Of Wisdom and Valor

The Art of War. The Path of Peace.

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
731 Pages
Reviewed on 05/10/2017
Buy on Amazon

Author Biography

Aleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and federal civil servant who worked primarily for the United States Air Force as a senior installation engineering manager responsible for buildings, airfields, infrastructure, fire protection, family housing, 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.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Of Wisdom and Valor by Aleksandra Layland is the second part in the Windflower Saga, an epic fantasy that will allow readers to explore the exciting landscapes of the Wastelands of Kimbria with interesting characters. 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. Can she fight for what is rightfully hers?

Delightfully crafted to take readers on an exciting adventure, Of Wisdom and Valor 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.

K.C. Finn

Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War, The Path of Peace is an epic fantasy adventure by author Aleksandra Layland. This is the second volume in The Windflower Saga, a romantic trilogy written for adults. Our central heroine is Lady Keridwen, a somewhat sheltered Duchess who has been protected from the corrupt Kingdom of Kimbria by spending her time in a convent. When she becomes the centre of a political coup designed to placate the revolting populace, however, Keridwen is thrown into a whole new world like nothing she’s ever seen. The warmongering Lord Leofric would have her for his wife, but Keridwen resists the idea that there might be more than money involved in his intentions.

Aleksandra Layland creates a lavish and thought-provoking backdrop for her romantic story line, which makes Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War, The Path of Peace much more grounded and believable than your typical situational romance novel. Leofric and Keridwen are painted with many more than the expected colours for this genre, fleshed out as richly as the fantastical world Layland has created. I didn’t require any information from the previous story to enjoy this one, as we arrive in a new generation right from the book’s opening pages. The plot is constructed in a straightforward fashion and I felt that Keridwen in particular was true to herself throughout the novel, becoming a heroine who is vulnerable but also strong enough for readers to get behind. Recommended for readers who enjoy a realistic emotional journey.