I received this huge, intimidating uncorrected proof containing the first six books of Padwolf's latest series, The Wildsidhe Chronicles. I put it off for some time and when I started I ended up finishing the anthology in ironically six days. This is an awesome tale and my only complaint is that my voyage through the Wildsidhe had to come to an end.
The Wildsidhe Chronicles is a series of fantasy stories geared at tweens and teens (of course adults are welcomed to read as well) that debuted in late 2002. Every month Wildsidhe features an elite group of writers telling great stories about a group of humans stuck in the world of Wildsidhe and the many strange and wonderful inhabitants.
The story begins when a Courtesan named Asgar comes to Sparta, Pennsylvania in search of Alana, a fellow Courtesan who left her home world to marry a human. However, in his search, Asgar stumbles upon a group of kids, one of whom is related to Alana and all hell breaks loose. In an instant, a spell by Asgar rages out of control and sends 300 kids from Sparta along with a sizeable chunk of the town to the Wildsidhe. In this land, magic works and dragons, dwarves and pixies are all real, but while the world seems like a land of make believe, it soon becomes apparent that there is a danger all too real.
The misplaced children are led by Justin, Wayne, Cindy and a wheelchair bound Terri. Cindy discovers great powers of her own and ends up in a war between Asgar and his rival, Queen Morna, the sister of Alana. Did I mention that Asgar placed a curse on the children that states that children are teleported to the Wildsidhe at the age of 11 and those children in the Wildsidhe can go back to Sparta at the age of 18, only if they pass a test? This makes for new stories and characters to emerge over time, keeping the story fresh and exciting as a war wages on in the Wildsidhe. Meanwhile, back in Sparta, the FBI is trying to get to the Wildsidhe and save the children, concocting stories as to why they disappeared, while doing everything they can, even sending a Doogie Howser type FBI agent into the Wildsidhe.
The Wildsidhe Chronicles is just an awesome series. Each writer takes the Wildsidhe to another level, seamlessly continuing each story as if one writer penned the entire series. Patrick Thomas really does well with sarcastic, ironic humor. Judith Tracy is just as good adding dramatic elements. Another YBFREE.com favorite Tony DiGerolamo knows how to spice things up with his often times demented humor. While Myke Cole is a wonderful new addition that rounds out the bunch.
The Wildsidhe Chronicles reminds me of Lord of the Flies meets X-Files. The characters really grow before our eyes, each seems so real you can't help but feel for them and hope they escape perils put before them. What was really great about the Wilsidhe is that many horrible things happen to the kids and families struggling with their respective realities.
These books are for everyone. The writing is superb, fluctuating in terms of childishness to adult, which is exactly how these young kids should be acting. The characters must make alliances, create weapons of destruction, build shelters, grow closer and become a family, all while finding a way home. This is no quick read you can forget when finished. It’s entertaining, heartwarming and addictive. Wildsidhe is not just a story; it's an epic tale of loneliness, togetherness and struggle.
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