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159th out of 571 books
—
753 voters
Slaves of the Mastery (Wind on Fire #2)
'Slaves of the Mastery' is the fantastically vivid, breathtaking sequel to 'The Wind Singer' by William Nicholson.
Written with the same passion and cinematic scope as the first book in the series, 'Slaves of the Mastery' picks up the story of siblings Kestrel and Bowman five years on from the closing chapter of 'The Wind Singer'.
The city of Aramanth has become a kinder pl...more
Written with the same passion and cinematic scope as the first book in the series, 'Slaves of the Mastery' picks up the story of siblings Kestrel and Bowman five years on from the closing chapter of 'The Wind Singer'.
The city of Aramanth has become a kinder pl...more
Published
(first published 2001)
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Slaves of the Mastery is the second book in William Nicholson's Wind on Fire trilogy. In my opinion, it was the best one and remains my favorite out of the three. This book, along with it's sequel, Firesong, features a LOT of characters. We're talking like a group of 30+ characters. Out of that many people, most of them are minor and background characters, but at the same time I actually connected with this large group of people. And that never happens when I read books with that many characters...more
Having just recently read the first book in the trilogy, Wind Singer (see my review here), my immediate impressions about the second book are well done!
The author has transitioned from the simpler writing style of Wind Singer to one that is much more befitting the age group I believe the books are targeted at. The more mature circumstances written about are also appropriate given the main characters' aging into young adulthood.
For me, and I believe for many readers, the outcome of this installme...more
The author has transitioned from the simpler writing style of Wind Singer to one that is much more befitting the age group I believe the books are targeted at. The more mature circumstances written about are also appropriate given the main characters' aging into young adulthood.
For me, and I believe for many readers, the outcome of this installme...more
With all the fuss over The Hunger Games,I was never drawn into actually reading it.
Though I blundered into this middle volume in the Wind On Fire trilogy,(there is nothing on the cover to indicate this status)it seems to me that it presents a very similar but more coherent alternate reality as a setting for its young protagonists to acheive moral awareness.The ritual of manaxa,with its combination of lethal grace,wrestling and dancing,provides a far more compelling contest than the aimless bruta...more
Though I blundered into this middle volume in the Wind On Fire trilogy,(there is nothing on the cover to indicate this status)it seems to me that it presents a very similar but more coherent alternate reality as a setting for its young protagonists to acheive moral awareness.The ritual of manaxa,with its combination of lethal grace,wrestling and dancing,provides a far more compelling contest than the aimless bruta...more
First off, What I didn't like...
I absolutely hated like the implication that in order to be beautiful you must also be waif thin.
I liked Sisi's character to a certain degree, but the message she promoted within the book was wrong, there is no other way of describing it.
In your quest for that emaciated figure you so desire you must not eat anything for days on end.
You must not drink anything more calorific than water.
After you have married that all changes, you no longer need to be attractive...more
I absolutely hated like the implication that in order to be beautiful you must also be waif thin.
I liked Sisi's character to a certain degree, but the message she promoted within the book was wrong, there is no other way of describing it.
In your quest for that emaciated figure you so desire you must not eat anything for days on end.
You must not drink anything more calorific than water.
After you have married that all changes, you no longer need to be attractive...more
This is the second book in the Wind on Fire Trilogy. This picks up 5 years after the first book, The Windsinger, ended. Although it is a sequel, you really do not need to read the first book to understand the second.
The twins are now 15 and while they are still close, they are trying to appease their parents in not being so close (reading each others minds, etc). Their people are peace-loving, but were taken captive. While Kestral was not taken into slavery, her brother was. She tracks her famil...more
The twins are now 15 and while they are still close, they are trying to appease their parents in not being so close (reading each others minds, etc). Their people are peace-loving, but were taken captive. While Kestral was not taken into slavery, her brother was. She tracks her famil...more
Several years ago I read The Wind Singer, and it really enthralled me. The landscapes, the unique names, the districts and political system in Aramanth - it fascinated and scared me from the first page. I thought it was about time to read the next book, and I was not disappointed.
This is a great book, although not as fantastic as the first in my opinion. But after all these years, it was amazing to meet Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo again. And of course, little Pinpin. A lot is changed, I find them...more
This is a great book, although not as fantastic as the first in my opinion. But after all these years, it was amazing to meet Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo again. And of course, little Pinpin. A lot is changed, I find them...more
"Slaves of the Mastery," the second novel in the Wind on Fire series was absolutely amazing. The story follows many characters including Kestrel, Bowman, the Hath Family, Mumpo, and other new characters. It was interesting to see characters grow and develop, especially Bowman, who matured greatly in this novel. William Nicholson also added interesting, yet crucial characters to this sequel: The Gang, a "clan" who, in this novel, travelled to the Mastery to wed the flawless Johdila.
This was such...more
This was such...more
This is the second and absolutly amazing book of the wind singer trilogy. The subject mater matures a bit in this book, so it was even funnier. In this book the absolutely funniest and the most dense person in the series is introduced, Sisi!
When the ruthless soldiers of the mastery strike, the city is burned, and the Manth people are taken into slavery. Kestrel Hath is left behind, separated from her beloved brother bowman, vowing revenge. Now Kestrel Must find Bowman again, and Bowman must lear...more
When the ruthless soldiers of the mastery strike, the city is burned, and the Manth people are taken into slavery. Kestrel Hath is left behind, separated from her beloved brother bowman, vowing revenge. Now Kestrel Must find Bowman again, and Bowman must lear...more
I really, really enjoyed the second book of this series. Once again Nicholson gives us a somewhat vague criticism of government (the second book must be communism, but the first? I'm not really sure, it was definitely a punishment/rewards system though) as the backdrop for the story, but I wasn't terribly interested in the precise nature of his philosophical leanings. No, once again I found myself completely in love with the characters, Kestrel in particular.
"...And yet, glorious as it was, beau...more
I felt let-down by the time I reached the end of this book. I don't mind a less-than-breakneck pace (in fact, I'm quite fond of it) but there were many occasions during reading where I was entirely bumped out of the story by the thought: 'Is this going anywhere?'
There have been parts of the series that were so languid I hoped there was some point to the meandering slowness of it all. And in the end, though it was all wrapped up, it wasn't enough to overcome the feeling of ennui that seemed to af...more
There have been parts of the series that were so languid I hoped there was some point to the meandering slowness of it all. And in the end, though it was all wrapped up, it wasn't enough to overcome the feeling of ennui that seemed to af...more
This is officially one of the best books I have ever read and it is certainly in my Top Five Young Adult Books list. This book has it all – action, adventure, imagination, likeable characters, wonderful worlds and an excellent plot.
The story takes place five years after the events of The Wind Singer and our protagonists are now 15 years old. Aramanth is attacked and the Manth people are taken into slavery by the army of the Mastery.
Kestrel Hath is the only living person left behind and she emba...more
The story takes place five years after the events of The Wind Singer and our protagonists are now 15 years old. Aramanth is attacked and the Manth people are taken into slavery by the army of the Mastery.
Kestrel Hath is the only living person left behind and she emba...more
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I read these through 2007 and finished the third book in March 2008. These books are one of the few series of YA fantasy I can think of that are UNIQUE. I'd never read anything like them. Nicholson creates a really intriguing world, and keeps adding interesting new elements in each book. He also has great skill at choosing character names!
I ended up using the Manth wedding vows from this book as one of the readings at our wedding. They bring tears to my eyes pretty much every time I read them.
I ended up using the Manth wedding vows from this book as one of the readings at our wedding. They bring tears to my eyes pretty much every time I read them.
This is my favourite book of the trilogy and the one I always reread if I was to escape back to my childhood. It is the darkest - which is probably why I like it best. Nicholson splits the three main protagonists up so they can grow up and develop their individual strengths over the course of the novel. You can tell how much he loves his characters. It is a more coherent story than the Windsinger. It feels more planned out and thought through.
I have to say this trilogy is beautiful. The Windsinger contained new ideas and organisation. But this one was something perfect in itself. "Slaves of the Mastery" delves deeper into the history of the Manth people and of the personal relationships of Kestrel and Bowman. It ends in a thrilling, if quite weak climax and should never be forgotten. Wonderful book. I love the communication between Kestrel and Bowman. I wish I had a brother like him!
Similarly to the first one, a great story but a little heavy handed on the allegory. The first book (The Wind Singer) was a critique of individualist societies; this one was a critique of communism. As with many trilogies, the ending of this book is annoyingly vague, clearly setting up for the third book of the series. Still, good characters, interesting plot, world building which makes sense, I liked it.
I can't believe it has taken me so long to read this trilogy! Slaves of the Mastery continues a brilliant story arc with more mature themes than The Wind Singer, including love, honor and freedom. The Hath family members continue to develop, and new, interesting characters are introduced. It's a darker book, but Nicholson balances the sadness with a cat who wants to fly and Sisi, an "ignorant not stupid" princess.
This book had more drive and complexity than the first book in the trilogy. I don't know if it's 'better,' more that it matures along with its characters. I especially enjoyed the places where Nicholson's screen/play writing ability shows. He uses description so effectively to build a scene without it feeling contrived. Instead, is creates depth and urgency - and is beautifully written. Highly recommended.
While this book is more complex than the first in the trilogy, it didn't grab my attention right away. I missed the conversations Kess and Bowman had together in their heads, but as soon as Bowman discovered his true power, I didn't put the book down until it was finished.
I loved The Wind Singer and I read it in one sitting. But Slaves of the Master didn't grab me so much. I think it was quite a change in tone and feel from the first book in the series, which wouldn't normally bother me but for some reason didn't sit well with me this time around. It is a much darker and older book than the first, and there's a casualness to the cruelty of it that I think makes it feel even older still. While I understand WHY these things happen (it is a war, and a very dark pass...more
How could they leave their great city so soon after it was 'fixed'? So tragic. It's great to see Nicholson can write a book for a more mature audience. More complex relationships present themselves-Mumpo's crush has developed into love. Nicholson is more brutal with killing characters and this continues into 'firesong'. Unlike 'the wind singer' this book leaves you with a hungering for the next one. It is still technically a stand-alone as there are no cliffhangers.
As with the noble warriors tri...more
As with the noble warriors tri...more
I really enjoyed this one, which is good because the windsinger was absolute shit, I think maybe I liked it more because of the introduction of love interests which livened it up a bit.
Good sequel to the first Kestrel and Bowman are still fighting to unite their people. The master makes them slaves and they have many adventures and little teenage romances on the way. :)
Once in a while, you come across a story which will keep you on the edge, you know you will fall but you still want to experience the thrill of falling. The characters are so lively that at one point of time you believe that they exist, everything written and told in the book is true.
More gripping and compelling than the first book!!!
More gripping and compelling than the first book!!!
2nd in Wind on Fire Trilogy.
It's my favorite in the trilogy, being funnier than the other two. All three are distinctive and lyrical and plain and delightful.
It's my favorite in the trilogy, being funnier than the other two. All three are distinctive and lyrical and plain and delightful.
This second novel is much more cinematic than the first. You can really tell that the author is a master-writer for the screen. Wonderfully visual, exciting, three dimensional and with a pleasing resonance!
Action, adventure, great moments of intensity, great characters. I couldn't put it down. I liked it even better than the first book.
very good, I liked this book much better than the first one, it had a better pace and introduction to the different peoples.
Just as good as the first one I read. I read these two before reading the third (which wasn't out at that time). Superb.
By far the pinnacle of the trilogy. The narrative is solid, the characters are at their best, and it remains an exciting read throughout.
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Librarian 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 1...more
More about William Nicholson...
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 1...more
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“We are the slaves of slaves”
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6 people liked it
“She slapped Kestrel’s face. Without thinking twice, Kestrel slapped her back, as hard as she could. The young woman burst into tears. The servant saw this, aghast.
“Baby!” She exclaimed. “Oh, my poor baby!”
“You’ve been kind to me,” said Kestrel, “and you’re very beautiful, but if you hit me again I’ll kill you.”
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3 people liked it
More quotes…
“Baby!” She exclaimed. “Oh, my poor baby!”
“You’ve been kind to me,” said Kestrel, “and you’re very beautiful, but if you hit me again I’ll kill you.”
10 mar. 23:22