlance k'Sheyna
- Lursten
- Suras
- Nera
- Hyllarr
- Faras
- Firesong k'Treva
- Aya
- An'desha shena Jor'ethan
- Vor'kela shena Jor'ethan
- Ma'ar
- Nightjewel
- Silverfox
- Tarma shena Tale'sedrin
- Brytha
- Reayacha
- Talsheena
- Lateen
Full painting of Winds of Change cover
Places[]
- k'Sheyna Vale, Pelagirs
- Gryphon's lair and ancient ruins, k'Sheyna territory
- Nyara's tower, Pelagirs
- Hertasi enclave, k'Sheyna territory
- Falconsbane's keep
- Kena Lesheyana Vale
Terminology[]
- Hawk Dance
- Wind Dance
- Changebeast
- Wyrsa
- Basilisk
- Moonpath
- Lodella
- Black Riders
- Gandel - a Pelagirs creature
Synopsis (Warning! SPOILERS!)[]
Elspeth and Skif are inducted into Clan k'Sheyna and enter the mysterious Vale. They learn about the Clan's troubles: the shattered Heartstone, the loss of mages, most of the Clan at a new unreachable location. Elspeth meets hertasi, dyheli, tervardi and a kyree as the Clan celebrates the adoption. Darkwind begins to teach Elspeth magic, but struggles with his own rusty skills and her impatience, while she keeps him off balance questioning mage principles he has taken for granted. Need helps Nyara heal from years of abuse, and teaches her to fend for herself. Skif and Wintermoon search for Nyara and become friends.
Awards[]
- Nomination (Polled 6), Locus Award (Best Fantasy Novel), 1993
Translations[]
French:
- Les Vents du Changement, translated by Rosalie Guillaume, Pocket, 2000
- Les Vents du Changement, Milady
Japanese:
- The book was also published as a manga in Japanese
Polish:
- Wiatr Zmian, translated by Leszek Ryś and Katarzyna Krawczyk, Zysk i S-ka, 1996
Gallery of cover images[]
