Of Wisdom and Valor (Large Print Edition)

The Art of War. The Path of Peace.

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
626 Pages
Reviewed on 12/03/2017
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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, 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 Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

Of Wisdom And Valor by Aleksandra Layland is a historical epic fantasy. The story starts when Leofric and his men make their way to a secluded convent in Whitehaven. The council has elected Lady Keridwen as queen, but they have also given her a husband. Lord Leofric of Kimbria is a battle-hardened warrior who has no use for a wife besides the obvious. Lady Keridwen is unlike any woman he has ever met and soon she has him under her spell. But there are forces fighting against them. There is treachery underfoot and enemies amongst those they should be able to trust. Just when they think they’ve overcome adversity, they discover another war coming and they must fight to maintain what they hold dear.

Of Wisdom And Valor starts off a bit slowly with lots of descriptive narrative, but don’t let that put you off. Aleksandra Layland is a great writer and authors a truly magical tale. This tale has so many layers that readers who enjoy the medieval and romance genres will find this book extremely enjoyable. Aleksandra Layland’s characters and settings are amazing. I could see myself transported between the pages of this book. I loved Leofric and his humorous transition from warring bachelor to happily married man. I loved the romance that was just so sweet without the graphics. It was a truly unique reading experience that I hope to continue with the other books in this series. With several full-length novels and novellas in The Windflower Saga, I am guaranteed to enjoy a few months of great entertainment.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Lady Keridwen, Duchess of Ansgar, last direct descendant 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 the 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, and wars, but also full of love, compassion and the power to believe.

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. 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 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.