The Firesong

by Nicholson, William

• ISBN13: 9780786818013
• ISBN10: 0786818018
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary

Twins Bowman and Kestrel have saved their family and the rest of the Manth people from slavery and helped bring about the downfall of the cruel city-state of the Mastery. Now, led by their mother, a prophetess, they are free to seek their promised land. But the journey is long and hard, filled with many dangers, enemies, distractions, and temptations. And each of the travelers is preoccupied with his or her own worries. Hanno Hath, the twins' father, is troubled to see his beloved wife weaken as they draw close to the promised land. As well, he must bolster the endurance of the often doubting and disgruntled Manth people. Bowman is torn between his attraction to Sisi, a former princess, and his destiny, as he perceives it, to sacrifice himself for the good of the people. Kestrel also feels a pull toward a mission, toward something-but for some reason, she cannot envision her life beyond the journey. This is the satisfying and profound ending to the trilogy, which began with The Wind Singer, winner of the coveted Smarties Prize in England.

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE: BOUNCE ON, JUMPER	3	(12)
1 THE VIEW FROM THE SOURGUM TREE	15	(23)
2 DRUNKENNESS	38	(15)
3 SISI'S KISS	53	(21)
4 WALKING THE STORM	74	(26)
5 THE WINNER CHOOSES A BRIDE	100	(17)
6 FAREWELL TO CHILDHOOD	117	(18)
7 THE DYING OF THE LAST FIRE	135	(25)
8 FATNESS IS HAPPINESS	160	(23)
9 TALKING WITH PIGS	183	(20)
10 CAPTAIN CANOBIUS'S FEAST	203	(17)
11 WINTER DAWN	220	(15)
12 ALL MY LOVES	235	(25)
13 THE EGG'S SONG	260	(20)
14 PINTO GROWS UP	280	(24)
15 BOWMAN FLIES	304	(26)
16 IRA SEES THE FUTURE	330	(20)
17 THE MEETING PLACE	350	(25)
18 INTO THE BEAUTIFUL LAND	375	(13)
19 THE WIND ON FIRE	388	(10)
EPILOGUE: A BETROTHAL	398