The Wind Rises (Alma #1)

Two vividly wrought parallel stories, set in the 18th century, intertwine in this gripping historical adventure, a series opener by de Fombelle (Vango). Thirteen-year-old Alma lives in Isaya, a fictional secluded West African valley, with her brothers, Lam and Soum; their mother, Nao; and their father, Mosi. The reason for their isolation is unknown to the children, who have never been outside the valley, but Alma, believing that "even in paradise, you have to tell stories and create imaginary worlds for children," weaves tales for Lam about the world "over there." Curious and wanting to witness "over there" for himself, Lam disappears, prompting Alma and Mosi to go searching for him. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Joseph Mars, a white orphan who hails from Lisbon, boards the Sweet Amelie, a ship captained by despicable Lazarus Gardel, who plans to "bring back captives from Africa." As the Amelie makes port and Alma leaves her valley for the first time, Alma and Joseph's lives converge. Place's (The Last Giants) intricate b&w line art skillfully portrays the siblings' joyful adventures, powerfully contrasting Joseph's harrowing experiences aboard Gardel's ship. De Fombelle uses richly detailed, consistently engaging prose, suspenseful atmosphere, and a complex cast to deliver an action-packed tale about heartbreak and resilience. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)

Gr 4-7--Mystery is on every page of this fantasy that has some touches of historical fiction. The novel opens with a family in a unique world that is full of peace, joy, and happiness. As more is shared about the family of two loving parents and three children, readers become aware that the parents are hiding something incredibly important to the safety of the entire family. When one member goes missing, others slowly disappear as they leave to search, slipping from this nearly magical world to one that will seem more familiar. The author begins to introduce new characters and settings that are seemingly unrelated to the previous plot. The story becomes more complex as readers are left to manage all the disparate characters. As the novel concludes, de Fombelle weaves all the story lines into a riveting series debut that borders on transcendent. VERDICT This ambitious novel explores many challenging concepts such as family, humanity, and slavery with honesty.--Jennifer Seebauer

Praise for The Wind Rises

"To some extent, the routine features of the adventure are in tension with the particular sorrows of the kidnapped...De Fombelle recognizes many of these agonies, and his succinct and devastating explanations of the customs of the slave trade powerfully animate the facts."—New York Times Book Review

"An intimate look at the consequences of slavery on a personal level brings the painful episode directly to the reader and demands engagement. A good tale with a real moral. This should find its proper place in educational environments and library reading programs as well as the shelves of book lovers of all ages."—Reading the West

"This expertly plotted, thrilling adventure offers many surprising twists and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next installment. The marvelous gray-scale illustrations by François Place add much to the tale."—Buffalo News

"In this debut title of a planned trilogy, de Fombelle's intricate plotting, virtuosic pacing, and Dickensian cast of sharply individuated characters propel readers into the dank corners of the triangle trade."—Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books

"Engrossing, propulsive, and full of dazzling images and unforgettable characters...it has all the ingredients of a masterpiece."—Télérama

"Epic...The Wind Rises proves that Timothée de Fombelle belongs with the very great."—ELLE Magazine (France)

"A fantastic adventure that is also an accurate depiction of the barbarity of slavery. A major achievement."—Ouest France

"Luminous...sheds light on the violence inherent in American society."—AcuaLitté

"Mixes the historical and the romantic in a dark whirlwind."—Public Senat

Praise for Timothée de Fombelle

"De Fombelle writes minimally for maximum effect...packs a punch."—The Times (UK) on Captain Rosalie

★ "Beautiful writing, intricate plotting, and breathless reveals."—Kirkus Reviews on Vango (Starred Review)