Satha is a dark-skinned woman from the Theseni tribe, who is well beyond the marriageable age for a young woman.  Although born to wealth, many years of war left Satha and her family in an impoverished condition.  Though her mother would like to see her married and their wealth restored, Satha is more interested in learning about the invasion of the pale-skinned Angleni tribe, who have kidnapped many tribal members and made them slaves. 

Loic is a light-skinned warrior from the affluent Doreni Pagatsu tribe and the son of the King’s First Captain.  He has an illness that has some doubtful of his abilities as a warrior and others believing he is the fulfillment of a prophecy.  He witnesses the death of his best friend at the hands of the chief shaman.  His anger propels him to question many of the tribal customs and religious beliefs.   

Loic meets Satha and he is smitten; he petitions his father to expedite a marriage.  Tentative at first, Satha falls in love with her young Doreni husband. As she attempts to learn the Doreni customs, unforeseen enemies mired in jealousy and deceit, attempt to destroy their marital foundation and force a war between two tribes.   They separate and as Loic goes on a quest for Satha’s honor and he enters a spiritual battle that may kill him.  In his absence, Satha finds herself duped again and forced into slavery with the Angleni.

Carole McDonnell has written a powerfully, absorbing tale on the culture, race relations, tribal traditions and religious customs of an African society.  Deeply entrenched in the entire epic is not only a love story, but also a search for the one true God. WIND FOLLOWER is told from the point of view of both Satha and Loic, whom I might add are well-developed characters with equally commanding stories to tell.  McDonnell’s writing is so masterful, even the spirit beings command your attention.  Witnessing Satha’s painful betrayal and her feelings of impurity as a result was truly heartbreaking.  Living Loic’s battle for the Truth served as a personal reminder of how devious and destructive Satan can be and how we should strive to let nothing separate us from the love of God.  McDonnell creates a mystical world that speaks volumes about issues prevalent today. Emotionally charged and thoroughly entertaining, WIND FOLLOWER will leave you looking forward to more from this talented author. 

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers