William Nicholson - Screenwriter, playwright and novelist » Fantasy Books

The Wind Singer

Bill — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:00:52 +0000

“I hate school! I hate ratings! I won’t reach higher! I won’t strive harder! I won’t make tomorrow better than today!” In the walled city of Aramanth, exams are everything — not only for children, but for whole families. When Kestrel Hath dares to rebel, the Chief Examiner humiliates her father and sentences the family to the harshest punishment. Desperate to save them, Kestrel discovers that life in Aramanth was once different — and if she can find the secret of the Wind Singer, maybe life can change for the better once more. So she and her twin brother, Bowman, set out on a terrifying journey — to the true source of the evil that grips Aramanth…First volume of The Wind on Fire trilogy
Smarties Gold Award 2000, Blue Peter Book of the Year 2001

Slaves of the Mastery

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:00:39 +0000

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. After a swift and brutal battle that leaves the city burned and the Manth people destined for slavery, Kestrel finds herself alone, angry and bitterly sworn to wreak her own revenge. But first she must find her beloved 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.

This is the second volume of The Wind on Fire Trilogy.

Firesong

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:00:51 +0000

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. After the defeat of the Master, alone and displaced, they seek a new homeland but have no real destination and very little food. Ira Hath leads the way, prophesising their eventual success but also her own, sad demise. Bowman and Kestrel Hath, brother and sister, carry burdens of their own. Bowman, in particular, is anxious. He awaits a summons from the Sirene, and must make a great sacrifice for his people. The journey is long, and his preparation is tough–especially in the unforgiving hands of an unexpected teacher.

This is the final volume of The Wind on Fire Trilogy.

Seeker

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:00:00 +0000

On the rocky island of Anacrea, in a garden at the heart of the great castle-monastery called the Nom, lives the All and Only, the god who made all things, protected by an elite band of fighter monks. These are the Nomana, also known as the Noble Warriors. Seeker, who lives on Anacrea, has just turned sixteen, old enough to follow his brother Blaze into the ranks of the Nomana. The only problem is, his father wants him to be a teacher like himself. Far away, in the foothills of the mountains, Morning Star, also just sixteen, is trying to find a way to tell her beloved father that she wants to leave him, to join the Nomana. Morning Star has a unique skill â€“ she can see peopleâ€™s auras, the faint colours around their bodies that reveal what theyâ€™re feeling. She knows how much her father loves her, but all her life she has longed for the day she can enter the Nom, and come close to the Garden where the creator of all things lives. Many miles to the north, a beautiful golden-haired river bandit called the Wildman is raiding a defenceless village when he comes face to face with two of the Nomana, and finds himself helpless before their power. Overwhelmed and awed, from this moment on he too wants to be a Noble Warrior.Three very different heroes, brought together by a shared dream: to be chosen to enter the Nom, to be trained in the remarkable powers of the Noble Warriors, and to learn the mysteries of the god who lives in the Garden.

But these are dangerous times. Secret enemies have sworn to destroy Anacrea. In the imperial city of Radiance, a city ruled by priests where human sacrifices are thrown to their death every evening, the plans to attack the Nom are far advanced. Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman become caught up in the race to save the god of the Nomana from destruction, and find that they may have to pay with their own lives.

Book Reviews

Jango

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:01:09 +0000

Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman are reunited in this mesmerising second volume of The Noble Warriors trilogy. Having finally gained entry into the Nomana, the friends discover that the mysterious warrior sect is not quite what it appears from the outside. In different ways, for different reasons, they leave to find their own destinies in the world. But now at least they have acquired the remarkable physical skills of the Nomana – and they’re going to need them: the mighty warlord of the Orlan nation is gathering his forces, and has vowed to destroy Anacrea and all who come in his path.

Noman

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:01:17 +0000

In a fortress-monastery on an island live the legendary warriors of the Nomana. The age of the Noble Warriors is over. But questions about the Nomana remain unanswered. Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman’s journeys will lead them to question all their loyalties and those they thought they loved. Seeker is relentless in his mission to find out who the assassin is. Morning Star is engulfed by a dark force that threatens her life. And the Wildman is betrayed by someone he thought was a true friend.

The three are about to discover the secret behind the Nomana. But not before they realise their enemies are closer than they think…