The Wind Rises: Book 1 of the Alma Series

“De Fombelle uses richly detailed, consistently engaging prose, suspenseful atmosphere, and a complex cast to deliver an action-packed tale about heartbreak and resilience.”

“Art and text conspire to create a brilliantly formed and unforgettable world of action, adventure, and, in its gritty depiction of the treatment of the soon-to-be enslaved, heartbreaking realism.”

“Fombelle seamlessly narrates a compelling tale of understanding and solidarity ideal for advanced readers...Fombelle does not omit the inhumane brandings, punishments, and remorseless treatment of the enslaved individuals, making this title a strong fiction companion to social studies units on enslaved Africans.”

“To some extent, the routine features of the adventure are in tension with the particular sorrows of the kidnapped...De Fombelle recognizes many of these agonies, and his succinct and devastating explanations of the customs of the slave trade powerfully animate the facts.”—New York Times Book Review

“An intimate look at the consequences of slavery on a personal level brings the painful episode directly to the reader and demands engagement. A good tale with a real moral. This should find its proper place in educational environments and library reading programs as well as the shelves of book lovers of all ages.”

“This expertly plotted, thrilling adventure offers many surprising twists and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next installment. The marvelous gray-scale illustrations by François Place add much to the tale.”