Windhaven

By: Lisa Tuttle, George R.R. Martin

Narrated by: Harriet Walter

George R. R. Martin has thrilled a generation of listeners with his epic works of the imagination, most recently the critically acclaimed New York Times best-selling saga told in the novels A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords. Lisa Tuttle has won acclaim from fans of science fiction, horror, and fantasy alike - most recently for her haunting novel The Pillow Friend. Now together they gift listeners with this classic tale of a brilliantly rendered world of ironbound tradition, where a rebellious soul seeks to prove the power of a dream.

The planet of Windhaven was not originally a home to humans, but it became one following the crash of a colony starship. It is a world of small islands, harsh weather, and monster-infested seas. Communication among the scattered settlements was virtually impossible until the discovery that, thanks to light gravity and a dense atmosphere, humans were able to fly with the aid of metal wings made of bits of the cannibalized spaceship.

Many generations later, among the scattered islands that make up the water world of Windhaven, no one holds more prestige than the silver-winged flyers, who bring news, gossip, songs, and stories. They are romantic figures crossing treacherous oceans, braving shifting winds and sudden storms that could easily dash them from the sky to instant death. They are also members of an increasingly elite caste, for the wings - always in limited quantity - are growing gradually rarer as their bearers perish.

With such elitism comes arrogance and a rigid adherence to hidebound tradition. And for the flyers, allowing just anyone to join their cadre is an idea that borders on heresy. Wings are meant only for the offspring of flyers - now the new nobility of Windhaven. Except that sometimes life is not quite so neat.

Maris of Amberly, a fisherman's daughter, was raised by a flyer and wants nothing more than to soar on the currents high above Windhaven. By tradition, however, the wings must go to her stepbrother, Coll, the flyer's legitimate son. But Coll wants only to be a singer, traveling the world by sea. So Maris challenges tradition, demanding that flyers be chosen on the basis of merit rather than inheritance. And when she wins that bitter battle, she discovers that her troubles are only beginning.

For not all flyers are willing to accept the world's new structure, and as Maris battles to teach those who yearn to fly, she finds herself likewise fighting to preserve the integrity of a society she so longed to join - not to mention the very fabric that holds her culture together.

©2012 Lisa Tuttle and George R. R. Martin (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A powerful flight of the imagination ... wrought by a pair of writers noted for excellence." (Roger Zelazny)

"Told with a true storyteller's voice: clear, singing, persuasive, and wonderfully moving. They have made a mythic land and peopled it with unforgettable characters. It is a book for adults and children who have dreamed of flying with their own wings, and for story listeners of all ages for whom dreams are as potent as realities. A truly wonderful book." (Jane Yolen)

"The pace never slackens, shifting easily from moments of almost unbearable tension to others of sheer poetry and exhilaration. Martin and Tuttle make wonderful professional music together." ( Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Winds

A story that will have your heart in your mouth or the pit of your stomach as the winds carry you to the far off land of Windheaven . As gripping a story as any by GRR Martini. Windheaven fallows Maris on her journey of dairying flight, self discovery, and triumph over those who would tell her not to even try. A story centric world building experience one will not soon forget.

It's a very rich and satisfying book.

Its delicately sweet on the outside of the feeling you get from the book. But the core is robust. Grate book!

Aother great story from George R R Martin

I really enjoyed this story about a far away place. I could almost feel the soaring. The wind rising beneath my wings. thank you

A Nice, Soft Flight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I suppose so, if they like Young Adult novels. This is a very straightforward story, with reasonably simple characters and plot, but I found it endearing nonetheless. I was a little sad when I got to the end, knowing that this was it for Maris, and her adventures.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Windhaven?

I liked the competitions at the end of the second story. There were also some moments of character interaction that I liked, such as the scene between Maris and Val after Maris talks with Arak.

Which character – as performed by Harriet Walter – was your favorite?

None of them stands far above the others, but if I had to choose one, it would be Val "One-Wing". He makes a nicely abrasive foil for the pleasant, naïve Maris. Walter's reading in all was pretty good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have to say no. It was nice, but not a page turner.

Any additional comments?

I know nothing of Lisa Tuttle; I found this book by looking up George R. R. Martin, as I think most people do. To them: you will not likely enjoy this book if you go into it expecting something in the vein of "A Song Of Ice And Fire." It's much simpler, and much lighter.

A really great story that stays with you.

Glad to have read it. Less chaotic a story than other R.R. Martin Books I have read but impressive all the same.

Seemed to be missing the middle of the story

The book was written in three parts, each part reading like a short story with its own beginning and climax.

I liked the concept of the flyers and it was entertaining, though some of the characters were a bit flat.

My main problem was that the middle of the book seemed to be missing.

Part One: An introduction to Maris - becoming a flyer.
Part Two: An introduction to Val - he becomes a flyer.
Part Three: Maris is old and retires.

Wait a minute... shouldn't there be some story about Maris actually BEING a flyer? There was foreshadowing of other cultures as well as introductions to some interesting characters and situations that were completely dropped.

I wanted to know about the culture in the north where the flyers were kings, or the culture where they worshipped a winged god. I wanted to see the aftermath of Maris bucking the system to help Val get his wings. I wanted to know what happened to her brother.

The lack of these things left me sorely disappointed. I was given only Maris' regrets about all the places she had been and the people she had met (some of whom were mentioned ONLY in narration as Maris is lamenting the loss of her wings). I was hungry for so much more than I was given, and this is why I didn't give this book a better rating.

Dissappointing

Dissappointing from this author. The narration was at best mediocre. would not invest the time listening to it again. I suggest you pick something else.

A Great Feel-Good Underdog Tale

The setting is simple, the premise is easy to follow, and the story is one we've heard before. Yet it is all very compelling. An aristocratic society that controls who can and cannot be a flyer is defied by an adopted orphan of someone of "proper birth." This sets in motion a story all about changing an arguably corrupt system into an "equal rights revolution" for flying. The resources required to be a flyer are scarce, and those who use the wings are revered as close to godlike status. All in all, a great use of a story told before, and definitely not one to pass up. #ClassSystem #revolution #suspenseful #FemaleProtagonist #underdog #TagsGiving #Sweepstakes

unique story and plot

imagine a world where we can fly. we'll your living in that world thanks to air planes, jets, parachutes, gliders etc. but in this one, we are able to fly using a manufactured set of wings. A world about social classes, power, and humanity. about loving what you do enough to die for it. characters you'll love!

Fantastic

Fantastic on every level!

I love the GoT series and was struggling to find something to keep me entertained while waiting for Winds of Winter to be released. I started reading Fevre Dream (also fantastic) at home and wanted another story to listen to while I work. This story was a perfect addition to my audible library! I think the narrator made me like the story even more than if I'd read it by myself. She brought so much life to the characters and made them all unique without making it sound forced or fake.

Very good all around.