Rating: 
Summary: Three and a half star fantasy trilogy
Review: "Winds of Fate" is a very good finish to the "Mage Winds" trilogy, yet there's something missing from this book. It's very hard to explain. I'm not sure I can, but here goes.Elspeth and Darkwind matured a whole lot in book two, coming to work together and fall in love. I believed in that love story, and I believed in how well they worked together. I also believed in the destruction of Mornelithe Falconsbane, the more or less eternal enemy (from the "Gryphon" trilogy to the "Mage Storms" trilogy) who's set most of the overarching plot in motion. However, in this book, "Winds of Fury," Falconsbane comes back to life, and we now find out he's had a Shin'a'in apprentice-shaman sitting in his head the whole time. (Well, An'desha had run off to learn magecraft, but if he'd have stayed in his clan, he'd have been a shaman.) I can't totally buy that, even though Ms. Lackey did it well and I like An'desha very much as a character. Same with Nyara, Skif and Need (Nyara's new sword). They meet up with Vanyel and Stefen in the Forest of Sorrows (along with Elspeth, Darkwind, Firesong, and their Companions), which is very nice -- but it definitely came out of the blue. And although I loved seeing Vanyel and especially Stefen again (Stefen was one of my all-time favorite characters), I am just uncertain if they totally fit in here. Finally, when Elspeth steps away from the throne of Valdemar to become the head of the Herald-mages, that makes sense. But having Queen Selenay take the news so calmly isn't; Selenay was close to tears at her "baby" leaving the nest in book one, "Winds of Fate." So, why the difference now? More Companion pressure? And if so, why wasn't it shown? I agree that every mother finds a moment when they realize their child is now an adult, but I still find it hard to believe in this particular moment for that revelation. The rest of the plot, where they take on Ancar (who holds Falconsbane, thus also holding the captive An'desha), I don't want to get into; that's for you to discover. And I think you'll enjoy it; it's very quick paced, funny in spots (Ms. Lackey does gallows-humor rather well), and the romances of Darkwind/Elspeth, Skif/Nyara and Treyvan/Hydona (the gryphons) work extremely well. So, despite the somewhat off-true "Winds of Fate," I'd recommend this trilogy (even including that book, or the rest of it makes no sense at all), even though I do not feel it's Ms. Lackey's best work. To find better reads penned by Ms. Lackey, read "Oathbreakers," "By the Sword," Exile's Honor," or the Last Herald-mage trilogy about Vanyel Ashkevron. Those are deeper, richer and more realistic reads, which is why I give this book 3.5 stars out of five, as well as 3 stars overall for the trilogy. (The others all rated five stars.)
Rating:
Summary: Three and a half star fantasy trilogy
Review: "Winds of Fate" is a very good finish to the "Mage Winds" trilogy, yet there's something missing from this book. It's very hard to explain. I'm not sure I can, but here goes. Elspeth and Darkwind matured a whole lot in book two, coming to work together and fall in love. I believed in that love story, and I believed in how well they worked together. I also believed in the destruction of Mornelithe Falconsbane, the more or less eternal enemy (from the "Gryphon" trilogy to the "Mage Storms" trilogy) who's set most of the overarching plot in motion. However, in this book, "Winds of Fury," Falconsbane comes back to life, and we now find out he's had a Shin'a'in apprentice-shaman sitting in his head the whole time. (Well, An'desha had run off to learn magecraft, but if he'd have stayed in his clan, he'd have been a shaman.) I can't totally buy that, even though Ms. Lackey did it well and I like An'desha very much as a character. Same with Nyara, Skif and Need (Nyara's new sword). They meet up with Vanyel and Stefen in the Forest of Sorrows (along with Elspeth, Darkwind, Firesong, and their Companions), which is very nice -- but it definitely came out of the blue. And although I loved seeing Vanyel and especially Stefen again (Stefen was one of my all-time favorite characters), I am just uncertain if they totally fit in here. Finally, when Elspeth steps away from the throne of Valdemar to become the head of the Herald-mages, that makes sense. But having Queen Selenay take the news so calmly isn't; Selenay was close to tears at her "baby" leaving the nest in book one, "Winds of Fate." So, why the difference now? More Companion pressure? And if so, why wasn't it shown? I agree that every mother finds a moment when they realize their child is now an adult, but I still find it hard to believe in this particular moment for that revelation. The rest of the plot, where they take on Ancar (who holds Falconsbane, thus also holding the captive An'desha), I don't want to get into; that's for you to discover. And I think you'll enjoy it; it's very quick paced, funny in spots (Ms. Lackey does gallows-humor rather well), and the romances of Darkwind/Elspeth, Skif/Nyara and Treyvan/Hydona (the gryphons) work extremely well. So, despite the somewhat off-true "Winds of Fate," I'd recommend this trilogy (even including that book, or the rest of it makes no sense at all), even though I do not feel it's Ms. Lackey's best work. To find better reads penned by Ms. Lackey, read "Oathbreakers," "By the Sword," Exile's Honor," or the Last Herald-mage trilogy about Vanyel Ashkevron. Those are deeper, richer and more realistic reads, which is why I give this book 3.5 stars out of five, as well as 3 stars overall for the trilogy. (The others all rated five stars.)
Rating:
Summary: Three and a half star fantasy trilogy
Review: "Winds of Fate" is a very good finish to the "Mage Winds" trilogy, yet there's something missing from this book. It's very hard to explain. I'm not sure I can, but here goes. Elspeth and Darkwind matured a whole lot in book two, coming to work together and fall in love. I believed in that love story, and I believed in how well they worked together. I also believed in the destruction of Mornelithe Falconsbane, the more or less eternal enemy (from the "Gryphon" trilogy to the "Mage Storms" trilogy) who's set most of the overarching plot in motion. However, in this book, "Winds of Fury," Falconsbane comes back to life, and we now find out he's had a Shin'a'in apprentice-shaman sitting in his head the whole time. (Well, An'desha had run off to learn magecraft, but if he'd have stayed in his clan, he'd have been a shaman.) I can't totally buy that, even though Ms. Lackey did it well and I like An'desha very much as a character. Same with Nyara, Skif and Need (Nyara's new sword). They meet up with Vanyel and Stefen in the Forest of Sorrows (along with Elspeth, Darkwind, Firesong, and their Companions), which is very nice -- but it definitely came out of the blue. And although I loved seeing Vanyel and especially Stefen again (Stefen was one of my all-time favorite characters), I am just uncertain if they totally fit in here. Finally, when Elspeth steps away from the throne of Valdemar to become the head of the Herald-mages, that makes sense. But having Queen Selenay take the news so calmly isn't; Selenay was close to tears at her "baby" leaving the nest in book one, "Winds of Fate." So, why the difference now? More Companion pressure? And if so, why wasn't it shown? I agree that every mother finds a moment when they realize their child is now an adult, but I still find it hard to believe in this particular moment for that revelation. The rest of the plot, where they take on Ancar (who holds Falconsbane, thus also holding the captive An'desha), I don't want to get into; that's for you to discover. And I think you'll enjoy it; it's very quick paced, funny in spots (Ms. Lackey does gallows-humor rather well), and the romances of Darkwind/Elspeth, Skif/Nyara and Treyvan/Hydona (the gryphons) work extremely well. So, despite the somewhat off-true "Winds of Fate," I'd recommend this trilogy (even including that book, or the rest of it makes no sense at all), even though I do not feel it's Ms. Lackey's best work. To find better reads penned by Ms. Lackey, read "Oathbreakers," "By the Sword," Exile's Honor," or the Last Herald-mage trilogy about Vanyel Ashkevron. Those are deeper, richer and more realistic reads, which is why I give this book 3.5 stars out of five, as well as 3 stars overall for the trilogy. (The others all rated five stars.)
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: Elspeth, with the aid of her friends Darkwind, Firesong, Skif, Nyara, and the gryphons, Treyvan and Hydona, has successfully repaired k'Sheyna Vale's damaged Heartstone and seemingly defeated the evil Mornelithe Falconsbane, banishing him to the Nether Planes. Now it is finally time for her to return to Valdemar with the mage-teachers she was determined to find and to take her place as the first Herald-Mage since Vanyel. Meanwhile in Hardorn, King Ancar is preparing to launch a devastating magical attack on Valdemar. This time, however, Ancar has the assistance and guidance of a mysterious Dark Adept. Will Elspeth (with the help of some surprising new allies) be able to stop them in time to save Valdemar? "Winds of Fury" is the final book in Mercedes Lackey's Mage Winds Trilogy. I enjoyed reading it but not nearly as much as I enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy (particularly "Winds of Fate"). The story flowed smoothly and quickly, changing perspectives every few chapters. There was plenty of action, but I found the ending to be somewhat anti-climactic. I was expecting something much more profound and moving, like the end of "Magic's Price" or "Arrow's Fall." I can only hope that the Mage Storms Trilogy will satisfactorily pick up where this slightly disappointing ending leaves off. However, the driving force behind this story was the characters. Elspeth is still not one of my favorites, but I'm really learning to like her more and more. She is a very strong person, and I can't help but admire that sometimes. Darkwind is perfect as always, but I wish he got as much individual page time as he did in "Winds of Fate." Firesong is absolutely wonderful, particularly towards the end of the book. He is just such a flamboyant, entertaining character. I also greatly appreciated Lackey's careful development of An'desha. As with all of her books, Mercedes Lackey does an exceptional job creating a thoroughly real world for her characters to live in. I always feel like I know exactly what Valdemar and the Vales look like. It is very easy to lose yourself completely and allow the book to take you to a new and fascinating world. Bottom Line: A decent end to the trilogy, but the Tayledras influence and the cameos of a pair of loved and familiar faces make up for most of the short comings. Make sure to read "Fate" and "Change" first!
Rating: 
Summary: And it continues.
Review: Falconsbane was stuck in a gate (portal). He should have stayed in there, but something happened and Ancar, the king of Hardon who was at war with Valdemar, had called up a gate (though he should have died 'cause he was not experienced enough) and the gate brought him Falconsbane.
An'Desha, the spirit inside Falconsbane, has been talking to Avatars (spirits) and giving them information about Falconsbane. They taught him to read thoughts and memories of Falconsbane and to give false memories to him.
Elspeth, Firesong, Darkwind, Skif, and Nyara disguised themselves as traveling entertainers along with other entertainers into Hardon on a mission to kill Ancar, his mage Hulda, and Falconsbane.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing,The best book in the trilogy
Review: Herald-Princess Elspeth and her partner Darkwind journey to Valdemar to defeat Elspeths enemy Ancar,using Elspeths new power she and Darkwind go up against him to save her homeland.Elspeth is now an Adept so she has great powers
Rating:
Summary: The winds triology
Review: Hey people!!! Well I have only read two of her books and found them very intresting. I am going to keep reading her books but right now its hard for me to find her books in the nearest library because thats where I found these two books: "Winds of Fate" and "Winds of Change" I now am looking for "Winds of Fury". I have tried everywhere and now I have found it. I will buy it. It is a real good book because it makes yoku imagine yourself as the characters and live the love, pain, hurt, and sufferment. It teaches you things that no one is able to teach you in shcool. I also helps you understand words in other books you don't understand. The books of winds are my favorite and I am really going to read every last of her books. I really recommend this book to all the people who are intrested in magic, romance, and fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT ENDING TO A GREAT TRILOGY!!!
Review: I enjoyed this book imensely!A well-done conclusion to the tales of Elspeth and Darkwind. I love the works of Mercedes Lackey but this one is by far and wide my favorite. To Mrs. Lackey:pleeeeeese keep writing tales of Valdemar!
Rating:
Summary: The best "Mage Winds" book, a good read!
Review: I have read all of the Valdemar books to date, and the only one that intrigued me the most was Magic's Pawn, untill I read Winds of Fury. Winds of Fury, the third book in the Mage Winds trilogy, was the better of the three. From the fist page I was hooked, and wasn't let go. I learned alot about Elspeth, and what a good person she became.
I highly reccomend this book to anyone, but do read the first two.
Rating:
Summary: Incredable!!!
Review: I love to read, and I read a lot. Out of all the books I have read the mage winds trilogy was the best. I could hardly put the book down. Now that I'm finished I wish that the story would have gone on forever. I wish I could vist a Tayledras vale or conjure up mage lights as Elespeth did. Lackey made me feel as though I was every characture in the book. I didn't simply read the book, I lived it!!!
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