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The First Americans #4
Walkers of the Wind
A breathtaking epic of humanity’s first courageous struggles . . . for survival
Mesmerizing, dramatic, unsurpasses in scope and suthenticity, this is the fourth exciting volume of the magnificent new series THE FIRST AMERICANS, which began with Beyond the Sea of Ice and continued with Corridor of Storms and Forbidden Land . Following the trek of the woolly mammoth, the great hunter Torka leads a brave band of survivors across the Arctic tundra. But his leadership is threatened from within by a deadly rivalry between the handsome twins Umak and Manaravak for the love of a beautiful, sensual girl, and from without by a mysterious creature called the wanawut, whose howling awakens primitive and terrifying fears. Now, as a firestorm races across the frost-brittle land, Torka and his faithful woman, Lonit, must begin a dangerous odyssey to the home of the wind—a dark and forbidding region from which no human has ever returned.
Mesmerizing, dramatic, unsurpasses in scope and suthenticity, this is the fourth exciting volume of the magnificent new series THE FIRST AMERICANS, which began with Beyond the Sea of Ice and continued with Corridor of Storms and Forbidden Land . Following the trek of the woolly mammoth, the great hunter Torka leads a brave band of survivors across the Arctic tundra. But his leadership is threatened from within by a deadly rivalry between the handsome twins Umak and Manaravak for the love of a beautiful, sensual girl, and from without by a mysterious creature called the wanawut, whose howling awakens primitive and terrifying fears. Now, as a firestorm races across the frost-brittle land, Torka and his faithful woman, Lonit, must begin a dangerous odyssey to the home of the wind—a dark and forbidding region from which no human has ever returned.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1990
6 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
William Sarabande
22 books114 followersWilliam Sarabande is a pseudonym of Joan Lesley Hamilton Cline.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 26, 2012
I devoured this series when I was about to go into 8th grade. I just remember skipping nights of sleep to see what would happen next.
January 26, 2012
I just finished reading Walkers of the Wind by William Sarabande. It was a good book. I decided to read this one right after the last one, because I just had to see what happened. I'm not sure if I'm going to take a break before the next one or not yet. I'm thinking it might be good to take a break. but who knows.
January 21, 2024
Spoilers... I don't really know why I keep reading these. Incredibly brutal and continuing to linger on the same theme over and over. I was hopeful that the removal of the other sex-crazed band in the last book would mark a new era where Torka's leadership would allow for different themes to arise, but it was still so present in Walkers of the Wind. A title that promised a dive into the legacy of those who leave us and how we can honor their lives.
I grabbed this book after the disappointment of #3 because I was hopeful about the storylines it could have presented including:
The dynamics of Manaravak and Umak's differing origins. How they would grow into young men and under the wonderful leadership of Torka and Lonit. Instead, I was treated to: "Ugh, I wish I had my twin's woman".
There were themes around growing older that were briefly explored with Grek and Torka that I thought could have been more delved into. Unfortunately, it was just a passing thought from the two of them and no real insight other than a few poignant moments.
Larani was an incredible character whom I wish the author had spent more time with. We only really got to know her during the closing acts of the book. What a strong-minded and thoughtful woman who was still plagued by the want of being desired.
Demmi. I was so annoyed at the author's obsession with sex and taboo. Demmi's sudden desire of coupling with her brother was so out of left field that it just felt forced and read more like a hastily-written fan fiction. Demmi had so much more depth to her and I was very sad about the author's treatment of her right as her character started to shine. I truly felt grief when the author mentioned the longspur again, a beautiful callback to the headstrong child she was a few books ago.
It should be a 1 star, but somehow I find myself enthralled with what happens next. I'm recognizing a pattern of the author to introduce incredible storylines right at the end of the books that cause me to run to my nearest half price books to get the next one. There were some wonderful moments, but overall, a disappointing entry to what could have been a 5-star continuation to a series that only truly shines when focusing on the weight of Torka's decisions and the effects they have on the band of humans following him.
I'm hopeful for a departure from grotesque, inter-species rape scenes in the next entry, though at this point, I don't know if I can trust the author to go beyond that.
I grabbed this book after the disappointment of #3 because I was hopeful about the storylines it could have presented including:
The dynamics of Manaravak and Umak's differing origins. How they would grow into young men and under the wonderful leadership of Torka and Lonit. Instead, I was treated to: "Ugh, I wish I had my twin's woman".
There were themes around growing older that were briefly explored with Grek and Torka that I thought could have been more delved into. Unfortunately, it was just a passing thought from the two of them and no real insight other than a few poignant moments.
Larani was an incredible character whom I wish the author had spent more time with. We only really got to know her during the closing acts of the book. What a strong-minded and thoughtful woman who was still plagued by the want of being desired.
Demmi. I was so annoyed at the author's obsession with sex and taboo. Demmi's sudden desire of coupling with her brother was so out of left field that it just felt forced and read more like a hastily-written fan fiction. Demmi had so much more depth to her and I was very sad about the author's treatment of her right as her character started to shine. I truly felt grief when the author mentioned the longspur again, a beautiful callback to the headstrong child she was a few books ago.
It should be a 1 star, but somehow I find myself enthralled with what happens next. I'm recognizing a pattern of the author to introduce incredible storylines right at the end of the books that cause me to run to my nearest half price books to get the next one. There were some wonderful moments, but overall, a disappointing entry to what could have been a 5-star continuation to a series that only truly shines when focusing on the weight of Torka's decisions and the effects they have on the band of humans following him.
I'm hopeful for a departure from grotesque, inter-species rape scenes in the next entry, though at this point, I don't know if I can trust the author to go beyond that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
Every book in this series tops the last, handedly. This was no exception.
The fourth book in the series and final book of Torka's story sees the band facing a crisis from within.
While the spirits of the dead walk among the living to make life hard and strange, the lives of the people become more tangled and tense than ever.
Unlike the past three books wherein danger followed the band relentlessly, the drama in Walkers of the Wind is mostly cerebral.
The children of torka are grown and each face different challenges of identity and relationships within the band.
The grandaughter of Navahk grows into a perfect menace that constantly begs the reader to question their own interpretation of the people and their ways.
The elders of the band struggle with age and purpose while attempting to protect their legacy in a strange new world.
The first three books played a constant game of existential action that kept me on the edge of my seat. This book plays a strange interpersonal game that made me uneasy the entire time.
Putting this book to rest, along with the story of Torka and Lonit, hit hard... and somehow it also made me all the more excited to follow the many stories of those that would come after.
The fourth book in the series and final book of Torka's story sees the band facing a crisis from within.
While the spirits of the dead walk among the living to make life hard and strange, the lives of the people become more tangled and tense than ever.
Unlike the past three books wherein danger followed the band relentlessly, the drama in Walkers of the Wind is mostly cerebral.
The children of torka are grown and each face different challenges of identity and relationships within the band.
The grandaughter of Navahk grows into a perfect menace that constantly begs the reader to question their own interpretation of the people and their ways.
The elders of the band struggle with age and purpose while attempting to protect their legacy in a strange new world.
The first three books played a constant game of existential action that kept me on the edge of my seat. This book plays a strange interpersonal game that made me uneasy the entire time.
Putting this book to rest, along with the story of Torka and Lonit, hit hard... and somehow it also made me all the more excited to follow the many stories of those that would come after.
September 6, 2025
Oof. This one was ROUGH.
For all the praise I gave the previous installment, this one feels like it is JUST trying to be shocking for the sake of being shocking and all interesting character writing has been thrown out the window in favor of this. Gone are the days of well-written relationships and likable yet flawed characters, in this book pretty much everyone sucks (including our POVs) and 90% of the plot is just various squabbles between our leads about who gets to have sex with who.
Legitimately the only aspect I liked is Larani, the rest is honestly pretty trash. Not the worst book I've ever read, but just bad.
For all the praise I gave the previous installment, this one feels like it is JUST trying to be shocking for the sake of being shocking and all interesting character writing has been thrown out the window in favor of this. Gone are the days of well-written relationships and likable yet flawed characters, in this book pretty much everyone sucks (including our POVs) and 90% of the plot is just various squabbles between our leads about who gets to have sex with who.
Legitimately the only aspect I liked is Larani, the rest is honestly pretty trash. Not the worst book I've ever read, but just bad.
February 6, 2019
As of I read from ch4 I'm a little diappointed. The book 3 left off with them going in search of their post advanced son. And at the beginning of book 4 time has last a year or two after they found him. I wanted to read about their reunion and their thought and feelings of him bringing raise by a beast
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September 6, 2019Great story..loved following the characters and learning more about the time period. I started the next book but it has jumped several generations into the future..having a hard time getting into the next book. I highly recommend the first 4, though!
February 17, 2019
so realistic.. great story line too.
March 31, 2019
Okay, but parts of it were very disturbing.
January 9, 2020
This series gets better and better.
October 30, 2020
A very good series.
May 27, 2021
Book 4 closes Torka's story. Very enjoyable if somewhat bloody like the other 3.
The Gear team has a better set of similar Early American tales starting with People of the Wolf.
The Gear team has a better set of similar Early American tales starting with People of the Wolf.
March 9, 2022
Absolutely BRILLIANT explanation of the folklore.
June 25, 2022
*2.5/5 stars*
January 24, 2023
This is one of my favorite stories, these first 4 books are about this courageous couple.... I do like how the story moves down into their ancestors... I am on to the next one!
April 15, 2022
Wowie wow...
It's crazy because I read the other three books in the series and still somehow I was not prepared for some of the content in this one? TW: Incest, Violence, Sexual Assault, perhaps more, idk I may have blacked out after awhile.
Despite all of the concerning content, I still loved these books!
It's crazy because I read the other three books in the series and still somehow I was not prepared for some of the content in this one? TW: Incest, Violence, Sexual Assault, perhaps more, idk I may have blacked out after awhile.
Despite all of the concerning content, I still loved these books!
September 6, 2017
Een mooi boek, erg leerzaam. Soms wel heftig en moeilijk door het constante wisselen van oogpunten.
February 25, 2013
Yikes, this book was pretty much glorified violence. But we'll get back to that. "Walkers of the Wind" is the fourth book in the First Americans saga by William Sarabande. This is a series meant to be read in order, so you need to go start at "Beyond the Sea of Ice".
Torka and his band have lived in the Eastern lands for awhile, and they have lived well. With him as headsman, life has settled into a routine and they have been able to watch their children grow. But that all changes one day when a prairie fire sweeps the land. Some of his band are injured and they must move, ever onward, and ever eastward. Things are further complicated when both of his twin sons want the same girl and jealousy rises between them. And considering the girl has brought nothing but trouble, Torka isn't sure how to handle the rising animosity between the members of his band.
Torka was actually better in this book. He made firm, level-headed decisions. Lonit, sadly, was again mostly in the background. She went from being such a strong character to being only a mother, and while that's an important job, she only gets that role to show off her unique qualities. She's more than that. Naya, the troublesome girl who both twins like doesn't have any redeeming qualities. We're supposed to dislike her for most of the novel, and that is very easy to do. She's the equivalent of a spoiled brat kid who can never get enough new toys in today's world. Larani, her playmate, on the other hand is another strong character who faces a lot of hardships and overcomes them. I could probably detail out the rest of Torka's band for you, but if you read the series, you'll get a chance to know them.
While I was glad to see the continuation of the series and what happened to Torka's band, there was a lot of upheaval in this book. And it ended in a way I didn't really expect and made me wonder what the next book would cover. The writing was descriptive, as usual. But the problem is this time it was too descriptive when it came to the violence and hard things. Sarabande always has hard topics in this series. But there was a lot of rape in this one. Including an overly descriptive rape scene of a child that I had to skim over because it was too hard to read. And there's not much that is too hard for me to read, so I'm telling you, this was bad. As said before, it just seemed like glorified violence, like Sarabande was trying very hard just to shock people. It kind of ruined the book for me.
I'll still continue reading the series, mainly because I have more books sitting on my shelf, but I hope that a few changes are made. I enjoy reading about the life and journies of the people in this book, but I don't enjoy violence that is meant to shock rather than improve the quality of the book.
Walkers of the Wind
Copyright 1990
420 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Torka and his band have lived in the Eastern lands for awhile, and they have lived well. With him as headsman, life has settled into a routine and they have been able to watch their children grow. But that all changes one day when a prairie fire sweeps the land. Some of his band are injured and they must move, ever onward, and ever eastward. Things are further complicated when both of his twin sons want the same girl and jealousy rises between them. And considering the girl has brought nothing but trouble, Torka isn't sure how to handle the rising animosity between the members of his band.
Torka was actually better in this book. He made firm, level-headed decisions. Lonit, sadly, was again mostly in the background. She went from being such a strong character to being only a mother, and while that's an important job, she only gets that role to show off her unique qualities. She's more than that. Naya, the troublesome girl who both twins like doesn't have any redeeming qualities. We're supposed to dislike her for most of the novel, and that is very easy to do. She's the equivalent of a spoiled brat kid who can never get enough new toys in today's world. Larani, her playmate, on the other hand is another strong character who faces a lot of hardships and overcomes them. I could probably detail out the rest of Torka's band for you, but if you read the series, you'll get a chance to know them.
While I was glad to see the continuation of the series and what happened to Torka's band, there was a lot of upheaval in this book. And it ended in a way I didn't really expect and made me wonder what the next book would cover. The writing was descriptive, as usual. But the problem is this time it was too descriptive when it came to the violence and hard things. Sarabande always has hard topics in this series. But there was a lot of rape in this one. Including an overly descriptive rape scene of a child that I had to skim over because it was too hard to read. And there's not much that is too hard for me to read, so I'm telling you, this was bad. As said before, it just seemed like glorified violence, like Sarabande was trying very hard just to shock people. It kind of ruined the book for me.
I'll still continue reading the series, mainly because I have more books sitting on my shelf, but I hope that a few changes are made. I enjoy reading about the life and journies of the people in this book, but I don't enjoy violence that is meant to shock rather than improve the quality of the book.
Walkers of the Wind
Copyright 1990
420 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
December 20, 2012
Walkers of the Wind bring to a close the saga of Torka and his band. After disasters that include fire that split the group when they are swept away in the river, traveling to the sea and learning to hunt seal, they return to the land of the Wanawut, this book's version of "Big Foot". Manaravak, who was raised by a Wanawut female does not want to kill them and does not act quickly when the come and attack the camp and kidnap two children. Larani, a young girl who was badly burned in the fire goes after them and attempts to free the children. Manaravak, realizing his error goes after them to kill the Wanawuts. Torka, not knowing this, goes after Manarvak to kill him as he thinks Manaravak has decided to go with the Wanawuts. He is loathe to kill his son that was taken from him at birth, but feels he has no choice. When Torka finds out that Manaravak killed Wanawut to rescue Larani and the children, he changes his mind. Umak, Manaravak's twin brother wants to return to the land of seals and Manaravak wants to go to the land the Wanawuts live. The band splits up and plans to meet up again in one year for a gathering. Torka, feeling his age, makes Umak and Manravak headmem of thier separate groups and decides to go off by himself. He finds that his woman, Lonit has followed him as they had promised each other to always be together. The books ends as they head off for a new land and eventually to "walk with the spirits". I will continue to read the rest of the series.
January 12, 2022
While I liked this book, I hated the characters. As well as the usual cast (that I love), this book centered more on Lonit and Torka's children coming of age. And Naya. I hated her. From the very beginning, she was a selfish little creature. Much like her father, I suppose. Endangering the band at every turn, causing death and mayhem.
And Manaravat, always, always, slobbering after her, and never leaving the ways of the wanawut behind, until of course, he sees a full grown wanawut (which is described as basically a large human-like gorilla) raping a tiny human girl in the last 5% of the book.
This was the last of Torka and Lonit, which makes me very sad, but I'm looking forward to the next books, as always.
And Manaravat, always, always, slobbering after her, and never leaving the ways of the wanawut behind, until of course, he sees a full grown wanawut (which is described as basically a large human-like gorilla) raping a tiny human girl in the last 5% of the book.
This was the last of Torka and Lonit, which makes me very sad, but I'm looking forward to the next books, as always.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2016
I didn't finish the last few pages, the story being told was too disgusting. It's disappointing because I was very involved with the characters and their journey but, let's just say things got to "savage" for my tastes. I had another book in the series but, I won't be reading that one either. If this book had taken another route I would have been much happier to give a better rating and, continue reading the series. It's just my personal choice.
January 23, 2009
This the forth and last installment of the first americans saga that I would recommend reading. Doesn't mean that you shouldn't the others. After reading this sequal, you will know the reason I am not endorsing anymore of the William Sarabande series. However, do read this book.
August 23, 2016
I read the whole series some I liked other I didn't.
April 17, 2010
The story can be nicely finished at this point and I didn't read any further with this series after this. If you enjoy the Earths Children series these books are very appealing too!
December 26, 2010
great series
August 12, 2013
Loved it!
May 15, 2013
this book had alot of difficult situations in it and was a bit dark. the ending kinda drops off and leaves you wondering what next.
October 2, 2013
I liked it.
December 2, 2015
The whole series is a great read. Hard to put down. Want to read it again.
May 24, 2016
At times I hated this book. I detested most of the main characters and almost stopped reading twice. But, the end gave me hope and I may stick with the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews