Customer Reviews

Slaves of The Mastery

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

SLAVES OF THE MASTERY begins five years after the events of the first book of this trilogy, THE WIND SINGER.The social circles of Aramanth have been forever broken by the somewhat peculiar Hath family and soon, Aramanth itself will be destroyed and the Manth people made slaves of a distant country called The Mastery.

William Nicholson, whose screen writing credits include "Gladiator", has once again crafted a fast moving story of intersecting plots. And like THE WIND SINGER, there is much below the surface of the action. At the heart of the tale is the duality of life. Nicholson explores the similarity and differences between good and evil, freedom and slavery (even self slavery), beauty and violence, love and hatred, and life and death.

The author has drawn on many sources to create this story, the most obvious of which is the Moses story and the "Book of Exodus." He has utilized his research for "Gladiator" in creating an artistic death sport called the Manaxa. But most intriguing is his exploration of slavery. On this point long hours of discussion can ensue, because Nicholson's implications are vast. We may even pause to ask are we slaves ourselves -- slaves of culture, religion, and even work? Just who does the Master represent in Nicholson's grand design. I have a definite opinion, and I'm sure you will too.

The themes and juxtaposed scenes of beauty and violence make this a more mature book for older readers and adults. For these same reasons, SLAVES OF THE MASTERY rises above the level of the first book as Nicholson immerses us in two new cultures populated with characters, customs, and cultures that range from awe inspiring to absurd.

The only negative may be that this book may not stand on it's own, particularly in the area of character development. If you haven't read the first book, the characters seem rather sketchy and thin, particularly the Hath family around whom the story revolves. Solution? Read THE WIND SINGER first.

I picked up the first book of this series (The Wind Singer) off the library shelf because I thought the cover looked cool. I was very surprised when I liked it as much as I did. Normally, when a book is that good, I do not go on to read the entire series, because often the first book is the best and it is down hill from there. I went ahead and broke that line of thought because I enjoyed the first one so much, and checked out Slaves of the Mastery from my library. I couldn't believe it: it was BETTER than the first book. That's never happened to me before. I have now bought the entire series and am reading through them again.

I think that certain parts of this book could be a little scary for youngsters, because William Nicholson addresses all kinds of social issues (and not pretty social issues, at that), and there a couple battle scenes that are pretty graphic. It is a perfect young adult book, however, and I recommend it above any other young adult fantasy book I have ever read, including Harry Potter, and the Sabriel series (which was one of those series where the first book was REALLY good and the last two kept getting worse). In fact, there were parts that had me laughing out loud (the boy, Bowman, is very clever sometimes. The cat had me cracking up, too), and there were parts that brought me to the brink of tears. It is a hard call between this one and The Wind Singer for which is my favorite of the trilogy.

The day I bought this book I sat down on the couch and read for the rest of the day. William Nicholson's Slaves of the Mastery isn't just a book for children and teens. It deals with mature issues such as slavery and violence. If you read The Wind Singer and didn't like it enough to read the sequel, reconsider, because this book is so much better. Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo are unique, appealing characters and there is always a new spin on the story. As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting the third book in the trilogy. Read this book- you won't regret it!

Slaves of the Mastery picks up several years after the events of the Windsinger (first book of the trilogy) and in plot and structure is similar to its predecessor, though not as original in thought or imagery. Once again, the book examines a dystopic setting. In this case it is The Mastery, a city-state of slaves and masters, one of whose leaders has raided the Manth city and taken its inhabitants, including the main characters from book one, into slavery. The book once again focuses on the Hath family (including this time Pinto, the baby in book one, who is accorded more of a place here) and a small circle of friends as they first are first taken, then herded into a forced march from Amaranth to The Mastery, then attempt to escape.
Kestrel and Bowman, the two siblings and the main focus, are separated early on and as did the first book, this one soon evolves into a split structure, interweaving between Bowman and his family's march and Kestrel's attempts to follow them in the guise of a servant to a vain and powerful princess on her way to marry sight unseen the chosen son of the Mastery's leader. Eventually, the two stories coincide in the climax of the book.
This is certainly a young adult novel, and the slim setting details, quick pace, and thin characterization are what one would expect. The book, however, is much darker than usual for this age group in terms of tone and specific detail and can be jarringly so at times. Nicholson certainly doesn't sugarcoat despair or tragedy here.
Being a YA novel, coming-of-age themes are readily apparent and Nicholson does a good job of showing the development of Bowman, Kestrel, their friend Mumpo, and Kestrel's princess. If their development is predictable or obvious, it is probably more a nature of the genre than the writing, though YA doesn't preclude a more subtle touch. Other characters are sketchy and somewhat two-dimensional. This unfortunately includes the mother and father, who play a major role. The mother especially is not only not fully fleshed out but is actually pretty annoying as a character.
The plot is not as episodic as the first one, which allows for a tighter focus and more growth in side characters as they are given more pages to develop. One of the strengths of the first book's episodic nature, however, was that it gave Nicholson full reign to indulge his imagination and while he didn't hit a home run for each adventure, he came up with enough startlingly imaginative events that it kept the book fresh and exciting. This book isn't as imaginative and therefore also not as interesting or compelling.
The lessons of the first book were pretty simple but here Nicholson moves into more thoughtful, more abstract, more open-ended worlds. If the characterization is perhaps overly simple for the audience, he certainly does not condescend when it comes to the larger issues of the book, which give pause for thought to any adult let alone a young teen.
Once again, the book closes with a sense that there is more to come and if this one isn't as strong as the first, it holds interest enough to make the reader hope for better in the third and keep on with the series.

This is a brillaint book. The first one was already exciting and absorping but Slaves of Mastery is breath-taking! I am a girl from Hong Kong. I didn't read much books before. But when i first saw Volume 1 and 2 from Library I grabbed it.

The first one was a kind of children adventure.It was beautifully written, especially the link between Bowman and Kestrel.it seems likea classic.
In second one,Slaves of Mastery, characters have grown up to 15 years old which is teenage years. In Anamanth they married soon but Kestrel refused marry to anyone.This is a reflection in the real world though.Nowadays most people are lucky that they can choose their own girl-boy to marry. Not like Ortiz and Siso who don't even know each other.Mumpo was a really lovely and mild boy! He changed from adore to LOVE Ketrel and wanted to marry her.

The storyline is so cool. Ortiz was a cruel leader under the Master and he burnt Anamanth. But you can't believe that Ortiz will deeply fall in love with someone who should not. Although Ortiz was cruel, he had a pure love for his lover. he daydreamt about her a lot.^^He was the one who Anamanth people aimed to revenge for...

This book has some scenes very cruel and terrible. It has more cruel and lovely scenes than the first! Especially the scene when Ortiz and his 'bride' were dancing!it was certainly a pure love for ortiz...Oh...he had a ending which surprised me...although he was really really really bad.
This book made me cried a lot. it contains many many general touching. I run through the book and can't believe some horribe dying.
I am highly highly recommend this book to everyone who loves fantasy story!Honestly, this isn't just a book only about three teengers' adventure! it was a truly touching, human-like and unforgettable story! I sincerely thank you the people who read my comments with tears!

I hope you find my comments interesting and buy the book! Buy it! Buy it!!><I finished this book in one day! I can't even believe myself that I can read that fast!!

Hey! i loved this book! When i bought it, i couldn't stop reading it! i lent it to my friend and she and i can't stop talking about it. The book is the second book of a Trilogy, called The Wind on Fire. Throughout this book, as well as the first one, we follow twins Bowman and Kestrel, who are as similar as they are differet. They are very close. At the begining of this book, The Mastery invades Armamanth destroying the city and enslaving it's people. Kestrel avoides this capturing and watches as her family is led off with the rest. She leaves her city still burning, and follows as the Mastery leads her people away. She vows to follow them and avenge the death of so many of her people, so she follows as they march. She eventually finds a caravan of people going to the Mastery to wed their princess to the Master's son. The book takes you back and forth through the eyes of both Bowman the slave and Kestrel the avenger, and tells their tales. It is a very good read, i recomend it! It is amazing how close Bowman and Kestrel remain throughout their seperation. they both long for each other in such a way it's amazing. I love the characters and the faith they heve in eachother. Just an overall good read!

While the first book in this trilogy, "The Wind Singer", was very good, this one was much better. The Wind Singer was more of a childlike adventure, but still dealt with a not-so-utopic environment and the flaws in a government concerned only with overall improvement.

This book is different. It deals more with the philosophical aspects mentioned in the first book, and is a deeper sort of story.

Twins Kestrel and Bowman Hath are now 15 years old, and their baby sister Pinpin is now a spirited little 7-year-old, who now goes by her real name, Pinto. The city of Aramanth, free from their once-stifling government, is thriving...until an army invades and burns down the city. The Manth people are taken as slaves into a city-state called the Mastery.

In this book, Kestrel and Bowman are separated. Bowman is captured by the Mastery, while Kestrel, who managed to escape, tries to track down her family and free them...and unexpectedly gets caught by the royal family of another city, eager to make peace with the Mastery. Kestrel travels to the Mastery with the a princess called Sisi, an extremely beautiful, sheltered and naive girl.

The Mastery is a cruel government that holds a secret, and Bowman is determined to set his people free to seek the Homeland that his mother sees in her prophecies. But the question is whether the people truly want to be set free...and if the Mastery is truly the utopic city that the government believes it is. The people begin to question if the Mastery is really all that bad, and what "freedom" truly means.

This is truly a wonderful book, much more satisfying than the first one, that leaves you eager for more. The third book provides a satisfying conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.

While I liked "The Wind Singer", I found this book to be a much better read. The writing style the author uses has changed for the better. I thought the writing in the first book was very simple...too simple, actually. I think that Mr. Nicholson expanded his horizons, and this book was much more impressive than "The Wind Singer". The story in this book was also much more complex, following the separate paths of many different characters, where as the first book in the series only followed Kestrel and Bowman. It was a nice change of pace to be able to understand what several characters were struggling with. Overall, I found this book to be entertaining and enjoyable.

This plays with your emotions. I dont understand how Nicholson can think up these things. Well, however he does it, it works. It is extremely gripping and clevery written. The characters are better than Harry Potter characters and match up to artemis fowl's, but with more variation and less sarcasm. It is full of family love and emotion. It is an adventure you musn't miss! Buy it. That's all I can say- buy it. I'm serious!...

Slaves of the Mastery was a great follow-up on Kestrel and Bowman Hath who are 15-year-old twins that can speak with each other telepathicly. One day at dawn the people of the Mastery come and enslave the people of Aramanth. They burn down the whole city and for the first time Kestrel and Bowman are seperated sot they can't talk to each other with their minds. Bowman goes with the rest of his people to Mastery to be a slave while Kestrel follows her people planning to avenge the people of the Mastery. While following her people she runs in to the Johdila (Sisi) who is the Princess that has to marry Ortiz, the son of the Master. The book goes back and forth between Kestrel and Bowman and how they plan to avenge the Mastery and free the slaves.
This book was great. I could not put it down. Like the Harry Potter books when I finished I got mad because the third one wasn't out yet. I do have to admit that I really didn't like the first couple of chapters, but after that I couldn't stop reading. It kept me on the edge of my seat 85% of the time. This book isn't just for kids I'd suggest this book to people of all ages.