Wings of Fire (novel series)
 The Wings of Fire text-based logo as used on the covers of the novels | |
| |
| Author | Tui T. Sutherland |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Joy Ang (novel covers and guides for novels) Mike Holmes (Graphic Novels) Mike Schley (maps and borders) Brianna C. Walsh (companion titles) Jake Parker (only Legends, Darkstalker graphic novel arts) |
| Cover artist | Joy Ang |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English, Japanese, German, French, Chinese, along with 6 others. |
| Genre | Fantasy, Middle grade literature, fiction |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
| Published | July 1, 2012 – present |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) Audiobook & E-book |
| No. of books | 24 |
| Website | kids |
Wings of Fire is a children's adventure[1] fantasy novel series about dragons, written by Tui T. Sutherland and published by Scholastic Inc.[2] The series has been translated into over ten languages, with some versions having their own cover art,[3] has sold over 27 million copies worldwide making it one of the most successful fantasy series for young readers,[4] and has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 200 weeks.[5] Wings of Fire is rated for ages 7–12 according to Scholastic, Inc.[1]
Setting and universe
[edit]Wings of Fire is set on a magical planet orbited by three moons, which features two known major continents, Pyrrhia and Pantala, and one known major island, the Dungeon Isle. The planet is 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 (SilkWings, HiveWings, LeafWings). There was also once an additional Pantalan tribe known as the BeetleWings, now extinct; the SilkWings and HiveWings are their modern descendants. Dragons tend to live in their tribe's suited habitat (ex., RainWings reside in the Rainforest Kingdom, IceWings in the Ice Kingdom, etc.) and most regularly live among their own kind. Inter-tribal relationships allow hybrids of the various species to exist; while on the two major continents, these relationships are rare, they are common on the Dungeon Isle. Hybrids on the Dungeon Isle who have genetically mixed to the point where it is impossible to identify their parent tribes are known as WildWings.[6]
Most tribes have unique adaptations suited to their respective habitats, such as cold resistance, the ability to breathe underwater, or camouflage scales. Extremely rarely, some dragons from certain tribes have access to a genetically inherited power called animus magic, which allows the user to enchant objects to do their bidding. However, it is believed that using animus magic takes away a piece of the user's soul. Tribes are ruled by dynasties of queens, except for the dragons on the Dungeon Isle, who are ruled by an elected council.
Both continents are also home to humans, which in the majority of the series are called scavengers or reading monkeys and viewed as unimportant pieces of prey. However, after the events of both Dragonslayer and Book 14, dragons view them in a different way.[7] Some scavengers are kept as pets by dragons, and their relationships are explored throughout the books.[8]
Synopsis
[edit]The series currently consists of four arcs (one currently being published), each with five books (except the fourth). The books focus on young dragons, or dragonets. Each book centers on its own protagonist, whose story is told through a third person limited perspective. Each arc involves its protagonists fulfilling or subverting prophecies to save their world. Sixteen books in the main series have been released, as well as five novellas (known as Winglets), two extended-length standalone novels (known as Legends), multiple companion books, and a presently-releasing series of graphic novel adaptations of titles from the main series.[9] The series has been edited by Amanda Maciel[10][11] and features covers drawn by Joy Ang;[12][13] 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[14] along with some audio book adaptations.
The Dragonet Prophecy
[edit]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 the MudWing Clay, the SeaWing Tsunami, the RainWing Glory, the NightWing Starflight, and the SandWing Sunny, collectively known as the Dragonets of Destiny, as the protagonists. It takes place roughly twenty years into the War of SandWing Succession, a 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 after Oasis was killed by three treasure-hunting humans, which the dragons call scavengers, without having a specified heir. Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight, and Sunny were five dragonets who were taken and raised in hiding by a group called the "Talons of Peace". The Dragonet Prophecy claims that these dragonets (the "Dragonets of Destiny") must choose who should ascend to the SandWing throne and bring an end to the twenty-year war. The Dragonets of Destiny escape from where the Talons of Peace were keeping them and travel through Pyrrhia to find out more about who they are and where they came from.
The Jade Mountain Prophecy
[edit]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 the NightWing Moonwatcher, the IceWing Winter, the SkyWing Peril, the SeaWing Turtle, and the SandWing Qibli as the protagonists. It takes place six months after the events of The Brightest Night. After the war ended, the Dragonets of Destiny, aside from Queen Glory, established themselves at their newly founded intertribal school, Jade Mountain Academy, and eventually expanded elsewhere within Pyrrhia. The books follow the aforementioned five students as they face off against threats both old and new, trying to prevent the catastrophic destruction foretold in the Jade Mountain Prophecy while grappling with an unknown evil called Darkstalker.
The Lost Continent Prophecy
[edit]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 the SilkWing Blue, the HiveWing Cricket, the LeafWing Sundew, the IceWing Queen Snowfall, and the SilkWing Luna as the protagonists. It introduces a second continent, Pantala, located far west of Pyrrhia and ruled by a tyrannical HiveWing named Queen Wasp. All of the protagonist dragons, except Queen Snowfall, are from the new continent. Neither continent is fully aware of the other's existence at first, aside from some ancient legends, in which Pyrrhian legends refer to Pantala as The Lost Continent, and Pantalan legends speak of Pyrrhia as the Distant Kingdoms. The book focuses on five dragons and their efforts to uncover the truth behind the lies told by Queen Wasp, as well as to stop the existential threat posed by a mind-controlling plant, human, and dragon with the potential to destroy all the dragon tribes.
The Forgotten Isles Prophecy
[edit]A fourth arc, The Forgotten Isles Prophecy, is currently in the works.[15] The first book in the arc (Book 16), The Hybrid Prince, was released on March 3, 2026, starring the MudWing Umber as the protagonist. The Hybrid Prince takes place after Book 6 (Moon Rising), and involves Umber discovering a hidden island settled by hybrid dragons, including new tribes, who are descendants of the banished tribes of exiled dragons.
Plot and background
[edit]Over 5,000 years prior to the events of the main series, humans were the dominant species of Pyrrhia. Dragons in this period were solitary creatures, with no true civilizations. A human named Cottonmouth stole a dragon's egg, and other humans followed suit. Eventually, the dragons fought back and set fire to most of the human settlements, driving the remaining humans into hiding.[16] This event is referred to throughout the series as "the Scorching".[17]
Two thousand years after the Scorching and three thousand years before the events of the main series, a disagreement between the BeetleWings, LeafWings, and the Queens' Claws (a council of representatives from each tribe) was started when two of the Queens' Claws mentioned that a village seemed to be a violation of the Accords of Dragonkind due to it harboring fugitives from other tribes. Many dragons were exiled to the Court of Refuge, a prison where they and their descendants would be trapped forever.
Present era (five thousand years after the Scorching), a human killed the SandWing queen Oasis. Oasis had three daughters who were heirs to the throne, and so began the War of SandWing Succession. A prophecy given by a NightWing named Morrowseer eight years into the war said that after twenty years, a group of five dragonets called the Dragonets of Destiny would be born and bring an end to the war. These five dragonets, throughout the events of arc one, traveled across the continent of Pyrrhia, eventually bringing an end to the war by choosing a SandWing named Thorn to be queen using the Eye of Onyx, a magical item used to choose a SandWing ruler.
After the war, the Dragonets of Destiny established a school named Jade Mountain Academy, bringing dragonets of all tribes into one cohesive structure. Shortly after, a NightWing named Moonwatcher, wielding powers of telepathy and foresight, began receiving telepathic communication from Darkstalker, a 2000-year-old animus, in her head. Later on, Darkstalker is freed when a SkyWing with firescales named Peril destroys a scroll holding all his power and releases it back to him. After escaping, Darkstalker performed many enchantments, such as bending a tribe to his will and sending a magical plague to his enemies. Finally, a RainWing named Kinkajou used a portion of the previously mentioned scroll and enchanted a strawberry that Darkstalker was tricked into eating, which turned him into a dragonet (with no memories of his former identity), effectively killing him and bringing an end to his over 2000-year reign.
The third arc follows the perspectives of five dragons who are determined to save Pantala from the tyrannical HiveWing queen, Wasp. They venture out to the depths of Pantala to locate an abyss and stop a mind-controlling plant called the Breath of Evil. Once this plant is destroyed, Queen Wasp is unable to use her mind control and is locked up.
The fourth arc follows Clay's youngest brother, Umber, as he and his sister, Sora, run away from Jade Mountain Academy and the terrible things that Sora has done. Umber and Sora are saved by a young hybrid prince who promises protection for him and his sister, and they decide to follow the prince to the Court of Refuge.
Supplementary works
[edit]Legends
[edit]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 a 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 Darkstalker within the larger context of the dragon world.[18] Dragonslayer alternates between the perspectives of three humans – Leaf, Ivy, and Wren – and features retellings of major events from the first arc from human perspectives.
Winglets
[edit]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 first four stories – Prisoner (2015), Assassin (2015), Deserter (2016), and Runaway (2016)[19] – have since appeared several times in print. The fifth Winglet, Hero, was released as an e-book on February 3, 2026.[20] The first three Winglets are narrated by Fierceteeth, Deathbringer, and Six-Claws respectively, while the narrator of Runaway alternates between Foeslayer, Arctic, and Snowflake and the narrator of Hero alternates between Jasper, Ruby, and Cliff. 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 four in The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories (2020).[21]
Graphic novel adaptation
[edit]Collectively adapted by both Barry Deutsch and Tui T. Sutherland, and respectively drawn and colored by Mike Holmes and Maarta Laiho,[22][23] the Wings of Fire series has undergone an adaptation into graphic novel form since 2018. Currently 10 graphic novels have been released, nine being from the main series [24] and one being an adaptation of Legends: Darkstalker.[25]
Other titles
[edit]Six companion books have been released. Forge Your Dragon World (2022) is an interactive activity book with advice on worldbuilding and character development in the style of Wings of Fire, 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 line art of many characters from the series.[26] 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.[26] The Official Wings of Fire Stained Glass Art Book (2024), created in collaboration with Klutz Press, features crafts in the form of vellum paper to look like stained glass. The Official Stickerpedia (2026) a sticker book with over 150 stickers of dragons illustrated by Brianna C. Walsh.[27]
In addition, five limited edition re-releases have also been released for a limited time, each featuring unique cover art as well as bonus materials including character sketches and Q&As with the author. The five books are The Dragonet Prophecy: Limited Edition (2024), The Lost Heir: Limited Edition (2025), The Hidden Kingdom: Limited Edition (2025), The Dark Secret: Limited Edition (2025), and The Brightest Night (2025). The limited edition for The Dragonet Prophecy also contains an early omitted chapter. A box set containing all five books was released in 2025.[28]
Characters
[edit]Themes and reception
[edit]Wings of Fire was written featuring anti-war themes,[citation needed] which focuses on protagonists who often try to resolve major conflicts by pacifistic means 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, 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 gifting but to supernatural abilities as well), and the many rules 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. Sutherland additionally explores the philosophical and moral implications of mind-reading, prophecy, and extrasensory perception through moon-bestowed NightWing powers. 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 nearly all-powerful magic that comes at the cost of eroding one's soul. Additionally, Sutherland's personal philosophy and upbringing have been cited as important influences, as has her unusual religious and multicultural upbringing.[citation needed]
A large influence 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).[8]
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 antagonistic roles typically allotted to dragons.[29]
Wings of Fire has generally received positive reviews and sold over 27 million copies to date.[4] It has developed a substantial following over the years, and Sutherland has hosted numerous public events where she interacts with fans and answers questions. This includes FanWing Fest, an official convention for Wings of Fire fans that takes place in multiple locations across the United States yearly.
Television series adaptation
[edit]In March 2020, an animated television series was announced to be in development with ARRAY and Warner Bros. Animation for Netflix,[30] with production commencing in April 2021. Ava DuVernay was to helm the project, which would initially include ten 40-minute episodes.[31] In May 2022, Netflix scrapped the series for unspecified reasons.[32][33]
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. The announcement revealed that Jack Tar Productions, under executive producer Marc Resteghini, was assigned to the adaptation.[4] In May 2025, it was announced that Aaron Waltke will be attached as showrunner, co-writer and executive producer, with Tui T. Sutherland as co-writer and executive producer.[34]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Wings of Fire Books". kids.scholastic.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
- ↑ "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. ISBN 978-1-5461-3877-8.
- 1 2 3 Otterson, Joe (February 22, 2024). "'Wings of Fire' Animated Series in Development at Amazon After Previous Version Scrapped at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Children's Series Books – Best Sellers". The New York Times. October 28, 2023. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (2026). "The World of Pyrrhia". Tui T. Sutherland. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Stephanie (October 7, 2014). "Q&A with New York Times bestselling author Tui T. Sutherland". Scholastic OOM – On Our Minds. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- 1 2 "Dreaming of Dragons". Society of Young Inklings. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ↑ Cadden, Mary. "Colin Kaepernick scores first best seller on this week's USA TODAY book list". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Maughan |, Shannon. "'Wings of Fire' Flying High". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Green |, Alex. "Kristin Cashore and Tui Sutherland Discuss Fantasy Writing as Escape". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui (October 30, 2013). "Questions By You! Answers By Me! :)". Tui T. Sutherland. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui (December 3, 2014). "Countdown to BOOK 6: MOON RISING . . ". Tui T. Sutherland. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (June 28, 2024). "This page needs a dragon!". Tui's Newsletter. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (March 3, 2026). The Hybrid Prince. Scholastic. ISBN 978-1546129547.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (2023). Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World. Scholastic Inc. p. 2. ISBN 9781338634822.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (2022). The Flames of Hope. Scholastic Inc. pp. 171–188.
- ↑ Sutherland, Tui T. (June 28, 2016). "A Seer, An Animus, and the Most Powerful Dragon in Pyrrhia Walk Into a Book..." TuiBooks. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Hero: A Wings of Fire Story (Winglet #5) ebook by Tui T. Sutherland – Rakuten Kobo".
- ↑ "The Winglets Quartet (The First Four Stories) | Scholastic Canada". www.scholastic.ca. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ Frost, A. J. (June 21, 2018). "Interview: Conjuring Up Prophecies and Dragon Adventures with Wings of Fire author Tui T. Sutherland". The Beat. Archived from the original on January 7, 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.
- ↑ "Wings Of Fire News". Twitter. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ "All the Wings of Fire Graphic Novels Books in Order | Toppsta". toppsta.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- 1 2 Walsh, Brianna C. (March 22, 2023). "Clients". Art of Brianna C. Walsh. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Official Wings of Fire: Stickerpedia". Whitcoulls. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Sutherland, 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 released on October 1, 2024, which also has beautiful art on the back and extra segments inside, including an interview with the Sutherl and an early unused chapter.
- ↑ Maughan, Shannon (July 19, 2016). "'Wings of Fire' Flying High". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ↑ Patten, Dominic (March 6, 2020). "Ava DuVernay & Warner Bros Animation Adapting 'Wings of Fire' Books For TV Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (April 20, 2021). "Ava DuVernay Adapting 'Wings of Fire' as Animated Series for Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ↑ Weston, Christopher (May 20, 2022). "Wings of Fire plans cancelled at Netflix and fans of the novels are fiery with rage". HITC. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ↑ McCullough, Hayley (May 18, 2022). "Netflix Pulls the Plug on Ava DuVernay's Animated Wings of Fire Series". CBR. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 6, 2025). "'Wings of Fire' Animated Series at Amazon Sets Aaron Waltke as Showrunner (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
