Wind on Fire
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Wind On Fire is a fantasy trilogy written by William Nicholson. It is set in a realm similar to ours, but distinctly unrelated to it.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The books are set in a realm similar to ours, but separate. They tell the story of the Hath family, and the Manth people who go on a long, and harsh journey from their city-prison, to their homeland. The main characters, Kestrel and Bowman Hath, are twins that have certain powers that allow them to save their people, and friends, from the Morah. The first book tells of the events unfolding near and inside Aramanth, the second one talks about the lives of the Manth people in The Mastery, and the third book concludes with their voyage to the homeland.
In the first book The Wind Singer the protagonists are Kestrel, Bowman, and Mumpo. During school, Kestrel was teased so much that she left during lunch because she couldn't endure it anymore. Bowman, being her twin brother and other half, followed her and Mumpo (who has an undying crush on Kestrel) followed too. They eventually realize that they have to go on a journey to save the city from the evil Morah who controls the city. They only way to save the city is to retrieve the Wind Singer's voice from the Morah who took it from them many years ago. The only reason that the people let the Morah take the Wind Singer's voice was because of her army of ruthless people who killed everything without mercy called Zars.
[edit] Books
[edit] Characters
Kestrel Hath: One of the most active characters throughout the trilogy. A strong-willed girl, she causes trouble by telling the authorities exactly what she thinks of the system. At the end of the third book, Kestrel becomes part of the army to permanently destroy the Morah and consequently dies. She and her twin share a telepathic bond, but use this ability less as they get older. Note: She only dies physically. Before she leaves Bowman, Bowman reaches into her mind and they become one. they see through each other's eyes and think together. This way Kestrel lives on through Bowman and they are always together. This is an example from Firesong's epilogue. "Bowman watched, and looked out through his eyes. Kestrel watched with him" and "'It all seems so long ago. Did you ever think it would lead us to this?' 'Of course' said Kestrel."
Bowman Hath: Kestrel's twin brother. He is somewhat empathic, and can 'read' peoples' hearts and minds. This ability helps them a great deal through their quest. He can cry easily and is afraid of heights. He is much calmer than his sister. He originally thought he was a Singer, but at the end of the series it is revealed he is the "meeting place", as he has experienced the power of both the Morah and the Singers.
Maslo Inch: The Examiner in the first book. At the end of the book, Malso tels Mumpo that he is his father. He is burnt alive in the second book.
Pinto (Pinpin) Hath: Kestrel and Bowman's younger sister. She takes her first test at the age of two at the beginning of the story. As she grows older she becomes infatuated with Mumpo, to the point of hating her sister, through jealousy of Mumpo's adoration of another.
Hanno Hath: Kestrel, Bowman and Pinpin's father. He works as a librarian, and although intelligent "Likes books, not exams", meaning the Haths cannot achieve a very high family rating. A covertly rebellious man, he is placed in an education group, which is more like prison. He can see why his family would want to rebel against the system, and respects this, but is not openly rebellious himself until his incarceration. Ho loves his family dearly.
Ira Hath: Hanno's wife. Descended from the great prophet Ira Manth, she often enjoys using her 'prophetess voice'. She decides, after Kestrel and Bowman begin their quest and her husband is imprisoned, to actually act as a prophetess, wearing forbidden many-coloured clothing and standing at the foot of the wind singer to preach to the people. Throughout the second and third book, her prophesising powers grow as her strength weakens. She eventually leads the Manth people to their promised land, but dies before she herself reaches it.
Mumpo: A dribbly, smelly boy who is at the bottom of Kestrel's class. As the books progress, however, he matures and becomes surprisingly endearing. Kestrel hates him in the first book and is angered that he joins her quest, but learns to like him. In the second book he trains to be a warrior for the mastery, and falls in love with Pinpin, whom he eventually marries.
Sirharasi (Sisi): Featurings only in books 2 and 3, she is a beautiful but spoiled and childish princess, who has an arranged marriage to Ortiz, heir of the Master. After falling in love with Bowman, she rebels and refuses to marry, which throws the whole country of the Mastery into chaos.
Marius Semeon Ortiz: The next in line to the Mastery, a prominant general.
Albard: A.K.A. the Master, a rebellious Singer. In Firesong he teaches Bowman how to use his powers.
[edit] Themes
[edit] Order and Control
Order and control play a major role in the trilogy. They symbolise that which is at the heart of evil, and the Haths (especially Kestral and Ira) symbolise freedom, and individuality. At the beginning of The Windsinger, Aramanth and its inhabitants are subject to a strict system, and when someone like Kestrel defies the system they are severely reprimanded, showing the grip that the Morah has on the city. The High Examiner is so bent on control that he acts almost insanely when he is crossed. He displays utter disbelief that anyone could undermine or dislike the examination system. The control is illustrated by the rules such as having everyone wear colours to define their place in society, which promotes a sense of having to conform to the group.
In Slaves of the Mastery, control is achieved with fear and threats. If one person disobeys, many are killed, to discourage others from doing the same. Also, control via strength of mind features frequently, and is a skill which at the end of the book enables the Manth people to fly to their homeland. This control of oneself symbolises the liberation of the Manth people (and the world).
[edit] Individuality
This is the converse side of order. The Hath family's patchwork quilt of many colours shows that they are important, as they are the only ones who seem not to be affected by the monotony that subdues the rest of the city. The Evil army, The Zars, is made up of thousands of people who all act as one. When they march towards Aramanth there is a canyon blocking their way, which they walk straight off, knowing that eventually the pile of the dead will be high enough for the remainder of the army to walk over. The wind singer, with its voice returned promotes individuality, and destroys the Zars.
[edit] Fear
Nicholson uses powerfully emotive devices to create not only a real sense of fear amongst the characters, but also to make the reader relate directly to this strong emotion. As mentioned above, fear is used to assert control, for example Kestrel's fear of living in the dark and smelly sewer town, and also the dread which fills her when she sees the old children.
