Wintertide (Mass Market Paperback)

by Linnea Sinclair (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Set in a fantasy world closely resembling the Middle Ages (save for the witches, sorcerers and demons that dot the landscape), this captivating novel from Sinclair (Destiny's Game) follows a courageous healer named Khamsin as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Khamsin has long known that she has been chosen for a particular course in life, but she isn't certain what that course is. All she knows is that a very powerful being, most likely the sorcerer who governs the surrounding lands, would like to destroy her and that she's destined to face grave danger in her 17th year. Nothing could prepare her, however, for the vicious attack on her village that results in the deaths of her husband, family and friends. With the help of handsome and mysterious Rylan the Tinker, Khamsin travels to the city of Noviiya, where she seeks out a wise old healer who can help her hone her magical skills. From there, she makes the difficult trek to the Sorcerer's castle. The plot line is familiar and thinly fleshed out, but the suspense that builds as Khamsin grows closer to her goal, making friends and battling demons along the way, will draw readers onward. While this is far from an action-adventure fantasy epic, Sinclair's fluid prose and intrepid heroine ensure that it is an enchanting read.
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Product Description
SORCERY.   TREACHERY.   LOVE.

For centuries the Infernal War has been waged by witches and sorcerers to control the Orb of Knowledge. The war must end. Then, at Wintertide, the Hill Raiders attack the village of Cirrus Cove. 

The sea captain’s daughter is raped, and a child conceived. "If the child is to be who the stones say she will, it’s best I raise her. She will live with me."Bronya the Healer accepts the responsibility of caring for the unborn child.

Having read the truth in the Stones, Bronya tends the birth and, in the midst of a maelstrom, takes the babe to her cave. Warded now by the signs and symbols of magick, Bronya keeps the child, Khamsin, safe from the Sorcerer.

On the eve of Khamsin’s eighteenth birthday, the Hill Raiders, those who wreaked havoc upon her mother, come again. They murder the  inhabitants of her village, her husband and her family. Blaming Khamsin for witchery, for bringing the scourge down upon them, the survivors of Cirrus Cove nearly take her life. The enigmatic Tinker, selling pots and pans, heals Khamsin. And he accompanies her on a journey that magick omens have directed her to take.

One of them knows the truth. One of them is seeking, just as she is  sought. The war for the Orb is about to end. But only love can win it.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Medallion Press (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932815074
• ISBN-13: 978-1932815078
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #892,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome epic fantasy novel! , August 13, 2004

By	Darkcat_ak "darkcat_ak" (Alaska) - See all my reviews

Wintertide - A time of great change between the seasons as well as events in Khamsin's life. She has an assignation placed on her at birth and therefore it is her destiny to be claimed by the evil sorcerer before her eighteenth birthday. Instead her world is destroyed and she sets out on a path to avenge those who died and to seek out knowledge.

Khamsin has been raised in the small village of Cirrus Cove and taught the Healing Arts and the magic necessary to help her survive. While she dutifully married her husband, she doesn't know love. Then on her eighteenth birthday, the Hill Raiders attack her village. Rylan, the tinker rescues her after a horrible beating and saves her from getting hung as a witch. Traveling with her cat Nixa and Rylan, she falls in love.

Ms Sinclair became one of my favorite authors when I read AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS (actually written as Megan Sybil Baker). While it is one of my favorite books WINTERTIDE is actually the prequel, so read this one first! They are stand-alone books, but so much of the history becomes clear reading them in order.

WINTERTIDE is a journey for Khamsin that tests everything she believes in from who the Hill-Raiders are to the Gods she prays too, as well as those she doesn't. Khamsin has so many bad things happen in her young life it is amazing! However rather than giving into defeat, she uses each tragedy to become stronger so she can free the country from the fighting demigods by destroying the Orb of Knowledge.

While it seems like Khamsin is alone most of the story, I was drawn to the visual images as well as emotions that Ms Sinclair has written. This applies to everything from the varying scenery to the eeriness portrayed by the crows.

I love Nixa, her cat. While most secondary characters are human - Nixa, I think fills this roll. She has a mental bond with Khamsin that adds joy to the story that alleviates tension. Also, her simple presence and single word thoughts made me laugh.

I thought WINTERTIDE was a very well written novel that invokes a wide range of emotions. I'm so glad Ms Sinclair's novels will get printed mainstream because she is an exceptional author and one I think everyone should know about. You can't miss this book!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Inconsistent but Entertaining, May 4, 2005

By	Margaret P. "mhp2027" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

I'm selling "Wintertide" to a used bookstore in perfect condition. I'm glad so many people have really enjoyed this novel, but the total lack of negative reviews bothered me -- I just don't think this is a five star book.

The plot was inconsistent. The leading lady appears to be incapable of making her own decisions. The oracle tells her, and she obeys -- unless her husband asks her to do something, in which case she immediately does the opposite. She treats her husband quite poorly -- gets married for mercenary reasons and seldom considers his feelings -- and then randomly acts in a affectionate manner. The villagers' extreme hostility towards her and her magic just didn't make sense, particularly since they are constantly asking her for magical assistence.

By the time she leaves home for good, the leading lady comes across as a selfish girl, who is incapable of respecting other people's customs. The entirely plot up to that point was all "poor me", which I personally abhor. Perhaps the last 3/4 of the book are better -- I cannot say.

Anyway, if you decide to buy this book, good for you! But don't build it up in your mind to be more than it is -- light entertainment, suitable to pass the time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Fantasy Read You Won't Want To Miss!!, July 30, 2004

By	Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Wintertide is a wonder fantasy romance which is well written and fast paced. I'm not really a fan of the fantasy genre but this book was truly the exception!

For centuries there has been an on going war for control of the Orb of Knowledge. The person who holds the orb controls everything. During a storm at Wintertide a child is born who will have the power to do just that.

When Khamsin turns eighteen her quite peaceful life comes to an end with the death of her husband and family during a raid. The remaining villagers accuse her of being a witch and the reason why this tragedy befell them. As a result Khamsin is badly injured but is saved by Rylan the Tinker. Khamsin does not know what to make of this stranger who accepts her just as she is.

Rylan does more then save Khamsin's life he awakens her passion something that her good husband was unable to do. The attraction is shared but before they can be together they both have something that they must do. Reluctantly they part ways promising that they will come back to each other as soon as they can. But will they be able to keep their promises to each other?

This book was great. It's almost like an adult "Harry Potter" story. This story is full of witches, sorcerers, demons, and magic. Ms. Sinclair has created a very magical world which was a pleasure to step into. Great characters, a well fleshed out storyline combined for a fast-paced read. I highly recommend this book you won't be sorry!