REVIEW:
So I can be a bit of a fangirl when it comes to really good women's fiction in
general and women's speculative fiction in particular. The majority of my top
ten favorite science fiction and fantasy writers are women (sorry guys) and my
radar is always out for new fiction in this vein. Carole McDonnell's
Windfollower was an instant addition to my top ten list due to its beauty,
power, and fearlessness.
That said, pardon me if I swoon at any time during this review.
Satha and Loic seem different in every way possible—she is the dark-skinned
daughter of a poor family from a destroyed clan, fiery yet kind and mature
beyond her years; he is the oldest son of a rich clan in a powerful tribe, young
and impetuous and at times cruel. Both, however, harbor a secret wound that
finds solace in one another and both possess strength of which they are not
fully aware, a strength that will be used by the Creator to overturn the
dominion of the Arkhai, spirits who deceive and enslave the people. Their
quest—toward each other, themselves, and the Creator—is long and hard but
the Wind is leading them into hope, if they dare follow.
To elaborate all of the excellence of this novel would make for a review as long
as a college term paper. McDonnell has a solid grasp of her craft but what truly
sets the novel apart is her breathtaking narrative vision and her deeply
engrossing characters. One mark of a great story, to me, is when I become so
entangled in the lives of the characters that I stop caring about them as
fictional characters and start caring about them as people. While I was reading
the book, Satha and Loic seemed so real that I couldn't forget them even when
I'd put the book down.
Compelling, sympathetic characters are only the beginning. McDonnell spends
the first part of the story enmeshing her reader in the lives and loves of this
husband and wife pair, and then proceeds to push the characters we love to
their very limits—not only of themselves but of their relationship. Everything,
from clan politics to cultural traditions to the spirits themselves, is set at war
against Satha and Loic and at times the hope for their triumph is indeed bleak.
It is in the most desperate moments of the story that McDonnell's deep
spiritual sensitivity comes forth. Her characters find hope in the Creator at the
exact moment of their greatest need, and I found that very powerful. She
never hits you over the head with her religion but the greatest theme of the
story is a very spiritual one—the preservation of truth amidst falsehood—and is
woven through every other part.
Some Christian readers may find the novel too earthy for their refined palates;
McDonnell is not afraid to explore and express womanhood in all of its
complexity, nor is she afraid to show her character's physicality. The sexual
scenes in the book are tasteful and appropriate, but prudish readers may be
put off by her frankness and detail. I found that approach to be refreshing and
wish more Christian authors would be so bold. If any reader would criticize her
frank celebration of marriage and female sexuality, then let them read Song of
Solomon and then evaluate the novel again.
Another place that the novel shines is in its depiction of Satha as a woman.
Unlike many so-called Christian heroines who seem to be dependent on their
male counterparts for everything, Satha is fiercely independent but at the
same time gracious in her submission to her younger husband. McDonnell has
done managed to create a powerful female heroine that is feminine without
being feminist. Through Satha and Loic, she celebrates and reaffirms the God-
ordained roles of men and women while at the same time showing the
difference between masculine and feminine strength. One is not shown as
superior to the other; rather, they are complementary.
In addition to all of this, Windfollower unfolds in a astonishingly vivid,
sometimes disturbing, world that mirrors our own current struggles of race,
class, and culture. This is the type of novel that is meant to be read several
times and will offer the reader something new with each journey. I am amazed
at the talent of this author and certainly will be looking for more Carole
McDonnell novels in the future
So I can be a bit of a fangirl when it comes to really good women's fiction in
general and women's speculative fiction in particular. The majority of my top
ten favorite science fiction and fantasy writers are women (sorry guys) and my
radar is always out for new fiction in this vein. Carole McDonnell's
Windfollower was an instant addition to my top ten list due to its beauty,
power, and fearlessness.
That said, pardon me if I swoon at any time during this review.
Satha and Loic seem different in every way possible—she is the dark-skinned
daughter of a poor family from a destroyed clan, fiery yet kind and mature
beyond her years; he is the oldest son of a rich clan in a powerful tribe, young
and impetuous and at times cruel. Both, however, harbor a secret wound that
finds solace in one another and both possess strength of which they are not
fully aware, a strength that will be used by the Creator to overturn the
dominion of the Arkhai, spirits who deceive and enslave the people. Their
quest—toward each other, themselves, and the Creator—is long and hard but
the Wind is leading them into hope, if they dare follow.
To elaborate all of the excellence of this novel would make for a review as long
as a college term paper. McDonnell has a solid grasp of her craft but what truly
sets the novel apart is her breathtaking narrative vision and her deeply
engrossing characters. One mark of a great story, to me, is when I become so
entangled in the lives of the characters that I stop caring about them as
fictional characters and start caring about them as people. While I was reading
the book, Satha and Loic seemed so real that I couldn't forget them even when
I'd put the book down.
Compelling, sympathetic characters are only the beginning. McDonnell spends
the first part of the story enmeshing her reader in the lives and loves of this
husband and wife pair, and then proceeds to push the characters we love to
their very limits—not only of themselves but of their relationship. Everything,
from clan politics to cultural traditions to the spirits themselves, is set at war
against Satha and Loic and at times the hope for their triumph is indeed bleak.
It is in the most desperate moments of the story that McDonnell's deep
spiritual sensitivity comes forth. Her characters find hope in the Creator at the
exact moment of their greatest need, and I found that very powerful. She
never hits you over the head with her religion but the greatest theme of the
story is a very spiritual one—the preservation of truth amidst falsehood—and is
woven through every other part.
Some Christian readers may find the novel too earthy for their refined palates;
McDonnell is not afraid to explore and express womanhood in all of its
complexity, nor is she afraid to show her character's physicality. The sexual
scenes in the book are tasteful and appropriate, but prudish readers may be
put off by her frankness and detail. I found that approach to be refreshing and
wish more Christian authors would be so bold. If any reader would criticize her
frank celebration of marriage and female sexuality, then let them read Song of
Solomon and then evaluate the novel again.
Another place that the novel shines is in its depiction of Satha as a woman.
Unlike many so-called Christian heroines who seem to be dependent on their
male counterparts for everything, Satha is fiercely independent but at the
same time gracious in her submission to her younger husband. McDonnell has
done managed to create a powerful female heroine that is feminine without
being feminist. Through Satha and Loic, she celebrates and reaffirms the God-
ordained roles of men and women while at the same time showing the
difference between masculine and feminine strength. One is not shown as
superior to the other; rather, they are complementary.
In addition to all of this, Windfollower unfolds in a astonishingly vivid,
sometimes disturbing, world that mirrors our own current struggles of race,
class, and culture. This is the type of novel that is meant to be read several
times and will offer the reader something new with each journey. I am amazed
at the talent of this author and certainly will be looking for more Carole
McDonnell novels in the future
SUMMARY:
Satha, a dark-skinned woman from a poor Theseni clan weds young Loic, the
wealthy Doreni son of the king’s First Captain. Despite coming from different
tribes, they begin to forge a life together. But Satha’s compassion is used
against her when a treacherous enemy contrives to dishonor her in Loic’s
absence. Loic must then avenge Satha’s honor as well as his own. He sets out
on a journey that brings deep despair as well as spiritual discovery. Battling him
are the Arkhai, spirits of the land who know his quest will lead him toward the
God whom they have usurped. After his departure, Satha is kidnapped, sold
into slavery and learns how truly cruel life can be. Both face great hardship,
danger, and anguish apart, but with the Creator’s aid there remains hope they
will be reunited and heal the love the world has torn asunder.
Satha, a dark-skinned woman from a poor Theseni clan weds young Loic, the
wealthy Doreni son of the king’s First Captain. Despite coming from different
tribes, they begin to forge a life together. But Satha’s compassion is used
against her when a treacherous enemy contrives to dishonor her in Loic’s
absence. Loic must then avenge Satha’s honor as well as his own. He sets out
on a journey that brings deep despair as well as spiritual discovery. Battling him
are the Arkhai, spirits of the land who know his quest will lead him toward the
God whom they have usurped. After his departure, Satha is kidnapped, sold
into slavery and learns how truly cruel life can be. Both face great hardship,
danger, and anguish apart, but with the Creator’s aid there remains hope they
will be reunited and heal the love the world has torn asunder.
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