The Winds of Wharhalen

Tom Nelson
Crystal Dreams Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9781591460909
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (03/08)


Locke Thomason experienced a series of personal tragedies and unexpected misfortunes. As a result of these, Locke left his mountain homeland bound for Killarassee in the south of the kingdom.  While there he met a young peasant girl, a slave of a ruthless nobleman.  In an effort to buy her freedom, Locke himself was arrested and later sold into slavery.

“Winds of Wharhlen” is a chronicle of Locke’s story woven into a backdrop of medieval warfare, in an exciting adventure, of romance, betrayal, and reprisal.

Nelson has created a plot that includes all the elements of good story telling.   Suspense, drama, adventure, and romance draw the reader into a fast-moving plot that includes the gambit of extremes from the gory details of medieval battle scenes to tender romantic interludes of two shy teenagers.

Characters range from evil warlords, courageous Knights, unfortunate peasants, and slaves, to regal rulers seeking the best for their countrymen.

Kaine, Myleia, Queen Engrid, Jocar, Eylese, and Kira are only a few of the cast of characters who rallied together to fight the warlords vying for power. Tom’s heroes are authentic, resourceful and courageous. His characters create emotions of empathy, distrust, admiration, and animosity.  The storyline is believable and fast-moving.

Tom’s own passion for horses and his knowledge of training and riding comes through in his writing as he describes Locke’s specialty, training and bonding with his horses like his own Arawae.

I personally enjoyed Tom’s word pictures which create visual depictions of castles, battle fields, and the canopy of the forest. I felt the cold air in the mountains, the warm sun, and hot days working in the quarries, as well as the emotions felt by the characters as they experienced personal hardship, the urgency of battle, and fear of atrocities, the sense hopelessness, and the prospect of triumph.

Readers of fantasy, medieval history, and romantic escapism will all find a wealth of background information, adventure, fast moving entertainment and pleasure in “Winds of Wharhalen.”

Make comment on weblog