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Athanor #2
Legends Walking
In the emergent Nigerian city of Monamona, a scourge once eradicated has resurfaced--a terrible disease reintroduced into the world by a fanatic who may or may not be athanor: Shopona, the one time God of Smallpox. Conquering Aferica with plague is only the first step in this madman's dream of power. There are those who oppose him, and they will need the help of the shapeshifter Changer--Perhaps the Earth's oldest being--to prevail.
But Changer has problems of his own: a wild daughter, Shahrazad--a free spirit, unchained and indomitable, testing the limits of her powers against new realities in a new world. And even the combined efforts of Athur, the Changer, and Shahrazad may not be enough. For the fanatic master of disease is not only creature of legend who seeks to walk like a god among men.
404 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lindskold
128 books654 followersJane Lindskold is the author of more than twenty published novels, including the eight volume Firekeeper Saga (beginning with Through Wolf’s Eyes), Child of a Rainless Year (a contemporary fantasy set in Las Vegas, New Mexico), and The Buried Pyramid (an archeological adventure fantasy set in 1880's Egypt).
Lindskold is also the author of the “Breaking the Wall” series, which begins with Thirteen Orphans, then continues in Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. Her most recent series begins with Artemis Awakening, released in May of 2014. Lindskold has also had published over sixty short stories and numerous works of non-fiction, including a critical biography of Roger Zelazny, and articles on Yeats and Synge.
She has collaborated with several other SF/F writers, including Roger Zelazny, for whom, at his request, she posthumously finished his novels Donnerjack and Lord Demon. She has also collaborated with David Weber, writing several novellas and two YA novels set in his popular ”Honorverse.” She wrote the short story “Servant of Death” with Fred Saberhagen.
Charles de Lint, reviewing Changer, praised "Lindskold's ability to tell a fast-paced, contemporary story that still carries the weight and style of old mythological story cycles."[1] Terri Windling called Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls "a complex, utterly original work of speculative fiction." DeLint has also stated that “Jane Lindskold is one of those hidden treasures of American letters; a true gem of a writer who simply gets better with each book.”
Lindskold was born in 1962 at the Columbia Hospital for Women, the first of four siblings and grew up in Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. Lindskold's father was head of the Land and Natural Resources Division, Western Division of the United States Justice Department and her mother was also an attorney. She studied at Fordham, where she received a Ph. D. in English, concentrating on Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern British Literature; she successfully defended her Ph.D. on her 26th birthday.
Lindskold lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, archaeologist Jim Moore.
Lindskold is also the author of the “Breaking the Wall” series, which begins with Thirteen Orphans, then continues in Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. Her most recent series begins with Artemis Awakening, released in May of 2014. Lindskold has also had published over sixty short stories and numerous works of non-fiction, including a critical biography of Roger Zelazny, and articles on Yeats and Synge.
She has collaborated with several other SF/F writers, including Roger Zelazny, for whom, at his request, she posthumously finished his novels Donnerjack and Lord Demon. She has also collaborated with David Weber, writing several novellas and two YA novels set in his popular ”Honorverse.” She wrote the short story “Servant of Death” with Fred Saberhagen.
Charles de Lint, reviewing Changer, praised "Lindskold's ability to tell a fast-paced, contemporary story that still carries the weight and style of old mythological story cycles."[1] Terri Windling called Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls "a complex, utterly original work of speculative fiction." DeLint has also stated that “Jane Lindskold is one of those hidden treasures of American letters; a true gem of a writer who simply gets better with each book.”
Lindskold was born in 1962 at the Columbia Hospital for Women, the first of four siblings and grew up in Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. Lindskold's father was head of the Land and Natural Resources Division, Western Division of the United States Justice Department and her mother was also an attorney. She studied at Fordham, where she received a Ph. D. in English, concentrating on Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern British Literature; she successfully defended her Ph.D. on her 26th birthday.
Lindskold lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, archaeologist Jim Moore.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2019
Despite the title, the Changer's coyote daughter Shahrazad only takes up one-third of the book. The other two storylines that proceed in tandem involve Eddie and Anson's "adventure" in Nigeria, and that of the satyrs and fauns who are invited to perform in Tommy Thunderburst's latest concert and the consequences when they misbehave.
At first I found the pace a bit slow, especially the Nigeria part, though the peek into African culture was fascinating. But somewhere in the middle the action took off and I just had to find out how each crisis was resolved, and finally went to sleep at 3 am, leaving only the wrap-up to finish after we had delivered the kids to school. I really enjoyed this one, especially Shahrazad's character development as she finally comes into her power, and I feel a bit sad that there are no more books in this series. Since this one was published in 1999, it's not likely the author will go back to it, but you never know. At least it doesn't leave the reader hanging! And the bonus short story about Shahrazad was great too.
At first I found the pace a bit slow, especially the Nigeria part, though the peek into African culture was fascinating. But somewhere in the middle the action took off and I just had to find out how each crisis was resolved, and finally went to sleep at 3 am, leaving only the wrap-up to finish after we had delivered the kids to school. I really enjoyed this one, especially Shahrazad's character development as she finally comes into her power, and I feel a bit sad that there are no more books in this series. Since this one was published in 1999, it's not likely the author will go back to it, but you never know. At least it doesn't leave the reader hanging! And the bonus short story about Shahrazad was great too.
March 18, 2018
What a delightful follow up to Changer! The book has many different story lines going at once and hopped between character perspectives frequently. I liked getting a full view of what was happening and the short chapters kept the pace fast. I definitely recommend!
October 19, 2025
Extraordinary
She had always been a bit of an a academic as opposed to a storyteller. This is a wonderful hybridization adding true thought and philosophy 😀 Remarkable and uniquely fascinating
She had always been a bit of an a academic as opposed to a storyteller. This is a wonderful hybridization adding true thought and philosophy 😀 Remarkable and uniquely fascinating
September 12, 2021
Changer's Daughter (originally published as Legends Walking) brings us back to a contemporary world that seems to be our own, except legends of myth and lore walk among us. Highly recommended to those who loved Changer, and for those seeking representation of minority characters in your fantasy.
This book has three central stories that, while they are all concluded, don't necessarily interact with each other. This is probably the biggest issue with the book, so it takes time to read through and perhaps read again once finished to fully appreciate the complex storylines that take place.
Eddie, Arthur's right-hand man, has left with Anson (Spider) to Nigeria. Things quickly grow complicated with a nefarious scheme behind the scenes and a possible goddess who has locked down the city behind a storm wall. While published in 1999, this book was ahead of its time showcasing minority characters and the story of the family is almost more interesting than the Athanor themselves.
A major plotline concerns Shahrazad, Coyote's daughter. Will she remain just a coyote? Or is there something more to Shahrazad?
This actually is the most compelling of the storylines to me. It brings up the question of what is sentient life and how does it fit into the greater Athanor circle of life. Her life at the farm where other Athanor animals are living, brings up the western conflict (that continues today) of ranchers using government land to graze cattle, while flaunting the law.
The less interesting storyline is the the satyrs and fauns. Brought on to be part of Tommy (Dionysius) Thunderburst's live concert they break free from Arthur's edicts and have a night of debauchery in Las Vegas. While this was amusing, it is used more as a vehicle to explain how and why the non-human Athanor yearn to be part of society and the cost of that.
There's other characters doing this and that (including Coyote himself) but here there just seems to many walk-on's and mentions without characters and their motivations being full flushed out.
Note: while billed as a sequel to Changer, either book could be a standalone as there is no cliffhanger.
This is a full-sized book with a well-developed world. It is dense, and you won't be able to read it quickly like a McRead Fantasy of today. Take time to savor this classic, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
This book has three central stories that, while they are all concluded, don't necessarily interact with each other. This is probably the biggest issue with the book, so it takes time to read through and perhaps read again once finished to fully appreciate the complex storylines that take place.
Eddie, Arthur's right-hand man, has left with Anson (Spider) to Nigeria. Things quickly grow complicated with a nefarious scheme behind the scenes and a possible goddess who has locked down the city behind a storm wall. While published in 1999, this book was ahead of its time showcasing minority characters and the story of the family is almost more interesting than the Athanor themselves.
A major plotline concerns Shahrazad, Coyote's daughter. Will she remain just a coyote? Or is there something more to Shahrazad?
This actually is the most compelling of the storylines to me. It brings up the question of what is sentient life and how does it fit into the greater Athanor circle of life. Her life at the farm where other Athanor animals are living, brings up the western conflict (that continues today) of ranchers using government land to graze cattle, while flaunting the law.
The less interesting storyline is the the satyrs and fauns. Brought on to be part of Tommy (Dionysius) Thunderburst's live concert they break free from Arthur's edicts and have a night of debauchery in Las Vegas. While this was amusing, it is used more as a vehicle to explain how and why the non-human Athanor yearn to be part of society and the cost of that.
There's other characters doing this and that (including Coyote himself) but here there just seems to many walk-on's and mentions without characters and their motivations being full flushed out.
Note: while billed as a sequel to Changer, either book could be a standalone as there is no cliffhanger.
This is a full-sized book with a well-developed world. It is dense, and you won't be able to read it quickly like a McRead Fantasy of today. Take time to savor this classic, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
April 10, 2014
Legends Walking is the sequel to Jane Lindskold's novel, Changer. It is sometimes found under the title, Changer's Daughter. In this book, we return to the earth of the Athanor, long-lived magical beings who have populated humanity's legends and still influence the world around us. While this book builds on the events of Changer, it is much broader in scope and it is in that breadth that it achieves its greatness--especially in the part of the novel that takes place in Africa.
Lindskold world is multi-faceted and often subtle. There's beauty in these pages. If you enjoyed the first book, this one is a must read.
Lindskold world is multi-faceted and often subtle. There's beauty in these pages. If you enjoyed the first book, this one is a must read.
July 27, 2014
I wasn't sure what to think of this motley crew of characters, the mythic changer and his two daughters--the coyote and the sorceress; Athena; King Arthur and Merlin; Anasazi. While I'm not well versed with the Sumerian myths, I enjoyed the way Lindskold shifted the coyote daughter from a creature of instinct to a creature of thinking band reasoning over the course of the two books. And the African drama that unfolded was a little raw but not completely outside the realm of the believable (except the mythic and elemental interference). I picked it up and didn't put it down until I finished. Despite the machinations of horny fauns and satyrs, overall, a very good read.
August 25, 2023
I agree with Ms. Lindskold; the other title Changer's Daughter is much more appropriate for this story -- she needs to publish a collection (e-coll?) with Changer, Changer's Daughter, "Witches' Broom, Apple Soon" and at least on new checkin w/the Athanor!
December 24, 2012
I read Changer, the first book in this series, ages ago and really enjoyed it. I've been looking for the seque; ever since and finally found it (under a different name) on the clearence rack at a local comic shop. The background is a wonderful mix of all the world's mythos and why the archetypes seem to show up over and over. And the story is quite good too. There's actually two stories going on, but they're held together well. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2009
Thanks for letting me read this book! I agree that the Athanor were more accessible in this one than they were in Changer. I liked Changer but after a while it just seemed like a who's who of all interesting characters in history. This one developed the characters more. I'd like to see more. I'd like to see what happens to Shahrazad and Aduke. And elementals.
May 21, 2023
I really wanted to like this book, as I generally enjoy books by Jane Lindskold, but I just found the pacing too slow, and had a hard time becoming invested in the characters. The split settings that never seemed to resolve didn't help.
April 10, 2013
That's more like it! I enjoyed this second installment much more than the first and I am looking forward to the third!
March 8, 2013
This is an excellent sequel to the Changer novel that preceded it. The characters were very engaging and I miss them now that I've finished the book. Best treatment of 'immortals' I've ever read.
November 4, 2009
Just as much fun as Changer
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews