Wind on Fire Trilogy - Box Set of 3 [Paperback]

William Nicholson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786809272
• ISBN-13: 978-0786809271
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 3.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,268,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The wind is on fire, November 21, 2004

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wind on Fire Trilogy - Box Set of 3 (Paperback)

William Nicholson is best known for penning screenplays such as "Gladiator" and "Shadowlands," but he tried a different kind of writing in the Wind on Fire trilogy. It's an imaginative series with a richly epic bent, but his writing is too stiff and undescriptive to do it justice.

"The Wind Singer" introduces us to the city of Amaranth, a rigid and ambitious civilization where everyone is constantly given tests, so they can advance higher in their society. But their world is turned on its ear when Bowman and Kestrel Hath escape from the city with the simpleminded Mumpo. The children are determined to find the voice of the ancient Wind Singer, in the hopes that it can restore life to their city. But they will have to face the evil Morah and its unstoppable army as well...

"The Slaves of the Mastery" is darker than its predecessor -- though the Morah has been defeated, the people of Amaranth are still in trouble. They are attacked and enslaved by the forces of the Master, and the twins are separated -- Bo is in slavery, while the fiery Kestrel is seeking revenge on the Master and his people. But even if the twins find one another again, their experiences and the prophecies of their mother may still disrupt their lives...

"Firesong" brings the story to its finale, as the Manth people are journeying to their new land, led by the twins' mother Ira. Unfortunately, Ira's powers are slowly killing her. What is more, Bo has fallen in love with a beautiful princess, Sisi, but also believes that he the Singer people will call him -- and that he will be called on to destroy the threat to the Manth people, but die as well.

The Wind on Fire trilogy has all the qualities of an epic series, starting off with a simplistic story about children on a quest, but turning into the story of a civilization's migration and rebirth. And as a bonus touch, Nicholson successfully imbues the story with philosophy and moral questions that have no clear answers.

Unfortunately, while Nicholson can create an epic story, he can't bring it to life. His career as a screenwriter becomes painfully clear in scenes that need description, but don't have it. He can describe scenes in detail, but more often than not, he doesn't make the readers experience the sounds, smells and sights -- he just tells what the characters are experiencing.

Kestrel and Bo are the most well-written characters of the series, as a pair of twins who have a psychic connection. Kestrel is written as a fiery rebel, while her brother is quieter, and more angst-ridden. Not many of the supporting characters are fleshed out, though, especially some enemies like the Morah, who are just bad bad bad.

The Wind on Fire trilogy has a lot of epic qualities, but thanks to script-like writing, it never quite starts to burn. An entertaining read, but there's always the sense that Nicholson could have done better.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful!, October 31, 2006

By 

Nadia "Fleet UK" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wind on Fire Trilogy - Box Set of 3 (Paperback)

There are so many wonderful things about this trilogy that it's difficult to know where to start.

William Nicholson is a true story-teller with a sensitive style that never fails to delight.

This was the third fantasy series I read after His Dark Materials and Harry Potter, and I fell in love with them. The books have a charm and originality all their own. With brilliant complex characters and beautiful description, both of settings and of emotions.

The books can be read and enjoyed by all people of all ages . At times, William Nicholson's delightful humour has had me laughing out loud. His moments of danger have had me holding my breath, and his many moving passages have had me in tears. Perhaps the most powerful aspect is the love the main characters have for each other.

The story centres around the Hath Family, in particular the twins Bowman and Kestrel. Opposites in every way, yet two halves of the same whole and each a memorable character in their own right.

The books also deal with adult themes which means they can be appreciated on many levels.

There is the gentle and delightful satire of our education system in The Wind Singer. The brutality of slavery in Slaves Of The Mastery. And the meaning of love and self-sacrifice in Firesong. All these themes are explored well and handled with compassion and sensitivity by the author.

I firmly believe that these books deserve to become classics one day.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wind Singer Trilogy = Awesomness!!!, December 12, 2008

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C. Schotter "Bella" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wind on Fire Trilogy - Box Set of 3 (Paperback)

These books are some of the greatest books i have ever read. Nicholson thruout the book amazes me with his talent!

This set of books is a very different original set of books, they are NOT Harry Potter and they are not The Dark Materials.

The story starts out in Amaranth with Bo and Kestral, twins with a psychic connection. The twins are part of the Hath family which includes their parents and younger sister.

Kestral is pretty much a born trouble maker and when she get the family in trouble they have to move to smaller quarters because their rank gets lowered. This doesn't discourage them so much as bring them closer.

The twins soon leave the city to find the voice of the wind singer..

In the second book the Amaranth people are enslaved by the Master and the twins are separated.

In the 3rd and final book the Amaranth people journey to their promised land with their Prophet Ira the twins mother. The Amaranth people are under attack (again) and it will be up to one of the twins to join the Singer people to wipe out the last threat to them.

Is this series perfect? No but it comes really close most of the time!!