Wings of Fire is set on an unnamed planet[a] which features two known major continents, Pyrrhia and Pantala, and orbited by three moons. The two continents are predominantly inhabited by intelligent dragons that are grouped into ten tribes, seven of which inhabit Pyrrhia (MudWings, SeaWings, RainWings, SandWings, SkyWings, IceWings, NightWings) and three that inhabit Pantala (LeafWings, SilkWings, HiveWings); with a few exceptions, dragons from different tribes keep to themselves. (Hybrid dragons, while rare, are known to exist.) Each tribe is ruled by a dynasty of royal queens and lives in a habitat suited to its biological needs and abilities; most tribes have unique adaptations fitting for their respective habitats such as resistance to cold, the ability to breathe underwater, or camouflage scales. Both continents are also sparsely inhabited by humans (referred to as "scavengers" or "reading monkeys" by dragons, mostly the former term), who are viewed by most dragons as an inferior species or simply just another prey animal.[5] However, human-dragon interrelations and interactions are explored several times throughout the course of the series.[6]
Though it is considered exceptionally rare, magic and magic-touched objects are known to exist in the dragon world, and animus dragons–capable of an intricate form of magic which comes at the cost of their souls–are largely responsible for such phenomena.
Synopsis
The series currently consists of three arcs of five books apiece, which focus on young dragons ("dragonets") fulfilling or subverting prophecies to save their world. Each arc consists of five books, and each book centers on its own protagonist, whose story is told through a third person limited perspective. Fifteen books in the main series have been released, as well as four novellas (known as Winglets), two extended-length standalone novels (known as Legends), multiple companion books and a presently-releasing series graphic novel adaptations of titles from the main series.[7] The series is edited by Amanda Maciel[8][9] and features covers drawn by Joy Ang;[10][11] many of the titles have been recorded as audiobooks by Shannon McManus.
Each Wings of Fire novel has been released in hardcover and paperback format (in addition to ongoing graphic novel adaptations).[12] A fourth arc has been confirmed by Sutherland to be in the works.[13]
The Dragonet Prophecy
The first arc consists of five books: The Dragonet Prophecy (2012), The Lost Heir (2013), The Hidden Kingdom (2013), The Dark Secret (2013), and The Brightest Night (2014), respectively starring Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight and Sunny as the protagonists. It takes place roughly twenty years into the War of SandWing Succession, a continent-wide war across most of Pyrrhia which originated when the three daughters of Queen Oasis of the SandWings - Blaze, Blister, and Burn - each sought the throne for herself when Oasis was killed at the hands of three treasure hunting humans. Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight, and Sunny (collectively referred to as the Dragonets of Destiny) are tasked by a prophecy ("The Dragonet Prophecy") to choose who should ascend to the throne and bring an end to the twenty-year war.[14]
The Jade Mountain Prophecy
The second arc consists of five books: Moon Rising (2014), Winter Turning (2015), Escaping Peril (2015), Talons of Power (2016), and Darkness of Dragons (2017), respectively starring Moonwatcher, Winter, Peril, Turtle and Qibli as the protagonists. It takes place six months after the Dragonets of Destiny successfully end the War of SandWing Succession, beginning at the newly-founded intertribal school, Jade Mountain Academy, and eventually expanding elsewhere within Pyrrhia. The books chronicle the efforts of the aforementioned five students, among others, as they face off against threats and concepts (ex. animus magic) both old and new and try to prevent the catastrophic destruction foretold in the sinister "Jade Mountain Prophecy" from coming true.[14]
The Lost Continent Prophecy
The third arc consists of five books: The Lost Continent (2018), The Hive Queen (2018), The Poison Jungle (2019), The Dangerous Gift (2021), and The Flames of Hope (2022), respectively starring Blue, Cricket, Sundew, Snowfall, and Luna as the protagonists. It introduces a second continent, Pantala (the "Lost Continent"), located far west of Pyrrhia, ruled by the tyrannical and dictatorial HiveWing Queen Wasp. Neither continent is fully aware of the other's existence. The books focus on five dragons and their efforts to discover the truth behind the lies told by Queen Wasp, as well as stop the existential threat of a mind-controlling entity with the potential to destroy all of the dragon tribes.[14]
Legends
Two standalone "special edition" titles separate from the main arcs, subtitled Legends, have been published: Darkstalker (2016) and Dragonslayer (2020). Each book seeks to add additional context and/or provide new perspective on major events referred to in the series, and, in contrast to main entries in the Wings of Fire series, Legends books follow several characters' perspectives in alternating chapters. Darkstalker alternates between the perspectives of Fathom, Clearsight, and the titular Darkstalker, providing an unobscured-by-legend trio of accounts of the origin story of the latter within the larger context of the dragon world. [14][15]Dragonslayer alternates between the perspectives of three humans - Leaf, Ivy, and Wren - and features retellings of major events from the first arc from their perspectives.
Supplementary works
Winglets
Four short stories called "Winglets" have been published. They seek to add additional context to events that were mentioned offhandedly in the main series or Legends, and are told from the perspectives of secondary characters from the main series. Originally published exclusively as e-book titles, the four stories - Prisoner (2015), Assassin (2015), Deserter (2016), and Runaway (2016)[16] - have since appeared several times in print. They respectively star Fierceteeth, Deathbringer, Six-Claws, and alternatively Foeslayer, Arctic and Snowflake. Three titles appeared in the limited edition A Winglets Collection: The First Three Stories (2016), two in the also-limited Winglets Flip Book (2019), and all four in The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories (2020).
Graphic novel adaptation
Collectively adapted by both Barry Deutsch and Tui T. Sutherland, and respectively drawn and colored by Mike Holmes and Maarta Laiho,[17][18] the Wings of Fire series has undergone an adaptation into graphic novel form since 2018.[19] The second arc is currently being adapted.
Other titles
Five companion books and one limited edition re-release have been released. Forge Your Dragon World (2022) is an interactive activity book with advice on worldbuilding and developing characters in the style of Wings of Fire, and is aimed at fans who want to write their own stories. The Official Coloring Book (2022), created in collaboration with artist Brianna C. Walsh, is a coloring book featuring blank lineart of many characters from the series.[20]A Guide to the Dragon World (2023) is a collection of stories and art intended to add some additional context and history to the ten tribes and the world they live in. How to Draw (2023) is a drawing tutorial book and reference book illustrated by Walsh.[20] A supplementary release titled The Official Wings of Fire Stained Glass Art Book (2024), created in collaboration with Klutz Press, is set for publication in early 2025. Additionally, The Dragonet Prophecy: Limited Edition (2024), a re-release of the full first book with unique cover art, an interview with the author, and an early omitted chapter, was released for a limited time.[12]
Themes and reception
Wings of Fire has been noted for its thematic undertakings. It is written as an anti-war series, and the protagonists usually try to put an end to major conflicts by pacifistic means and while trying to prevent as many dragons from dying as possible. Despite generally being targeted toward younger audiences, the books are also noted for dealing with heavy and dark subject matter, though the series also continually works toward the idea of hope. Sutherland intentionally revolves each arc individually around its characters and sets of leading questions, such as free will versus destiny/fate, nature versus nurture, the implications of different styles of parenting, the various aspects of expectations (both that which one projects outwards and which one receives from others), what it means to be gifted (not only referring to intellectual giftedness but to supernatural abilities as well), and the many facets of duty and responsibility. The phrase "wings of fire" was chosen to both immediately invoke the imagery of dragons to readers, and to represent an individual's ability to overcome destiny and uncover one's full potential. Through the NightWing tribe, she additionally explores the philosophical and moral implications of mind-reading, prophecy, and extrasensory perception. Darkstalker and the second arc in particular expand upon the role of magic in fantasy literature through the concept of "animus magic", a rare form of all-powerful magic which comes at the cost of affecting one's soul (both psychologically and literally). Additionally, Sutherland's personal philosophy and upbringing have been cited as an important influence, as have her unusual religious and multicultural upbringing.[14]
One of the biggest influences on Sutherland's process of developing the setting of the world of Wings of Fire was nature documentaries such as Planet Earth and Life in the Undergrowth.[14][6] When pitching the series to Scholastic, she noted that one of the series' primary selling points and draws was that it featured dragons as the heroes of the stories, contrasted with the supporting or antagonists roles typically allotted to dragons.[8]
Wings of Fire has generally received positive critical reviews[citation needed] and sold over 14 million copies to date. It has developed a substantial following over the years, and Sutherland has hosted numerous public events over the years when she interacts with fans and answers questions.
Television series adaptation
In March 2020, an animated television series was announced to be in development with ARRAY and Warner Bros. Animation for Netflix,[21] with production commencing in April 2021. Ava DuVernay was to helm the project, which would initially include ten 40-minute episodes.[22] In May 2022, Netflix scrapped the series for unspecified reasons.[23][24]
In February 2024, it was announced that the books were picked up for production by Amazon Prime Video, and the animated series will be produced by Amazon MGM Studios with an entirely different creative team attached to the production. Although "[n]o writer is currently attached" to the project, the announcement revealed that Jack Tar Productions, under executive producer Marc Resteghini, was assigned to the adaptation.[25]
Notes
^The planet's proper name has not been revealed in-series, though it was referred to as "the dragon planet" in Darkstalker.[4]
References
^"Wings of Fire". Scholastic Kids. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
^Sutherland, Tui T. (October 1, 2024). The Dragonet Prophecy: Limited Edition (Limited ed.). Scholastic Inc. ISBN978-1-5461-3877-8.
^ abSutherland, Tui T. (June 28, 2024). "This page needs a dragon!". Substack. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024. This is, in fact, the shiny new cover for a fancy new paperback edition of Book One coming out October 1, which will also have beautiful art on the back and extra stuff inside.
^Sutherland, Tui T. (June 27, 2024). "Hi everyone!". Substack. Archived from the original on June 29, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
^McGaw, Graeme (October 22, 2016). "Wings of Fire Books in Order". Book Series in Order. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^Laiho, Maarta (August 13, 2017). "About". Pencilcat: The Art of Maarta Laiho. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
^ abWalsh, Brianna C. (March 22, 2023). "Clients". Art of Brianna C. Walsh. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
