Review by Ian Keogh
Wynd has been on a fair journey since forsaking his life among humans and embracing his origins, and just in case there’s any new readers picking up the series with The Throne in the Sky, James Tynion IV provides a crash course to Pipetown and its surrounding dangers via a flashback. That’s followed by an extensive text summary
The Secret of the Wings was an apt title as Wynd learned that peace was previously brought to the lands of Esseriel via powerful winged beings who subsequently vanished, and he’s now developed wings. However, he and his allies representing assorted groups and hoping for peace are faced with astute manipulators intent on stirring lasting trouble between Esseriel’s communities.
More so than in previous books James Tynion IV looks in on what’s happening in those various communities, ensuring readers are aware of the bigger picture eluding almost everyone featured. As in previous volumes, while Wynd deals with fairies and vampires, it’s not too great a stretch to see it reflecting the tumbling political dominoes in our world. The bigotry of some is definite allegory. Wynd himself is now a conflicted personality, prone to transformational rages, yet otherwise sympathetic with understandable uncertainties.
Much of that sympathy is due to the way Michael Dialynas draws Wynd, posing him to display insecurities. Everyone else is placed in lush scenery during a dangerous journey, and the sketchy style Dialynas adopts conveys a detailed urgency. He’s also great at character design. There’s no mistaking one person for another, and the new introductions here are equally distinctive with Strawberry the pick of the bunch.
Because there’s such a broad cast, readers starting with The Throne in the Sky, or those with poorer memories, may take time adjusting to everyone, and Tynion may want to think about including a who’s who in future volumes. However, anyone who’s wondered how it is that such different beings co-exist on the same world is given their answer, wrapped up in a gorgeously drawn myth.
More so than previous volumes, The Throne in the Sky, which is literal, by the way, ends in loss, panic and confusion. You’ll want to be back for the continuation.
