Genre: fantasy, bildungsroman, adventure
Key Stage: KS3+
Rating: ★★★★
The Windsinger (Wind on Fire Trilogy), William Nicholson (2000-2003)
Plot: This book follows the quest of twins Kestrel and Bowman Hath, and their acquaintance Mumpo to restore the “Voice of the Wind Singer” to Aramanth, a city which discriminates based on exam results. A minority in their society, the twins refuse to comply with the harsh meritocracy and set off on a quest across a dystopian landscape to save Aramanth.
Positives: Loved how the ideas of mind reading are developed to explore very real human emotions of anger and sadness and how we communicate with one another across boundaries.
Negatives: Perhaps simplistic ideas of discrimination at some points but set within the context of a fantasy world, it abides by its own laws.
If you like this, you might like:
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeves, The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.
Reviewer: Ms Fox