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The Wind on Fire Trilogy #3
Firesong
The Manth people are at last free to seek their promised land, led by Bowman and Kestrel's mother, a prophetess. But the journey is long and hard, filled with many dangers, enemies, distractions, and temptations. And each of the travelers is preoccupied with his or her own worries. Bowman is torn between his attraction to Sisi, a former princess, and what he believes is his destiny-to sacrifice himself for the good of the people. Kestrel also feels a pull toward a mission, toward something-but for some reason, she cannot envision her life beyond the journey.
341 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
45 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
William Nicholson
211 books478 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
William Nicholson was born in 1948, and grew up in Sussex and Gloucestershire. His plays for television include Shadowlands and Life Story , both of which won the BAFTA Best Television Drama award in their year; other award-winners were Sweet As You Are and The March . In 1988 he received the Royal Television Society's Writer's Award. His first play, an adaptation of Shadowlands for the stage, was Evening Standard Best Play of 1990, and went on to a Tony Award winning run on Broadway. He was nominated for an Oscar for the screenplay of the film version, which was directed by Richard Attenborough and starred Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Since then he has written more films - Sarafina, Nell, First Knight, Grey Owl , and Gladiator (as co-writer), for which he received a second Oscar nomination. He has written and directed his own film, Firelight ; and three further stage plays, Map of the Heart , Katherine Howard and The Retreat from Moscow , which ran for five months on Broadway and received three Tony Award nominations.
His novel for older children, The Wind Singer, won the Smarties Prize Gold Award on publication in 2000, and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2001. Its sequel, Slaves of the Mastery , was published in May 2001, and the final volume in the trilogy, Firesong , in May 2002. The trilogy has been sold in every major foreign market, from the US to China.
He is now at work on a new sequence of novels for older children, called The Noble Warriors . The first book, Seeker , was published in the UK in September 2005.The second book, Jango, in 2006 and the third book NOMAN, will be published in September 2007.
His novels for adults are The Society of Others (April 2004) and The Trial of True Love (April 2005).
He lives in Sussex with his wife Virginia and their three children.
from williamnicholson.co.uk
William Nicholson was born in 1948, and grew up in Sussex and Gloucestershire. His plays for television include Shadowlands and Life Story , both of which won the BAFTA Best Television Drama award in their year; other award-winners were Sweet As You Are and The March . In 1988 he received the Royal Television Society's Writer's Award. His first play, an adaptation of Shadowlands for the stage, was Evening Standard Best Play of 1990, and went on to a Tony Award winning run on Broadway. He was nominated for an Oscar for the screenplay of the film version, which was directed by Richard Attenborough and starred Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Since then he has written more films - Sarafina, Nell, First Knight, Grey Owl , and Gladiator (as co-writer), for which he received a second Oscar nomination. He has written and directed his own film, Firelight ; and three further stage plays, Map of the Heart , Katherine Howard and The Retreat from Moscow , which ran for five months on Broadway and received three Tony Award nominations.
His novel for older children, The Wind Singer, won the Smarties Prize Gold Award on publication in 2000, and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2001. Its sequel, Slaves of the Mastery , was published in May 2001, and the final volume in the trilogy, Firesong , in May 2002. The trilogy has been sold in every major foreign market, from the US to China.
He is now at work on a new sequence of novels for older children, called The Noble Warriors . The first book, Seeker , was published in the UK in September 2005.The second book, Jango, in 2006 and the third book NOMAN, will be published in September 2007.
His novels for adults are The Society of Others (April 2004) and The Trial of True Love (April 2005).
He lives in Sussex with his wife Virginia and their three children.
from williamnicholson.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
January 29, 2009
There is something about this series that got under my skin like nothing else. I was absolutely transported by it. It's so fantastical, but so unlike any other fantasy. It doesn't fit the usual conventions of any kind of fantasy/epic story as far as I can tell. The first book starts out as a very cool story about a distopian society, which we've all seen before, but the series quickly becomes a much more philosophical and at times downright trippy exploration of... well, pretty much every aspect of humanity. I realize that makes it sound all deep (which it is) but it's mostly an adventure in which you never EVER know what is going to happen next.
August 20, 2011
Meh...much as I liked the first two, this one definitely wasn't up to scratch. Despite being pivotal to the world's salvation, Bowman and Kestrel's journey to the homeland was incredibly uneventful - no battles, no real 'world scale' drama. Not to mention Sisi seems to have had a complete character transplant from one book to another, losing a lot of much-needed humour. Character development is all well and good, but she was unrecognisable as the Princess from 'Slaves of the Mastery'. Her relationship with Bowman felt forced and I couldn't really cheer for them. She became flat and seemed to care less about Kestrel as the story went on, as though she had no need of her now she had a boyfriend.
Bowman himself was more irritating than usual. His angst and complete and utter passivity were annoying in previous books, but are amped to the full in Firesong. I was irked beyond belief that it was Kestrel who had to give her life in the end and not him. The implication that it had to be her because she had no interest in marriage and children was also unfortunate, as though someone is worth less if they don't intend to start a family. I'm probably reading too much into it (hell, I thought the first book was an ode to socialism at the ~annoyingly precocious~ age of 12,) but it seemed implied. Whatever the reason, she was a far more interesting character than Bowman - one of the better female characters out there, quite frankly - and the conclusion annoyed me.
Bowman himself was more irritating than usual. His angst and complete and utter passivity were annoying in previous books, but are amped to the full in Firesong. I was irked beyond belief that it was Kestrel who had to give her life in the end and not him. The implication that it had to be her because she had no interest in marriage and children was also unfortunate, as though someone is worth less if they don't intend to start a family. I'm probably reading too much into it (hell, I thought the first book was an ode to socialism at the ~annoyingly precocious~ age of 12,) but it seemed implied. Whatever the reason, she was a far more interesting character than Bowman - one of the better female characters out there, quite frankly - and the conclusion annoyed me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
Maybe 3.5. An interesting and enjoyable read, though a few of the details of the ending were a bit of a let down to me.
November 26, 2010
This is the first book I've ever cried upon. It's the first time, in which my blasphemous tears disgraced a hallow shrine. A perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. and oh, the memories!
Yet, the ending is a little puzzling. I may have inerpretated it in a wrong way. But for me, even though there are diffrent apprehensions that I've read in the internet to the end of the book, it fits to say that I consider what i believe on what happened to Bowman and Kestrel is the ideal and most beautiful ending for a trilogy as hugely ambitious as The Wind On Fire trilogy.
Yet, the ending is a little puzzling. I may have inerpretated it in a wrong way. But for me, even though there are diffrent apprehensions that I've read in the internet to the end of the book, it fits to say that I consider what i believe on what happened to Bowman and Kestrel is the ideal and most beautiful ending for a trilogy as hugely ambitious as The Wind On Fire trilogy.
January 17, 2017
"She felt young and strong and full of hope. And now, with a sudden intensity, she wanted to be alone. Why should it ever end? Why shouldn't we love each other forever?
We do, came her brother's answer, We will.
Hand in hand, they left the bright glade together, and returned through the trees to their people. They said nothing about what had changed, for what could be said that they did not already know?"
Firesong was a heart-wrenching ending to the Wind on Fire series, but with the proliferation of characters and mixed messages about puberty, I found myself more frustrated with the book that enlightened by its messages.
The first incident the Manth people encounter on their journey, the separation of the young fertile girls from the main group by bandits, sets the uncomfortable tone for the rest of the novel. For the maturity and adulthood of the female character seems to rob them of their agency, their individuality, as witnessed by the homogenisation of the Manth girls (with the exception of Kestrel), and the need for the young men to rescue them. This theme appears again and again, with many of the adult female characters being paired off and appearing as weak side-kicks to their stronger male partners. The final few chapters obsess over marriages and child-bearing, casting these named female characters as nothing more than the "young mothers", where the young men increasingly monopolise the physical tasks that are essential to the story. I found all of this incredibly disappointing, as Kestrel's strong will was one of the best and most unique features of this series. To have her drowned out by Sisi, who is nothing more than an exaggerated self-suffering beauty who relies on a man for all her happiness and justification for existence, made me feel soiled. Why is Sisi special just because she is beautiful? Why does she get everything she wants, without any action requires on her part, without showing any motivation which might have made her admirable if flawed? What sort of message is that sending to young adult readers?
The one redeeming feature of this book is Kestrel's beautiful sacrifice. Bowman's complex over his nature as a chosen-one fated to die makes him unsuitable for the role, even his humility as saviour is arrogant in comparison with Kestrel's all-consuming, self-effacing love. She is the true chosen. She holds the true power. And she is not awed or celebrated even in memory, she is forgotten by her own mother at her death, and not mentioned at all by any of her family but Bowman. Kestrel's overwhelming compassion in which she allowed Bowman to take ownership of the angst and pride of the chosen-one on her behalf is rendered with such simplicity it is utterly believable. "You are not to be the saviour. You are to be saved." She was brave, and selfless, and talented. I just wish there had been more recognition of what she did for her people. Alright, so she didn't pick a husband and bear him half-a-dozen children, but she contributed everything of her body mind and soul, and no one seemed to care.
I care, Kess. I really admire you.
We do, came her brother's answer, We will.
Hand in hand, they left the bright glade together, and returned through the trees to their people. They said nothing about what had changed, for what could be said that they did not already know?"
Firesong was a heart-wrenching ending to the Wind on Fire series, but with the proliferation of characters and mixed messages about puberty, I found myself more frustrated with the book that enlightened by its messages.
The first incident the Manth people encounter on their journey, the separation of the young fertile girls from the main group by bandits, sets the uncomfortable tone for the rest of the novel. For the maturity and adulthood of the female character seems to rob them of their agency, their individuality, as witnessed by the homogenisation of the Manth girls (with the exception of Kestrel), and the need for the young men to rescue them. This theme appears again and again, with many of the adult female characters being paired off and appearing as weak side-kicks to their stronger male partners. The final few chapters obsess over marriages and child-bearing, casting these named female characters as nothing more than the "young mothers", where the young men increasingly monopolise the physical tasks that are essential to the story. I found all of this incredibly disappointing, as Kestrel's strong will was one of the best and most unique features of this series. To have her drowned out by Sisi, who is nothing more than an exaggerated self-suffering beauty who relies on a man for all her happiness and justification for existence, made me feel soiled. Why is Sisi special just because she is beautiful? Why does she get everything she wants, without any action requires on her part, without showing any motivation which might have made her admirable if flawed? What sort of message is that sending to young adult readers?
The one redeeming feature of this book is Kestrel's beautiful sacrifice. Bowman's complex over his nature as a chosen-one fated to die makes him unsuitable for the role, even his humility as saviour is arrogant in comparison with Kestrel's all-consuming, self-effacing love. She is the true chosen. She holds the true power. And she is not awed or celebrated even in memory, she is forgotten by her own mother at her death, and not mentioned at all by any of her family but Bowman. Kestrel's overwhelming compassion in which she allowed Bowman to take ownership of the angst and pride of the chosen-one on her behalf is rendered with such simplicity it is utterly believable. "You are not to be the saviour. You are to be saved." She was brave, and selfless, and talented. I just wish there had been more recognition of what she did for her people. Alright, so she didn't pick a husband and bear him half-a-dozen children, but she contributed everything of her body mind and soul, and no one seemed to care.
I care, Kess. I really admire you.
August 8, 2020
This is a sweet ending to the trilogy, and I was touched by a lot of moments as the book wrapped up. There were too many little issues that I had though (sexism, fatphobia and the like) that at the least pulled me out of the story and ruined those sections of the book. This was published by a man and in 2002, but I still hoped for better.
At its core though, this is a great ya fantasy that I wish I had read when I was younger.
At its core though, this is a great ya fantasy that I wish I had read when I was younger.
April 23, 2021
The Manth people have left the Mastery behind and began their journey to the homeland. The world has entered into the time of cruelty before it will be purged by the mysterious wind on fire. Ira Hath's strength is failing her day by day but she must guide her people to the homeland. Bowman is awaiting his summons to join the Singer people and play his part in the fate of the world but he can't imagine leaving the people he loves. Kestrel is torn watching her mothers health decline and her brother prepare to leave her forever but she feels her part to play in all of this isn't over. Witness the epic conclusion to the Wind on Fire trilogy where the world will never be the same.
I almost didn't read this book. I didn't enjoy Slaves of the Mastery very much and so part of me wanted to just forget that this series had two other books following the Wind Singer. However, I decided that I'd come this far already I might as well finish it and I'm really glad I did. The plot was even and a lot more fun. There was lots of action and I was never bored. I loved the conclusion, especially the moment where the impossible suddenly became possible!
Another thing I'd struggled with in Slaves of the Mastery was that the characters felt shallow and I never really connected with them but that was much improved with this book. You could feel Kestrel and Bowman's pain at the thought of separation and also the hopelessness that the Manth people felt at many points in their journey. I'm still figuring out if I liked how the author had names for all thirty of the Manth people. On the one hand I thought it was cool that everyone on the journey was given a voice and how you were given lots of different perspectives not just that of the main character. On the other hand though it was distracting and took my focus away from the plot while I tried to figure out who was who.
Overall a solid ending to the Wind on Fire trilogy. I would say that if you make it through Slaves of the Mastery then keep going! it will be worth it in the end. Happy Reading :)
I almost didn't read this book. I didn't enjoy Slaves of the Mastery very much and so part of me wanted to just forget that this series had two other books following the Wind Singer. However, I decided that I'd come this far already I might as well finish it and I'm really glad I did. The plot was even and a lot more fun. There was lots of action and I was never bored. I loved the conclusion, especially the moment where the impossible suddenly became possible!
Another thing I'd struggled with in Slaves of the Mastery was that the characters felt shallow and I never really connected with them but that was much improved with this book. You could feel Kestrel and Bowman's pain at the thought of separation and also the hopelessness that the Manth people felt at many points in their journey. I'm still figuring out if I liked how the author had names for all thirty of the Manth people. On the one hand I thought it was cool that everyone on the journey was given a voice and how you were given lots of different perspectives not just that of the main character. On the other hand though it was distracting and took my focus away from the plot while I tried to figure out who was who.
Overall a solid ending to the Wind on Fire trilogy. I would say that if you make it through Slaves of the Mastery then keep going! it will be worth it in the end. Happy Reading :)
July 11, 2017
2,5 ama 3 değil.
Kısa olmasaydı ikinci kitabın üzerine hemen başlamazdım büyük ihtimalle. Neyse ki ikinci kitapla karşılaştırıldığında biraz daha iyiydi.
Kısa olmasaydı ikinci kitabın üzerine hemen başlamazdım büyük ihtimalle. Neyse ki ikinci kitapla karşılaştırıldığında biraz daha iyiydi.
August 30, 2019
This book had some Alice in Wonderland elements like the first one did.
story 3/5
characters 3/5
writing 3/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Maybe.
story 3/5
characters 3/5
writing 3/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Maybe.
June 23, 2024
A wonderful end to a warm, and really touching story. The last chapter had me in tears and really rounded out the story well. Great trilogy and would recommend to anyone.
November 9, 2018
Well, this series has finally limped to a confusing and unsatisfying conclusion. I initially liked this final installment better than the second, and I still think overall it is slightly better, simply because it has a more consistent tone. The first was quirky and charming with hints of seriousness, the second was a bizarre blend of dark despair and quirky humor, and the third is just plain dark, though still illogical.
The novel chronicles the journey of our heroes towards the “homeland” and their wish to carry on the Manth people in this mystical place that they are searching for with the help of Ira Hath, doomed prophetess. The homeland is by far the most irksome part of this plot, as there is virtually no reason to assume that this place will be any better than where they currently are. What, are there no people in it? Why is it better than the cultivated lands of the Mastery, which they just freed from slavery? What about the jungle where no one lives and that is warm year-round and has plenty of free food? There is no reason to fight through all of the hardships they are going through, and the promise of happiness is so vague and so unrelated to anything that is going on around them that I have a hard time believing in it.
As a matter of fact, the entire book is vague. Random unconnected events happen to them constantly. They wander through a desert area at first with few plants, no trees, and little food. Then, they wander into increasing cold and snow until they are nearly buried in it and almost freeze. Then, they wander into a valley, all of the snow melts, and they walk into a tropical jungle. Where are they? What the what? Later, they wander into huge mountain ranges, they sail on extensive rivers, and they make their way to the ocean. What does this map look like?
The “wind on fire” that they are fleeing from is also incredibly vague. They are all afraid of being “swept away” by it, and it is a little confusing if this is supposed to be metaphorical or not. About two-thirds of the way through the novel they suddenly start talking about a war that is happening “everywhere” with roving bands killing innocents and thousands of people fleeing. What? What war is this? Between whom? No countries, ideologies, or affiliations mentioned. Where are these people fleeing? There is a bizarre scene in which we are treated to a panorama of roving bands of murderers killing innocent people everywhere, when there has been zero hint of this on the journey at all. They have been wandering through unpopulated wastes up until the point that Nicholson arbitrarily decides to populate them again. This war is talked of as the building wind right up until the end What?
The two main characters are now lost in a miasma of despair, prophecy and doomed certainty of their fate. Every new experience they look on as more proof of their doom. Every good thing they experience makes them sad because they know that soon they will be separated from each other and die. Both of them look sadly on potential love interests and shake their heads because they know they will die soon. They look on trouble and sigh because they know that it won’t matter soon, when they are dead. They accept their weird premonitions of fate and make no effort to change anything. This is the absolute worst way to handle prophecy in novels. The mystics that kidnap and make use of the kids are poorly developed and have impenetrable motivations that are made even more annoying as everyone just accepts them as patently obvious and sensible.
Overall, this book was a terrible mess. I think Nicholson might have been going for some deep themes, but nothing is consistent or clear, so it is hard to follow what point he is trying to make. Some of the sequences are so weird and symbolic that it feels like he is going for an allegory a la Pilgrim’s Progress, but I can’t figure out what anything is supposed to symbolize. I cannot think of a single theme that this novel could potentially be about. Hope is good? Love is… there? Family is worth sacrificing for? You have a fate and then the end? Maybe if the characters stopped reacting like resigned couch potatoes watching a movie that they were only mildly emotionally invested in and talked like real people I could have gotten into it more. As it is, this is worth very little and I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Read the first one, and then leave it at that.
The novel chronicles the journey of our heroes towards the “homeland” and their wish to carry on the Manth people in this mystical place that they are searching for with the help of Ira Hath, doomed prophetess. The homeland is by far the most irksome part of this plot, as there is virtually no reason to assume that this place will be any better than where they currently are. What, are there no people in it? Why is it better than the cultivated lands of the Mastery, which they just freed from slavery? What about the jungle where no one lives and that is warm year-round and has plenty of free food? There is no reason to fight through all of the hardships they are going through, and the promise of happiness is so vague and so unrelated to anything that is going on around them that I have a hard time believing in it.
As a matter of fact, the entire book is vague. Random unconnected events happen to them constantly. They wander through a desert area at first with few plants, no trees, and little food. Then, they wander into increasing cold and snow until they are nearly buried in it and almost freeze. Then, they wander into a valley, all of the snow melts, and they walk into a tropical jungle. Where are they? What the what? Later, they wander into huge mountain ranges, they sail on extensive rivers, and they make their way to the ocean. What does this map look like?
The “wind on fire” that they are fleeing from is also incredibly vague. They are all afraid of being “swept away” by it, and it is a little confusing if this is supposed to be metaphorical or not. About two-thirds of the way through the novel they suddenly start talking about a war that is happening “everywhere” with roving bands killing innocents and thousands of people fleeing. What? What war is this? Between whom? No countries, ideologies, or affiliations mentioned. Where are these people fleeing? There is a bizarre scene in which we are treated to a panorama of roving bands of murderers killing innocent people everywhere, when there has been zero hint of this on the journey at all. They have been wandering through unpopulated wastes up until the point that Nicholson arbitrarily decides to populate them again. This war is talked of as the building wind right up until the end What?
The two main characters are now lost in a miasma of despair, prophecy and doomed certainty of their fate. Every new experience they look on as more proof of their doom. Every good thing they experience makes them sad because they know that soon they will be separated from each other and die. Both of them look sadly on potential love interests and shake their heads because they know they will die soon. They look on trouble and sigh because they know that it won’t matter soon, when they are dead. They accept their weird premonitions of fate and make no effort to change anything. This is the absolute worst way to handle prophecy in novels. The mystics that kidnap and make use of the kids are poorly developed and have impenetrable motivations that are made even more annoying as everyone just accepts them as patently obvious and sensible.
Overall, this book was a terrible mess. I think Nicholson might have been going for some deep themes, but nothing is consistent or clear, so it is hard to follow what point he is trying to make. Some of the sequences are so weird and symbolic that it feels like he is going for an allegory a la Pilgrim’s Progress, but I can’t figure out what anything is supposed to symbolize. I cannot think of a single theme that this novel could potentially be about. Hope is good? Love is… there? Family is worth sacrificing for? You have a fate and then the end? Maybe if the characters stopped reacting like resigned couch potatoes watching a movie that they were only mildly emotionally invested in and talked like real people I could have gotten into it more. As it is, this is worth very little and I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Read the first one, and then leave it at that.
June 2, 2013
How can I write this review without breaking down into tears? Let's see... um. Firesong is the third (and last *sniff*) book of the Wind on Fire Trilogy. The Manth people have already escaped from the Mastery and are heading to the promised land. The land where the Manth people can live the end of their days in happiness. Bowman knows he will never reach the promised land, as it was prophesied that the child of the prophet will give themselves up for the good of the people. It doesn't help that he is growing an attraction to the beautiful former princess Sisi.
This is probably one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. In a way, the plot structure is very much like Percy Jackson. There is one big conflict that must be overcome by defeating very small conflicts. Its theme, however, would be very much like Les Miserables or the Bible. Characters repeatedly show signs of love and selflessness. I think this is what makes the book beautiful. The overall action and adventure provides enough excitement, but it's the little things- such as the relationships between the chaaracters- that make the book whole.
Even though it was a fantasy book, it felt real. I felt like the actions and reactions coming from the characters are very similar to ours. Except, in their little group, there was love. Intense, selfless love for each and every one of them.
I think William Nicholson did a great job with this book. It made me cry and scream and get emotional. I'm probably gonna read his other series.
July 6, 2011
The only thing I could think the entire time I was making my way through this book was "why was this even written?" The Wind Singer was such a great contained book, and it told such a solid story that I had trouble overlooking the flaws in this one because I wasn't sure entirely why I reading it in the first place. While I liked the additions of Sisi and Mist, and I enjoyed the growth and change in Creoth, at the same time the main plot simple never grabbed my attention. WHY were they seeking the homeland? There was never an inkling of a hint in the first book that this was going to happen. WHY was Kestrel struggling with these feelings? WHY was Bowman so keen to find his destiny? None of these things were alluded to in the first novel, and so they felt improperly set up here in the third.
The other thing that bothered me was how easily characters were killed off. In between Slaves of the Mastery and Firesong, over 70 of the Manth people apparently died and are never mentioned or discussed. They simply go from a band of 101 to less than 40, seemingly overnight, with no mention of what happened or where the others have gone. Even assuming some people died along the route, even one per day, that's too many to understand. And it doesn't stop there, either. I realize it's a personal opinion, but there's entirely too much death for my tastes, and there's so much that the reader becomes desensitized to it by the time the important deaths happen towards the end.
The other thing that bothered me was how easily characters were killed off. In between Slaves of the Mastery and Firesong, over 70 of the Manth people apparently died and are never mentioned or discussed. They simply go from a band of 101 to less than 40, seemingly overnight, with no mention of what happened or where the others have gone. Even assuming some people died along the route, even one per day, that's too many to understand. And it doesn't stop there, either. I realize it's a personal opinion, but there's entirely too much death for my tastes, and there's so much that the reader becomes desensitized to it by the time the important deaths happen towards the end.
January 14, 2010
I know the ending was supposed to be sweet and sentimental, but as an only child and an introvert, I found it more than a little creepy. The series did end, though it achieved finality with a neat little bow (a neat little creepy bow).
June 27, 2014
A little about the author
William Nicholson was born in 1948, and grew up in Sussex and Gloucestershire. The Wind Singer, won the Smarties Prize Gold Award on publication in 2000, and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2001. He lives in Sussex with his wife, the social historian Virginia Nicholson, and their three children.
Authors website:http://www.williamnicholson.com/
Plot summery reviewed
"I hate school! I hate ratings! I won't reach higher! I won't strive harder! I won't make tomorrow better than today!"
The novel follows the Hath's who are a relaxed family who despise the way the city they live in is ruled by ratings. from a young age people are educated and examined repeatedly and their scores calculate the privileges a family is entitled to, such as where they may live and what colour clothing they may wear.
The Hath family see that the system for what it is, a society that imprisons them.
So we find that in the walled city of Aramanth the only way forward in life is to get good results, not that bad right, wrong because what freedoms do good ratings get you, a nice house, new cloths or new social standing. Which is not appealing to the Haths, but to be unsuccessful in test and to have a poor rating seen as a great source of shame so they keep to themselves.
The city is kept in order by a colour classifications system the governing Examiners use to dictate what people can wear, where they can live and roam and what jobs they can do. The levels are grey, maroon, orange, scarlet and white, with grey as the lowest and at white the highest. The Emperor is the only person allowed to wear blue.
So, when one day Kestrel hath has enough and snaps in school, she changes more than her families status she unwitting starts of something that will bring down the wrath of the chief examiner. Kestrel continues to defy the system and has to flee her home. she ends up running into the Emperor of Aramanth himself. who is thought to be the ruler of the city, but she finds he is just a puppet of the High Examiners, that is kept in control by a bowl of sweets!
The Emperor warns Kestrel of the evil Morah and their influence in the city. As well as the way things used to be when the mysterious Wind Singer that stands in the city arena worked and that to fix things she must find its 'voice'.
Armed with a map the Emperor gives her she sets off to find the 'voice' with her twin brother, Bowman and Mumpo, who has an unshakable and unwanted affection for Kestrel. along the way they meet tribes and individuals including the fearsome nomadic clans of Ombaraka and Omchaka in the mist of a war the trio are branded spies and have to prove there innocence to continue on-wards.
The journey eventually leads them to the Halls of the Morah, the resting place for the evil that has taken control of the city. The trio finally retrieve the voice of the Wind Singer but in the process bowman wakes the terrible Zars and bonds with the Morah while Mumpo is brainwashed into being a Zar, one of the army of the Morah. They flee from the pursuit of by the beautiful, evil and unstoppable Zars by racing back to Aramanth and arriving just in time to return the Wind Singer’s voice that emits a powerful song that destroys the Zars, and saves Aramanth.
I instantly fell in love with the Hath family. I was expecting a good fantasy story, but the story I read exceeded my expectations. The characterizations were very well done, and often very amusing. The conversation Bowman had with an official as Kestrel climbed the Wind Singer had me laughing out loud. The character of Mumpo is also wonderful. I love the descriptions of Ira Hath's multi-colored blanket and the simple defiance it evokes. Plus little pinto who is under rated, she is so sweetly written.
The world that Aramanth sits in is a richly imagined but a very fresh and non stereotyped world. The world described here shows the ability of the author to imagine something bold and new and very engaging.
The book is written with young adults as an intended audience, but adult readers should enjoy this too - and younger children may well love it too. As a rough guide, I would probably not give it to anyone much younger than 10, or older than 95, although the latter only because the print might then be a little too small.
All in all this was a richly imagined book with good characters, some good humor and plenty of action as well as things to make the reader pause and consider afterwards - particularly on the nature of freedom.
Slaves of the mastery
"The city of Aramanth has become a kinder place, but in becoming kinder it has also become weaker, making it the perfect target for the ruthless soldiers of the Mastery.
Only Kestrel Hath, daughter of Ira and Hanno Hath, escapes the armies and rescues the silver voice from the burnt wind singer. "
This book opens with the city of Aramanth and how it has changed since events from The Wind Singer. The walls that surrounded the rigid city have all been torn down and are rubble, the poorer districts abandoned. The exam system forgotten and coloured clothing rules are relaxed. The change came about when the wind singer was restored to glory and the evil force known as the Morah was banished from the city.
However with this change the city is also weaker and news of the great citys change spreads are reaches as far as a distant place known as the Mastery. They send an army to take the city for them selves, commanded by young Marius Semeon Ortiz, they destroy the city, enslaving the entire population. That is except for Kestrel Hath who escapes in the ruckus and finds herself alone after the brutal battle that leaves the city burned and the Manth gone. She vows to avenge her people on the man who lead the attack, on the unknown Mastery, and on Ortiz himself. By following their trail she finds her way to them through the help or another who is also on their way to the mastery but for a marriage. Kestral knows she must find her brother Bowman, and he in turn must find a way of understanding the secrets of the mysterious Singer people. Only then can the pair begin to strike out against the Mastery and begin a voyage that will bring the Manth people back to their former stature.
The Manth people march dor days to reach the Mastery, a beautiful country the discover is built up entirely on slave labor. They are branded with irons and given jobs. Many are unhappy but find if they disobey their masters, a member of their community is burned in an iron cage before their eyes. The cages are constantly occupied and guarded to ensure their co-operation. Though some of the people begin to actually enjoy there freedom to work as whatever they wish, they discover that every single person in the Mastery is a slave, except for the Master, ruler of the land, himself. Hanno Hath, father of Kestrel, signs up to be a librarian, while Bowman become a night watchman looking after sheep, in order to keep an eye out for kestrel. The old emperor has no skills and trains to be a shepard allowing him to feel useful for the first time.
Following the instinctive call of her twin brother Bowman across the desert Kestrel faints with exhaustion. She is rescued by the beautiful Sirharasi (Sisi), Johdila of Gang. Kestrel meets Sisi, the spoilt Johdila engaged by her parents to Marius Ortiz, she becomes Sisi's closest friend and begins to open her eyes to another world.
As one of the few people who has seen Sisi unveiled, Kestrel becomes her official servant and 'mutual friend'. She discovers that Sisi is also travelling to the Mastery to marry Ortiz, the man who led the attack on Aramanth. Kestrel decides to try to use the considerable might of Gang's army, the Johjan Guards, to overthrow the Mastery, and she convinces Zohon, the Guards' conceited leader, that Sisi loves him, and that she will give him a sign to show this.
One night Bowman meets the one-eyed hermit known as "Dogface", that tells him about his liniage as the son of the prophet and that Bowman's mother, Ira Hath, is descended from the ancient prophet, Ira Manth. He has great powers that belong to the Singer people. Bowman tests these new powers by speaking with a cow, moving a stick without touching it, and later speaking to a cat called mist, that Dogface leaves behind. Mist's ambition is to learn how to fly, but as Bowman's powers are initially limited and untested, he doesn't and can't teach Mist. Bowman, who has been training his mind to move objects, has also caught the attention of Marius and has been engaged as his 'truth teller'.
Meanwhile, Mumpo, another Manth slave, joins the Manaxa. The Manaxa is a fight where two competitors attempt to stab each other with spiked armor until either one dies or is driven out of the arena, and is considered a great honor to compete in the Mastery. He shows considerable talent at this and heavy favorite. Their friend Mumpo has been perfecting the art of the killing dance of the Mastery, the manaxa, and at the wedding kills the reigning champion finally.
At the wedding of the beautiful Sisi and Ortiz they both fall for the wrong people, Sisi for Bowman and Ortiz for Kestrel.
Zohan who kestral tricked tinks he is rescuing Sisi from the Mastery but he ends up instigates a battle against Ortiz and his men but all the people in the Mastery are bound by the Master's will and attack his army. Mumpo is desperate in his search for Kestrel, killing many with his new skills to try and help her, whether they be Mastery Citizens or in the Johjan Guards.
In a energetic finnish, Bowman faces of with the Master. He uses his connection to the terrifying Morah and his mind powers to mind duel with the Master. Kestrel and Ortiz come find them both and with Bowman temporarily distracted and the Master commands Ortiz to kill Kestrel. Despite his love for her, he is unable to resist the Master's will and obeys. With the sword centimetres from her heart, Bowman kills the Master and Ortiz is released from his will. Mumpo enters the room and sees Ortiz with his arms around Kestrel, and gets the wrong idea. Mumpo smashes Ortiz's head and breaks his neck. Released from his power, the Master's army dissipates and sets about destroying the city in a frenzy, and Zohon seizes control.
Finally free to leave, Ira Hath asserts that they must seek out the homeland, as "the wind is rising". Though many of the Manth people choose to stay behind and make a life for themselves where they are, a small group resolve to trust in Ira's prophecy, and together along with Sisi and her servant Lunki, they set out in search of the homeland.
Fire song
The Manth people deliberate over what to do next, now that the Mastery is in ruins. After the defeat of the Master, alone and displaced, they seek a new homeland but have no real destination and very little food. The story picks up with the flight of the Hath family, and their crew of other willing Manth families and friends, away from the ruined Mastery. Ira Hath leads the way, prophesising their eventual success but also her own, sad demise.
Ira Hath is the descendant of Ira Manth, a great prophetess. She has a vision of the Manth people's true homeland. Throughout their journey in the book the Manth people travel with only Ira's guidance, and she becomes weaker as they go, knowing she will eventually die of prophecy. She knows that if she continues to feels the warmth on her face they are heading in the right direction.
She gets weaker as they near their goal which scares the math people, they worry she may die before they get to the homeland. Her husband Hanno, fears her death but tries to keep moral up.
Bowman and Kestrel Hath, have alot more to worry about. Bowman is anxious awaiting his summons from the Sirene his training is hard and with his new teacher he finds it hard to concentrate. He must be trained by the great Albard, also called the Master of the ruined Mastery. Kestral is with him on his journey as well as Jumper, the man-woman Singer who can change forms and personalities to please people.
In the end it is revealed that Kestrel is the one who is destined to give her life not bowman, having picked up Albard's teachings along the way. Bowman is in fact the 'Meeting place' the point at which the great evil and the great kindness of the world will annihilate one another. This is because he was once host to the Morah as one of the Zars, and is one of the great Singer people too.
Upon reaching the homeland, Ira's life ends, her destiny fulfilled. Kestrel, too, ends her life with all the other Singers, singing the Firesong to destroy the Morah and ultimately give humanity a fresh start which allows the Manth to be safe.
The epilogue is set some 8 years later. We see the Manth people settled in their new homes, with various people married new children. Bowman and Sisi now rule over Gang and visit when the can. We also sees Pinto and Mumpo betrothed.
These books were good, i did take me a while to get into them but its worth it to see how a book ends i believe. I liked how you follow bowman on his journey only to find that actually kestral is the hero. And how little pinto is so brave and true and finally gets noticed by Mumpo. A great adventure and if you only read book one its still ok but i would perceiver to get that chance to see the characters develop and grow.
My star rating is: four
Posted 25th June 2013 by suzanne gardenier
William Nicholson was born in 1948, and grew up in Sussex and Gloucestershire. The Wind Singer, won the Smarties Prize Gold Award on publication in 2000, and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2001. He lives in Sussex with his wife, the social historian Virginia Nicholson, and their three children.
Authors website:http://www.williamnicholson.com/
Plot summery reviewed
"I hate school! I hate ratings! I won't reach higher! I won't strive harder! I won't make tomorrow better than today!"
The novel follows the Hath's who are a relaxed family who despise the way the city they live in is ruled by ratings. from a young age people are educated and examined repeatedly and their scores calculate the privileges a family is entitled to, such as where they may live and what colour clothing they may wear.
The Hath family see that the system for what it is, a society that imprisons them.
So we find that in the walled city of Aramanth the only way forward in life is to get good results, not that bad right, wrong because what freedoms do good ratings get you, a nice house, new cloths or new social standing. Which is not appealing to the Haths, but to be unsuccessful in test and to have a poor rating seen as a great source of shame so they keep to themselves.
The city is kept in order by a colour classifications system the governing Examiners use to dictate what people can wear, where they can live and roam and what jobs they can do. The levels are grey, maroon, orange, scarlet and white, with grey as the lowest and at white the highest. The Emperor is the only person allowed to wear blue.
So, when one day Kestrel hath has enough and snaps in school, she changes more than her families status she unwitting starts of something that will bring down the wrath of the chief examiner. Kestrel continues to defy the system and has to flee her home. she ends up running into the Emperor of Aramanth himself. who is thought to be the ruler of the city, but she finds he is just a puppet of the High Examiners, that is kept in control by a bowl of sweets!
The Emperor warns Kestrel of the evil Morah and their influence in the city. As well as the way things used to be when the mysterious Wind Singer that stands in the city arena worked and that to fix things she must find its 'voice'.
Armed with a map the Emperor gives her she sets off to find the 'voice' with her twin brother, Bowman and Mumpo, who has an unshakable and unwanted affection for Kestrel. along the way they meet tribes and individuals including the fearsome nomadic clans of Ombaraka and Omchaka in the mist of a war the trio are branded spies and have to prove there innocence to continue on-wards.
The journey eventually leads them to the Halls of the Morah, the resting place for the evil that has taken control of the city. The trio finally retrieve the voice of the Wind Singer but in the process bowman wakes the terrible Zars and bonds with the Morah while Mumpo is brainwashed into being a Zar, one of the army of the Morah. They flee from the pursuit of by the beautiful, evil and unstoppable Zars by racing back to Aramanth and arriving just in time to return the Wind Singer’s voice that emits a powerful song that destroys the Zars, and saves Aramanth.
I instantly fell in love with the Hath family. I was expecting a good fantasy story, but the story I read exceeded my expectations. The characterizations were very well done, and often very amusing. The conversation Bowman had with an official as Kestrel climbed the Wind Singer had me laughing out loud. The character of Mumpo is also wonderful. I love the descriptions of Ira Hath's multi-colored blanket and the simple defiance it evokes. Plus little pinto who is under rated, she is so sweetly written.
The world that Aramanth sits in is a richly imagined but a very fresh and non stereotyped world. The world described here shows the ability of the author to imagine something bold and new and very engaging.
The book is written with young adults as an intended audience, but adult readers should enjoy this too - and younger children may well love it too. As a rough guide, I would probably not give it to anyone much younger than 10, or older than 95, although the latter only because the print might then be a little too small.
All in all this was a richly imagined book with good characters, some good humor and plenty of action as well as things to make the reader pause and consider afterwards - particularly on the nature of freedom.
Slaves of the mastery
"The city of Aramanth has become a kinder place, but in becoming kinder it has also become weaker, making it the perfect target for the ruthless soldiers of the Mastery.
Only Kestrel Hath, daughter of Ira and Hanno Hath, escapes the armies and rescues the silver voice from the burnt wind singer. "
This book opens with the city of Aramanth and how it has changed since events from The Wind Singer. The walls that surrounded the rigid city have all been torn down and are rubble, the poorer districts abandoned. The exam system forgotten and coloured clothing rules are relaxed. The change came about when the wind singer was restored to glory and the evil force known as the Morah was banished from the city.
However with this change the city is also weaker and news of the great citys change spreads are reaches as far as a distant place known as the Mastery. They send an army to take the city for them selves, commanded by young Marius Semeon Ortiz, they destroy the city, enslaving the entire population. That is except for Kestrel Hath who escapes in the ruckus and finds herself alone after the brutal battle that leaves the city burned and the Manth gone. She vows to avenge her people on the man who lead the attack, on the unknown Mastery, and on Ortiz himself. By following their trail she finds her way to them through the help or another who is also on their way to the mastery but for a marriage. Kestral knows she must find her brother Bowman, and he in turn must find a way of understanding the secrets of the mysterious Singer people. Only then can the pair begin to strike out against the Mastery and begin a voyage that will bring the Manth people back to their former stature.
The Manth people march dor days to reach the Mastery, a beautiful country the discover is built up entirely on slave labor. They are branded with irons and given jobs. Many are unhappy but find if they disobey their masters, a member of their community is burned in an iron cage before their eyes. The cages are constantly occupied and guarded to ensure their co-operation. Though some of the people begin to actually enjoy there freedom to work as whatever they wish, they discover that every single person in the Mastery is a slave, except for the Master, ruler of the land, himself. Hanno Hath, father of Kestrel, signs up to be a librarian, while Bowman become a night watchman looking after sheep, in order to keep an eye out for kestrel. The old emperor has no skills and trains to be a shepard allowing him to feel useful for the first time.
Following the instinctive call of her twin brother Bowman across the desert Kestrel faints with exhaustion. She is rescued by the beautiful Sirharasi (Sisi), Johdila of Gang. Kestrel meets Sisi, the spoilt Johdila engaged by her parents to Marius Ortiz, she becomes Sisi's closest friend and begins to open her eyes to another world.
As one of the few people who has seen Sisi unveiled, Kestrel becomes her official servant and 'mutual friend'. She discovers that Sisi is also travelling to the Mastery to marry Ortiz, the man who led the attack on Aramanth. Kestrel decides to try to use the considerable might of Gang's army, the Johjan Guards, to overthrow the Mastery, and she convinces Zohon, the Guards' conceited leader, that Sisi loves him, and that she will give him a sign to show this.
One night Bowman meets the one-eyed hermit known as "Dogface", that tells him about his liniage as the son of the prophet and that Bowman's mother, Ira Hath, is descended from the ancient prophet, Ira Manth. He has great powers that belong to the Singer people. Bowman tests these new powers by speaking with a cow, moving a stick without touching it, and later speaking to a cat called mist, that Dogface leaves behind. Mist's ambition is to learn how to fly, but as Bowman's powers are initially limited and untested, he doesn't and can't teach Mist. Bowman, who has been training his mind to move objects, has also caught the attention of Marius and has been engaged as his 'truth teller'.
Meanwhile, Mumpo, another Manth slave, joins the Manaxa. The Manaxa is a fight where two competitors attempt to stab each other with spiked armor until either one dies or is driven out of the arena, and is considered a great honor to compete in the Mastery. He shows considerable talent at this and heavy favorite. Their friend Mumpo has been perfecting the art of the killing dance of the Mastery, the manaxa, and at the wedding kills the reigning champion finally.
At the wedding of the beautiful Sisi and Ortiz they both fall for the wrong people, Sisi for Bowman and Ortiz for Kestrel.
Zohan who kestral tricked tinks he is rescuing Sisi from the Mastery but he ends up instigates a battle against Ortiz and his men but all the people in the Mastery are bound by the Master's will and attack his army. Mumpo is desperate in his search for Kestrel, killing many with his new skills to try and help her, whether they be Mastery Citizens or in the Johjan Guards.
In a energetic finnish, Bowman faces of with the Master. He uses his connection to the terrifying Morah and his mind powers to mind duel with the Master. Kestrel and Ortiz come find them both and with Bowman temporarily distracted and the Master commands Ortiz to kill Kestrel. Despite his love for her, he is unable to resist the Master's will and obeys. With the sword centimetres from her heart, Bowman kills the Master and Ortiz is released from his will. Mumpo enters the room and sees Ortiz with his arms around Kestrel, and gets the wrong idea. Mumpo smashes Ortiz's head and breaks his neck. Released from his power, the Master's army dissipates and sets about destroying the city in a frenzy, and Zohon seizes control.
Finally free to leave, Ira Hath asserts that they must seek out the homeland, as "the wind is rising". Though many of the Manth people choose to stay behind and make a life for themselves where they are, a small group resolve to trust in Ira's prophecy, and together along with Sisi and her servant Lunki, they set out in search of the homeland.
Fire song
The Manth people deliberate over what to do next, now that the Mastery is in ruins. After the defeat of the Master, alone and displaced, they seek a new homeland but have no real destination and very little food. The story picks up with the flight of the Hath family, and their crew of other willing Manth families and friends, away from the ruined Mastery. Ira Hath leads the way, prophesising their eventual success but also her own, sad demise.
Ira Hath is the descendant of Ira Manth, a great prophetess. She has a vision of the Manth people's true homeland. Throughout their journey in the book the Manth people travel with only Ira's guidance, and she becomes weaker as they go, knowing she will eventually die of prophecy. She knows that if she continues to feels the warmth on her face they are heading in the right direction.
She gets weaker as they near their goal which scares the math people, they worry she may die before they get to the homeland. Her husband Hanno, fears her death but tries to keep moral up.
Bowman and Kestrel Hath, have alot more to worry about. Bowman is anxious awaiting his summons from the Sirene his training is hard and with his new teacher he finds it hard to concentrate. He must be trained by the great Albard, also called the Master of the ruined Mastery. Kestral is with him on his journey as well as Jumper, the man-woman Singer who can change forms and personalities to please people.
In the end it is revealed that Kestrel is the one who is destined to give her life not bowman, having picked up Albard's teachings along the way. Bowman is in fact the 'Meeting place' the point at which the great evil and the great kindness of the world will annihilate one another. This is because he was once host to the Morah as one of the Zars, and is one of the great Singer people too.
Upon reaching the homeland, Ira's life ends, her destiny fulfilled. Kestrel, too, ends her life with all the other Singers, singing the Firesong to destroy the Morah and ultimately give humanity a fresh start which allows the Manth to be safe.
The epilogue is set some 8 years later. We see the Manth people settled in their new homes, with various people married new children. Bowman and Sisi now rule over Gang and visit when the can. We also sees Pinto and Mumpo betrothed.
These books were good, i did take me a while to get into them but its worth it to see how a book ends i believe. I liked how you follow bowman on his journey only to find that actually kestral is the hero. And how little pinto is so brave and true and finally gets noticed by Mumpo. A great adventure and if you only read book one its still ok but i would perceiver to get that chance to see the characters develop and grow.
My star rating is: four
Posted 25th June 2013 by suzanne gardenier
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2017
"I don't want to do any of those things you said. I want - I want -to make things right."
"Then so you shall."
"Is it so easy?"
"Not easy. Not easy at all. Think how much is wanting to make things wrong. All the fear in the world, and the violence that comes from the fear, and the hatred that comes from the violence, and the loneliness that comes with the hatred. All the unhappiness, all the cruelty, it gathers like clouds in the air, and grows cold and dark and heavy, and falls like grey snow in thick layers over the land. Then the world is all muffled and numb, and no one can hear each other or feel each other. Think how sad and lonely that must be."
This, the above quote, is what Wind on Fire really is in just a few words. It is a story of a family and their people, and how they made their way from the muffled to the open, their progress slow and often hindered. Firesong is the last of three, and it brings the story to a beautiful and painful close. For the last twenty pages of this book, I sat and totally ignored everything around me, devouring the end. If you like fantasy, good vs. evil, and books like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings and The Paradise War, you should read these books. They're a quick/easy read and a deep, weird fantasy. This is a story you will never forget.
Light language, strong violence and gruesome content.
"Then so you shall."
"Is it so easy?"
"Not easy. Not easy at all. Think how much is wanting to make things wrong. All the fear in the world, and the violence that comes from the fear, and the hatred that comes from the violence, and the loneliness that comes with the hatred. All the unhappiness, all the cruelty, it gathers like clouds in the air, and grows cold and dark and heavy, and falls like grey snow in thick layers over the land. Then the world is all muffled and numb, and no one can hear each other or feel each other. Think how sad and lonely that must be."
This, the above quote, is what Wind on Fire really is in just a few words. It is a story of a family and their people, and how they made their way from the muffled to the open, their progress slow and often hindered. Firesong is the last of three, and it brings the story to a beautiful and painful close. For the last twenty pages of this book, I sat and totally ignored everything around me, devouring the end. If you like fantasy, good vs. evil, and books like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings and The Paradise War, you should read these books. They're a quick/easy read and a deep, weird fantasy. This is a story you will never forget.
Light language, strong violence and gruesome content.
April 14, 2021
What an insane and disappointing end to this series!!
I hate it so much!
The creepy child brides! The mass suicide ritual that helps with nothing as the events will play out again and the fact that Pinto a LITERAL CHILD (age 2 in the first book and 7 in the second and third) forms a obsessive romantic attraction to Mumpo, who was my favourite character, and as soon as she turns 15 they get married!!!!
I just can’t!!!!
Only read the first book in the series as the third are trash! (The second is tolerable)
I hate it so much!
The creepy child brides! The mass suicide ritual that helps with nothing as the events will play out again and the fact that Pinto a LITERAL CHILD (age 2 in the first book and 7 in the second and third) forms a obsessive romantic attraction to Mumpo, who was my favourite character, and as soon as she turns 15 they get married!!!!
I just can’t!!!!
Only read the first book in the series as the third are trash! (The second is tolerable)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2021
A truly wonderful conclusion to one of the best YA fantasies I've read. And I have, for my sins, read quite a few.
Despite all three books being fairly short, they each are compact, and manage to pack in just about everything you could want in there. This is no different than the first two in that respect, with the story coming to a sweeping, dramatic close, a little unexpected twist or two, and a worth epilogue.
I really enjoyed how the series avoided the trap that so many YA fantasies fall into, where the romance in the plot overcomes the story, in terms of the amount of the book devoted to it. It's fine if you've picked up a romance, but if you've chosen a series because the world or story is great, it's frustrating for it to be overshadowed by angsty teen romance (I also thought this as a teenager, so it's not just me being crusty. Or at least, I always have been). Instead, the romantic elements of the book are present, but do not take over and instead form a nice subplot, as it should be.
Although I'd read it before (in the distant past) it turns out I only really remembered vague hints of what happened in this book, so it was nearly all fresh. Only Jumper had stayed in my mind, but I thought he was a really interesting character so I'm not surprised.
All the way through, you are pretty much told how the story will end, and I liked how this added a sense of urgency to the story. The little twist in how this occurs was great, although heartbreaking - but all the more memorable for this. I think this is one of the only stories I can remember where the whole family, essentially are the main characters, as opposed to just one or two members.
I always enjoy a good epilogue, and I thought this one was really well done. Mostly happy, a tinge of sadness, and hope - such a heady combination. It's such a wonderful series, and I'm sure I'll return again at some point.
Despite all three books being fairly short, they each are compact, and manage to pack in just about everything you could want in there. This is no different than the first two in that respect, with the story coming to a sweeping, dramatic close, a little unexpected twist or two, and a worth epilogue.
I really enjoyed how the series avoided the trap that so many YA fantasies fall into, where the romance in the plot overcomes the story, in terms of the amount of the book devoted to it. It's fine if you've picked up a romance, but if you've chosen a series because the world or story is great, it's frustrating for it to be overshadowed by angsty teen romance (I also thought this as a teenager, so it's not just me being crusty. Or at least, I always have been). Instead, the romantic elements of the book are present, but do not take over and instead form a nice subplot, as it should be.
Although I'd read it before (in the distant past) it turns out I only really remembered vague hints of what happened in this book, so it was nearly all fresh. Only Jumper had stayed in my mind, but I thought he was a really interesting character so I'm not surprised.
All the way through, you are pretty much told how the story will end, and I liked how this added a sense of urgency to the story. The little twist in how this occurs was great, although heartbreaking - but all the more memorable for this. I think this is one of the only stories I can remember where the whole family, essentially are the main characters, as opposed to just one or two members.
I always enjoy a good epilogue, and I thought this one was really well done. Mostly happy, a tinge of sadness, and hope - such a heady combination. It's such a wonderful series, and I'm sure I'll return again at some point.
November 18, 2019
This book suffers from some of the same issues as Slaves of the Mastery. I'd say the portrayal of gender roles is even more problematic (women's sole purpose is as wives and mothers, they are seen as a commodity). In Slaves of the Mastery Sisi and Kestrel fight back against these conventions but in this book, they are much more engrained and accepted.
Even though these books are packaged as a trilogy, they feel disjointed: in audience, tone, characterisation, genre, etc. It's really odd. The first one is quirky and self-contained, a little quest novel, aimed at a young audience. The second one is more distopian and violent and aimed at a slightly older audience. And this one... strikes a completely different note. With its elements of journey, prophecy and magic, it feels like Nicholson was trying to write an epic; the scope if this book is quite a bit grander than the other two.
I like some parts of these books, but I am troubled by others . I'm not sure, after having read Firesong, if I would read these with my hypothetical kids.
Even though these books are packaged as a trilogy, they feel disjointed: in audience, tone, characterisation, genre, etc. It's really odd. The first one is quirky and self-contained, a little quest novel, aimed at a young audience. The second one is more distopian and violent and aimed at a slightly older audience. And this one... strikes a completely different note. With its elements of journey, prophecy and magic, it feels like Nicholson was trying to write an epic; the scope if this book is quite a bit grander than the other two.
I like some parts of these books, but I am troubled by others . I'm not sure, after having read Firesong, if I would read these with my hypothetical kids.
February 6, 2024
I have been struggling to review this book. Normally any book that makes me cry quite as much as this one would shoot right up to five stars but previous scratched-out drafts full of effusive praise felt somewhat disingenuous. I think the trouble is that I still don't know how I feel about it.
With the Wind on Fire trilogy, Nicholson has created a great piece of young adult storytelling. While some of the beats can be found in other works, the trilogy as a whole is something unique, containing imaginative landscapes, endearing and wholesome character relationships and a story that can be read on multiple levels from charming adventure to philosophical ponderings on life and power. There are moments that will make you laugh or break your heart or demand a frantic search for artwork (sadly none to be found), but against those there are some serious issues with fatphobia, sexism and the messaging around what constitutes beauty. Even noting that these books are now over twenty years old, Nicholson could have done better to promote positive messages to the young, influenceable readership at which the books are aimed.
In this third and final installment the remainder of the Manth people, having escaped from slavery in the Mastery, are making their way on a wish and a prayer to their prophesied homeland. The episodic journey-based plot recalls Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo's adventure in The Wind Singer and it is interesting to see how much the three friends have grown and changed since then.
Indeed, one of the great strengths of this trilogy is Nicholson's character work. From the very beginning we knew who these people were: Kestrel's determination, Bowman's quiet power, Mumpo's uncomplicated loyalty. Seeing how they have been forced to change in sometimes heartbreaking ways but still retained their basic nature, you feel how far we have come in five (fictional) years.
It is the strength of the character relationships that is the main heartstring-puller in Firesong. As we approach the finale, the sense of unchangeable fate is powerful. Ira knows that ; Bowman knows that his destiny is coming for him and . The knowledge of sorrows to come is a weight hanging over the story. That which could be seen as a spoiler becomes instead a filter, colouring interactions between the characters with a shade of tragedy. Knowing that goodbyes are coming does not make them any less painful when they arrive.
This third book also takes advantage of its older readership to tackle some heavy themes and complex concepts. Quite aside from the trippy experience that is we rediscover ; the whole sequence with is a passage whose deeper themes I hope escape younger readers, because I am still shaken by them days after finishing the book.
All of this suggests competent and moving storytelling, and indeed it is. If the story consisted entirely of the elements mentioned above it would be a five star book with no question about it. I cried, a lot, which does not happen if a book has not made a deep impression. But at the same time there were scenes that left a bad taste in my mouth and wondering about Nicholson's own biases took me out of the immersion.
Let us take, as an example, the way female characters are portrayed. From the beginning we have seen the strength in Nicholson's female characters: Kestrel's determination that ultimately overthrows the unjust power structure in Aramanth; Ira's fierce and irrepressible indpendence; Sisi's courage in the face of danger and ability to speak her mind. To be clear, these traits are still present but in this third book the focus seems to have shifted. Kestrel's main conflict is about her ability to fall in love. Ira is considerably weakened. Sisi will not see that her scars make her more, not less beautiful. And in the epilogue,
Then there is the uncomfortable way in which Nicholson seems to push the message that larger body size is equated with moral degradation. The characters we are supposed to like are all described as slender or thin, with Sisi's slimness being a key element in her beauty. Characters such as and Mrs Chirish, who is presented as a burden on the party, paint being overweight in a very negative light. Nicholson seemed compelled to point out their weight at every opportunity and, though never outright judging, it was hard to read it as anything else. One wonders what agenda the author was trying to push.
It's almost as if there are two books occupying the same space: the one with a simple adventure and unhelpful moral messaging, the other a work of deep philosophy, high elegy and one of the hugest fantasy climaxes I have read. At times this was a five star book, at others I considered DNF-ing it. All of this leaves me at a very confused 3.5, not knowing whether I adored or hated it and sitting at the end of nearly one thousand words of review that haven't really helped to reach a decision.
I want to like this book; indeed I do like it, and will still continue to recommend it both to younger readers and to adults. It is in many ways among the better YA series I have read. However, having reached the conclusion, my recommendations will be bounded by caveats that I would rather not have to add.
TL;DR: An epic finale that left me with a lot to think about.
With the Wind on Fire trilogy, Nicholson has created a great piece of young adult storytelling. While some of the beats can be found in other works, the trilogy as a whole is something unique, containing imaginative landscapes, endearing and wholesome character relationships and a story that can be read on multiple levels from charming adventure to philosophical ponderings on life and power. There are moments that will make you laugh or break your heart or demand a frantic search for artwork (sadly none to be found), but against those there are some serious issues with fatphobia, sexism and the messaging around what constitutes beauty. Even noting that these books are now over twenty years old, Nicholson could have done better to promote positive messages to the young, influenceable readership at which the books are aimed.
In this third and final installment the remainder of the Manth people, having escaped from slavery in the Mastery, are making their way on a wish and a prayer to their prophesied homeland. The episodic journey-based plot recalls Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo's adventure in The Wind Singer and it is interesting to see how much the three friends have grown and changed since then.
Indeed, one of the great strengths of this trilogy is Nicholson's character work. From the very beginning we knew who these people were: Kestrel's determination, Bowman's quiet power, Mumpo's uncomplicated loyalty. Seeing how they have been forced to change in sometimes heartbreaking ways but still retained their basic nature, you feel how far we have come in five (fictional) years.
It is the strength of the character relationships that is the main heartstring-puller in Firesong. As we approach the finale, the sense of unchangeable fate is powerful. Ira knows that ; Bowman knows that his destiny is coming for him and . The knowledge of sorrows to come is a weight hanging over the story. That which could be seen as a spoiler becomes instead a filter, colouring interactions between the characters with a shade of tragedy. Knowing that goodbyes are coming does not make them any less painful when they arrive.
This third book also takes advantage of its older readership to tackle some heavy themes and complex concepts. Quite aside from the trippy experience that is we rediscover ; the whole sequence with is a passage whose deeper themes I hope escape younger readers, because I am still shaken by them days after finishing the book.
All of this suggests competent and moving storytelling, and indeed it is. If the story consisted entirely of the elements mentioned above it would be a five star book with no question about it. I cried, a lot, which does not happen if a book has not made a deep impression. But at the same time there were scenes that left a bad taste in my mouth and wondering about Nicholson's own biases took me out of the immersion.
Let us take, as an example, the way female characters are portrayed. From the beginning we have seen the strength in Nicholson's female characters: Kestrel's determination that ultimately overthrows the unjust power structure in Aramanth; Ira's fierce and irrepressible indpendence; Sisi's courage in the face of danger and ability to speak her mind. To be clear, these traits are still present but in this third book the focus seems to have shifted. Kestrel's main conflict is about her ability to fall in love. Ira is considerably weakened. Sisi will not see that her scars make her more, not less beautiful. And in the epilogue,
Then there is the uncomfortable way in which Nicholson seems to push the message that larger body size is equated with moral degradation. The characters we are supposed to like are all described as slender or thin, with Sisi's slimness being a key element in her beauty. Characters such as and Mrs Chirish, who is presented as a burden on the party, paint being overweight in a very negative light. Nicholson seemed compelled to point out their weight at every opportunity and, though never outright judging, it was hard to read it as anything else. One wonders what agenda the author was trying to push.
It's almost as if there are two books occupying the same space: the one with a simple adventure and unhelpful moral messaging, the other a work of deep philosophy, high elegy and one of the hugest fantasy climaxes I have read. At times this was a five star book, at others I considered DNF-ing it. All of this leaves me at a very confused 3.5, not knowing whether I adored or hated it and sitting at the end of nearly one thousand words of review that haven't really helped to reach a decision.
I want to like this book; indeed I do like it, and will still continue to recommend it both to younger readers and to adults. It is in many ways among the better YA series I have read. However, having reached the conclusion, my recommendations will be bounded by caveats that I would rather not have to add.
TL;DR: An epic finale that left me with a lot to think about.
April 27, 2022
A brilliant finale to a wonderful trilogy. This novel had me on the edge of my chair, waiting for the next unfortunate event to take hold and see how the characters cope and continue.
I had tears in my eyes at the end of it; it’s just so damn emotional! It was a difficult recovery for me…
This trilogy will stand on my shelves amongst many other books and proudly proclaim that they are one of my all-time favourites.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
I had tears in my eyes at the end of it; it’s just so damn emotional! It was a difficult recovery for me…
This trilogy will stand on my shelves amongst many other books and proudly proclaim that they are one of my all-time favourites.
View the full review at The Fantasy Review
June 1, 2024
Audiobook again. I'm not sure if it's an audiobook thing again, but towards the end I found myself just wanting it to be over. I remember the plot twist blew my little mind when I first read this - and while not bad, the overall plot has me confused. What is the wind rising? What is the big bad thing that they needed to sacrifice themselves for? What is the significance of the homeland (as opposed to land elsewhere)? Was the Morah really a necessary part of this story or was it just to make a connection between the first book of the series?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
After two decades, I finally know how this story ends. It makes me sad and happy at the same time. I am sad that there is no more mystery, and happy that it was a worthy ending. I am not entirely sure if this book was actually good though. I feel like I am clouded by nostalgia, but I accept this wholeheartedly. 'The Slaves of the Mastery' will forever be one of my favorite books, and this book is simply there to offer some closure.
June 19, 2012
I found I missed the political critique that the other two had. I wanted more political allegory. This book felt less clever and less earnest than the previous two. A fitting end to the trilogy, maybe, but as a stand-alone, less of a good book. Also, kind of racist. I mean, woman-stealing bandits who wear scarves wrapped around their heads? Seriously, Nicholson?
August 22, 2014
This was simply a beautiful end to a wonderful story. I truly loved every bit of it. The last full chapter was stunningly written, and the epilogue was sweet and fitting. I am so happy I found this series on a chance.
July 30, 2023
I choose to believe that Mist’s name is German and not English
June 5, 2017
Suuuuch a dissapointment. The trilogy is still a childhood favourite of mine but the best one by far was Slaves of the Mastery, with The Wind Singer a close second and Firesong a distant third. I feel like Nicholson wrote this just because he felt the need to make it a trilogy. I mean, i love trilogies as much as the next person but not at the expense of a well written story.
The overall plot barely held my attention, it was just so boring. The only reason i pushed through was because i cant not finish a book. You never know when they may take off. This one never took off. Its funny because i was wondering why, before reading the trilogy, i could remember the first two books really well and barely recall the third. Ding ding. We have our answer.
In stark contrast to the fast pace of the first novel this one has a tendancy to drag on and on and on, especially when it comes to the descriptions. So many times, all i could think was, 'come on mate, get on with it, we get it, its snowing.' Apart from a few parts (The Barra Klin and The Island) it was an utter snooze fest, which is a shame as the general outline has alot of potential.
I got really sick of the connection between Bowman and Kestrel. Especially when she died but kept sharing his body. Why couldnt she die? We get it. They always go together but it would have been much better building up all that togetherness then have it taken away. Its almost like they were TOO special and it ruined it.
The Charecter developments, and lack of, were quite frustrating. They either didnt change when they should have or changed for the worse. It would have been amazing to see Hanno grow into a stronger man. All through the books he had retained his passive nature, and that was fine up untill they left the Mastery but then, especially considering all they had lost and the hardships they kept facing, he should have taken proper charge of the group and become the leader they needed.
Then there were charecters who changed too much like Sisi. She did a complete 180 in personality and lost so much of what made her unique. She was turned into a hard, joyless, pessimistic drip and seemed to care about no one but Bowman, yet with all that change was still fixated on her beauty and her scars. What?
If you read the first two, you should probably read this one, only for the sake of knowing the full stroy as Nicholson wrote it.
The overall plot barely held my attention, it was just so boring. The only reason i pushed through was because i cant not finish a book. You never know when they may take off. This one never took off. Its funny because i was wondering why, before reading the trilogy, i could remember the first two books really well and barely recall the third. Ding ding. We have our answer.
In stark contrast to the fast pace of the first novel this one has a tendancy to drag on and on and on, especially when it comes to the descriptions. So many times, all i could think was, 'come on mate, get on with it, we get it, its snowing.' Apart from a few parts (The Barra Klin and The Island) it was an utter snooze fest, which is a shame as the general outline has alot of potential.
I got really sick of the connection between Bowman and Kestrel. Especially when she died but kept sharing his body. Why couldnt she die? We get it. They always go together but it would have been much better building up all that togetherness then have it taken away. Its almost like they were TOO special and it ruined it.
The Charecter developments, and lack of, were quite frustrating. They either didnt change when they should have or changed for the worse. It would have been amazing to see Hanno grow into a stronger man. All through the books he had retained his passive nature, and that was fine up untill they left the Mastery but then, especially considering all they had lost and the hardships they kept facing, he should have taken proper charge of the group and become the leader they needed.
Then there were charecters who changed too much like Sisi. She did a complete 180 in personality and lost so much of what made her unique. She was turned into a hard, joyless, pessimistic drip and seemed to care about no one but Bowman, yet with all that change was still fixated on her beauty and her scars. What?
If you read the first two, you should probably read this one, only for the sake of knowing the full stroy as Nicholson wrote it.
March 25, 2019
Final Rating: 3.5/5
First 3/4 of the book: 4/5
Last 1/4 of the book: 3/5
I listened to this book on Audible.
I was really excited about this book. The Slaves of the Mastery was excellent and easily a 5 star read, and I was looking forward to Bowman and Kestrel's stories being finished and tied up. Things had been set up in the previous book for a great end to the trilogy. And it was really good, at first.
Firesong starts with the Manth people on a pilgrimage through the wilderness to their homeland, they had issues such as food and water shortages and they get attacked by bandits. There is some great character development, with the teenagers realising they need to act like adults and the young children growing up into teenagers far too quickly. Their struggles are real and half way relatable (given it's a fantasy book), and I felt real fear for them at some point.
Throughout the series there was this build up to this great thing that Bowman was going to do, involving saving his people and becoming a Singer. I thought it was going to be epic and exciting and a great finale.
But it was a real let down. I had managed to follow the theory and the magic up until the last quarter of the book. Then it got confusing and strange and everything felt a bit rushed. There was danger again to the Manth people, but it didn't feel all that real. Suddenly the world was ending for some reason that felt tenuous at best. And how it was saved was confusing and convoluted and I found it hard to follow. The ending was disappointing, which is such a shame because the rest of the series was so good.
First 3/4 of the book: 4/5
Last 1/4 of the book: 3/5
I listened to this book on Audible.
I was really excited about this book. The Slaves of the Mastery was excellent and easily a 5 star read, and I was looking forward to Bowman and Kestrel's stories being finished and tied up. Things had been set up in the previous book for a great end to the trilogy. And it was really good, at first.
Firesong starts with the Manth people on a pilgrimage through the wilderness to their homeland, they had issues such as food and water shortages and they get attacked by bandits. There is some great character development, with the teenagers realising they need to act like adults and the young children growing up into teenagers far too quickly. Their struggles are real and half way relatable (given it's a fantasy book), and I felt real fear for them at some point.
Throughout the series there was this build up to this great thing that Bowman was going to do, involving saving his people and becoming a Singer. I thought it was going to be epic and exciting and a great finale.
But it was a real let down. I had managed to follow the theory and the magic up until the last quarter of the book. Then it got confusing and strange and everything felt a bit rushed. There was danger again to the Manth people, but it didn't feel all that real. Suddenly the world was ending for some reason that felt tenuous at best. And how it was saved was confusing and convoluted and I found it hard to follow. The ending was disappointing, which is such a shame because the rest of the series was so good.
December 19, 2023
Slightly disappointing ending to the trilogy, especially when Slaves of the Mastery had been packed with action and had a great story. The majority of the book is a long journey that is incredibly uneventful, the events that do happen have no effect upon the plot and are just there to make it more interesting.
There are definitely some issues with the book. Pinto being destined to marry Mumpo, a man 10 years older than her, from the age of 7 even though he doesn't really love her is particularly strange and gave me the creepy crawlies throughout, she's also a very annoying character in general to be honest. Also women are relegated to outdated gender roles in this book, when some are kidnapped by bandits and forced to be wives they do fight back which redeems it a bit, but ultimately they are still rescued by the men. Then the final quarter of the book talks about marriage and creating families constantly as the happy ending they all seem to be striving for, including Pinto. The only one that doesn't is Kess who sacrifices herself and is promptly completely forgotten about. The writing around her death didn't have much gravitas in the end either.
Finally, the actual story doesn't hold much weight. We're never told why the Manth people need to journey to their Homeland nor what's so great about it. I personally would've stayed in that nice warm family.
Having said all that I did enjoy some of the writing, particularly when some action does happen, and most of the characters are also very interesting, although some of them do lose their shine this time round.
There are definitely some issues with the book. Pinto being destined to marry Mumpo, a man 10 years older than her, from the age of 7 even though he doesn't really love her is particularly strange and gave me the creepy crawlies throughout, she's also a very annoying character in general to be honest. Also women are relegated to outdated gender roles in this book, when some are kidnapped by bandits and forced to be wives they do fight back which redeems it a bit, but ultimately they are still rescued by the men. Then the final quarter of the book talks about marriage and creating families constantly as the happy ending they all seem to be striving for, including Pinto. The only one that doesn't is Kess who sacrifices herself and is promptly completely forgotten about. The writing around her death didn't have much gravitas in the end either.
Finally, the actual story doesn't hold much weight. We're never told why the Manth people need to journey to their Homeland nor what's so great about it. I personally would've stayed in that nice warm family.
Having said all that I did enjoy some of the writing, particularly when some action does happen, and most of the characters are also very interesting, although some of them do lose their shine this time round.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2018
2.5 I remembered almost nothing from this book apart from the ending, and after reading it again I understood why. This is a travel story, and things happen during their travel, but they are all separate things and none particularly memorable (though I surprisingly enjoyed the reappearance of .) Several of the difficulties they encountered seemed to me too obvious plot devices for character exploration/development, like the stinging fly. I still really liked Bowman and Kestrel, and I also liked Mist and Hanno and some others.
The ending was satisfying, but I wasn't a big fan of the epilogue. It reminded me of the epilogue in Harry Potter: Idk, nice but too simple.
While reading it for the first time many years ago I also missed the obvious parallels of a story about a people exiled from the homeland foretold by their prophet, captured and enslaved but it was really only part of a larger plan, then escaping and following a new prophet who will lead them to their homeland but die before setting foot in it, etc. etc. There's even an Old Testament.
The ending was satisfying, but I wasn't a big fan of the epilogue. It reminded me of the epilogue in Harry Potter: Idk, nice but too simple.
While reading it for the first time many years ago I also missed the obvious parallels of a story about a people exiled from the homeland foretold by their prophet, captured and enslaved but it was really only part of a larger plan, then escaping and following a new prophet who will lead them to their homeland but die before setting foot in it, etc. etc. There's even an Old Testament.
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