Magical Realism | Historical Fantasy
Rider of the Wind
Book 3 of The Bardic Isles Series
By Marla Himeda
Over two centuries before the birth of Kaelin, the Bardic Order in Eire is at its zenith and the Gift is prevalent, the possession of Bards and Masters who know and understand its power. But long-standing tensions between the Bardic and Druidic Orders are mounting, and their uneasy alliance is in danger of collapsing. The only Master Bard who sees the horrifying shape of the future is training Cyral, the most gifted among them, to master the dangerous and unpredictable music of the elements. And far to the north, Daithi, the most powerful Grovekeeper in the Druidic Order, is training a young village boy in a Druidic Gift that only the two of them possess ... a gift which no one realizes is vital to the Bardic Order’s survival.
Published by: Marla Himeda
Publication Date: 9/22/25
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-959900-07-8
Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-959900-10-8
Paperback Trim: 5.25" x 8" - 425 pages
Format: Paperback, Kindle, KU, and audiobook
Available: all major retailers
Wholesale: via IngramSpark
Contact the author to purchase multiple copies at a discount for your book club.
Experience the Music of the Bardic Isles
in a unique audiobook, composed by the author and narrated by Will Hahn
Editorial Reviews for Rider of the Wind
“Himeda has once again crafted a lyrical saga that balances plenty of action with a thoughtful meditation on friendship, chosen family, and the power of believing in oneself. There is no denying the powerful positivity infusing the novel's strong and elegant prose. A melodic adventure that plumbs the depths of art and politics in a series entry that can more than stand on its own.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Himeda’s prose is lush, engrossing, and mesmerizing. Readers will not only feel fully immersed in the storytelling, but sense they are witnessing something truly special. Himeda has created a vital, sometimes surreal, always inventive fantasy realm governed by the power of music. Readers most in-tune with this stunning work of fantasy will appreciate its figurative elements and grasp what lies at its core: a pure, exultant celebration of the magic of music.”
– The BookLife Prize
“A captivating fantasy novel, richly told and highly unpredictable. A Wishing Shelf recommended read. And ‘WOW!’, is it good. This author is so talented, offering readers a host of complex and often charismatic characters to get to know, to root for, and to boo! Also, like the other books in the set, ‘music’ is still a vital part of the story, adding a richness to the plot which I loved. Now, do you need to read book 1 and 2 first? Personally, I’d recommend it, but you don’t need to as, at the end of the day, this is set before them. But this novel offers a lot of backstory to the Gift and to the Bards and Masters which, in turn, adds enjoyment to all the books.”
– The Wishing Shelf ​​​​​​