Of Wind and Lightning

Selah #1

by Ella Walker Henderson

In a land of legends, three rival nations hunt the ancient relic that can control rare and powerful warriors.

With lightning speed and an affinity for knives, Desa is a legendary, one of the warriors the relic can enslave.

Disguised as a mercenary, she joins a band of enemy warriors who also hunt the relic. In the height of battle, a startling connection links her to their leader.

Will he help her find the relic or betray her for the glory of his northern kingdom? His aid could be worth the risk.

For if her oldest adversary succeeds in the hunt, he will destroy her and her world.

Who will triumph? Join the epic quest to find the relic first.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

404 pages, ebook

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Ella Walker Henderson is the author of character driven epic fantasy, full of adventure and a dash of romance. Some of her favorite tropes are enemies to friends to lovers, the heroine's journey, and the chosen duo's quest. She writes about women who must fight for what they love, whether on a battlefield or among friends. As she's always a fan of a good plot twist, you may not know which characters to trust.

Reviews

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for SPFBOX as part of team Fantasy Book Critic

8/10

Set in a world steeped in legend and myth, Of Wind and Lightning is a wonderfully epic yet beautifully intimate political fantasy featuring fearsome women, lush scenery, complex interpersonal relationships, and page-turning tension and intrigue.

Through the eyes of two wildly different protagonists, we are transported into a breathtakingly beautiful world teetering on the edge of war. Desa is a legendary, one of the rare magically gifted warriors who can be enslaved by the ancient mystical relic that the three rival nations of this world are hunting for. Through unexpected tragedy, she is forced to hide behind her birth name Selah and soon finds herself barely clinging to life in the scorching desert, where her only hope of survival turns out to be a band of Northern mercenaries on the hunt for the relic. An inexplicable mystical connection between her and the leader, William, makes them tentatively put aside centuries of rivalry and distrust, and so they are thrown headfirst into an epic quest where danger, deceit, and betrayal are lurking around every corner.

Look, I can’t sit here and pretend that Of Wind and Lightning reinvents the wheel in terms of epic fantasy; questing, prophecy, rich legends, chosen one vibes, looming war, mystical magic, awe-inspiring landscapes… it’s got it all. And yet, I think Walker Henderson actually uses that comforting familiarity brilliantly to lull the reader into a false sense of security, only to then subvert tropes and expectations in little ways to tell an altogether more unique and unpredictable story.

For one, I really appreciated Walker Henderson’s refreshing portrayal of the strong female protagonist in Selah. She is a very cunning and fierce woman, yet at the same time she is allowed to be so messy and flawed, which makes her such a beautifully human and relatable protagonist. Then add to that her incredibly cool kabaraq lightning speed skills and her deadly affinity with knives, and she immediately became a woman after my own heart.

In a way, her voice was almost so strong and compelling that she started to overshadow the other characters, but luckily I quickly found myself warming up to our other protagonist, William. He soon proved to be a very compelling character in his own right, especially because his inner conflict was just so well written. At times his motivations were a bit incomprehensible to me, but I have a feeling that was intentional because my man was truly just tragically lost and confused himself, which was honestly quite endearing in a weird sort of way?

On top of that, I really enjoyed the camaraderie going on between him and the rest of The Eleven. And especially once Selah enters their party, I loved seeing their cultures clash and their world views be challenged; the tension was just delicious and I loved the reluctant found family vibes that started to develop despite the secrets and distrust. Also, I really appreciated how the dynamic between Selah and William became the heart and soul of this story, without it ever developing into a full-blown fantasy romance; though yes, the romantic tension is absolutely undeniable and I have to admit I would not object to seeing a romance develop in the future, because I love every single moment they are together on the page.

Even though travel/quest stories are normally not entirely my cup of tea, I just really loved the deeply immersive, slow-burn, and character-driven approach to the storytelling here. Through the intimate perspectives of Selah and William, we not only get to see a plethora of breathtaking landscapes, ranging from dry deserts to rainy woods, but we also get to gobble up so much rich history, culture and lore. Plus, we occasionally get treated to a very intriguing POV from someone back in William’s home country who is carrying out some deadly schemes, which created a looming sense of dread that just kept me in a chokehold.

And then all that carefully built up tension just absolutely explodes in the final few chapters. For me, the ending was almost jarringly hectic compared to the slower pacing and quieter tone in the rest of the novel, but ultimately I think Walker Henderson nailed all the shocking twists and turns, leaving me absolutely shattered by some of the backstabbing and betrayals. Despite its messiness, this is exactly the type of bittersweet ending that will make you want to jump straight into the next book, and you better believe I will be doing that as soon as possible.

Whether you think you like quest narratives or not, I’d dare to say that Of Wind and Lightning is a must-read for anyone who loves a slow-burn epic fantasy with tons of mystical magic, cutthroat intrigue, inescapable fates, and stirring emotions. Especially fans of Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Sienna Frost’s Obsidian: Awakening will find much to love here; this is just modern epic fantasy done absolutely right!

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Wind and Lightning is one of those books that definitely falls into the Epic fantasy camp. It has all the tropes that you associate with epic fantasy, and I mean all of 'em

So, if you like all that stuff, then is this the book for you? I think it might be you know! Although, I always say, then again it might not, but what I can give you in conclusion is that it is definitely worth your time (well I think so anyway!)

Now as a rule, when it comes to epic fantasy in its purest form, sometimes I can be more enthusiastic than others to be honest, but there you go! That's just me! However, I found myself warming to this book, and I think that this is because it is unabashedly epic fantasy, and the author, Ella Walker Henderson is unflinchingly putting it out there that she likes this particular aspect of the fantasy genre and hopes you will give her book a chance. So I did!

There's a lot to like about this book, and Ella Henderson tries to incorporate the regular fantasy tropes that we are all familiar with, but tries to do something different with them.. For instance with the chosen one trope, she expands it to incorporate two individuals that promise to work better together than apart. In addition, making the hidden artifact a little incorporeal without a fixed form is quite interesting, and I am intrigued to see how this manifests

I liked the main characters Selah and William, and how William is not necessarily the all encompassing hero type that is adored by his king and instead of being Mr Adorable, he is not as well liked as you might expect, even amongst his own men. In addition to that, Selah is not entirely likeable and I found her not to be the typical hero. She makes mistakes and at times is a little too focused on herself, which I quite liked.

There is plenty of character development in the story, with the main character Selah initially going from elite guard member to a slave in a couple of chapters and as we move through the book we see her rebuild herself in order to fit into the world she now finds herself in.

I did think at some points this was going to turn into a fantasy romance, and more than likely would have probably stopped if it had. However, Ella Walker Henderson keeps away from that and we see the development of William and Selah's relationship being one of necessity guided by the inimitable pull they feel towards each other based on their respective powers.

The world building is pretty distinctive and is split into three types of races, there's the Sulyanese that seems to be inspired by Persia, whilst William comes from Alethia, a medieval/Norse type, and then there's the other one, the Mirandans which seems to be based on medieval Europe.

The book kept my interest all the way through and I found I liked where the story was going. I liked the ideas of the Legendaries who are those people that have powers above the normal individuals and are imbued with special powers.

There is a lot of set up for the rest of the story and with the second book in the series soon to be released I am hoping to see some more expansion to the story and seeing how the plot develops.

Of Wind &.Lightning is an enjoyable fantasy that promises to be an exciting tale and I will definitely be continuing with Selah' s journey!

[Adeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Leigh W · Rating 5 out of 5]

While searching for answers about a hidden relic that can control her and her fate, Desa is betrayed and sold. She manages to escape and ends up on a journey that will take her into enemy territory. William leads a group of his country’s best warriors into enemy land in search of an item from a child’s tale. During their trek home he receives word that his country is now at war from an unlikely source. These two end up on a journey together to find answers.
Desa is a kabaraq, a person with unique gifts of speed along with some other beneficial qualities. They are known as warriors of wind and lightning for how quick and precise they can move. She has sworn an oath like the kabaraq before her to serve her king as he sees fit. Unhappy with the tasks she must do at times, she wants to find the Qinnowr to control her fate so no one else has the potential to control her. She is warned that betrayal may be coming from the prince which spurs her into secret action. However, she is betrayed by one she did not expect and finds herself a slave to be sold. After obtaining freedom at a great cost she is found by those who should not be in her land and who appear to be searching for the Qinnowr as well. Trying to obtain information and genuinely wanting to help, she joins the group to head north.
William comes from a country that is run on facts and logic. So when he has a feeling that doesn’t stop, a driving force guiding him to search for an item most feel is just a childhood story, he decides to look for it. Traveling with a handful of the elite warriors he commands, he finds evidence of its existence but is not able to obtain it. While returning from this disappointing journey he gets word that his country has been invaded by allies. With more facts not adding up, it leaves questions about loyalties and motives. When stopping for water they come across a woman in need and the same guiding force tells William he needs to bring her with. And after seeing her in battle realizes she may be more helpful in his goals than he initially thought.
This book has been sitting on my Amazon wishlist then sat in my Kindle due to other reads. I regret not reading this sooner because this was a story I have been looking for. The characters are not teenagers, there is no dramatic underlying romance (at least in book one), and the intrigue kept me engaged. I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s mostly dual point of view with an occasional chapter from the enemy. Each personality we get to see is clearly unique with motives and actions seem genuine in how they are played out. I am about to get a Kindle Unlimited account to finish these series I have been discovering.

[C.L. Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selah is a warrior from a desert kingdom, possessing supernatural speed and fighting ability. She’s betrayed and banished, stumbling upon a roving band of warriors from the northern, European-style kingdom who are searching for a long-lost magical artefact. What a coincidence! So is Selah. However, northern wars and politics may derail their quest…

I was slightly underwhelmed by this book, I think because it suffers from ’First in a series’ syndrome. There’s a lot of loose threads and (maybe) not enough plot for one book, because we’re gonna get 3+ books of this arc. The first chapters sketched out court intrigue in Selah’s home city…but for the remaining 80% of the book we basically leave her kingdom. This intro came at the expense of what I thought would be more useful backstory explaining why the two kingdoms were enemies and where Selah’s prejudices against them came from. Because there was supposed to be tension when she teamed up with the northerners and it didn’t feel compelling. I think I’d have either liked more character development or more action, both felt a little sparse.

That said, the magic and exposition never overwhelmed or confused the reader, and I liked the author’s descriptions of the desert landscape. The next in the series isn’t out yet, so I can’t tell you how satisfying the plot arc will be. If you like character-driven ‘clash of cultures’ fantasy that’s not too dark or spicy/kissy, you might enjoy this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Wind and Lightning is an interesting and well written epic fantasy novel, with a wonderful cast of characters and some rich and varied world building that utilises a diverse set of cultures. In some ways it is very much classic epic fantasy, with several well known tropes utilised. Yet these tropes are twisted slightly into something more unique, so instead of a single chosen one, there is the possibility of two chosen ones for example. Likewise, the quest to find the artifact of power is shrouded in mystery and there is a very real chance it doesn't actually exist. It's a clever blending of traditional and new into a cohesive whole.

I really enjoyed the characterisations on display here; Selah goes from riches to rags and has to find out how to make her own way in the world. She's bright, powerful and skilled and all of those qualities are put to the test throughout the novel. William is a steadfast and well liked by his men, but his obsession with finding the relic puts his group in danger and puts himself on dangerous footing with the King. The characters surrounding the two leads are fully realised and all felt very real. The characters all have fault lines and flaws, so nobody is put on a pedestal as the 'hero' simply because that's what the story requires.

All in all, this is an excellent debut that is full of action, intrigue, mystery and excellent characters. I liked the way the standard tropes were manipulated to allow for a greater scope. It's well paced, well-written and I'm certainly interested in reading the second in the series.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there is a lot of action, palace intrigue, betrayal, border politics, and other quest stuff, my favorite part was the relationship building. The author provided some initial background then slowly revealed the character development and personal interactions. More realistically than other authors, in my opinion.
The band’s travels gave the reader a description of the land and its peoples along the same pace. The physical aspects do affect the cultures and mindsets.

Soldier ballads always make me tear up…they remind me of Irish rebel songs. I would like to have “heard” at least two more.

Usually, quests by females are internal. I like how the author portrayed the heroine as feminine and still on a typical “male” quest. She didn’t demand to join the band in a “women-are-as-good-as-men”; she used her feminine wisdom to assess the situation and go from there. She was able to contribute to the band using HER strengths and talents, not by being one of the boys. Great role model for girls and young women - female empowerment rather than feminism.

Fave quotes:
‘I prefer to trust those who are smart rather than those who fail to think.’
‘I prefer battle in the light of the sun rather than secrets in the dark of night.’

I definitely want to continue this series…and I’d follow Selah anywhere.

[Scareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable epic fantasy, definitely worth the read.

It took me about 14% of the story to get into the book. While the writing style had evolved into a nice flow of short and long sentences by the end of the book, the beginning was primarily short sentences that to me were choppy and read like a list. The action was told and undescribed. As such it was difficult to get into the story. Other than that there were some character decisions that irked me because of how obvious the consequences were (which did happen yet the characters didn't predict them) and others like the reactions and result of a staged hostage situation that made no sense.

That said, I pushed onward and was very pleasantly surprised. Once I got into the story, I finished the book in 3 days. The plot is well developed. I'm not exactly clear on William's desire to seek out the Qinnowr (considering his lack of belief and his King nor wishing it), nor why Shelah seeks it if it can control her (not clear what she wants to do with it after she has it), but I really enjoyed Jessamine's pov. Her pov read differently than the other two. Her intentions, motivations, and frustrations were so clear, she stuck with me after every single one of her short chapters for many chapters after.

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me start by saying, I totally did not expect anything that happened in this book.

Henderson makes you either totally love the characters or hate them.

Desa is this impressive, specially trained warrior who gets dealt a horrible deal

Shule, you just cannot stand him from day one

Selah, she is embarking on a new life, but can she ever be free?

William, Mr. Mystery himself drawn by the wind, but why?

The Eleven, Ride or Dies following William, but who can be trusted?

This book is filled with so much backstabbing, treachery, suspense, and shocking turn of events. It will leave you wanting more.

You will be so upset that this book has not even been released yet, because all you want is book 2.

But those last couple of pages is where the real shocker is going to be.

I was totally FLOORED.

Hold onto your seat’s readers, Ella Walker Henderson has graced us with her Selah series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alexis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully realized world full of countless dangers, rich cultures, and unique characters with their own voices and motivations so very contrary to each the other’s. I loved that I could never be sure who I could trust at any given time. The legendaries were awesome and left me hungry to see more of their kind and what they are truly capable of when their full power is unleashed (or harnessed). On that note, I couldn’t help but root for Selah fighting tooth and nail for freedom she’s barely tasted, yet having to be cautious how she goes about trying to secure it. She’s strong and scrappy, and quickly endeared herself to me. The tension between her and William had me on the edge of my seat, wanting so much to see both of their goals achieved, but knowing one could never be realized in the other’s wake. I’m hooked on Ella Walker Henderson after this amazing debut and can’t wait to read the next in this series!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story! Selah is a legendary, with lightning speed to assist her prowess with knives. I really liked her. She’s smart and resourceful as her life is turned upside down and she has to adapt. William is an elite warrior of an enemy country that ends up helping her. I found the connection between them intriguing and I really liked their dynamic! I enjoyed learning about the world and it’s interesting how each country has their own legendaries with unique abilities. I had some theories about where the story was going but I was surprised at just about every turn. Particularly the last part of the book twisted around lots and I had trouble putting the book down! I seriously can’t wait for the next book!

I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this more than 5 stars. This was such an incredible story. Another new author for me & all I can say is WOW! The characters were awesome and very well thought out. Some are honest & trustworthy and some are shady & unreliable. The world building was fantastic and the plot kept the pages turning. Selah is a special warrior. She is fierce, determined & strong. However she keeps many secrets that could change her life dramatically. Will is the leader of the Eleven. A group who defends the king. He is loyal, sensible & smart. Selah & Wills lives become entangled by accident it seems. The Eleven find Selah close to death after she suffers a major betrayel. Will knows she is special but he can't let her keep him from searching for the legendary relic. He also can't tell her about it. They let her travel with them and the story just gets better & better. A story full of lies, deceipt, courage & skill. I can't wait for the journey of book 2.

[Erica Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so creative and worth the read. The author does a great job world building from the get go, immediately drawing you into this place of political intrigue, lore, and legendary warriors. The diverse cast of characters, especially the resilient and fierce heroine, make this book such a rich read. She's smart, tough, and unafraid to challenge standards regarding women's rights. Also, having a main female character that's in her mid to late twenties like me can be hard to come by in fantasy books, so that made me enjoy it even more. There were some twists I didn't see coming and the ending makes you hungry for more. The cliffhanger is almost unfair. It honestly deserves to be on a bestseller list.

[Noxwitchbooklife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought with such a beautiful title i had to grab a copy of this for my first read of an Ella Walker Henderson book.

I enjoyed that it was mostly told from the desert warrior as the main character's pov rather than from the typical male knight characters pov though there was some from him.

There was a bit of the mystical in there with Selah having better physiology than the usual humans and the strange connection she has with William that wasn't elaborated on too much in this story.

The descriptions of the battles was quite good and the descriptions of the burns Selah gets and the healing thereof is quite graphic but quite realistic.

It wasn't anything new in the chosen one sort of storyline but it was quite well written and an ok read.

[N. MacCameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The writing of Ella Walker Henderson is rich and luxurious, and easy to understand. She is a wonderful spinner of words willing to step back out of the reader's way.
The worlds of Desa and William are heading in the same direction, hunting the same treasure. The humans are swept up in the lust for the object and Desa is the prize. Can she find the ancient secret that will control her power? Will her control over the ancient secret stop others from controlling her? And what about that brother of hers? How could he betray her so fast?
The action is fast paced and the plot twists hardly give us time to breathe. You will find yourself turning pages long after the light should have gone out!

[Cat Bowser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

This is such a wonderful story and the start to a wonderful series. I can’t wait to see where it goes! The prose is wonderful but it’s the characters that win you over.

Each character is unique and I really love how they each have their own personality and they interact so beautifully. Each interaction is unique to the character and really helps flesh them out. It will surprise you how some of the characters act. You’ll think you know how it’ll go but you’re wrong.

The last fourth of this book is the a wild ride of surprises and leaves you longing for the next book now!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I did not expect anything that happened in this book. Desa is amazing, and you can’t help but like her from the beginning. Other characters you can’t help but strongly dislike straight from the beginning! And even others are so mysterious you don’t know how to feel until the end. Each character is so uniquely written. I can’t WAIT for the next book!! The last few pages had me biting my nails sitting on the edge of my seat!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading a copy of this book before its release and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Desa's story is compelling and takes place in an environment we don't see nearly enough of in the fantasy realm. I love the brewing relationships, the intrigue between the warring kingdoms, and the unique magic system. Ella does a great job of bringing the world and the characters to life, and I can't wait to see what comes next!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great writer! So hard to believe this is her first book, it is just stunning. Its not really my kind of story but i literally couldn't put it down- had to see where it was going next , kind of an epic fantasy adventure with a wonderfully strong heroine. Just one richly imagined situation after another. Lots of intrigue, politics and great world building. Much dialogue which i usually don't care for but in this case it served to carry the story along and rang true always.

[Happyscribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of fantasy story advocate - and this book is an example of how to do it right. Really wonderful writing, with a richly created world full of small details and huge adventures. If you want a read that will sweep you away into a land of high-concept adventures and characters - read this book. READ it!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kindly Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book especially the unique characters in it!

I love how the author describes the details in the story as it almost feels like it transports me there. I can feel the wind rushing past them as they ride, see the battles taking place, hear the sounds of the woods.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment to this wonderful series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Luzanne Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely WOW!

STICK WITH THIS ONE.
Though it had a slow start there is just something absolutely gripping about this story. With an intricate world, carefully crafted with vivid descriptions, complex characters that reveal themselves little by little through the pages and a few epic battle scenes, this series promises to be a definite hit.

I recommend you grab yourself a copy of this one, because you definitely will regret missing out on it.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had good character development. So many are looking for the same thing and are missing what is directly in front of them. Selah does not rust easily and is slow to be accepted by William and his men fully. When she shows part of her ability the little trust she has built goes away a and she has to rebuild. It’s a good storyline with growth potential. Im excited to read the next installment

[Signe Hollesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc reader. This book was one of my favorite reads this year. Always a sucker for a good dragon rider fantasy read but the twist on these creatures made it stand out to me. Trials, betrayals, and unexpected friendships. This book had it all and more. Not too heavy on the romance which is sometimes refreshing for us fantasy readers. With that said definitely a little yearning that could come into play in the second book.

[Starr Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic adventure with a lot of intrigue, magic, and royals. It started off a little slow, but I'm glad I stuck with it because then I got hooked and could not stop turning the pages! Readers will like this book if they enjoyed McKinley's "The Blue Sword" or Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. I’m sad it’s over and I can’t wait to read the next book, highly recommended.

[Paku Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book moves fairly slow, but I can tell the author really dedicated time to character development and the plot. This is a book you can put on your continuing to read list, because the development is slow and you aren’t on the edge of your seat waiting for the next development. Overall a good read though! I will be continuing the series.

[Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book and stuck with it for a while but could not stay focused on it. I re-read the first chapter a couple times and then it just didn't hold my interest. Three stars only because I can't say whether the book is good or not since I didn't get through it. might be a case of right book, wrong time? idk.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fast paced and full of action. Right from the start you’re drawn into political scheming. There’s an ancient prophecy and every side has a different interpretation of it, which makes it fun to see how it’s going to unfold.

No Spice
No Explicit Language
PG-13 Violence/Gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh. There was nothing wrong with the book. I just didn't connect with the book.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was definitely a slow start to this book, but as you continue reading it is hard to put down! This book consisted of a lot of world building, which tends to happen with a lot of first of a series books. I LOVED the characters and the development of the book.
Overall a 4 star read!

[Caroline Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t regularly read fantasy novels, but I loved this book. I kept coming back for more! Beautiful descriptions, and at just the right level - not overbearing, not redundant. A very enjoyable read. Easy to get completely absorbed into! I’m looking forward to reading the rest in the series.