Winds of Change takes place immediately following Winds of Fate. There is a lot of action in this book as the K’Sheyna Vale finally reaches out to the Tayledras of the K’Treva Vale, desperately in need of more mage help than the former has to deal with the fractured Heartstone. K’Treva hears their call and sends them Firesong, an extremely powerful Healing Adept. And he is the epitome of a bright and colorful character, and I love him. Nyara, whom I loved and sympathized with during the first book, spends much of this book away from the others. Her character arc was beautiful to read as she finally has the opportunity to come into her own.
Darkwind and Elspeth are the epitome of my favorite kind of couple. I’m a cynic when it comes to romance. Instalove, unbalanced dynamics… all of that makes me roll my eyes and cringe. But the couples Lackey creates aren’t like that. Perhaps it’s because both partners are independent and distinct characters in their own right, with more to live for than their partner. And that is something I truly love!