Wind Follower

McDonnell's promising fantasy debut portrays a land inhabited by the black-skinned Theseni, brown Ibeni and tan Doreni. Peace among the three tribes is disrupted by the paler-skinned, domineering Angleni as well as inner clan conflicts. Loic tyu Taer, the son of the wealthy headman of the Doreni Pagatsu clan, falls in love at first sight with Satha tya Monua, the impoverished but proud daughter of his father's old Theseni friend. Loic requests an immediate marriage and Satha's parents agree, but for Satha, passion takes longer to ignite, and Loic's father's jealous third wife plots to destroy their happiness. The two must reaffirm their faith in each other and the Creator God to find their way through their troubles. McConnell's language is delicate almost to a fault, even as he describes betrayal, rape and slavery, while his elegant, meticulous world-building shimmers with the ambience of an old-world folktale. (Oct.)