Customer Reviews

The Wind Dancer

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read "The Wind Dancer" a long time ago. Well, actually I didn't get all the way through it. I read as far as I could stand; I hated it. What I hated most was how Sanchia was such an obedient slave. At the time, I wasn't thinking about how she grew up a slave and thought to always be one, for her mother told her to simply accept it. I was outraged by how Lion had so much control over her. Sickened.

Well, not too long ago as I was cleaning, I found this book and thought that maybe I should give another attempt at reading it, considering the fact that I actually paid money for it.

I read and read; I couldn't put it down. Sanchia's attitude towards her enslavement definitely does change. Sanchia also becomes a very strong woman. I felt that she grew much wiser after that unfortunate incident at Solinari (sp?).

This book is definitely a must read! I felt connected with the characters, and every single one of the characters were as every bit as interesting as the hero and heroine, Lion and Sanchia. However, Lorenzo is by far my favorite character. Perhaps it's his witty words that bring him out the most. At first, you think he's emotionless and hides behind his jokes and sarcasm. But is he? Near the end your have an entirely different attitude towards him. He really does show his true colors.

Beware that this book has many unfortunate events, some almost unbelieveably outrageous. Your reaction may be-- "NO WAY! How could Johansen possibly do this to us?!"

You should definitey get this book! And I hope I didn't give too much away in this review :/

The first and best of the Wind Dancer trilogy, this book contains all the Iris Johansen ingredients for a good read - a tough hero, a resourceful heroine, betrayal and suffering - with a happy ending. Plus steamy scenes. Iris Johansen does tend to manipulate history (see Storm Winds for a good example) but always in a believable manner and always leaving the reader with a feeling that it could have happened that way.

I like Johansen because her characters are not static - they evolve throughout the story - becoming stronger all the time. She's not too squemish about revenge either.

What I regretted was the manner in which nearly all the supporting characters were killed off, especially little Paolo - It seemed so cruel but it was actually crucial for the plot and for demonstrating the ruthlessness of the Borgias

This book shouldn't be classed as a "romance novel", because it's much better than what usually passes for that genre: it's a real novel, with complex characters, genuine development and transformation, none of the shameless, embarrassing features that bring the level down.

The hero is not perfect, and is not a knight in shining armor; no one is entirely good or entirely evil, just complex people in a primitive time, trying to live and be happy. This makes the characters so much more intricate, convincing, and fascinating - - and the book a much more engrossing read.

I wasn't expecting this at first read, and it took me a while to adjust; I found the secondary characters more likeable and compelling than the primary couple. Re-reading, I found them all fascinating, although I quite agreed with the 'official' review above - - the Lorenzo character steals the show.

The best feature: the human relationships. The author shows how historical and personal events often/always spring from the simple human motives: jealousy, spite, lust, love, mastery, competition, desire to win the fair maiden. These are the forces that shape history.

There was something new and happening on every page to lure you to continue reading. It's that kind of book that you can't wait to know the story and yet feel a sense of loss when you do.

I enjoyed the story every much and marveled at the plot twists. There was good character development too. As the story progressed, you found out more about the inner feelings of the characters through the events that happened. All characters were very well developed, Sanchia, Lion, Lorenzo, Caterina, even Marco and Bianca. I particularly liked the sense of humour of Lorenzo.

The unfolding events will grip you and send you feeling the anguish and horror experienced by the characters. Unlike a war, the casualties may be faceless victims, but the author had built the characters so well that you will empathise with their grief, mourn their loss and admire their courage.

Other than the tormenting unfortunate events in the story, the love between Lion and Sanchia was full of tormenting anguish and frustration with the circumstances. Oh, I so love the lead characters!

Unforgettable.....

I read the "Wind Dancer" after reading some of Iris Johansen's other books that mentioned the statue. Like all of her books, it is a fast read because you don't want to put it down. I'm not usually a fan of romance novels but hers have good plots. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves to "get away from it all" and enjoys reading.

This is my favorite book in the series. Lion and Sanchia are magic together, sexually, emotionally, verbally, everything! The author has dreamt up a world fraught with danger and treachery but also one full of out-of-this-world larger-than-life passion and love and made this reader want to abandon everything to jump into that world. Iris Johansen's heroes are the absolute best in the genre. No one can write a hero with more charisma, more power, more intelligence and sexual magnetism. I can't get enough of them frankly. Iris please go back to your 'sensual' romance days and write us up some more of them!!
P.S Other readers- if you love this book you'll also love The Tiger Prince another heavy hitting grand-scale epic romance with equally magnetic leading couple.

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend who raved about it. But I'm left wondering if I missed something because I felt let down in many respects. I thought the plot was interesting, and Sanchia and Lionello's relationship started with great promise, but overall, I was left with such a sense of melancholy. There wasn't a lot of build-up to the romance, nor physical tension between the two. Basically, they just "survived" the events they were put through. Where was the "happiness?" The only joy I felt was in reading about the relationship that developed between unlikely friends Lorenzo and Luigi. That definitely brought a smile to my face. I suppose I could make a small recommendation of the book, but only for people who have a strong stomach for emotional distress and heartache.

Because it's part of a trilogy, I've started the second book, "Storm Winds," and so far the two main characters, Jean Marc and Juilette, are MUCH more interesting. These books are my introduction to Iris Johansen and I must say, she has a gift for dialogue. The conversations she writes are easy to follow without having to read "he said/she said" every other paragraph. Thank you for that!

This book has it all. Unfortunately, some might assume this is a "period piece" and not pick it up--thinking they can't relate to 16th Century Italian life. Actually, the story is riveting and you will continue to think about the characters long after you've finished reading the book. Recommended.

This is the first in the wind dancer trilogy (The Wind Dancer, Storm Winds--and the contemporary, Reap the Wind) and it is amazing--truly a "keeper" romance, one you'll read and re-read.

Set in early 16th century northern Italy (1503), it tells the story of Lionello Andreas oldest son of an Italian family that has held as its most treasured possession a small golden statue of the winged horse Pegasus that, according to legend, was given to their family at the fall of Troy. The statue, known as the Wind Dancer, has been stolen from their city state of Mandara by Lion's enemy, Francisco Damari. In his effort to recover the statue, Lion decides to hire a thief and travels with his erstwhile companion, Lorenzo, to Florence where he buys a 16 year old slave girl, Sanchia, who is known an an expert at lifting men's gold. Lion quickly realizes he wants more from the brave and clever young woman than her thieving talents and takes her as his mistress. Believing she has no ability to resist, she complies as any good slave would. Then she helps Lion steal the key to the place the statue is being kept, but in the process and in an act of great courage, Sanchia leads Damari away from Lion only to be captured by the demented and sadistic man. By the time Lion recovers her, she has been tortured and believes Lion did not honor his promise not to leave without her. As a result, she now believes her debt to Lion has been paid and demands her freedom. But Lion, whose feelings for her have grown into an obsession, doesn't want to let her go.

This is a story of passionate love, of finding love in an unlikely place and then denying it when honor would suggest another path be taken. The story is well told, the dialog gripping and the twists and turns complex. You will feel like you are there in Renaissance Italy. The physical relationship between Lion and Sanchia is explosive and sensual and Johansen does a superb job of describing it. Like a tapestry with many threads coming together, Johansen has woven many lives into the story in a convincing manner. She has also created (once again) a great cast of secondary characters with their own passions and unique qualities. Lorenzo Vasaro, Lion's stalwart friend and an assassin with a jaded past and a wisdom that insists reality be pursued even if costly, adds a richness to the tale. I highly recommend this one!

This was my first Johansen novel, and I promise it will not be my last. I wouldn't recommend it for reading in public, though, for it is filled with passionate scenes that will make the prudes blush! It is best embraced late at night before bed. It is a unique blend of history, mystery and romance. Johansen has a unique skill for developing characters with depth; they draw you in, and leave you feeling the story's end has come to soon.

The plot surrounds a coveted statue, the "Wind Dancer", and the effects it has on those who have, and those who want it. The novel is short, but definitely worth it. You will not put it down.