Creators: James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, & Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
I love fantasy books. I love series. I love gay characters in literature. All of this means I was destined to love Wynd. The world of Wynd reminds me of The City of Ember. (The book NOT the movie!) The main characters are isolated from the rest of the world, there’s a journey through tunnels, and the general uncertainty of who to believe and what is actually true.
Tynion and Dialynas don’t just worldbuild, however, they develop the characters. Wynd, the main character, hides his true self for fear of being ostracized or even worse. He yearns for a “normal” life and cares deeply for his found family. Being gay is part of who Wynd is, it’s not his totality. This story is not about him being gay. He’s just happens to be a gay character in the midst of a fantasy story. I appreciate this approach to inclusion.
The party is fleshed out by his best friend, a prince, and the boy of his dreams. These characters are thrown together by circumstance and don’t mesh that well…and the drama pulls you in. The characters are all brimming with personality. The character designs and body language that Dialynas creates for each character contribute to this as much as Tynion’s writing.
Dialynas draws Pipetown, our initial setting, with a bit of grime. This helps the setting feel more believable. Dialynas is equally adept at drawing the wondrous, magical moments as he is the dark, terrifying bits of the story…which is crucial in any great fantasy story.
Wynd’s story will continue in the upcoming Wynd-Book Two: The Secret of the Wings.
If you have readers who enjoyed Faith Erin Hicks’ The Nameless City trilogy or Mark Siegel’s 5 Worlds series, then the Wynd series should be up next for them!
Teaching Considerations:
- Genre: Fantasy
- Units of Study: Fantasy, Fiction, Series
- Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade
Written By Hand 