Aleksandra Layland

Golden Skye of Ansgar, A Windflower Saga Middle Grade Novel. Approx 26,000 words.

Set in a medieval-like world, "Golden Skye of Ansgar" is a short middle-grade story based on characters from the epic fantasy novel "Of Wisdom and Valor: The Art of War. The Path of Peace." (Part II of the Windflower Saga trilogy). It features a royal family with young children aged from toddlers to twelve years old, their friends, and their animals including horses, ponies, a dog, a cat, and three parrots. Golden Skye is the name of a beautiful golden warhorse mare sent to Queen Keridwen as a gift. In the stable of the Royal Palace, she makes many new friends. Everyone liked her. She was gentle yet brave, calm yet strong, playful yet ready to work hard. Whenever her friends needed help, they knew they could count on her, and Skye becomes involved in several adventures. This book introduces young readers to the characters of King Leofric and Queen Keridwen, the protagonists of "Of Wisdom and Valor" at a stage in their lives when they have only their youngest children at home, and are themselves becoming grandparents for the first time. The story takes place over a four year period, and the older children are sixteen years old by the end of it and ready to embark on their young adult lives. The story gives examples of family and friendship, the care of animals, and qualities of patience, steadfastness, and courage.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite - 5 Stars

Golden Skye of Ansgar is a middle grade novel in the Windflower Saga by Aleksandra Layland. It is a beautiful story that children will love, but can be entertaining for adults and teens as well. Golden Skye is beautifully written, even poetic. It is a story about children and animals. It is an ideal story about an ideal place. I found it refreshing in this age of terrorism and heinous crimes to just have a simple story about growing up and being a good friend. This is something I can read to my kids. This is a story that I would want my children to remember. I think everyone loves horses, and horses are definitely the stars of Golden Skye of Ansgar. Children are prominently featured and parrots have a couple of guest star spots, but this story is mostly about the horses. That is what I like most about it.

Golden Skye is told with beautiful words. Aleksandra Layland uses words to create beautiful images that tell of a fairy tale-like country that every young reader will be eager to read about and even dream of visiting one day. The plot is simple, but rolls along at a pace that is appropriate for young readers. The characters are mostly children and animals with a few necessary spots allotted to parents and a few other adults. The writing is great. I think young readers and adults will love the way this tale is told, and I think the potential for this novel and the entire series is quite good.