Last week Merlin Library launched Wied Wirdien, the second book in the Fiddien trilogy penned by Simon Bartolo and Loranne Vella. This genre-bending tale of magic, adventure, realism, spookiness, humour has shattered all records to become Malta’s largest children’s book phenomenon. In a matter of days, more copies were sold in a shorter time than any other children’s book ever – not only in Maltese but even in English, second only to Harry Potter.

Last year’s Sqaq l-Infern had sold a record 1,000 copies in the first 10 days after publication, but this year’s Wied Wirdien beat its own record, pre-selling over 1,000 copies even prior to publication date. It is estimated that by the end of the authors’ launch-related events, the book will have sold around 2,000 copies.

Authors Bartolo and Vella are this week touring a number of state and private schools, meeting students and talking about the Fiddien trilogy. Last week’s dual book launch, in Valletta and at the Cittadella Gozo, was another first for Malta, with a multi-location launch including a secret venue, street theatre with full-costumed Immarkati leading fans down Republic Street, and a special finale in the basement of Chiaroscuro in Strait Street.

Fans queued to get their hands on Wied Wirdien and discover the answers to the many questions that Sqaq l-Infern left unresolved. Never has a book in Maltese generated so much fan chatter, with blogs and chat rooms online discussing the twists and turns of the plot, a dedicated group on Facebook as well as emails sent via the trilogy’s website, www.il-fiddien.com

Sqaq l-Infern is currently being translated into French and German, and has this year been exhibited at the London Book Fair and selected as one of the highlighted international children’s titles of the Fair by the British Council and IYPE.