Of Wisdom and Valor

Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace. (Part II of The Windflower Saga trilogy). Approx 210,000 words.

Generations have passed since the flourishing of the Kingdom of Kimbria under its first Golden Age. Corruption is rampant and the common people suffer under poor governance. Finally, they cry out for a monarch to replace the greedy Royal Council. Acting as Regent, the Council elects the young Duchess of Ansgar as the new Queen and orders her to marry a fearsome mercenary warlord. He fetches her from the remote convent where she's lived for 20 years, but he takes her to his distant castle, not to the Palace so she can take the throne. The Royal Council has no intention that she will ever rule. What ensues is a heroic battle against greed, evil, and conspiracy, with the lives and freedom of the Kimbrian people hanging in the balance. 

GoodbooksToday.com Reviews

Fans of fantasy, tales of royalty, love, stories of deception, war, and everything in between will find Of Wisdom and Valor: impossible to put down. This epic saga is engrossed in vivid detail and flowing prose. Audiences will follow along with bated breath through a story, which spans across generations, as this book continues on with descendants of the Ansgar Kingdom. 

it is easy for the reader to feel like he or she is a part of the story. This in turn means that the reader cannot help but be deeply invested in what happens to this family, and at times be worried for the characters. Aleksandra Layland's writing is continually heartfelt and vivid, while the story ... is gripping and complex. The author Layland immerses the reader in a beautifully woven tapestry of storytelling and character the moment one opens the book. The characters are believable in the way that they are shades of gray, allowing the argument of what makes someone truly good or evil, and what may lead to those circumstances. Due to the layered nature of the narrative in this often-harrowing tale, readers are bound to find new aspects previously missed with each read. This epic fantasy will exceed expectations of the genre in the best of ways. Expertly crafted with intricate layers and heart within the story, readers will want to purchase the entirety of the Windflower Saga, including this second volume, to read it again and again. 

(Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite - Five Stars)

Aleksandra Layland has a knack for creating powerful plots around the themes of royal family, duty, justice, war, and political intrigue, and readers won't be surprised with this new entry in the saga. Action-packed and utterly enthralling, this one features Keridwen, a descendant of King Ansgar, who is raised far away in the Wastelands of Kimbria. When they bring her the news that she is heir to the throne, she is filled with both dread and excitement, but she can't imagine that the Royal Council has other plans for her, and that they are far worse than becoming the successor to the throne. 

Delightfully crafted to take readers on an exciting adventure, (this) is a beautiful and hugely entertaining story. I enjoyed the way that the author builds the conflict. I enjoyed how she surprises the characters, too. It is hard to guess where the author leads with her plot, and characters who get caught up in a dilemma has become part of her signature. From the protagonist to the unwanted mercenary who claims her, readers will be keen on the drama, the intense action, and the powerful voice that tells the intriguing story. The book features impeccable writing, unprecedented twists, and a setting that will stay vividly in the reader's mind.

Dettagli