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The Windflower Saga #2
Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace.
Of Wisdom and Valor is the main content of The Wisdom and Valor Treasury , which was a medalist in the 2017 FAPA (Florida Authors and Publishers Association) President's Book Awards.
Part II of the Windflower Saga epic romantic fantasy trilogy, Of Wisdom and Valor is set in a time not now and in a world not of our own. Generations have passed since the flourishing of the Kingdom of Kimbria during 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 Lady Keridwen, the young Duchess of Ansgar, as the new queen and orders her to marry a fearsome mercenary warlord, Lord Leofric. He fetches her from the remote convent where he's been told she has 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 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.
At its core, Of Wisdom and Valor is a story of transformation on both the individual and societal levels.
Part II of the Windflower Saga epic romantic fantasy trilogy, Of Wisdom and Valor is set in a time not now and in a world not of our own. Generations have passed since the flourishing of the Kingdom of Kimbria during 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 Lady Keridwen, the young Duchess of Ansgar, as the new queen and orders her to marry a fearsome mercenary warlord, Lord Leofric. He fetches her from the remote convent where he's been told she has 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 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.
At its core, Of Wisdom and Valor is a story of transformation on both the individual and societal levels.
712 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
About the author
Aleksandra Layland
35 books8 followersAleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and federal civil servant who worked primarily for the United States Air Force as a senior installation civil engineering manager responsible for buildings, airfields, infrastructure, fire protection, and emergency preparedness. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Western Caroline Islands where she helped build school classrooms and cafeterias, low-income housing, and simple village water distribution systems. Her other interests include arts and crafts, family genealogy, religion and spirituality, fostering peace in the world, and enjoying retirement with family and friends.
The award-winning epic fantasy Windflower Saga is comprised of a trilogy of novels and eight related novellas as well as several books for younger readers. They trace the lives of members of the fictional Ansgar family of Kimbria against a background of struggles between forces such as good and evil, love and hate, war and peace, integrity and corruption. It was the author’s first attempt at writing novels.
The award-winning epic fantasy Windflower Saga is comprised of a trilogy of novels and eight related novellas as well as several books for younger readers. They trace the lives of members of the fictional Ansgar family of Kimbria against a background of struggles between forces such as good and evil, love and hate, war and peace, integrity and corruption. It was the author’s first attempt at writing novels.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 11, 2018
There is always war. People strive for peace, but on their own terms and disagreements and greed often erase the powers of good. This is a sad truth in both our world and in other worlds, worlds that may or may not be real. Lady Keridwen, Duchess of Ansgar, last direct descendent of the four royal ducal lines, was raised in the convent of Whitehaven near her family home, the well kept secret home of the Ansgar family, the Kimberlee Estate. Indeed, the young woman hoped and believed that she would live her life between the convent and Kimberlee Estate. But when orders arrive that Lady Keridwen has been elected Queen and she is to marry a man she’s never met, Leofric, she is reminded of her duty to her people. The path she leads when she leaves the convent as a married woman is one full of strife, discord, wars, but also full of love, compassion and the power to believe.
Aleksandra Layland has presented readers with yet another revelation in the “Windflower Saga” series. “Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War, The Path of Peace” is the second part of this series and provides readers with in depth insight into the lives of the people who live in and rule this mythical kingdom. The plot develops as it follows Lady Keridwen’s path from Duchess to Queen to mother and grandmother. The story is primarily about Lady Keridwen and Leofric, but it carries on to some extent into the lives of the next generation. The characters, both good and evil, are well developed and the history of each character, as well as the kingdom, is thoroughly presented. A good read.
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.
Aleksandra Layland has presented readers with yet another revelation in the “Windflower Saga” series. “Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War, The Path of Peace” is the second part of this series and provides readers with in depth insight into the lives of the people who live in and rule this mythical kingdom. The plot develops as it follows Lady Keridwen’s path from Duchess to Queen to mother and grandmother. The story is primarily about Lady Keridwen and Leofric, but it carries on to some extent into the lives of the next generation. The characters, both good and evil, are well developed and the history of each character, as well as the kingdom, is thoroughly presented. A good read.
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.
November 21, 2018
Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace is a continuation of The Windflower Saga. This novel is the second in the trilogy by Aleksandra Layland, which could stand as a lone read. She has written several novellas which gives a clearer vision of the descendants of Duke Ansgar and his indigenous wife, Keholani. This novel focuses on Duchess Keridwen and her husband Leofric the Longsword. He is a warlord commissioned to marrying a young inexperienced Queen of Kimbria. She has grown up in a convent, but educated in all things to help her rule if they chose her. The Royal Council just wants a figurehead while they dictate and manipulate the people. Together, Leofric and Keridwen, they become a force the Royal Council didn’t perceive. Their love and resources allowed them to give back to their people and turn the tide for a new beginning of rulers.
Aleksandra Layland describes her characters well, giving Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace an edge and endearing them to the reader. The challenges Leofric and Keridwen face takes the read to another world where rulers need both brute force and intelligence to gain respect of the people. The author has build a world around this family and the reader feels compelled to read each of their lives and the different directions they take. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves historical romance, but the added books about the family is a definite plus in my eyes.
Review written for Readers' Favorite by Peggy Jo Wipf
Aleksandra Layland describes her characters well, giving Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace an edge and endearing them to the reader. The challenges Leofric and Keridwen face takes the read to another world where rulers need both brute force and intelligence to gain respect of the people. The author has build a world around this family and the reader feels compelled to read each of their lives and the different directions they take. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves historical romance, but the added books about the family is a definite plus in my eyes.
Review written for Readers' Favorite by Peggy Jo Wipf
September 27, 2016
Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace. (The Windflower Saga) (Volume 2) is a towering read of epic proportions. Being book 2 in the Windflower series you didn’t have to of read the first book to understand Of Wisdom and Valor(OWAV). That is because Layland writes this epic series in a generational line, not in a linear line. Sounds odd, but this works for this epic saga. I enjoy a book that can stand on its own in a series, yet makes your curious enough to go back and read the first as well as the rest of the series to get the whole picture. OWAV does just that as we are taken through generations with the Descendents of the Ansgar Kingdom. Think the CW's Reign only better!
Layland’s writing tone comes across a bit monotone with nice descriptive detail, along with a hint of innocent poetic flare. Maybe a bit much, but this cocktail combination works! Layland keeps you entranced, and fixated as this breathtaking story unfolds on love, deception, and the art of war and peace.
Layland’s writing tone comes across a bit monotone with nice descriptive detail, along with a hint of innocent poetic flare. Maybe a bit much, but this cocktail combination works! Layland keeps you entranced, and fixated as this breathtaking story unfolds on love, deception, and the art of war and peace.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews