Book Review: Abridged Edition: Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice (Part III of the Windflower Saga) By Aleksandra Layland

This is an abridged edition of "Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice. (Part III of the Windflower Saga trilogy). Abridged by the author. Set in a time not now and in a world, not of our own. Centuries have passed since the Kingdom of Kimbria became a crowned republic. Peace and prosperity foster its entrance into an age of scientific discovery and early industrial development. Even so, pirates and crime rings continue to operate throughout the region, and injustice still rears its ugly head. A man sick in body, mind, and spirit stands on the deck of a steamship approaching the southern coast of Kimbria. He’s traveled far to come here. Disgraced and dishonored in his own homeland, convicted of a crime he can’t even remember, he’s lost any hope in his future. All he can think of now is silencing the screams he hears in the nightmares that disturb his sleep. Married by proxy and in name, only to a widow he’s never met, exiled from all he holds dear, he can’t imagine that the rugged cliffs before him will lead the way to love, healing, and justice.

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Review

Having read the original, I was able to read Far Haven in 2 days instead of 3 or 4…or more days. Still, I am not sure what exactly Layland took out. The story though does seem more straightforward. All the great key elements that made Far Haven so great and engrossing are still intact.

We meet Tribune Loris Kennet who gets himself quite in a pickle. Problem is he does not remember it. Others do and accuse him of a horrible crime. He is banished from his homeland. A hot mess and addicted to drugs and booze due to these horrid nightmares he has had. Loris is then for safety purposes is married off (just for appearances) to an unknown widow in another country. Kerriwen the widow though finds out his drug habit and helps to heal him. In the process, he discovers the truth behind the crime he was told he committed. It is then a quest for justice as in the midst Loris starts to fall for Kerriwen. Does she for him? You are going to have to read this epic tale yourself. 

If you are worried you might not be able to follow along since its book III do not worry. You do not have to read the first two book to really understand the story. Reading them in order though tells the tale of the long ducal family line of Ansgar in their world not of our own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Layland is a retired civil engineer and a federal civil servant who worked primarily for the United States Air Force as a senior installation engineering manager responsible for buildings, airfields, infrastructure, fire protection, and emergency preparedness. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Western Caroline Islands where she helped build school classrooms and cafeterias, low-income housing, and simple village water distribution systems. Her other interests include arts and crafts, family genealogy, religion, and spirituality, fostering peace in the world, and enjoying retirement with family and friends.

The Windflower Saga series is comprised of the following volumes which trace the lives of members of the fictional Ansgar ducal family against a background of struggles between forces such as good and evil, love and hate, and war and peace. The series is a unique blending of traditional love stories and adventure and action stories in an "other world" setting, with serious spiritual and moral themes which are addressed in an overall uplifting tone. For all that the characters may face harsh realities, the story of the Ansgar family is a happy one.

Part I of the Trilogy:

"Ansgar: The Struggle of a People. The Triumph of the Heart."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part I:

"The Feathered Crown"

"Far Endeavor"

"Three Brothers of Ansgar"

"Bright Star, A Pony of the Kimbrii, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"

"Tiyo, The Dog Who Saved Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Story for Kids"

Part II of the Trilogy:

"Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part II:

"Bind Not the Heart"

"Leofric of Longridge"

"Keri and Kalina, A Windflower Saga Chapter Book"

"Golden Skye of Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Middle Grade Novel"

Part III of the Trilogy:

"Far Haven: A Quest for Certitude. A Fight for Justice."

Novellas and Stories Related to Part III:

"Albina"

"Courage of Ansgar"

"Swords of Ansgar"