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Windhaven
Windhaven – Graphic novel
A graphic novel adaptation of the first fantasy novel from the bestselling author of A Game of Thrones, co-written with Lisa Tuttle.
FOR SOME DREAMS, THE SKY IS NO LIMIT.
Among the scattered islands of the ocean-bound world called Windhaven, no one holds more prestige than the silver-winged flyers—humans borne on handcrafted wings who cross treacherous seas, braving shifting winds and sudden storms, to bring news, gossip, songs, and stories to Windhaven’s far-flung communities. Maris of Lesser Amberly is only a fisherman’s daughter, but as much a descendant of the star sailors who founded her world as the flyer family who adopted her. She yearns to soar high above the water on the sky’s buffeting currents.
But it is Maris’s stepbrother who stands to inherit the irreplaceable wings when he comes of age—though he dreams of pursuing a very different path. So Maris dares to challenge tradition and the law by demanding that flyers be chosen by merit rather than inheritance. Determined to establish flying competitions and training academies for those not of the flyer-born classes, she wages a bitter battle for change. But even as she triumphs, a host of new troubles confronts her. For a brewing revolution now threatens to destroy the world she fought so hard to join, and crush her proud, rebellious spirit—unless she is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
From the united imaginations of two award-winning authors, #1 New York Times bestseller George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and Lisa Tuttle (Lost Futures), Windhaven is now a spectacular graphic novel—adapted by Lisa Tuttle, illustrated by Marvel Comics artist Elsa Charretier, and a must-have for fans of classic fantasy fiction and artwork.
A graphic novel adaptation of the first fantasy novel from the bestselling author of A Game of Thrones, co-written with Lisa Tuttle.
FOR SOME DREAMS, THE SKY IS NO LIMIT.
Among the scattered islands of the ocean-bound world called Windhaven, no one holds more prestige than the silver-winged flyers—humans borne on handcrafted wings who cross treacherous seas, braving shifting winds and sudden storms, to bring news, gossip, songs, and stories to Windhaven’s far-flung communities. Maris of Lesser Amberly is only a fisherman’s daughter, but as much a descendant of the star sailors who founded her world as the flyer family who adopted her. She yearns to soar high above the water on the sky’s buffeting currents.
But it is Maris’s stepbrother who stands to inherit the irreplaceable wings when he comes of age—though he dreams of pursuing a very different path. So Maris dares to challenge tradition and the law by demanding that flyers be chosen by merit rather than inheritance. Determined to establish flying competitions and training academies for those not of the flyer-born classes, she wages a bitter battle for change. But even as she triumphs, a host of new troubles confronts her. For a brewing revolution now threatens to destroy the world she fought so hard to join, and crush her proud, rebellious spirit—unless she is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
From the united imaginations of two award-winning authors, #1 New York Times bestseller George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and Lisa Tuttle (Lost Futures), Windhaven is now a spectacular graphic novel—adapted by Lisa Tuttle, illustrated by Marvel Comics artist Elsa Charretier, and a must-have for fans of classic fantasy fiction and artwork.
240 pages, ebook
First published August 21, 2018
4 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
George R.R. Martin
1,509 books119k followersGeorge Raymond Richard "R.R." Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: The Hero, sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.
In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.
As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.
In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.
Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 2, 2019
Windhaven is a world of small islands, connected by messengers who fly with intricate metal wings. The culture of the "flyers" is a closed one, with wings handed from messenger to his or her first born child.
Maris is not the child of a flyer, but that's not going to keep her from joining their world.
"You don't bother me. Maybe when you grow up, you can help the flyers like my friends here. Would you like that?" "No." " No? What then." "I want to fly."
And when she does, things will never be the same.
This graphic novel was based off of Windhaven, the first book in a fantasy series by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle. Readers get a "Game of Thrones"-ish feeling from this book in the political machinations between the flyers and those they call the "land bound." But it lacks the intricacy and extraordinary cast of characters that is "Game of Thrones".
Having never read anything by Tuttle, I'm not sure how she and Martin blended their visions.
"Don't waste your time on foolish dreams! I won't have my daughter be a woodwings!"
The artwork by Elsa Charretier is pretty and I enjoyed how she aged Maris throughout the book.
The scenes of the flyers themselves, especially a few of the chase scenes, must have been difficult to draw. Charretier had to make the characters look like they were in motion for it work. I think she did well, but the wings look kind of chunky in some of the pages, rather than the slick, technological wonders I pictured in my mind.
As for the story itself, I was surprised by the actions of some of the characters, but for the most part, it all seemed inevitable. Maybe that's what the authors were going for — Maris' fate was more destiny than choice.
Maris is not the child of a flyer, but that's not going to keep her from joining their world.
"You don't bother me. Maybe when you grow up, you can help the flyers like my friends here. Would you like that?" "No." " No? What then." "I want to fly."
And when she does, things will never be the same.
This graphic novel was based off of Windhaven, the first book in a fantasy series by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle. Readers get a "Game of Thrones"-ish feeling from this book in the political machinations between the flyers and those they call the "land bound." But it lacks the intricacy and extraordinary cast of characters that is "Game of Thrones".
Having never read anything by Tuttle, I'm not sure how she and Martin blended their visions.
"Don't waste your time on foolish dreams! I won't have my daughter be a woodwings!"
The artwork by Elsa Charretier is pretty and I enjoyed how she aged Maris throughout the book.
The scenes of the flyers themselves, especially a few of the chase scenes, must have been difficult to draw. Charretier had to make the characters look like they were in motion for it work. I think she did well, but the wings look kind of chunky in some of the pages, rather than the slick, technological wonders I pictured in my mind.
As for the story itself, I was surprised by the actions of some of the characters, but for the most part, it all seemed inevitable. Maybe that's what the authors were going for — Maris' fate was more destiny than choice.
September 3, 2021
Windhaven is a novel that's a little too long and involved with too much political content to be adapted to graphic format with complete success, but I thought Tuttle did a pretty good job if it. She hits the high points of the book and includes quite a few of the characters and situations that helped bring the world to life. I didn't care for the art too much at first; it struck me as a little too cartoonish and simplistic, but it grew on me as the book progressed and I appreciated the way the characters aged and the detail in some of the backgrounds. I did not like the coloring, as it was far too drab and looked washed out. It's an enjoyable version of the original, but I'd still recommend simply reading the novel.
March 29, 2019
2 / 5 stars (that’s being generous - ableism & slur trigger warning)
Long ago, pioneers crash land on a planet made up mostly of water and small, scattered islands. Their ship, made of a silver metal with mysterious properties, is destroyed, but the survivors craft great wings from the downed ship, allowing them to prosper on a world made up of countless tiny islands with great distances between them.The wings are not magical per se, but there is a “power” in them that allows humans to catch the wind and soar across the water as would migrating birds.
The original purpose of the flyers, those possessing the hereditary wings, was to deliver news and messages from one island to another. But when tradition is threatened, discord and violence comes into play. Maris, adopted by a famous flyer as a small girl, seeks to break tradition and convince her people to live in peace and fairly, as their ancestors did long ago.
I was ready to give this graphic novel three of four stars. The art isn't my favorite style, but it is done so well. The coloring in particular is stunning. This was another random pick up from my library, and I had pretty high hopes, being written by one of my favorite writers as well as a woman writer I have never read. Boy, was I disappointed.
There is a lot of obvious symbolism in the politics of Windhaven, some of which are great! The first third of the book is about a young Maris and how she fights to change Windhaven for the better. Those who never have or will ever possess wings or fly are called “land-bound”, something like a “muggle”, where the word itself is a smack in the face.
It was a great message, until the book suddenly warped into the most ableist thing I have ever read. Most people are probably fine with this, and it reminded me of that God awful book where the guy is paralyzed and kills himself so Khaleesi can go to Paris. Because being in a wheelchair is a fate worse than death, right? Ugh.
I took screenshots of the atrocity but I’m not even bother going to post them, because they use “cr*pple” over and over again. It’s disgusting. One characters remarks to another, “you look good and whole for a cr*pple!” As if people who do not have use of all four of their limbs are somehow not whole humans. These authors, and everyone involved in this project should be ashamed. Years and years or work on a pretty good story and then the end becomes a horror story.
Both of my stars are for the visual artists involved in this book.
Long ago, pioneers crash land on a planet made up mostly of water and small, scattered islands. Their ship, made of a silver metal with mysterious properties, is destroyed, but the survivors craft great wings from the downed ship, allowing them to prosper on a world made up of countless tiny islands with great distances between them.The wings are not magical per se, but there is a “power” in them that allows humans to catch the wind and soar across the water as would migrating birds.
The original purpose of the flyers, those possessing the hereditary wings, was to deliver news and messages from one island to another. But when tradition is threatened, discord and violence comes into play. Maris, adopted by a famous flyer as a small girl, seeks to break tradition and convince her people to live in peace and fairly, as their ancestors did long ago.
I was ready to give this graphic novel three of four stars. The art isn't my favorite style, but it is done so well. The coloring in particular is stunning. This was another random pick up from my library, and I had pretty high hopes, being written by one of my favorite writers as well as a woman writer I have never read. Boy, was I disappointed.
There is a lot of obvious symbolism in the politics of Windhaven, some of which are great! The first third of the book is about a young Maris and how she fights to change Windhaven for the better. Those who never have or will ever possess wings or fly are called “land-bound”, something like a “muggle”, where the word itself is a smack in the face.
It was a great message, until the book suddenly warped into the most ableist thing I have ever read. Most people are probably fine with this, and it reminded me of that God awful book where the guy is paralyzed and kills himself so Khaleesi can go to Paris. Because being in a wheelchair is a fate worse than death, right? Ugh.
I took screenshots of the atrocity but I’m not even bother going to post them, because they use “cr*pple” over and over again. It’s disgusting. One characters remarks to another, “you look good and whole for a cr*pple!” As if people who do not have use of all four of their limbs are somehow not whole humans. These authors, and everyone involved in this project should be ashamed. Years and years or work on a pretty good story and then the end becomes a horror story.
Both of my stars are for the visual artists involved in this book.
August 27, 2021
3,5 / 5
El pasado año 2018, Windhaven cobro vida de nuevo gracias a Lisa Tuttle y a la ilustradora Elsa Charretier (Harley Quinn), una de las dibujantes del momento. Entre las islas dispersas del mundo acuático de Windhaven, unas figuras aladas se posicionan como las personas más prestigiosas. Personas con alas plateadas, que se traspasan de padres a hijos, cruzan océanos, vientos y tormentas para llevar mensajes, noticias, canciones e historias de pueblo en pueblo. Nadie más tiene el derecho de poder volar. Maris de Amberly, sin embargo, hija de un pescador, solo puede soñar con volar las corrientes marinas. Pero las reglas y las tradiciones están para romperlas. Maris luchará con todas sus fuerzas para hacer sus sueños realidad, cambiando tanto el mundo como su forma de funcionar para siempre. Windhaven es la historia de como una meta cambió el funcionamiento político y social de todo un mundo de fantasía.
Una de las particularidades de Windhaven son sus saltos temporales. La novela grafica no se detiene en un momento perpetuo y salta en el tiempo junto a su protagonista. Primero 15 años hacia delante, luego 7 y remata con dos más de 30 años. Así se nos relata la historia de Maris y los puntos de inflexión más importantes en su vida. En como su decisión hizo cambiar el mundo. Eso da la ocasión a Tuttle de condensar un gran rango de tiempo, indagando en la política de esta sociedad y su mundo insular, pero sin dar nunca tiempo a profundizar, como me temo si hacía la novela. Es interesante ver como cambia Maris a través deL tiempo, tanto visualmente como moralmente, reflexionando sobre las consecuencias que han marcado el devenir de Windhaven.
¿Qué ocurre cuando se echa por tierra una tradición? ¿Cómo afecta el cambio a lo largo del tiempo? Windhaven es un estudio sobre como romper una tradición puede tener varios efectos secundarios. Quizá las discusiones morales entre personajes y las situaciones políticas se vean un poco superficiales por las peculiaridades de la novela gráfica, pero el debate, desde puntos de vista opuestos de meritocracia versus privilegio, es de lo más interesante. Porque en el fondo Windhaven es una poderosa metáfora sobre la lucha por la libertad. Sobre la lucha por tener el derecho de poder elegir tu destino. Sobre como ningún camino debería estar predeterminado y que cualquiera debería labrarse el suyo.
La habilidosa Charretier es capaz de trasladarnos a vista de pájaro a este curioso mundo isleño. Son las ilustraciones y la construcción del mundo lo que hace que esta adaptación de Windhaven merezca realmente la pena. Las escenas de acción hacen sentir el batir de cada aleteo, los colores son preciosos y las panorámicas impresionantes. El mundo isleño cobra realmente vida a través de sus dibujos. Sin embargo, Charretier presenta personajes bastante rígidos, sin casi expresión facial, que complican a veces establecer la complicidad del lector. Sin embargo, el universo de alados pronto nos absorbe por completo, el conflicto político nos atrapa y la vida de Maris se vuelve inolvidable.
Reseña en Windumanoth: https://windumanoth.com/windhaven/
El pasado año 2018, Windhaven cobro vida de nuevo gracias a Lisa Tuttle y a la ilustradora Elsa Charretier (Harley Quinn), una de las dibujantes del momento. Entre las islas dispersas del mundo acuático de Windhaven, unas figuras aladas se posicionan como las personas más prestigiosas. Personas con alas plateadas, que se traspasan de padres a hijos, cruzan océanos, vientos y tormentas para llevar mensajes, noticias, canciones e historias de pueblo en pueblo. Nadie más tiene el derecho de poder volar. Maris de Amberly, sin embargo, hija de un pescador, solo puede soñar con volar las corrientes marinas. Pero las reglas y las tradiciones están para romperlas. Maris luchará con todas sus fuerzas para hacer sus sueños realidad, cambiando tanto el mundo como su forma de funcionar para siempre. Windhaven es la historia de como una meta cambió el funcionamiento político y social de todo un mundo de fantasía.
Una de las particularidades de Windhaven son sus saltos temporales. La novela grafica no se detiene en un momento perpetuo y salta en el tiempo junto a su protagonista. Primero 15 años hacia delante, luego 7 y remata con dos más de 30 años. Así se nos relata la historia de Maris y los puntos de inflexión más importantes en su vida. En como su decisión hizo cambiar el mundo. Eso da la ocasión a Tuttle de condensar un gran rango de tiempo, indagando en la política de esta sociedad y su mundo insular, pero sin dar nunca tiempo a profundizar, como me temo si hacía la novela. Es interesante ver como cambia Maris a través deL tiempo, tanto visualmente como moralmente, reflexionando sobre las consecuencias que han marcado el devenir de Windhaven.
¿Qué ocurre cuando se echa por tierra una tradición? ¿Cómo afecta el cambio a lo largo del tiempo? Windhaven es un estudio sobre como romper una tradición puede tener varios efectos secundarios. Quizá las discusiones morales entre personajes y las situaciones políticas se vean un poco superficiales por las peculiaridades de la novela gráfica, pero el debate, desde puntos de vista opuestos de meritocracia versus privilegio, es de lo más interesante. Porque en el fondo Windhaven es una poderosa metáfora sobre la lucha por la libertad. Sobre la lucha por tener el derecho de poder elegir tu destino. Sobre como ningún camino debería estar predeterminado y que cualquiera debería labrarse el suyo.
La habilidosa Charretier es capaz de trasladarnos a vista de pájaro a este curioso mundo isleño. Son las ilustraciones y la construcción del mundo lo que hace que esta adaptación de Windhaven merezca realmente la pena. Las escenas de acción hacen sentir el batir de cada aleteo, los colores son preciosos y las panorámicas impresionantes. El mundo isleño cobra realmente vida a través de sus dibujos. Sin embargo, Charretier presenta personajes bastante rígidos, sin casi expresión facial, que complican a veces establecer la complicidad del lector. Sin embargo, el universo de alados pronto nos absorbe por completo, el conflicto político nos atrapa y la vida de Maris se vuelve inolvidable.
Reseña en Windumanoth: https://windumanoth.com/windhaven/
March 10, 2022
This is the graphic novel version of the 1981 book by George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle. I haven't read the original, so can't compare the two, though I liked this adaptation.
Windhaven is a series of far-flung islands set in a world that doesn't have modern technology. Messages and songs are sent to the outer islands via flyers--people who use mechanical wings to soar through the air. The problem is that there are a limited number of wings, and if a set is destroyed, there is no replacement. Wings are passed on to the eldest child in the family, regardless of their ability or inclination.
Maris, adopted daughter of a flyer, has both the ability and the desire, but tradition dictates that the wings must go to her stepbrother Coll. He would be happy for her to have them, because he wants to be a singer/songwriter. If he forsakes the wings, there is no guarantee that they will pass to Maris anyway.
Maris makes it her quest to see that wings are earned through merit rather than inherited. However, she faces a backlash from those who look down on the one-wings. The story follows her from a young child to an old woman, and there are lots of skirmishes, heartaches, rebellions and triumphs along the way.
It was an interesting story. Like any abridged book, there would have been some things lost in translation, but I enjoyed it overall. The art was also really good. I feel like I'd probably need to read it again to get the full impact, as I read it in stops and starts. Would be good to read in just a few sittings.
Windhaven is a series of far-flung islands set in a world that doesn't have modern technology. Messages and songs are sent to the outer islands via flyers--people who use mechanical wings to soar through the air. The problem is that there are a limited number of wings, and if a set is destroyed, there is no replacement. Wings are passed on to the eldest child in the family, regardless of their ability or inclination.
Maris, adopted daughter of a flyer, has both the ability and the desire, but tradition dictates that the wings must go to her stepbrother Coll. He would be happy for her to have them, because he wants to be a singer/songwriter. If he forsakes the wings, there is no guarantee that they will pass to Maris anyway.
Maris makes it her quest to see that wings are earned through merit rather than inherited. However, she faces a backlash from those who look down on the one-wings. The story follows her from a young child to an old woman, and there are lots of skirmishes, heartaches, rebellions and triumphs along the way.
It was an interesting story. Like any abridged book, there would have been some things lost in translation, but I enjoyed it overall. The art was also really good. I feel like I'd probably need to read it again to get the full impact, as I read it in stops and starts. Would be good to read in just a few sittings.
August 12, 2021
There are flyers, but they are rare, because wings to fly with are rare. Traditionally wings are passed down in families, with the first born child getting it, but Maris wants to change that. Flyers carry messages from land to land, and cannot effect the politics of the land in any other way, but Maris wants to change that too.
I liked the plot and the changes that were made, and then the fallout from those changes. It traces Maris's whole life, and shows not just what she does, but what the consequences are, which is too rare in books, actually.
The only issue I had is that it was hard to tell characters apart. It was a pretty big cast, and I didn't know who was who all the time.
I liked the plot and the changes that were made, and then the fallout from those changes. It traces Maris's whole life, and shows not just what she does, but what the consequences are, which is too rare in books, actually.
The only issue I had is that it was hard to tell characters apart. It was a pretty big cast, and I didn't know who was who all the time.
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December 8, 2021Al menos de momento no voy a hablar de la obra en sí, más bien de la edición... más concretamente de la traducción. Es pésima. Tenía muchísimas erratas y también fallos de traducción, tanto por traducciones literales sin sentido en español como por fallos gramaticales. También había nombres que traducían y otros que no, y a veces las traducciones eran un poco cutres. Pero vaya, eso es menos objetivo. Fundamentalmente quería señalar que tenía muchos errores.
El cómic en sí me ha gustado bastante, a lo mejor acabo leyéndome la novela algún día. Recomiendo leerlo, pero en inglés.
El cómic en sí me ha gustado bastante, a lo mejor acabo leyéndome la novela algún día. Recomiendo leerlo, pero en inglés.
February 19, 2023
The only thing that got this up to 2 stars was the art. It had like that noir, late 90s, early 2000s DC art meets Batman: the Animated Series (yes, I know, also DC, but distinctive) art. Other than that, the characters were flat and boring. This being in graphic novel form left it wide-open for a show, don't tell... yet there was still so much exposition. (Yellow boxes E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E). I felt no real worry for the plot, because the way things seemed to happen so easily for the main character. Even when something drastic did happen, I either didn't know the character enough to care... or I just didn't care. The art really was the only good thing about this (and it had such an interesting premise too).
July 14, 2019
Windhaven the novel Windhaven has always had a special place in my heart. I was eager to rediscover the feeling. However, the graphic novel did not quite manage to capture the same magic of flying over the dangerous seas of Windhaven. I'm not sure why. Certainly, more words were able to convey better descriptions and feelings. This is not to say that the writing in the graphic novel is not very good. As for the graphics, while by themselves they are good, for me they didn't quite match the type of story. Young Marys, especially, seemed out of place.
December 27, 2021
A very dull, clichéd story, despite an imaginative world. This is one of many stories in which society bans certain activities from a group of people simply in the name of tradition. In this case, only children of flyers, those who fly with giant wings, can become a flyer. Of course, the main character dreams of becoming a flyer and changes tradition, but prejudices remain. This story is bogged down by boring characters and unimaginative dialogue.
August 22, 2022
I don't know about the original story but somehow this graphic novel felt very sterile and soulless and I couldn't relate to it or any of the characters at all. Maybe the story would have required more pages to be told properly. I wasn't a big fan of the artwork either.
December 9, 2020
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.
Story (4/5): This story tells us about Maris’s life. We start at the very beginning of her life when she is a young girl and wants to fly, then go to when she fights for big changes to society’s structure to be able to fly, and onto her late life when she sees the ramifications of those changes. The story covers a big time range and I enjoyed it. The story outside of Maris’s life is pretty typical of fantasy “power-struggle between nations” type of story.
Characters (3/5): I liked seeing Maris’s whole life laid out in this one book, it was interesting to see how she changed over time. I will say I didn’t love any of the characters in here and they didn’t have a ton of depth. Most of the characters come off as fairly selfish.
Setting (3/5): This is set in a typical fantasy world where families who own wings can become flyers. This one nation is well built but we don’t see a lot of the rest of the world. Aside from the flying aspect there isn’t much to set this apart from a million other fantasy worlds out there.
Writing/Drawing Style (2/5): I was really unimpressed with both the writing and the drawing style. Characters looked sketched at times with very little facial expression, what could have come across as sweeping vistas from the air just looks undetailed and unfinished. The book is fairly poorly written with awkward dialogue between characters that sounds stiff. The writing it what I would expect in a children’s book, very immature sounding, but this is definitely not a children’s book.
My Summary (3/5): Overall I liked the idea of the world and enjoyed Maris’s story. However, the selfish unlikable characters, poor drawing, and awkward dialogue made this a less than stellar read for me. I didn’t hate it but I kept feeling like it could have been done so much better. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are desperate for a fantasy graphic novel to read. It’s not awful but it’s not good either.
Story (4/5): This story tells us about Maris’s life. We start at the very beginning of her life when she is a young girl and wants to fly, then go to when she fights for big changes to society’s structure to be able to fly, and onto her late life when she sees the ramifications of those changes. The story covers a big time range and I enjoyed it. The story outside of Maris’s life is pretty typical of fantasy “power-struggle between nations” type of story.
Characters (3/5): I liked seeing Maris’s whole life laid out in this one book, it was interesting to see how she changed over time. I will say I didn’t love any of the characters in here and they didn’t have a ton of depth. Most of the characters come off as fairly selfish.
Setting (3/5): This is set in a typical fantasy world where families who own wings can become flyers. This one nation is well built but we don’t see a lot of the rest of the world. Aside from the flying aspect there isn’t much to set this apart from a million other fantasy worlds out there.
Writing/Drawing Style (2/5): I was really unimpressed with both the writing and the drawing style. Characters looked sketched at times with very little facial expression, what could have come across as sweeping vistas from the air just looks undetailed and unfinished. The book is fairly poorly written with awkward dialogue between characters that sounds stiff. The writing it what I would expect in a children’s book, very immature sounding, but this is definitely not a children’s book.
My Summary (3/5): Overall I liked the idea of the world and enjoyed Maris’s story. However, the selfish unlikable characters, poor drawing, and awkward dialogue made this a less than stellar read for me. I didn’t hate it but I kept feeling like it could have been done so much better. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are desperate for a fantasy graphic novel to read. It’s not awful but it’s not good either.
December 15, 2019
4.5
I thought the writing/descriptions were a little stiff at first, and then I quickly felt drawn in (past any stiffness or misgivings about a graphic adaptation of a fantasy novel I haven't read) and was engrossed in the story, the politics, and most of all, invested in Maris.
I haven't read Windhaven the novel, but I am strongly considering it, after this. I love George R. R. Martin's writing. I think he does a brilliant job with politics and mapping out a great story. (I don't know Lisa Tuttle but I think I'll have to look her up after this!)
I absolutely love that this book's main is a young woman, and love it , even more, when this book's main is an old woman! It feels like it's never been done before! Has it been done before? I don't know! But I gasped in delight as Maris aged throughout this book. I surprisingly loved when the book jumped at first 15 years and then 7 years, and then 30 (!) years later (and then again 30 years later!) to tell us Maris's story. Surprising, because I don't usually love time jumps. I (usually) find the missing information too gulfing to connect the story's before to its after, but George R. R. Martin & Lisa Tuttle do it well. Time passes, but we land at the important turning points and get all the good and changing politics within those chapters.
(Also, can we talk about Maris and Evan? <3 How perfect is her falling in love with him after we see the empty romance of her youth.)
(Also, the song at the end was all kinds of perfect of its own.)
I really liked the art & colors by Elsa Charretier and Lauren Affe. It reminded me a lot of Darwyn Cooke's art, which I love.
Now, all I have to do is decide if I'm going to read the novel after this.
I thought the writing/descriptions were a little stiff at first, and then I quickly felt drawn in (past any stiffness or misgivings about a graphic adaptation of a fantasy novel I haven't read) and was engrossed in the story, the politics, and most of all, invested in Maris.
I haven't read Windhaven the novel, but I am strongly considering it, after this. I love George R. R. Martin's writing. I think he does a brilliant job with politics and mapping out a great story. (I don't know Lisa Tuttle but I think I'll have to look her up after this!)
I absolutely love that this book's main is a young woman, and love it , even more, when this book's main is an old woman! It feels like it's never been done before! Has it been done before? I don't know! But I gasped in delight as Maris aged throughout this book. I surprisingly loved when the book jumped at first 15 years and then 7 years, and then 30 (!) years later (and then again 30 years later!) to tell us Maris's story. Surprising, because I don't usually love time jumps. I (usually) find the missing information too gulfing to connect the story's before to its after, but George R. R. Martin & Lisa Tuttle do it well. Time passes, but we land at the important turning points and get all the good and changing politics within those chapters.
(Also, can we talk about Maris and Evan? <3 How perfect is her falling in love with him after we see the empty romance of her youth.)
(Also, the song at the end was all kinds of perfect of its own.)
I really liked the art & colors by Elsa Charretier and Lauren Affe. It reminded me a lot of Darwyn Cooke's art, which I love.
Now, all I have to do is decide if I'm going to read the novel after this.
February 19, 2023
Windhaven by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle is the Graphic Novel version of the Windhaven story. I was thrilled to receive this as a gift from my wonderful friend Nola who had enjoyed reading it before me.
Four stories follow Maris - the urchin daughter of a fisherman - from her adoption by a Flyer to the final years of her life. Windhaven is an ocean world with dependable winds and wild storms. The people are scattered among many isolated islands and the Flyers carry messages between the islands on their silvery wings. Society is divided between the landbound, led by the landsman, and the Flyers bound by long-held tradition. In becoming a flyer, Maris brings change - but if tradition begins to change, where does it stop and what will the consequences be?
Maris is a strong character, determined and ready to fight for what she thinks is right, but also caring and sympathetic. She faces a number of challenges, the last one perhaps the hardest of them all. It took a while for me to warm to the format, especially as it wasn't always clear who was speaking, but I soon got drawn into the story and invested in the outcomes.
Certainly, for a lover of sci-fi and Graphic novels, this is well worth the read.
Four stories follow Maris - the urchin daughter of a fisherman - from her adoption by a Flyer to the final years of her life. Windhaven is an ocean world with dependable winds and wild storms. The people are scattered among many isolated islands and the Flyers carry messages between the islands on their silvery wings. Society is divided between the landbound, led by the landsman, and the Flyers bound by long-held tradition. In becoming a flyer, Maris brings change - but if tradition begins to change, where does it stop and what will the consequences be?
Maris is a strong character, determined and ready to fight for what she thinks is right, but also caring and sympathetic. She faces a number of challenges, the last one perhaps the hardest of them all. It took a while for me to warm to the format, especially as it wasn't always clear who was speaking, but I soon got drawn into the story and invested in the outcomes.
Certainly, for a lover of sci-fi and Graphic novels, this is well worth the read.
July 17, 2019
My Mum and Dad gave me this for Christmas and I am honestly so grateful. It's a beautiful graphic novel of book I first read when I was about 14. I don't think I've re-read Windhaven since my 20s, and this was a wonderful re-entry into this harsh world of small islands amidst an ocean, a planet where humans crash-landed and have regressed to a semi-feudal society.
One of the only remnants of the starfaring society they once were is the 'fliers' who maintain communication between island communities using wings made from the fabric of the spaceship that crash-landed.
I highly recommend this as it's lovely art and is a beautifully imagined pretty complete retelling of the Windhaven novel.
One of the only remnants of the starfaring society they once were is the 'fliers' who maintain communication between island communities using wings made from the fabric of the spaceship that crash-landed.
I highly recommend this as it's lovely art and is a beautifully imagined pretty complete retelling of the Windhaven novel.
June 7, 2021
I have not read the original novel this book is based on, so my understanding of the world and plot is based entirely on this graphic novel. Saying that, I had pretty mixed feelings about this book. Because this is based on a 400 page book, the graphic novel feels condensed and under-developed. The world isn't really fleshed out. Most of the plot focuses around the life of Maris, though the conflict and stakes never feel that high. I kept looking for an overarching plot or conflict, but there was none outside of political and class conflict. This felt more like the backdrop, not clear and present stakes to progress the plot. Basically, everything felt too underdeveloped, but there was enough there that makes me really want to read the original book.
July 19, 2023
Leí la novela hace un montón de tiempo y me encantó. La historia es de cinco estrellas y esta novela gráfica me ha ayudado a recordar por qué me gustó tanto en su día.
La edición tiene bastantes erratas y la traducción es regulera. Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas y la ambientación creada con las paletas de color buena. Quizás los rostros no sean muy expresivos pero las posturas y poses tienen fuerza.
Entiendo la dificultad de adaptar una novela a un cómic y que se tienen que sacrificar cosas de la historia original, pero para mi gusto se pierde demasiado. Me ha dado muchas ganas de volver a leer la novela y disfrutarla al completo.
La edición tiene bastantes erratas y la traducción es regulera. Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas y la ambientación creada con las paletas de color buena. Quizás los rostros no sean muy expresivos pero las posturas y poses tienen fuerza.
Entiendo la dificultad de adaptar una novela a un cómic y que se tienen que sacrificar cosas de la historia original, pero para mi gusto se pierde demasiado. Me ha dado muchas ganas de volver a leer la novela y disfrutarla al completo.
October 26, 2018
When I first finished reading this, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. But the more I think about it, the more I realise how much I like it. It's a slow burner that deals with the politics of change, and how changes that may originally seem to be for the best, can actually turn out to have far-reaching consequences.
The art and world are absolutely fantastic, and I would have LOVED to know more about the world itself. Overall, a great read, and one I would recommend for people who don't necessarily need heavy action in their fantasy.
The art and world are absolutely fantastic, and I would have LOVED to know more about the world itself. Overall, a great read, and one I would recommend for people who don't necessarily need heavy action in their fantasy.
December 10, 2024
I grabbed this graphic novel off the library shelf because of Martin’s name. It does craft a new world to explore but I felt that this graphic novel format perhaps limited the rich details of the authors world-building. I constantly wanted to know more about the rules and players and even geography of the story. Perhaps the original move provides that richness. I did enjoy how the story takes place over the lifetime of the main character. The art feels like a bit of an homage to Darwyn Cooke’s style.
July 30, 2023
I'm thankful someone loaned me a copy, since my thought on finishing it was that I'm glad I didn't pay for it. I have a prejudice against lead characters who have to be pushed and goaded repeatedly into doing the right thing. There's never a point in the book where Maris didn't need to be pushed. Oh wait, there's one, where she falls into doing the right thing by accident and because it suits her aims.
August 1, 2022
3.5/5
The world and the main character are good (but not amazing). The real strength of the story comes from the authors willing to follow the premise to its logical progress and conclusion... for most part. But they falter near the end by giving the story a neat ending instead of continuing to explore the fallout of the characters' actions.
The world and the main character are good (but not amazing). The real strength of the story comes from the authors willing to follow the premise to its logical progress and conclusion... for most part. But they falter near the end by giving the story a neat ending instead of continuing to explore the fallout of the characters' actions.
February 9, 2025
From the moment I started Windhaven, I knew it was something special. It’s not just a visual novel—it’s an experience, one that lingers long after the final scene fades to black. The blend of captivating storytelling, immersive world-building, and breathtaking art makes it, without a doubt, my favorite visual novel.
September 5, 2018
stunning art, an intricate and fleshed out plot with highly memorable characters. i was surprised with how much i loved this, as well as how invested i was. i wasn’t able to finish it in one sitting, and couldn’t stop thinking about it until i was able to finish it!
December 14, 2019
I rather enjoyed this stand-alone book about Maris of Amberly and her life trying to expand change and show the faults with tradition. There is a study class resentment and how Maris wants to challenge it by giving others the opportunity to gain the title of flyer versus it being blood relations. Later on it matures in theme as to her and others calling into question the repercussions of losing your limited, flyer mechanical wings, and whether to challenge their message assignments if detrimental for others. A clever fantasy/scifi world where humanity has started over and from rocketing from the stars, to soaring over the islands on their watery new planet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
This is a very interesting world. The graphic novel is beautifully done. I think I may have to read the book too as it felt at times there was something missing.
But overall, it kept me in its grasp and made me want to become a flyer. I highly recommend soaring in this world for a while.
But overall, it kept me in its grasp and made me want to become a flyer. I highly recommend soaring in this world for a while.
February 14, 2025
The graphic novel presentation of the story really works well.
And the story remains a purposefully challenging read, leading you to see the girl who changed the world first succeed and then have to deal with the hard on-going an unintended consequences of her personally motivated actions.
And the story remains a purposefully challenging read, leading you to see the girl who changed the world first succeed and then have to deal with the hard on-going an unintended consequences of her personally motivated actions.
September 30, 2018
A heartfelt story of the dream of a little girl who dared to defy the odds and customs of her people to achieve flight and once she soared she never looked back.
December 27, 2018
A landbound flyer's quest for wings sends ripple effects through land bound and flyer culture that reverberate through her life
May 14, 2019
I liked the characters in this graphic novel and how they change over time in their struggles with society, rules and power. Not my usual go to but I'm glad I read it.
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