Synopses & Reviews
Kestrel Hath's schoolroom rebellion against the stifling caste system of Aramanth leads to explosive consequences for her and her family: they are relegated to the city's lowest caste and are ostracized. With nothing left to lose, Kestrel and her twin brother, Bowman, do the unthinkable: they leave the city walls. Their only hope to rescue the rest of their family is to find the key to the wind singer, a now-defunct device in the city's center, which was once the course of happiness and harmony in Aramanth. But the key was given to an evil spirit-lord, the Morah, in exchange for the Morah's calling off its terrible army of Zars. Armed with desperate bravery, wits, and determination, Kestrel, Bowman, and a tagalong classmate set off to find the key. Along the way they meet allies and foes, but in order to succeed in their quest, they must face the most sinister force of all: the powerful Morah.
Synopsis
Praise for Slaves of the Mastery:
- An ALA Notable Book
- A masterful sequel to The Wind Singer...Political intrigue, magical power, and quiet humor will keep the pages turning as readers follow the adventures of heroic twins, but at the heart of this tale is an exploration of slavery, freedom and destiny.--School Library Journal Awards and Citations for The Wind Singer:
- Winner of the Nestle Smarties Prize
- An ALA Notable Book
- ...[a] highly imaginative debut YA novel...--Publishers Weekly
- ...the background is well delineated, as are the fabulous battles...a thrilling denouement leaves the way clear for the rest of the saga.--Booklist
Synopsis
Twins Kestrel and Bowman risked their lives to restore the key to the wind singer. Now, five years later, the people of Aramanth are finally free of the Morah, the evil power that controlled them for generations. But with the new kindness has come weakness, and Aramanth lies undefended--unable to resist a ruthless attack by soldiers from a distant land. The city is burned to the ground, and its people driven off as slaves. During the invasion, the twins are separated for the first time in their lives. Bowman becomes a slave of the Mastery, a city where the rulers live in extraordinary luxury and beauty. Kestrel escapes, then sets off to avenge the enslavement of her family. As the twins embark on their parallel adventures, their mother's prophetic dreams reveal their true identity and their dangerous fate. Bowman's special mind power and Kestrel's fierce spirit are soon joined once again to fight for the freedom of their people. As they plan to destroy the Mastery, however, they must also face the ancient evil, returned to haunt and tempt them.