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The Chronicles of the Troop #3
Windyspring
Aeons ago an ancient war ravaged the land, and no one knows why.Havoc has gripped the Endless Plains.The Ondilaani hordes have assaulted Redtail hold, beaten back by the unlooked-for army of the Vale. But that army did not come to save the Hold. No. The elven army has another purpose, a purpose their leader has abandoned Lord Maorilan to pursue.In Silverlake, the troop has rescued the survivors from a slow death. But after days of rest and healing they were assaulted in the night, ambushed amidst a well-deserved celebration. Taken by surprise, during a moment of peace.What is happening around the once-peaceful Serensea?The survivors are soon to know.A note to Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
- GenresFantasy
615 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
20 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Colin Darney
7 books66 followersIn a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actually hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experience. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 31, 2025
What can I say about this book? This is book three in Darney’s “Resthaven” series. These books have made me laugh, drew me in, caused me to get lost in the detail of the characters and stories. And “WindySpring” was no different.
I had the pleasure of being allowed to review the first three books in the “Resthaven” series. I once again was not disappointed in this book. I will admit though. Darney has a wonderful, almost unique ability to load his stories full of information and detail related to the story. Without overloading the reader. And yet he is still allowing the reader to paint their own picture of everything as he writes.
I do not normally comment on the cover of a book. But I did have to say each cover (“Windyspring” included) adds to the story. In parts where the details of war, and character struggles. The cover is the perfect thing to look at while taking everything in and resting. While also keeping the reader in the book.
I will admit it took me two months to read this book. Being 580 pages I used to think it would take me a month like normal to read. With Darney’s writing style, the family drama with Ari, Donor, Mikus, Tommy, and so many more friends. Plus what is going on in the war. It took me longer to read than normal. Part of that was because of the plot, with all the ways it moved and grooved. Bringing everything together.
And the amount of detail that Darney gives you to help you imagine this amazing, difficult, almost eccentric world. It makes you have to slowly take everything in and process. But be careful when you do this. Because there is something good right around the corner.
I have been recommending this story for anyone who is a fan of “Game Of Thrones” and “Lord Of The Rings”. This is a book that any fan of those stories, would love these books as well.
There is so much I want to say about the plot, characters, and magical things in this book. But this review would turn into a book of its own if I started into all of that.
So I hope you snag the “Resthaven” series. And find your way to “Windyspring” yourself. After all this was a 10/10 rating from us, and book four “Harper’s Creek” was just released. And all four books are on Kindle Unlimited as well.
P.s. This book has maps and character lists!
#HaveYouReadReviews
I had the pleasure of being allowed to review the first three books in the “Resthaven” series. I once again was not disappointed in this book. I will admit though. Darney has a wonderful, almost unique ability to load his stories full of information and detail related to the story. Without overloading the reader. And yet he is still allowing the reader to paint their own picture of everything as he writes.
I do not normally comment on the cover of a book. But I did have to say each cover (“Windyspring” included) adds to the story. In parts where the details of war, and character struggles. The cover is the perfect thing to look at while taking everything in and resting. While also keeping the reader in the book.
I will admit it took me two months to read this book. Being 580 pages I used to think it would take me a month like normal to read. With Darney’s writing style, the family drama with Ari, Donor, Mikus, Tommy, and so many more friends. Plus what is going on in the war. It took me longer to read than normal. Part of that was because of the plot, with all the ways it moved and grooved. Bringing everything together.
And the amount of detail that Darney gives you to help you imagine this amazing, difficult, almost eccentric world. It makes you have to slowly take everything in and process. But be careful when you do this. Because there is something good right around the corner.
I have been recommending this story for anyone who is a fan of “Game Of Thrones” and “Lord Of The Rings”. This is a book that any fan of those stories, would love these books as well.
There is so much I want to say about the plot, characters, and magical things in this book. But this review would turn into a book of its own if I started into all of that.
So I hope you snag the “Resthaven” series. And find your way to “Windyspring” yourself. After all this was a 10/10 rating from us, and book four “Harper’s Creek” was just released. And all four books are on Kindle Unlimited as well.
P.s. This book has maps and character lists!
#HaveYouReadReviews
December 4, 2023
I received an ARC from Colin in exchange for an honest review
This book carries on perfectly from the last one, and I feel the pace throughout, for me, was great and answered so many of my questions after the 1st and 2nd book.
There's definitely a lot of, sort of, loose ends throughout this book, which I'm hoping Colin will answer in the next book (please).
The writing, the characters, and descriptions throughout are just as great as the last 2 books, and as before, I was drawn into the story and felt like I was following along with the characters.
Thank you again, Colin, for allowing me early access to reading your books. I can't wait for future books in this brilliant story.
(This was previously posted, but I have problems with goodreads deleting reviews)
This book carries on perfectly from the last one, and I feel the pace throughout, for me, was great and answered so many of my questions after the 1st and 2nd book.
There's definitely a lot of, sort of, loose ends throughout this book, which I'm hoping Colin will answer in the next book (please).
The writing, the characters, and descriptions throughout are just as great as the last 2 books, and as before, I was drawn into the story and felt like I was following along with the characters.
Thank you again, Colin, for allowing me early access to reading your books. I can't wait for future books in this brilliant story.
(This was previously posted, but I have problems with goodreads deleting reviews)
August 31, 2023
This book was written differently from the first two. It had many POV and the story line was all over the place with various characters and activity. The author warned there would be threads left undone and for sure there were. This was not a bad thing as it points to more books in the future.
The story line did not come to a conclusion, but rather ended at one particular village. Many surprises in this story line.
I enjoyed reading about people and situations that were new to this thread. Not much had been said about what was going on with the other side of the kingdom and their issues. This also led to a very sticky problem between the elves and humans that must be resolved.
The development of the magic between the mother and son has also developed well.
This review was written based on an ARC version of the book.
I look forward to more stories about the Troop and hope they are all as well done as this one.
The story line did not come to a conclusion, but rather ended at one particular village. Many surprises in this story line.
I enjoyed reading about people and situations that were new to this thread. Not much had been said about what was going on with the other side of the kingdom and their issues. This also led to a very sticky problem between the elves and humans that must be resolved.
The development of the magic between the mother and son has also developed well.
This review was written based on an ARC version of the book.
I look forward to more stories about the Troop and hope they are all as well done as this one.
September 3, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Once again I was hooked and unable to put it down.
Can’t wait to read more in the series.
Can’t wait to read more in the series.
August 30, 2023
An intense tapestry of cultural anthropology
Peoples are not the same all over:
This doesn’t only apply to the moneyed & poor, the magic-users & muggles. Where one was brought up truly reflects how one was brought up.
Desert-dwellers would be more careful with water, mountain-dwellers would prepare better for winter.
Country folk use songs in practical ways: for maintaining proper timing during collective tasks, passing down history, preserving culture. City people view songs as frivolous: for entertaining children or as background for dancing.
Some factors can be on a spectrum, yet others are either/or.
If bloodline or merit determines succession, if inheritance is by matrilineal or patrilineal descent, if decisions are made communally or by hierarchal rulings, if growth comes by self-sufficiency or external collaboration, if rewards are given for individualism or for compliance, if group continuity happens from “survival of the fittest” or by teamwork,
Arisaylia is confronted with consequences of a broken oath and of an outer-marriage. Opposing opinions conflict with each other, most especially when hers are up against a stiff tradition, if not law. ** Side note: Torah-observant Judaism is similar in that on some matters, there isn’t another “opinion”. So, I can totally relate to Arisaylia’s cultural roots. If she wants to act outside of the elven mores, fine; just don’t invalidate what’s accepted as “true” by the ruling body.
Then we add to the mix other races/species (Elves, Dwarves, Ondilaani), who at times are forced into interactions. As one would expect, all “hail” breaks loose. And it literally does…
Oh! And that section on the clock! Make sure to slow down while reading it so as to savor not only the description, but also two entirely differing mindsets about tracking time. Those few sentences completely encapsulate what I wrote above.
I luv me a world of with a Hall full of maps, an elven mage portal, a Palace of the Timeless Throne. The author provides us with maps at the beginning, section separators throughout as well as a Character List and a Pronunciation Guide at the back.
Fave line (or is this my most prayed-for wish?):
‘And it was if the gods themselves had returned to save the day.’
The ending of this part of the epic totally sets up even more convolutions and conflicts – can’t wait!
Peoples are not the same all over:
This doesn’t only apply to the moneyed & poor, the magic-users & muggles. Where one was brought up truly reflects how one was brought up.
Desert-dwellers would be more careful with water, mountain-dwellers would prepare better for winter.
Country folk use songs in practical ways: for maintaining proper timing during collective tasks, passing down history, preserving culture. City people view songs as frivolous: for entertaining children or as background for dancing.
Some factors can be on a spectrum, yet others are either/or.
If bloodline or merit determines succession, if inheritance is by matrilineal or patrilineal descent, if decisions are made communally or by hierarchal rulings, if growth comes by self-sufficiency or external collaboration, if rewards are given for individualism or for compliance, if group continuity happens from “survival of the fittest” or by teamwork,
Arisaylia is confronted with consequences of a broken oath and of an outer-marriage. Opposing opinions conflict with each other, most especially when hers are up against a stiff tradition, if not law. ** Side note: Torah-observant Judaism is similar in that on some matters, there isn’t another “opinion”. So, I can totally relate to Arisaylia’s cultural roots. If she wants to act outside of the elven mores, fine; just don’t invalidate what’s accepted as “true” by the ruling body.
Then we add to the mix other races/species (Elves, Dwarves, Ondilaani), who at times are forced into interactions. As one would expect, all “hail” breaks loose. And it literally does…
Oh! And that section on the clock! Make sure to slow down while reading it so as to savor not only the description, but also two entirely differing mindsets about tracking time. Those few sentences completely encapsulate what I wrote above.
I luv me a world of with a Hall full of maps, an elven mage portal, a Palace of the Timeless Throne. The author provides us with maps at the beginning, section separators throughout as well as a Character List and a Pronunciation Guide at the back.
Fave line (or is this my most prayed-for wish?):
‘And it was if the gods themselves had returned to save the day.’
The ending of this part of the epic totally sets up even more convolutions and conflicts – can’t wait!
August 29, 2023
Windyspring, is another solid addition to the series. It builds on the strengths of its predecessors while throwing the gates open and spreading out to encompass a much larger world. I cannot over-emphasize how much I loved the little scenes that gave us a sense of what's going beyond the troop's own limited line of sight! This series keeps getting bigger in page count, scale, and sheer impact!
On the downside, this book also retains the main flaw of it's predecessors: slow pace. If you're the sort who re-reads “The Lord of the Rings” every couple years, this probably won't bother you... but the rest of us mortals will have to put up with several slow chapters before things really get interesting. Book 2 picked up around chapter 6. Book 3 took about twice as long to really draw me in, so unless you're a speed reader you'll need to bring a bit of attention. I could also note that there were 2 or 3 chapters that felt like pointless side notes, but I presume they're setting up something for a subsequent book.
Overall I definitely enjoyed the book, even if I might've enjoyed it a bit more if it'd been a little shorter (or it there'd been more boats). If you're like me and you finished Silverlake wondering what the heck is going on outside the Sarensea region, then you should DEFINATELY pick up Windyspring. A modern fantasy epic that'll feel right at home on your bookshelf next to the great fables of old.
Disclaimer: I read this book pre-publication as both a Beta reader and again as an Advance reader... In case that bothers anybody. I did actually but a copy of "Resthaven", but I've read books 2 and 3 for free.
On the downside, this book also retains the main flaw of it's predecessors: slow pace. If you're the sort who re-reads “The Lord of the Rings” every couple years, this probably won't bother you... but the rest of us mortals will have to put up with several slow chapters before things really get interesting. Book 2 picked up around chapter 6. Book 3 took about twice as long to really draw me in, so unless you're a speed reader you'll need to bring a bit of attention. I could also note that there were 2 or 3 chapters that felt like pointless side notes, but I presume they're setting up something for a subsequent book.
Overall I definitely enjoyed the book, even if I might've enjoyed it a bit more if it'd been a little shorter (or it there'd been more boats). If you're like me and you finished Silverlake wondering what the heck is going on outside the Sarensea region, then you should DEFINATELY pick up Windyspring. A modern fantasy epic that'll feel right at home on your bookshelf next to the great fables of old.
Disclaimer: I read this book pre-publication as both a Beta reader and again as an Advance reader... In case that bothers anybody. I did actually but a copy of "Resthaven", but I've read books 2 and 3 for free.
September 3, 2023
Goodreads, pleeease can I give more than 5 stars?! Windyspring was outstanding. Two days is all it took me to read it. This series just gets better and better.
Windyspring really expands the storyline, introducing new characters and places. Beautiful world building, plenty of action, characters we're coming to both love and hate, and enough conflict, both political (those elves are getting very complicated!) and physical, to keep the story barreling along nicely.
Some have said that parts of the story are a little slow. I think they actually give the reader a nice breather before the story gallops off again!
I've waited a long time for an epic fantasy series to capture my imagination and draw me in the way The Chronicles of the Troop has. I'm really looking forward to the next installment.
To the author - Colin, thank you for sharing your wonderful imagination and outstanding story telling skills with us. And my compliments to your cover artist. The cover designs are exquisite.
Windyspring really expands the storyline, introducing new characters and places. Beautiful world building, plenty of action, characters we're coming to both love and hate, and enough conflict, both political (those elves are getting very complicated!) and physical, to keep the story barreling along nicely.
Some have said that parts of the story are a little slow. I think they actually give the reader a nice breather before the story gallops off again!
I've waited a long time for an epic fantasy series to capture my imagination and draw me in the way The Chronicles of the Troop has. I'm really looking forward to the next installment.
To the author - Colin, thank you for sharing your wonderful imagination and outstanding story telling skills with us. And my compliments to your cover artist. The cover designs are exquisite.
August 31, 2023
The best in the series, thus far (assuming more is to come). Tommy, Ari, Donnor, and the troop are back on the road to travel to, you guessed it, Windyspring. This third book in the series explores more terrain and opens up a whole new world into the elven culture. It doesn't fall short of suspense, battle planning, and great values.
It does start out with many new storylines and a bit of chaos, which is both good and bad. It was exciting to get more points of view in the world, but I was also eager to get back to the troop's story as well. I particularly enjoyed the family dynamics of both the troop and of the more traditional elven culture where so much more unfolds and more threats to the troop are revealed.
Overall, the entire series is worth the read to get to this book alone.
It does start out with many new storylines and a bit of chaos, which is both good and bad. It was exciting to get more points of view in the world, but I was also eager to get back to the troop's story as well. I particularly enjoyed the family dynamics of both the troop and of the more traditional elven culture where so much more unfolds and more threats to the troop are revealed.
Overall, the entire series is worth the read to get to this book alone.
September 1, 2023
This book took me a long time to read(longer than my normal), reasons being it is a long book and a bit slow paced at that. It has multiple POVs and new charecters apart from the ones already introduced in the first two books. There is also magic and battle but a lot of politics as well. Unlike the other two books this one is more focused on Elves and human interactions rather than the Ondilan and human battles(I was more interested in that part)... Honestly this book was not so much for me, but keeping my personal prefrences aside it was a good one. The author has done a commendable job of balancing a huge world with all its many charecters as well as introducing new ones and moving the story forward... This is my honest review after receiving the arc copy for this book.
July 29, 2024
Windysprings is book 3 and it is just as good as the first 2 if not better. Each book adds new characters which keep the story fresh. The characters are spot on and so likeable. The world building is fantastically done. I felt like I was right there. Plenty of action along with some humor. I really like this series and can't wait for the next book. I think I have found a new author to add to my favorites list!
February 24, 2025
Love love love this!!
I've cried and laughed and was standing on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book! Each book builds on top of the previous one and they keep getting better and better.
Oh, and the feels!
Yup, I definitely love all these characters, and with each new event I like them more and more. And it's so fast-paced! Can't wait to read the next one.
I've cried and laughed and was standing on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book! Each book builds on top of the previous one and they keep getting better and better.
Oh, and the feels!
Yup, I definitely love all these characters, and with each new event I like them more and more. And it's so fast-paced! Can't wait to read the next one.
October 21, 2024
Enjoyable
I just Devoured the 3rd book in this series. Downloading book 4 and heading straight back to join the troop
I just Devoured the 3rd book in this series. Downloading book 4 and heading straight back to join the troop
September 1, 2023
I love Colin’s style of writing. Each installation of this epic story seems to garner more grandiosity! I could not seem to put this book down when I was not at work.
The numerous Points of View were masterfully handled and portrayed so that nothing was lost in the telling. I can not wait to learn more about the adventures of the Troop and the parts the intriguing races throughout the lands will play in the fights against the savage Ondilaani.
I received an ARC copy of this book and offer this review freely.
The numerous Points of View were masterfully handled and portrayed so that nothing was lost in the telling. I can not wait to learn more about the adventures of the Troop and the parts the intriguing races throughout the lands will play in the fights against the savage Ondilaani.
I received an ARC copy of this book and offer this review freely.
September 3, 2023
Great book 3.
There should be an option to have 10 stars.
I highly enjoyed this book.
I can't wait for the next 2 or 3 or 4.
I highly recommend this series.
There should be an option to have 10 stars.
I highly enjoyed this book.
I can't wait for the next 2 or 3 or 4.
I highly recommend this series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews