October 10, 2007
Magic Steps
Magic Steps: Book 1 of the Circle Opens Quartet by Tamora Pierce
In the Circle Opens quartet, Ms. Pierce continues the stories of young mages featured in Circle of Magic. But this time, as they grow up and develop their skills, they are sent outside of Winding Circle to study with teachers, and each finds a student of their own.
After her uncle Duke Vedris suffers a heart attack, Sandry stays in Summersea to take care of him while her friends travel further afield. Members of the Rokat family keep turning up murdered, and the Provost’s Guard (police) are baffled as to who the culprits might be, and where they are. Sandry starts noticing clues that signal the crimes have a magical nature, and despite being a young noblewoman she insists on investigating. Meanwhile she also discovers a boy, Pasco Acalon who can work magic by dancing. But he is from a proud family of harriers (Provost’s Guards) who don’t think dancing is a proper pursuit for their son. And who ever heard of a dance-mage? Though she does not feel ready, Sandry finds out that if a teacher of a specific magic cannot be found, the discoverer of the mage must teach him/her. Pasco and Sandry become partners in solving the murders.
I must say that I actually liked this better- as the characters and world were more developed, and the story had more layers to it. It’s really a murder mystery in a fantasy setting. I’ve heard good things about the later books in the quartet so I look forward to those.
Roots, Leaves and Threads 