July 17, 2007
Briar’s Book
Briar’s Book: Book 4 of the Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce
Briar is asked for help by one of his old street kid friends- his friend Flick is sick with an unknown disease. Soon it spreads and Rosethorn and Briar find themselves in quarantine, tending the sick as an epidemic threatens the whole city of Summersea. At Winding Circle healers work furiously trying to find a cure, but how many people will die before then?
I found this the most emotionally gripping of the four books to read, perhaps because to me the epidemic described showed a more severe kind of human suffering than the disasters in the other books. Also, obviously the series has built up to a more severe challenge for the characters to face.
The Circle of Magic quartet ends a year after the four mages first met in Sandry’s Book. We really see the psychological and magical growth of the characters. Their adventures continue in the Circle Opens quartet, Will of the Empress and Melting Stones.
July 6, 2007
Daja’s Book
Daja’s Book: Book 3 of Circle of Magic Quartet by Tamora Pierce
In the next segment of the Circle of Magic saga, Daja, Tris, Briar and Sandry and their teachers journey to the Golden Ridge mountains of northern Emelan, to help the people there deal with a severe drought.
Meanwhile the four young mage’s powers are combining in unpredictable ways. In one instance, Daja accidentally creates a living metal vine. A passing band of Traders expresses interest in buying it, and spending time with them, Daja becomes homesick for her own people and culture. As the threat of forest fire looms Daja and her friends face the challenge- and Daja also must decide where she belongs- with the Traders or at Winding Circle?
June 26, 2007
Tris’s Book
Tris’s Book: Book 2 of the Circle of Magic quartet by Tamora Pierce
Tris’ Book takes place just a week or so after Sandry’s Book. The earthquake has weakened Winding Circle’s physical and magical defenses- and on the winds Tris can hear a few suspicious voices planning something. Their teachers- Lark, Rosethorn, Frostpine and Niko challenge the four to further stretch their abilities to assist with rebuilding the Temple’s defenses, while maintaining discipline and control over their powers. But the members of the Circle of Magic begin discovering things on their own and experimenting with their powers. While their elders are beginning to despair, the foursome are determined to save the only home where they’ve truly felt welcome. But stubborn and sensitive Tris wants to act alone- with her powerful and dangerous weather magic, she doesn’t think she needs the others. Can Daja, Sandry and Briar convince her to work together with them?
I think I liked this book better than the first- the characters developed further and it went more into the magic, and the conflict and adventure was more gripping.
This books are fun but quite easy for me to read- right now I’m half-way through Daja’s Book the third one, so before you know it I’ll be done with the quartet!
Sandry’s Book
Sandry’s Book: Book 1 of the Circle of Magic quartet by Tamora Pierce
I have long enjoyed Tamora Pierce’s engaging and valiant heroines and rich, multilayered kingdom of Tortall and surrounding lands. So I was curious to see Tammy’s foray into another world- of Emelan and many other lands bordering the Pebbled Sea- a crossroads of cultures. In this world we meet not one, but four young protagonists from different social backgrounds who’s unique magical abilities are discovered by Niko Goldeye, a wandering mage.
Sandrilene fa Toren- or Sandry is great-niece of Duke Vedris, ruler of Emelan but her noble blood doesn’t save her from being orphaned or being seized by pirates- but her weaving magic does.
Briar Moss is a thief who lives by his wits on the streets- when he is captured on criminal charges he is given the chance at freedom by Niko on the condition that he come to Winding Circle Temple for training. And besides, of what use to a pickpocket is an odd knack for making plants grow?
Trisana Chandler has been shuffled from relative to the next of her merchant family- because somehow, storms and lightning seem to follow her wherever she goes, and that’s just not good for business. Even the priests and magicians of Broken Circle Temple don’t know what to do with her- but Niko does.
Daja Kisubo is perhaps the most unfortunate- as the sole survivor of a shipwreck, she is branded trangshi– outcast by her Trader people. Her connection to metal and the forge saves her- but she’s not sure if living as trangshi is worth it.
Most of the book is introducing the characters and showing their initial development and training of their magical abilities. With clashing personalities and cultures, the four don’t always get along, but slowly they find their place at the temple and as an earthquake looms, they combine their powers to become a Circle of Magic. So begins the quartet.
Roots, Leaves and Threads 