Review by Ian Keogh

James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas covered a considerable amount of world building ground as they introduced Wynd and his supporting cast in Flight of the Prince. Four civilisations exist on their fantasy world, once very similar, but over the ages mutated into very different beings who keep themselves isolated from the others, some magical. In the more recent past a Duke of Pipetown considered the only future for the world was to reunite the different races, vehemently opposed by the King, who insisted on maintaining racial purity. The King, though, is now dying, and his son has fled to meet with his Uncle intending to offer him the Pipetown throne. As seen on the sample page, desperate times produce previously unthinkable alliances. Wynd, however, remains the central character, a teenager just discovering who he really is and what he can do in a world hosting magical talents.

While most of the previous book took place in Pipetown, Tynion and Dialynas now explore the wider world, broadening the adventure and adding to the cast. The new additions fit very well with the existing personalities, and on first glance, while more resourceful, the prospective new prince also has off-putting qualities. Tynion, though, hasn’t forgotten some Pipetown residents who seemed to have served their purpose

Artistically Dialynas drew an impressive first volume and is if anything more spectacular here. His vampires chill, the faeries are no comfort, and there even worse things deep in the woods. A neat design element is the recognition of how the vampires trace blood, and also memorable is the switch in style when it comes to the mythical interlude explaining a little more about the world. Once again, Dialynas embraces an interesting colour scheme, especially on that mythical interlude.

Because he swivels the spotlight in several directions, Tynion keeps readers abreast of the political upheavals taking place, several people using fear and disruption to stoke their own agenda. He keeps the real world comparisons toned down this time, but there’s an interesting role reversal flipping bigotry, now applied against humans in their entirety. Wynd’s place in what’s coming is far from certain. A pleasing character touch is how others keep projecting their views of what he’s to become onto him, while he remains an uncertain teenager, still slightly a dreamer, although making the most of now being able to fly. The closing chapter presents a possible glimpse into the future and raises more questions.

Wynd has quickly become an essential fantasy series, clever, thrilling and packed with personalities. Bring on the next volume.