The Wanderers

The Wind of Life #2

by Oliver Neubert

Rider, a fourteen year old Wanderer, has found shelter among the dead willows, the haunted place of the Flatlands. He is suffering from the abuse of his tyrant father, but his connection to nature and the elements keep him sane. He has a special gift that allows him to run with the antelope and to communicate with the animals. When he helps a young woman escape from a group of deadly hunters, he discovers that the mysterious, hated Flyers still exist. Drawn by curiosity and instinct, Rider uncovers a serious plot lead by his father to murder innocent children and to go to war against the Flyers. Rider has to stop his father and luckily he is not alone. One of his enemies is looking out for him, but will this be enough or will Rider be crushed by this father?

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2011

About the author

Oliver Neubert, born in West Germany in 1961, took a long route to discover his passion for writing fast pace adventure, fantasy stories for middle grade reluctant and avid readers. His stories are thought provocing and relevant.

His detours included getting his diploma in Mechanical Engineerring (British Columbia, Canada), his degree in Psychology and Economics from Simon Fraser University (British Columbia, Canada) and an MBA from Hariot-Watt University (Scotland); becoming a Millwright Journeyman with Mercedes Benz(Duesseldorf, Germany); founding his own research company; working for a financial institution; volunteering with the Vancouver Police Deparment - Victim Service Unit and working in the pulp and paper industry.

As a boy, Oliver loved to play all kinds of sports, like: soccer, tennis, squash, volleyball, basketball, windserfing, skiing and swimming. Being born a Pices it comes as no suprise that he loves water!

Oliver lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada and draws inspiration from his natural surroundings and from his wonderful, creative daughter.

Reviews

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Wanderers we meet Rider. He is the son of Thorn, the leader of the Wanderers. He seems to delight in abusing his son. Rider too was born with a special gift and his father was not. His father wanted to raise his son different than he was raised. He too had an abusive father. He perceives his son's gift as a weakness. Rider is able to communicate with the animals. After a public whipping, Rider runs away from home. This is all it takes for his father to decide he must be killed as a traitor. Rider helps a young girl named Net escape from those who are hunting her. She has in her possession her baby brother who was born with wings. She is looking for Mot to help her get her brother to the Rescue Flyers. Like the Flyers, the Wanderers have a law that demands the death of a child born with wings. Along the way Rider learns his father's right hand man Bear is not who he thought he was. Together they must help Rider become what he must, and unite with the brother he didn't know he had. A brother who is a Flyer. Together they must try to bring peace to their people and become One people like they had been before.

This was such a great series. It is so full of lessons that are subtle enough you don't feel you are being preached at and yet the have resonated throughout history. We can look at all wars from our past and find people like Wardor and Thorn.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of The Wind of Life trilogy is set in the Flatlands. We meet Rider, son of Thorn the leader of the Wanderers. Rider has the gift as well and often seeks solace in the Dead Willow Grove. Thorn, though powerful and strong, is jealous of his son and often beats him. Rider leaves his family one night after being publicly beaten by this father. Upon leaving and running to his hiding place in the Dead Willow Forest he runs into Net and her baby sister, who was just born a Flyer. Net is running away from her village and her father who has sent warriors after her and her sister to hunt them down and kill them both. Rider helps the two escape to freedom and upon meeting Mot help to send her sister to the Flyers for safety. Joining the Rescuers in the Old Growth Rainforest. Rider finishes his transformation and learns about the past and what he is to do with this future to make the two one. Bear joins Rider on his journey after being exiled from the warriors by Thorn who finds out that Bear has the gift as well. Net learns from Mot more about the past and future and the part she will play in the upcoming war. While all of this is going on Wardor seeks out a Wanderer who will help him in seeking the power and control over both the mountains and the flatlands. The warriors soon find out that Thorn is misleading them all and runs his out of the clan into exile. Running from his army Thorn almost dies but is rescued by his son and set to die on his own. Wardor, however, finds Thorn and decides to use him in his plan to rule both the land and the skies. Wardor knows that he needs a
Wanderers help in order to obtain the Star of Vita, because with this he is able to rule both. So the war is coming both Timo and Rider sense it and see it coming. Both now know of each other and what they both must do together and alone. Net and Val go with Mot, Val to learn about being a Seer and Net to learn about healing. Rider and Bear prepare the Wanderers and seek their acceptance and help to bring the people as One, while Timo and Aldor do the same with the Flyers.

I really did like this book as well, though the first book I found more interesting. This book brought the Wanderers into the picture and the role that they play in this series. The two first books I found very interesting how they were very specific about each clan, the Flyers and the Wanderers and how each plays the part in the upcoming war and the people becoming as One. Very interesting how the books have so far been put together.

I would like to thank Goodreads.com and the author Oliver Neubert for picking me to win this book. I would really like to thank the author for not only giving me the third book of the series, which is what I entered to win, but also the first two books that go with the series to read it as a completed and whole series. Thanks

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently won "Vita", Book 3 in The Wind of Life Trilogy, through the Goodreads Giveaway, and the author, Oliver Neubert, was kind enough to send me the complete "The Wind of Life"trilogy. This is the second book in the trilogy-The Wanderers.

I must say that I don't normally read fantasy fiction, but this was a refreshing change that I very much enjoyed. This is a coming of age fantasy fiction that I think kids as well as adults would enjoy.It was a quick and easy read.I liked this book better than The Flyers, as I felt a closer bond with the characters living in the Flatlands.

In this story we meet Rider, a 14 year old wanderer, living in the Flatlands, suffering from years of abuse in his fathers hand.Rider feels comfort living in the forest, communicating with the animals.It is here that he discovers the existence of the flyers and the plot to go to war against the flyers, lead by his father.Rider sets out to stop his father from carrying out this plan.

This highly imaginative story will keep you entertained right until the end.There are many life skills that can be learned in this story. A very enjoyable read.

[Lorian Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wanderers (The Wind of Life #2) by Oliver Neubert ughi still love this booki don't know whybut it may be dying for more to read or know what happenwhen i got to the end i was not happy because i didn't want it to end i want to know what happen nexti love rider as i love timo rider is so different from the otherbut the only problem is i just never understand rider father thornthorn had been pain in the azz pardon my wordi have to said what it is on mind and i can't help itfor netnet should had her chance before she went to get her cloakif i remember that correctlynet need to tell rider how she freaking feel or before it is too lateyou never know what might happen eek i can't wait to read the booki got to know what happen between timo and riderhow did they react when they saw each otherreading this book really is getting to me right nowim just going crazy thinking about what happen nextthank for lending me this book:D

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I liked this book better than the first in the series. I thought the characters were easier to identify with and some of the choices that they made were easier to accept at face value. I really enjoyed Rider as a main character. He had a wealth of strength, deterimination, and hope. He is much less impetuous than Timo was, without the need to prove himself.

I enjoyed the settings of this book, as well. The superstitions involved in the forests and deserts of the flatlands lent a definite "feel" to the land, bringing the Flatlands a life of their own. The characters continually looked towards the storm shrouded mountains that we became so familiar with in the first book.

This book was a quick, easy read and I had fun with it. My son's book club was sent a copy since we enjoyed the first book in the series and I am grateful to Mr. Neubert for giving us the opportunity to read the second. We are looking forward to seeing how the series ends!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am looking forward to reading! Many thanks to author, Oliver Neubert for kindly sending me an autographed copy!

Another very exciting and enjoyable read from Oliver Neubert. The adventures throughout 'The Wind of Life' continues with the Wanderers. The atmosphere intensifies and the battles increase as war looms.

Character development was nicely done. World-building is expertly created in a precise and succinct manner enabling the reader to view and understand without being bogged down descriptively. Well done!

My sincere thank you to Oliver Neubert for the gifts of your wonderful books. It is evident how much you believe in your work and appreciate your fans!

[Kathryn Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was better for this book. I connected more with Rider, the wanderer. Again the narrator changed to different characters but mostly stayed with Rider. I wasn't a huge fan of the villain narrative. Knowing what the villain was doing and thinking gave too much away when it could have been left a mystery longer.

There was a cute budding romance, and the plot was intriguing. I'd be interested to read the next book in the series.

Content Ratings:
sexual content: none
language: none
violence: mild/moderate

Reviewed on Clean Teen Fiction

[Zoey42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is great and I especially liked a relationship between Rider and Thorn. At one point it seems they're going to solve their problems and relationship father-son is going to be all right, but then it complicates again. I look forward to reading Book Three in which Timo and Rider have to fight together against cruel laws and prejudices.

P.S.: For more information about the first book, read my review of 'The Wind Of Life: The Flyers'

[Abriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the pacing, and the characters, and that whenever I had a question it was answered. (The only parts I was a bit sketchy on were when Flyers were mentioned, but then again, I haven't read the first book yet.)My only issue with the plot was that Rider started off the book with green eyes and black hair, and ended up with brown eyes and brown hair. Not entirely sure what that was about...

[Roxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm excited to read the third part to this story, I want to know where Vita comes in & how Timo & Rider react to finally meeting each other. =]

[Dee]

I won this book as a Goodreads First Read.

[Paddy O'callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd recommend this book to readers. Now that's saying something, eh? What do I mean by that specifically? Well, If you read, you'll probably enjoy this awesome tome.

Another triumph for Neubert