Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN num: 9781932815078
ISBN number: 1932815074
Label: Medallion Press
Manufacturer: Medallion Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 316
Printing Date: June 01, 2004
Publishing house: Medallion Press
Sale Popularity Level: 933459
Studio: Medallion Press
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Product Description:
For centuries, the Infernal War has been waged by witches and sorcerers to control the Orb of Knowledge.Khamsin becomes its innocent victim, and the enigmatic Tinker her guide on a journey to win a war only love can conquer.
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Rated by buyers 
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I have read all of Linnea Sinclair's SF books to date and have adored them! This book is not bad, but it is a rather shockingly mediocre effort compared to her other writing. Reading it, I thought it seemed very much like a YA novel but with some sex scenes, very much like this was juvenilia... some very first effort dusted off and sold after the author has established a track record and a following. If I am wrong about that, then I think the authors's skills must have suddenly deserted her when writing this book.
First of all, there are some very tired fantasy tropes and nothing much is done to make them the least bit interesting. Khamsin is a young girl who is living as a virtual outcast in a small village. She was the unwanted daughter of the rape of a local girl by the marauding Hill Raiders who plague the villages. She's brought up by the village's healer/wise-woman, who lives at the fringes in a cave. Khamsin learns magic (looked upon with mistrust by the villagers) as well as Healing and is told by the wise-woman that she has to beware of The Sorcerer who may claim her for some reason.
Khamsin is plucky, learns some swordcraft and ends up finally searching for a teacher beyond her village and is basically looking for her destiny. She's a sympathetic character, but not drawn with much depth. Nor are the other characters.
The book is plotted in a rambling fashion, starting with the Hill Raiders coming to the village and raping Khamsin's mother. The very first quarter of the book is about Khamsin's life in the village... things that have little bearing on her future and which is readable but not detailed or fascinating and doesn't move the plot along at all. Nor does it give much information about the world and the forces that may be at work.
Not much is revealed on the road during Khamsin's journey nor once in town where she meets up with a teacher who is an avuncular wizard-type living in wizardly rooms who could stand in for Dumbledore or Gandalf. Again, a likable but two-dimensional character, little plot movement and minimal world-building (the town is very generic and we still see little of government or trade or history or culture).
Conflict between The Sorcerer and his siblings isn't revealed until late in the book. And the resolution seemed rushed.
There are hints of an interesting story here, but almost nothing was realized. It was readable and even enjoyable in many parts, but also sadly disappointing.
Rated by buyers 
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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.
Rated by buyers 
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Khamsin "Kammi" of Cirrus Cove is a woman-child linked to the powerful Sorcerer, Rothal-Kiarr, by command of an Assignation spell at her birth. She is raised by Tanta Bron, the village Healer, and taught most of what she needed before Tanta died. When the Hill Raiders attacked Cirrus Cove, they killed everyone Khamsin cared for, including her husband. The only one left alive for her was her cat, Nixa, with whom Kammi can mind link to.
Khamsin and Nixa travel with Rylan the Tinker to the city of Noviiya. There, the mad wizard, Ciro, would complete her training and prepare her for the destiny that awaited her. Kammi must travel through dangerous lands and hazardous forests filled with raiders and demons to reach the Sorcerer's castle fortress, Traakhal-Armin. Once there, she must gain entry to a secret room in the East Tower and obtain the Orb of Knowledge.
Through it all, Melande the Witch, Lucial the Wizard, and Rothal-Kiarr the Sorcerer, battle each other as they have for centuries in their quests for power and conquests. Only Khamsin can stop the Infernal War. If she fails, all is lost.
***** It has been quite awhile since I have read such a wonderful fantasy novel such as this. It captured my attention on the very very first page and never let go, as if an enchantment spell had been cast upon my imagination. UNPUTDOWNABLE! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Rated by buyers -
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!
Rated by buyers -
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!
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