Pierce, Tamora

Average customer rating:

Patrolling the Cesspool
Great girl heroine
Not her best, but still good
Brings a fresh voice & perspective to the Tortall universe
Was unsure about the diary format

Terrier (Beka Cooper)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 037581468X
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Amazon.com

Tamora Pierce has been creating strong, appealing heroines for teen fantasy fans for years, creating 2 main universes to house her multiple series. With Terrier, Pierce returns to the Tortall universe (home to her Song of the Lioness, Immortals, Protector of the Small, and Daughter of the Lioness series). Want to learn more? Read an exclusive essay from Tamora Pierce below. --Daphne Durham
 <hr noshade="noshade" size="1" class="bucketDivider" /><div class="bucket"> An Essay from Tamora Pierce

<img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/books/promos/a-plus/tamora1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" border="0" align="left"> Sixteen-year-old Beka Cooper lives far removed from knights, palaces, and the nobility. Her world revolves around thieves, beggars, taverns, and the lowest of the low. She's a trainee for the Provost's Guard—a rookie cop, in a world where a cop makes her own name based on her personality, her attitude toward money, and her love of the law. Beka means to prove that she is out to make her mark in this hard and physical world.

She does face a large obstacle. She's shy. Painfully shy. Left to her own devices, she would have no friends. It's hard for her to talk to people she doesn't know. It's a problem for the Guards who train her, a real problem for Beka—unless she can figure out that a uniform is a kind of costume, one she can hide behind. One that will make her a more outspoken person. It will help a lot if people come to realize that under her shyness is a clever, determined young woman. It will help even more if she can make friends who can give her good advice. Luckily, she has one such friend living with her in her slum apartment: a purple-eyed black cat named Pounce. He can make himself understood in human speech if he wishes to. He's capable of doing weirdly intelligent things to help his young companion Beka. With Pounce to assist her, Beka cannot have an ordinary career.

Beka tells her own story in a journal that she keeps from her very first day as a Puppy. The Guards are dubbed "Dogs" in her time and their trainees are called "Puppies." In its pages she writes of her days with her training Dogs, the pair who are to teach her what they know of survival on the streets in the city's toughest slum. Both are veterans. Tunstall is an easygoing, funny man who can be a little crazy in a fight. Goodwin is a small, tough woman who is opposed to Beka's presence at the beginning, a hard Dog and a smart one. They take charge when Beka brings them word of two vicious sets of crimes. Like everyone else in Beka's life, her partners find out that once Beka gets a case in her teeth, she hangs onto it like a terrier until it's been solved.

I have all kinds of reasons why I went to the past of the Alanna books. In part I wanted to show how present-day Tortall came to be. I also knew George's fans would welcome any kind of return to the Lower City, even if it wasn't the Lower City of his time. I wanted to get away from the courts and nobility, the setting for so many of the Tortall books thus far. Since I didn't want to show any of the characters I've come to love as being old or even dead, I couldn't write books in the future of the current Tortall. I turned to the past, and I'm pretty sure my readers will be glad I did! --Tamora Pierce
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Book Description

Tamora Pierce begins a new Tortall trilogy introducing Beka Cooper, an amazing young woman who lived 200 years before Pierce's popular Alanna character. For the first time, Pierce employs first-person narration in a novel, bringing readers even closer to a character that they will love for her unusual talents and tough personality.

Beka Cooper is a rookie with the law-enforcing Provost's Guard, and she's been assigned to the Lower City. It's a tough beat that's about to get tougher, as Beka's limited ability to communicate with the dead clues her in to an underworld conspiracy. Someone close to Beka is using dark magic to profit from the Lower City's criminal enterprises--and the result is a crime wave the likes of which the Provost's Guard has never seen before.

Customer Reviews:

Patrolling the Cesspool.......2007-06-01

Terrier (2006) is the first fantasy novel in the Beka Cooper series. Rebekah Cooper grew up in the Lower City section of Corus, the capital of Tortall. She is able to talk to the dust spinners and to hear the spirits of the dead riding on pigeons (but the dead rarely hear her). At eight years of age, she stalked the man who beat her mother and ran out with everything of value in their household.

After finding the man meeting with his pals in the Bold Brass gang, she turned them in to the Lord Provost himself when none other would listen. The Provost took Beka, her mother, and her four siblings into his own household. Beka eventually became a trainee in the Provost's Guard.

In this novel, Beka is a Puppy, assigned to two experienced Dogs for training. Clara Goodwin and Matthias Tunstall are the best Guards of the Evening Watch, which is reputed to be the best of the three Guard shifts. Goodwin has been a Provost's Guard for seventeen years and Tunstall has been a Guard for twenty years, thirteen as Goodwin's partner.

Now they are being saddled with a Puppy and Goodwin is not very happy about the whole thing; Tunstall, however, is rather pleased to have Beka as his Puppy. Both know of her part in bringing in the Bold Brass gang, but do not know anything about her magic. They also know nothing about Pounce, the cat who has adopted Beka. This new partnership is going to be a learning experience for all of them.

On her first night, trailing behind Goodwin and Tunstall, Beka is told to chase an escaping thief and falls -- literally -- for an old trick. She lands facedown in a pile of fish and is called Fishbelly for the rest of the shift.

The next night, she takes off after a crazed drunk who has struck Goodwin with the hilt of a knife. She chases the woman all across the Lower City nearly to the North gate and then brings her hobbled to the Provost's Guard kennel. Very few call her Fishbelly after that run, but some call her Terrier for the first time.

Then Goodwin and Tunstall find out that Beka is extremely shy. She can talk with friends, but public speaking ties up her tongue. Since she has to testify before the Provost's Magistrate, she forces herself to utter a few words. Fortunately the Magistrate is kind and helps her to tell the story of the chase and capture, with Goodwin and Tunstall filling in some details. Strangely enough, she doesn't appear have any problems telling malefactors that they are under arrest, even in public places.

In this story, Beka learns of two different crimes from her sources in the Lower City. The son of her friend Tansy is abducted and killed by someone calling himself the Shadow Snake after a childish fable. When she talks to Tansy, she is given a strange gemstone. Soon her pigeons bring new riders who complain of being killed in a hole that they have been hired to dig and the gemstone is somehow related.

In this story, Beka becomes the center of a small social circle that meets in her boarding house. Other trainees, experienced guards and even some rogues eat breakfast most mornings in her room or elsewhere in the house or on the grounds. This circle of friends also joins her in the search for the abducted diggers and the Shadow Snake.

This story takes place earlier in the history of Tortall, well before Alanna and her friends. Yet Beka is the progenitor of one of those friends. The story starts with the young George Cooper being told of his illustrious ancestor.

Based on past publications, this book may be the first in a tetralogy. Maybe the author is getting into a rut, always starting with a novice and then taking the series on to higher skills, but who cares when the stories are this good. This volume is definitely a fine start to a new series. Enjoy.

Highly recommended for Pierce fans and for anyone else who enjoy tales of minor magic, grubby police work and hardearned experience.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Great girl heroine.......2007-05-17

Look out bullies and thugs! Beka Cooper is here, ready to do some serious 'kick butt' to those who abuse the innocent and downtrodden.

In Tamora Pierce's new fantasy, BEKA COOPER, Beka is a sixteen-year-old rookie with the law-enforcing Provost's Guard in Corus, the capital city of Tortall. She's a "Puppy" assigned to two veteran "Dogs" to patrol the Lower City, a tough beat, but one she requested as she was born there.

The veteran Dogs aren't too happy to have Beka tag along with them. But even through Beka isn't much of a talker, she's a good listener. Also she has a unique gift. She can hear the murmurs of the dead through the flocks of pigeons that hangs around her place.

Though this she learns that the children of the Lower City are being kidnapped and murdered. This is something she won't stand for. Or as Beka says, "The Lower City is mine, its people are mine. If I find them that's doing all this kidnapping and murdering, they'd best pray for mercy, because once I get my teeth in 'em, I will never let them go."

Oh, yeah. Beka is true to her word.

I loved this character!!! She's one tough teen but human too. I love the scene where she's at a stand and watches a bully abuse his older sister. He then makes the mistake of trying to rough up Beka. She blocks his swing, grabbing his wrist with her free hand and yanks him toward her over the counter. Beka refuses to bow down to this street thug.

But then she shows her human side by getting so nervous at a court hearing she can't speak. And she loves her younger brothers and sisters, even though her sisters are embarrassed of her.

Tamora Pierce has given us a character that is likable and someone that will stay with the reader long after the last page is read. My writing mentor told me that a writer needs to do this in order for the reader to want to continue to read the story. And this book more than delivers.

Not her best, but still good.......2007-04-12

I have read almost all of Tamora Pierce's books. The rest are phenomenal but since she doesn't often write long books there isn't as much action. Terrier tells the story of a teenage girl named Beka Cooper. Since Tamora Pierce is such a great writer and got me so engaged in this book I feel like I'm talking about one of my best friends not a book character. Beka is training to be a dog (police officer). With some extra help from her ability to hear the voices of the dead, Beka slowly uncovers the identity of a mass murderer. With two large cases on her hands in her first weeks of being a puppy(trainee) Beka is quickly proving herself to be a true terrier.

Brings a fresh voice & perspective to the Tortall universe.......2007-04-09

Unlike some of her previous books, this is a tale of a more "everyday" heroine one who, despite some magical gifts, must resort primarily to determination to solve mysteries that confront the "Dogs" (the police force of Tortall). Beka is a great addition to Tamora's world; I find myself eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Was unsure about the diary format.......2007-03-27

I was worried that this book wouldn't measure up to the others that she has written, but the diary format didn't get in the way. It was a great book with great new characters. I can't wait for her to write more!

Average customer rating:

Ozorne's making trouble!
Dinos bent on Destruction
A good book in a good series
Emperor Mage (Immortals)
A Darkness Unravels

Emperor Mage (Immortals)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416903372

Book Description

Sent to Carthak as part of the Tortallan peace delegation, Daine finds herself in the middle of a sticky political situation. She doesn't like the Carthaki practice of keeping slaves, but it's not her place to say anything -- she's just there to heal the emperor's birds. It's extremely frustrating! What's more, her power has grown in a mysterious way.

As the peace talks stall, Daine puzzles over Carthak's two-faced Emperor Ozorne. How can he be so caring with his birds and so cruel to his people? Daine is sure he's planning something. Daine must fight the powerful Emperor Mage, knowing that the safety and peace of the realm depend on stopping Ozorne's power-hungry schemes.

Customer Reviews:

Ozorne's making trouble!.......2007-03-31

Daine and her teacher Numair Salamin are sent to Carthak as part of the peace legion. But although Ozorne says that he didn't attack Tortall Daine can tell that he's up to something. She can feel it.

In this book Daine is captured by...sorry I won't tell you. Numair tries to save her and...another thing I won't say. Ozorne is growing powerful and Daine see's her power growing in strange ways. Are these powers good or bad?

While Daine is here she meets Kaddar the prince of Carthak and maybe, just maybe they can do something to stop the war and to defeat Ozorne...

Please read this book. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It has magic, fantasy, action, adventure and a touch of romance.

Dinos bent on Destruction.......2007-02-20

Ever wished you could trash an empiral palace using dinosaurs? Then this book is for you! Animal lovers unite to take out the bad guy.

A good book in a good series.......2007-01-05

I have read this book many times in the past years. Finally being able to own it is great! It has a good storyline and well-thought-out characters. I've loved these books since I was a kid and I hope others read them as well!

Emperor Mage (Immortals).......2007-01-03

I purchased the Immortals series for my granddaughter, who is 12 years old. She read all the books within a period of a week and has subsequently found other titles by Tamora Pierce in her township library. She has developed into quite a Tamora Pierce fan.

A Darkness Unravels.......2006-01-04

Daine and a group of Tortall ambassadors go to Cathak in an attempt to make peace with the Emperor. Daine soon makes friends with the crown prince. However, when she is given a strange power and even stranger things begin to unroll, Daine is swept into it all.
Wonderful book, I couldn't put it down. Pierce carried me through a thrilling place. If you love fantasy, adventure and animals, like me, then you absolutely will love this book. However, this book should be read by young adults and adults. If you're not one of these then the book maybe a little bit too hard for you to follow. But Pierce gives such detail that it feels like you're really inside the book. It is a perfect squeal to Wild Magic and Wolf Speaker.

The Realms of the Gods (Immortals, Book)

Average customer rating:

About Daine and Numair
You'll be surprised and blown away!
Goods received
Action, Romance, Magic...what more could you need?
The Romance is a wonderful addition!

The Realms of the Gods (Immortals, Book)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 141690817X

Book Description

During a dire battle against the fearsome Skinners, Daine and her mage teacher Numair are swept into the Divine Realms. Though happy to be alive, they are not where they want to be. They are desperately needed back home, where their old enemy, Ozorne, and his army of strange creatures are waging war against Tortall.

Trapped in the mystical realms Daine discovers her mysterious parentage. And as these secrets of her past are revealed so is the treacherous way back to Tortall. So they embark on an extraordinary journey home, where the fate of all Tortall rests with Daine and her wild magic.

Customer Reviews:

About Daine and Numair.......2007-04-13

Concerning the age difference between Daine and Numair, remember that this story takes place in medieval-like times. Throughout history, it has been typical for adult men to marry girls who have just reached puberty. It wasn't sicko. In those times, it made good sense because people didn't live very long. Now, it doesn't usually because girls need to get their education before they marry.

Like other readers, I would like to see more of their relationship. There isn't enough in the (wonderful) Protector of the Small series. Maybe there will be more books.

I am pleasantly surprised that prudes have not complained about Daine been nude throughout so much of the book.

You'll be surprised and blown away! .......2007-03-31

Daine is now a young lady and is still Numair Salamin's student. While Daine and Numair are in a battle with a new immortal called a skinner they're swept away into the Divine Realms where gods and immortals live. In this place Daine see's somebody she hasn't seen in years and meets someone new that she wished she'd seen before.

While they are happy not to be dead they know that they are needed down in the mortal world where Ozorne and his creatures are coming against Tortall. They need to find help and get out of the Divine Realms before it's too late for Daine knows that Tortall's fate rests in her hands.

In this book you'll find Romance too! Which is something a lot of people will enjoy. If you've been reading the series you'll probably know who Daine's going to fall in love with but you'll still be excited. This is a wonderous book so read 'THE REALMS OF THE GODS'!

Goods received.......2007-03-14

The product was provided in a timely manner and was is very good condition and communication was received indicating timeframes throughout the delivery process which was quite good to see.

Action, Romance, Magic...what more could you need?.......2007-01-05

Daine is a young girl with a rare magical gift, she can speak with animals. She is now traveling with her teacher Numair to battle off a strange creater known as a skinner. While there Daine and Numair are swept off into the Divine Realms.

This is one of Tamora Pierce's best books! And it has romance, my favorite! But it is pretty easy to tell who Daine's going to fall for. (Hmm...hint: He's got the gift, older than her. Oh I won't give it away!) Daine is a wonderful character with the coolest gift of all. I mean, who wouldn't want to talk to animals AND even turn into them? Well read THE REALMS OF THE GODS!

-Hannah M.

The Romance is a wonderful addition!.......2006-11-25

'The Realms of the Gods' is an excellent read to everyone! Especially those who love a bit of romance here and there! Daine known as the Wild mage has fallen into the divine realms where she meets many interesting gods and goddesses. I won't say who because it would spoil a lot of the book. There her and her teacher Numair travel and try to get out. Dispite the trouble in Tortall they are not scared to go back infact they want to help which all good heros should do. If you like action, excitement and romance try THE REALMS OF THE GODS!
-Hannah M.

Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)

Average customer rating:

choppy with lots of erros
"From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight."
Wonderful
Cornwall, NY Sixth Grader
Very cliche, choppy and predictable

Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0689878559

Amazon.com

Call it fate, call it intuition, or just call it common sense, but somehow young Alanna knows she isn't meant to become some proper lady cloistered in a convent. Instead, she wants to be a great warrior maiden--a female knight. But in the land of Tortall, women aren't allowed to train as warriors. So Alanna finds a way to switch places with her twin, Thom, and take his place as a knight in training at the palace of King Roald. Disguising herself as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page in the royal court. Soon, she is garnering the admiration of all around her, including the crown prince, with her strong work ethic and her thirst for knowledge. But all the while, she is haunted by the recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil... somehow she knows it is her fate to purge that place of its wickedness. But how will she find it? And can she fulfill her destiny while keeping her gender a secret?

With Alanna: The First Adventure, veteran fantasy author Tamora Pierce has created a lively, engaging heroine who will charm middle-school readers with her tomboyish bravado and have them eagerly searching for the next book in the Song of the Lioness series. Like Brian Jacques's tales of Redwall, this popular quartet is an entertaining fantasy series for younger teens. (Ages 10 to 13) --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

"From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight."

And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page.

But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's first adventure begins -- one that will leard to the fulfillment of her dreams and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.

Alanna's journey continues...

Customer Reviews:

choppy with lots of erros.......2007-06-02

This book started with a great IDEA. I liked the idea of Allana becoming a knight in her brothers place. It sounds like a book that can have SO MANY possibilites. However, the auther's choppy writing and typing errors were just sad. The author moves from one scene to the next, with no flow whatsoever, and simply skims the surface of the character's identity. There is no depth, and no description. It is almost a simple statement of facts throughout the whole book. Though I really want to know what happens in the series, and HOPE very much that the auther's writing has improved, I think I'll just look at the library for the rest of the series.

"From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight.".......2007-03-30

Alanna is just a ten-year-old girl with dreams. Her father is a tight, strict man who cares about nothing but his studies. He wants Thom, Alanna's twin brother to be a knight at the palace and wants Alanna to go to the convent to learn how to be a lady. Both the children disagree with this decision. Thom has the magical gift and wants to become a sorceror while Alanna has dreams of becoming a knight and protecting her king. So Alanna and Thom switch places.
"Tomorrow he gives the letters for the man who trains the pages and the people at the convent. You can imitate his writing, so you can do two new lettersm saying we're both boys, You go to the convent. Say in the letter that you're a sorceror. The Daughters of the Goddess are the ones who train boys in magic, remember? When you're older, they'll send you to the priests. And I'll go to the palace to become a knight!"
This is what Alanna says and they really do carry out the plan. Alanna gets to the palace and figures out that life there is harder than she thought but she's a stubborn girl and will do all it takes to achieve her dream to become a real knight.

Wonderful.......2007-03-12

I really enjoyed Tamora Pierce's Alanna:The First Adventure. Out of the quartet, I think that this is the best one! The ideas are original and interesting. It was very well written and is an excellent teen fantasy. I'm 13 and I really loved it. If you enjoy fantasy and adventure, you'll love this book! It's an amazing coming of age story.

Cornwall, NY Sixth Grader .......2007-03-01

Cornwall New York, Sixth Grader

I am a sixth grader.I have really enjoyed Tamora Pierce's writing, especially Alanna the First Adventure because of Alanna's intricate viewpoint on the dichotomy of right and wrong moral choices.

Alanna's father, Lord of Trebond, sent Alanna to a convent school to become a lady. Alanna, a rebellious girl by nature, wanted to be a knight. Thom, Alanna's twin brother wanted to be a sorcerer; to slay demons and walk with the gods. His father, who didn't care about what either of them wanted, sent Thom to the palace to become a page. The impact of this on Alanna was catastrophic.

There was the possibility of her dream not coming true, and Alanna was desperate. She realized that if she and Thom switched places, they would get what they desired. She decided to talk with Maude, the village's healing woman. When Maude asked the gods to give her guidance, what she saw made her agree with the twins. She aided them in the switch, and cleared her conscience.

Maude had some tough choices to make. She had never seen in the fire, and could only heal. Maude had taught Alanna and Thom all she knew, but they could still learn much more. Maude had to choose whether or not to follow her liege lord, or her pupils who she had taught for almost all of their lives. The responsibility she felt towards her lord was nothing compared to the comradeship she felt towards the twins.

Coram, Alanna's escort to the palace and great friend, was deep in controversy. He knew that Thom was such a poor bowman, tracker, and hunter that it would make a soldier cry. Alanna, on the contrary, was a wonderful bowman. She excelled at tracking and hunting. A grown man couldn't skin a rabbit faster than she could. Coram also knew that Thom disliked him, while Alanna was much friendlier. When Alanna threatened him with seeing things that weren't there for the next ten years, he was torn. He had his duty to his lord: to bring Alanna back. Coram was also scared of magic, but he was even more scared of the embarrassment of taking Thom to the palace.

Alanna was torn between her duty to her father, or to herself. Her father wanted her to be a proper lady, but Alanna wanted to be a knight. It was illegal for a girl to be a knight, but Alanna already knew that. How irksome it was that just because she was a girl, she was considered weak and helpless. In order to do what her father wanted, she had to deny her own wants. Was that truly the right thing to do?

Thom had his own problems as well. He wanted to be a sorcerer, but his father wanted him to be a knight. Thom knew that he had an obligation to himself, and to his father. He hated most people. He only loved himself and Alanna. Thom knew that he and Alanna had much more power than most gifted people, and this made him rather cocky. Thom was hard to like, but he was always a steadfast friend.

I would recommend this book to fantasy readers, because of everything that goes on in it. It is an amazing tale full of wonder and suspense. I have enjoyed it tremendously.

Very cliche, choppy and predictable.......2007-02-13

I read this book because I love fantasy, particularly children's fantasy and it was recommended to me by Amazon. However I was so disappointed. The story didn't run very smoothly with its characters- In fact the characters were so cookie cutter that I couldn't follow them for very long without getting bored and having to put the book down.

The story begins with a girl Alanna- who has a twin brother Thom. And they look very similar- so very similar that the girl could pass for her brother- or vice versa- although neither Alanna was ever described as being boyish, nor Thom ever described as being small-statured, or girlish. Alanna has to go off to the convent to learn to be a lady, and Thom off to become a page, and eventually a knight. But of COURSE Alanna doesn't want to be in the convent and Thom doesn't want to do guy-things, like becoming a knight. He wants to be a sorcerer- so of COURse Alanna is afraid of magic and doesn't want to use it. So they switch places, since their father is the extremely absent-minded kind of father and pores over books all the time. Conveniently, the convent is also a place where young boys learn magic and sorcery. We never really know why. Its just the way it is. (Incidently myself, I wonder why the author even bothers to adopt places as supposed from medieval culture and then twist them around to fit her story, yet never explains for what reason they are there, other than for the main character's convenience).

The book proceeds from there- at a painful pace. Each character comes in with a "cut off the block" feel. They are supposed to be different and extraordinary- yet turn out to be even more of the same boring ordinary than ever. I got the feeling the author was trying too hard to write an "adventure". When events happened in the book it felt too much like I could see the strings pulling the characters around in a puppet show. For example, in some instances a character would suddenly do something very unlike their character, for no other reason it seemed, than to get across some idea about Alanna the author wanted you to know- without all out telling you, "oh yeah by the way, Alanna is a special girl that can tell when people can't be trusted, even when apparently everybody else in the entire world doesn't get the memo.

Finally, the end does not even duke it out with the villian that the book tries to build up through-out the story. The people that are battled and conquered by our heroine are introduced mere pages before they are met. They are not even alluded to, wondered at, or known to exist prior to the end chapters of the book. It was like the author decided it was time to end the story and start on the next one and just thought... "now where can I get some kind of big Bang to show off my heroines prowess and provide an ending climax?"

Not worth the effort reading.

Average customer rating:

What to do? What to do?
great
I've read this over and over!
Best book ever!!
An unstoppable finish to a remarkable quartet.

Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689878575

Book Description

<CENTER>"I'm not sure I want to be a hero anymore."</CENTER>

Having achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant, Alanna of Trebond is not sure what to do next. Perhaps being a knight errant is not all that Alanna needs....But Alanna must push her uncertainty aside when a new challenge arises. She must recover the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem with enormous power for good -- but only in the right hands. And she must work quickly. Tortall is in great danger, and Alanna's archenemy, Duke Roger, is back -- and more powerful than ever. In this final book of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna discovers that she indeed has a future worthy of her mythic past -- both as a warrior and as a woman.

Customer Reviews:

What to do? What to do?.......2007-03-31

Alanna having left the palace and having stayed with the tribe The Bloody Hawk does not know what to do next. She's the only female knight in Tortall and is stuck so she goes out looking for adventure with her loyal friend Coram. She ends up finding a map that is supposed to lead to a precious item called the Dominian Jewel.

"I'm not sure I want to be a hero anymore." (That'll go up in smoke).

She travels to a land to find the jewel and runs into Travelers named Thayet and her guard Buri. These two decide to travel along but little do they know that they will play a large part near the end of the story.

Oh and did I forget to tell you that Duke Roger is back? That he's come up from the dead? Read 'Lioness Rampant'!

great.......2007-03-20

It is an amazing series that only gets better the deeper you get into it.

I've read this over and over!.......2007-03-02

This is the coolest book I've ever read. I'm into Fantasy and Knights, and this is about a girl who did, well, the unthinkably! I've never read much before this book, and I still dont read much, but I've read this book over twice and now I want to buy it! It's amazing!

Best book ever!!.......2006-09-13

I had to also read other books for the Summer Reading during my own time, and I borrowed this book from the library. I'm so glad that I started off by picking up the first book of the Song of the Lioness quartet (Alanna: The First Adventure). After I read the first book, I was hooked and read all the other 3 books in the quartet in 2 days. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!! You won't regret reading this. But please read the first book, Alanna: The First Adventure, because this book that I'm reviewing is the 4th book in the quartet. If you read this or any of the other books besides the 1st book first, then you won't understand them. But please just give it a try and buy/borrow this book.

An unstoppable finish to a remarkable quartet........2006-08-25

Alanna of Trebond and Olau has accomplished much over the years. She cleverly disguised herself as a male as she became a squire, then moved onto a knighthood, in which her gender was finally discovered. But that did not stop Alanna from becoming one of the greatest swordsmen (swordswomen) to grace the earth, and only helped her to be accepted by the people of the Bazhir tribe, who christened her The Woman Who Rides Like A Man. And though she has been named a hero, Alanna feels that she has not built much up for herself to return home to. Now, as she begins her quest to recover the Dominion Jewel, located at The Roof of the World, Alanna begins to think that maybe the life of a hero isn't what she wants anymore. But reaching the Dominion Jewel must be done, for it holds a great deal of power that can be used for good, as long as it is placed in the right hands. And Prince Jonathan's are a perfect fit for the jewel. Besides, Tortall is in grave danger, and Alanna must return immediately to help save it from the hands of evil. For Duke Roger, Alanna's arch-enemy is back from the grave, and more powerful than ever before; and defeating him will take more than Alanna's Gift alone. She will have to draw on the help from her friends, as well as the Dominion Jewel to save the only home she's ever really known, as well as the people she loves.

We have seen Alanna grow from an awkward young girl, into a strong, heroic, brave woman; but now she has come to the end of her path. Tamora Pierce, as with the previous books in the SONG OF THE LIONESS QUARTET, has woven a story that keeps you enraptured from first page to last. Alanna's quick wit, snappy comebacks, and can't-hold-me-down attitude is admirable, and a wonderful inspiration for female readers the world over. Pierce has brought us through thick and thin with the Lioness herself, and now closes the series with this amazing finish, that shows readers even heroes need to settle down after awhile. LIONESS RAMPANT is the end of an era. One that has brought us adventures galore, and will live on in the hearts of readers for years to come. An unstoppable finish to a remarkable quartet.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness)

Average customer rating:

Alannna is the best -- according to my 12 dd
My favorite of the 'Song of the Lioness' quartet!
Great Book!!!!!!!
Read 'In The Hand of The Goddess'!
Alan, or Alanna?

In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness)
Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness)
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)
The Realms of the Gods (Immortals, Book)
Emperor Mage (Immortals)

ASIN: 0689878567

Book Description

"I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden."

Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the prince of the realm. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna's liege lord, he is also her best friend -- and one of the few who knows the secret of her true identity. But when a mysterious sorceror threatens the prince's life, it will take all of Alanna's skill, strength, and magical power to protect him -- even at the risk of revealing who she really is...

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's second adventure continues the saga of a girl who dares to follow her dreams -- and the magical destiny that awaits her.

Alanna's journey continues...

Customer Reviews:

Alannna is the best -- according to my 12 dd.......2007-05-13

This is the second book of the Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce. I bought the series for my daughter- she enjoys the strong female character who works her way from being a page to being a knight. There are plenty of action packed adventures, quirky characters, and suspenseful subplot with evil wizard.

My favorite of the 'Song of the Lioness' quartet!.......2007-03-31

Alanna is still disguised as a boy in the palace and is now a Squire. And not just any squire...she's Prince Jonathon's squire! This book is probably (in my opinion) the best of 'Song of the Lioness' quartet. Her secret is known by only a few people; of course her twin brother Thom, George Cooper, Alanna's great friend and thief, and Prince Jonathon who's been Alanna's friend for years.

In the beginning Alanna said, "I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden." But...really that isn't going to happen. Two men enter Alanna's lives at the same time and if I was in that position it would suck! George Cooper and Jonathon of Conte.

I hope that you pick up this book and read it. There's excitement in every line! (But you should read 'Alanna: The first Adventure' first so you won't get TOO confused.

Great Book!!!!!!!.......2007-01-04

Alanna's quest for knighthood continues in book two of the Song of the Lioness quartet. Alanna's dream of becoming a knight is drawing closer as she becomes Prince Jonathan's squire. But good news hardly ever comes without bad news, especially in the world of fantasy. There are obstacles facing Alanna. Some of which include the war against Tusaine, capture at Fort Drell, a deul with a friend that turns deadly, and the Ordeal of Knighthood. 'In the Hand of the Goddess' is an exciting continuation of Alanna's story. I love this book.

Read 'In The Hand of The Goddess'!.......2006-12-31

Alanna is in the palace as a squire to the future king Prince Jonathon and is still secretly disguised as a boy. Because of course in this time girls were not alowed to become knights and defend their country. While Alanna is a squire her suspicions about Duke Roger, one of the best sorcerors and the heir to the thrown after Prince Jonathon. She believes that he's trying to kill the king, queen and even one of her best friends Jon, one of the few who knows she's actually female. Alanna doesn't enjoy breaking the rules but she must so she breaks into Duke Rogers rooms and finds evidence proving that Roger is guilty but who will believe her and what will become of her if people find out her secret? Read this book because it's a gaurenteed great book!
-Hannah M.

Alan, or Alanna?.......2006-07-18

Well, well, well. "I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden" kinda went up in smoke, didn't it? Alanna is starting to feel differently about some of her friends-quite noticeably, in fact. But it wouldn't do to fall in love, now would it? But Alanna deals with her new feelings admirably, as well as her new role as a squire to none other than the heir to the throne of Tortall, her good friend Jonathan, one of the few who knows "Alan"'s true identity. Also, a great dislike bordering on hatred, mingled with fear, is formed for a certain sly cousin of the prince's-Duke Roger, the most powerful sorceror in the Eastern Lands. Sure, he's charming, smart, and wealthy-but Alanna feels like she is the only one that expects he's up to something. After several very mysterious near-disasters, Alanna is getting more and more agitated, but is still unable to prove anytying. Then, disaster strikes, soon after her Ordeal of Knighthood, one of her three fears(which you will learn about in the first chapter)and Alanna challenges Duke Roger to a duel, or risks the deaths of the rulers of Tortall and their councillors. Also, by a mere stroke of bad luck, Alanna's identity slips out-nothing too bad, don't worry, Alanna's dignity is still in tact-while dueling with Duke Roger, and so after the duel(whether she wins or loses, regardless)Alanna plans to go to the South to let the court steam and fume over her big secret. This book is probably my favorite of the whole series, because Alanna finally learns how to cope with love(not that I agree with that)and also her fear of her own magic. Readers will not be disappointed!

Average customer rating:

Tortall, here we come!
A Truely Wild, Magical Adventure
A 'wild' series debut!
A knack with animals...or magic?
great

Wild Magic (Immortals)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Wolf-speaker (Immortals)
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Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness)
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness)

ASIN: 1416903437

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old DaIne has always had a knack with animals, but it's not until she's forced to leave home that she realizes it's more than a knack -- it's magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but also she can make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen's Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and becomes his student.

Under Numair's guidance, Daine explores the scope of her magic. But she begins to sense other beings too: immortals. These bloodthirsty monsters have been imprisoned in the Divine Realms for the past four hundred years, but now someone has broken the barrier. It's up to Daine and her friends to defend their world from an immortal attack.

Customer Reviews:

Tortall, here we come!.......2007-06-13

This is book one of the Immortals series. It follows the Song of Lioness series. Although you won't have to read this series first to understand, I recommend that you do.
This is the story of Daine. A young girl who is able to talk with animals. With her family gone and a town that has shunned her, she sets off on her own. She takes a job as an assistant in handling horses. On her journey and through her deeds, it is discovered that she has what they call "Wild Magic". A kind of magic that she will never have full control over. Through training and the love of animals (and the love the animals have for her) she becomes a hero. Something she never quite expected.
This is a wonderful book. The characters are carefully woven and you become attached to all of them. I enjoyed seeing characters from the previous Song of the Lioness books.

A Truely Wild, Magical Adventure.......2007-05-25

Martha Jo Nakashian 5/22/07

Wild Magic By: Tamora Pierce 0-679-88282-X

` Onua Chamtong meets Daine, a girl with a "knack for animals", at a fair in Cria, and hires her on for an assistant on her trip to Tortall's capital, Corus. Daine seems very open to Onua, and to Onua's friends, but does she have a secret? And is there a reason for Daine's "knack for animals"? Who is the strange badger who keeps visiting her dreams, and how does he know her? Where are all these immortal monsters coming from, and why have they been gone hundreds of years? Can this simple, Gallan, country-bred girl change the fate of Tortall, and her own life? And Daine dosen't have the Gift (human magic), but does she have magic? Daine will show them what she can really do at Pirate's Swoop! Even though this is fiction/fantasy, this book (and most of Tamora Pierce's books) take place around medevil times. Action, adventure, and some humor mixed in keeps this book interesting. Daine's whole life will change in Tortall, from bastard to mage, and all because of her strange, rare magic. This book is an excellent beginning to Tamora Pierce's Immortals series.

A 'wild' series debut!.......2007-05-09

Thirteen-year-old Veralidaine "Daine" Sarrasri has always been known for her knack with animals. From birds to whales, horses to dogs, and everywhere in between, animals seem to sense that Daine is a friend of theirs. When Daine is forced to leave home after a group of bandits attack her family, however, she begins to realize that her so-called knack packs more punch than she originally realized, and begins to think that, perhaps, magic is a more proper word for her talents. Of course, it's not your basic magic. It's wild magic - something Daine has no control over. With this wild magic, Daine has the ability to not only hear animals, but the ability to speak to them, and have them obey her, as well. The powers she is saddled with only make being on the road less difficult, for she always has a companion by her side. When Daine accepts a job handling horses with Onua Chamtong, of the K'miri Raadeh, she can't believe her luck. She'll be working for the Queen's Riders. And, even though the hours are long, Daine thinks of her new position as quite an honor. It is while holding this position, however, that Daine meets Numair, a man who will change her life. Numair is a master mage, and is thrilled to take Daine on as a student, in an attempt to help her hone her magic, and gain more control over it. And Daine couldn't be happier to have the privilege to work with such a skilled individual. Under the guidance of Numair, Daine finds herself improving on a daily basis. Through Numair's assignments, Daine begins to explore the inner-workings of her magic; learning the depths of it. But exploring her magic isn't all that Daine has the power to learn. Soon, she finds herself sensing the magic of other beings surrounding her: immortals. Immortals who have been unwillingly imprisoned within the confines of the Divine Realms for over four-hundred years, who are bloodthirsty and angry. The barriers have been broken by enemies, setting the immortals loose, and placing them dangerously close to the royals of Tortall. Now, protecting the Queen, along with the heirs to the royal throne, rests in the hands of Daine and her newfound friends. Together, they must defend their country from an immortal attack that could leave them all in ruins; or succumb to the tyranny of enemies.

I will admit that I'm not usually a reader of fantasy/science fiction novels that revolve around wars, magic, and make-believe kingdoms. However, after reading Tamora Pierce's ALANNA quartet, I can't help but find myself absolutely mesmerized by her writing, and grappling for another taste of the Kingdom of Tortall. The ALANNA quartet brought magic to life, and, with the introduction of THE IMMORTALS, Pierce manages to capture that engrossing magic once more within the pages of WILD MAGIC. While many characters often lack depth, or are hard to sympathize with, Daine does not come close to falling into that category. From page one, Daine is presented in a manner that makes the reader sympathize with the fact that she has recently been orphaned; while creating a passion to learn more about Daine's past, and the inner-workings of both her mind, and her magic. Her kind heart, determination to prove herself as a worthy asset to the Kingdom of Tortall, and ability to outshine even some of the most talented mage's make her extremely appealing; but it's her interactions with the various characters surrounding her - both animal and human varieties - which work to make WILD MAGIC such an amazing release. Numair's dry humor, yet tough-as-nails teaching skills are entertaining; Onua's understanding persona presents her as a mother-figure; the royal heirs to Tortall are both adorable, yet mischievous, coming off as the annoying, yet adorable, younger brother and sister; the appearance of Alanna is thrilling, especially for those who devoured Pierce's ALANNA series one by one; however, it is Daine's conversations from animals of all walks of life that will certainly leave animal lovers laughing out loud, and craving more of Daine and her comrades. A 'wild' series debut!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

A knack with animals...or magic?.......2007-03-31

Daine is just a thirteen-year-old with a knack for animals...or more than a knack? When she leaves home to find a job she realizes it's magic that she has, a rare magic called Wild Magic that allows her to talk to animals and...perhaps do more. She runs into Numair Salamin and instantly becomes his student. Learning how to controle her magic is hard but Daine can do it.

The real big problem is that immortals are coming, bloodthirsty monsters that have been locked up in the Divine Realms are now out into the human world and are causing great mischieve. It's up to Daine to stop it...but how?

great.......2007-03-20

I love this series, cannot wait till I get the rest of the series to read. Amazing.

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness)

Average customer rating:

What can I say? Tamora Pierce has done it again!
Tamora Pierce is inspirational!
Alanna's journey continues to the desert
If You're Desperate Enough
Alanna's Story Continues

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness)
In the Hand of the Goddess
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)
The Realms of the Gods (Immortals, Book)
Emperor Mage (Immortals)

ASIN: 0689878583

Book Description

"Let her prove herself worthy as a man."

Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert of Tortall. Captured by fierce desert dwellers, she is forced to prove herself in a duel to the death -- either she will be killed or she will be inducted into the tribe. Although she triumphs, dire challenges lie ahead. As her mythic fate would have it, Alanna soon becomes the tribe's first female shaman -- despite the desert dwellers' grave fear of the foreign woman warrior. Alanna must fight to change the ancient tribal customs of the desert tribes -- for their sake and for the sake of all Tortall.

Alanna's journey continues...

Customer Reviews:

What can I say? Tamora Pierce has done it again!.......2007-03-31

Alanna is now a knight and wants to travel the world...see places she's only heard about or seen on maps. While she is traveling with her loyal friend, Coram she runs into a group of tribesman called the Bazhir. They bring her and Coram to their home, the tribe of the Bloody Hawk. They find it strange that she is as strong as a man and dresses like one too. The Bazhir challenge her to a duel to the death to prove herself.

"Let her prove herself worthy as a man."

She does prove herself (of course) but is followed around by the village shamman and is chosen to teach a group of children with magical gifts. Life is getting crazy for Alanna.

I hope you read this book. It's full of adventure and yes, even though there is a woman on the cover boys may also enjoy it.

Tamora Pierce is inspirational!.......2007-03-29

Tamora Pierce knows how to create a world with just the right balance of action, drama, romance and adventure. Song of the Lioness; The Immortals; and Protector of the Small keeps me entertained for days on end. Even after reading these books a dozen times by now, I'm still awed by how enraptured these fantasy adventures keep me again and again. If you're a fantasy buff, this is a series (and an author) you should read.

Alanna's journey continues to the desert.......2007-01-01

Alanna, newly knighted as the first woman knight has left the palace and all of her beloved friends to go on adventures. She wants to see the world and travel to places she's only seen on maps. Alanna and Coram, her loyal friend since she was born travel all the way to the desert where the people known as the Bahzir live. While Coram and Alanna are fighting off a band of hillmen the Bahzir come and take them to the tribe of the Bloody Hawk. "Let her prove herself worthy of a man." This is what she does by defeating one of the strongest men in the tribe.

Now that she is officially part of the tribe many people, most of them women look down upon her but she wishes to change that. By also defeating the shamman of the tribe (it was his fault for using magic he couldn't controle) she has no choice but to become the new shamman and train others as her apprentices. She finds three youths. She makes a new change, two of the ones she's picked are girls. This is very new but they all except her wish.

I recommend that any person who loves Tamora Pierce or even somebody that hasn't even read any of her books tries this. But you should first read: 'ALANNA:THE FIRST ADVENTURE and IN THE HAND OF THE GODDESS.
-Hannah M.

If You're Desperate Enough.......2006-06-07

I guess that I was just too old for it(somehow I doubt that), but I found this series (and this book in particular) to be tiring. I enjoyed the first book and Alanna as a heroine (and as a role model), but as I read on, I realized her for what she was...a flat and an annoyingly perfect character who was set in an underdeveloped book.

The plot itself would have been interesting were it not so quickly gotten over with. I honestly would have been patient enough to read a much, much, longer book. The plot is weak because it is not developed enough, and the climax...often momentous battles or events...is very disappointing.

Young girls who need a feminist or a strong role model would like this series. Older girls who want a strong but flawed role model and a lot more development and quality of writing would not. For the later group, I would recommend the Trickster series (also be Tamora Pierce) which are much more palatable.

Alanna's Story Continues.......2006-04-13

This is the third book in Tamora Pierce's Lioness Quartet. In this book, Alanna has achieved knighthood and ventures out into the world. She no longer disguises herself as a man, but she is still trying to find her place in the world and is wrestling with the conflict over her feelings for Jonathan and her desire to not be tied down with a royal title and kids.

She is captured by a desert tribe and to save herself, must fight a battle. After winning the battle, she still must contend with a Shaman who believes that because she does not act like a woman, that she is evil. Eventually she ends up as the tribe's Shaman and trains three apprentices.

I find myself drawn to Alanna's character- she is unsure of how to be a woman- for instance, in this book, she has someone try to teach her how to knit, and she experiments with dressing herself as a woman and wearing make up. She is also somewhat prickly and enjoys her solitude. She does not like to be tied to one place. And I can certainly empathize with her distaste for the cold and her yearning for the warmth of the desert.

However, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first two in the series- perhaps because it took Alanna out of the realm where I had become comfortable, or maybe because I am finding Pierce's recurrent storyline of the main character having to prove herself to skeptics has grown tiresome.

Although Pierce manages to relate Alanna's experiences with the desert tribe to occurences in Tortall, I just was not able to connect with this book as well. However, I still believe this is an excellent series and well worth reading.

Average customer rating:

Wolf-Speaker
A call of help from wolves reach Daine's ears
Wolf-Speaker by: Tamora Pierce
Fun book
2nd in the immortal series

Wolf-speaker (Immortals)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Similar Items:

Emperor Mage (Immortals)
The Realms of the Gods (Immortals, Book)
Wild Magic (Immortals)
Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness)
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness)

ASIN: 1416903445

Book Description

When Daine is summoned by the wolf pack that saved her life a year earlier, she knows she has to go. She and Numair travel to Dunlath Valley to answer the call. But when they arrive, Daine realizes with a shock that it's not just the animals whose lives are threatened; people are in danger too. Dunlath's rulers have discovered black opals in their valley and are dead set on mining the magic these stones embody. Daine learns that Dunlath's lord and lady plan to use this power to overthrow King Jonathan -- even if it means irreversibly damaging the land and killing their workers.

On a mission to save both her animal friends and her human ones, Daine has to master her wild magic in order to fight for the kingdom and triumph over the would-be usurpers.

Customer Reviews:

Wolf-Speaker.......2007-05-23

A forrest in the Dunlath Valley. Humans have started to cut down trees. Wolves that live in the forrest go to the only human that will listen. Daine a fourteen year old girl. She is the only one that has wolf magic and the only one who can take to them. I like this book becuse at the end of a chapter it would make you want to read more. I recommend this book to the kids that like magic or other super nacherl book. If you like this things then you should check out this book right away.

A call of help from wolves reach Daine's ears.......2007-03-31

Daine is still Numair's student and as she travels she meets her old friends...they're not humans, they're wolves. A wolf pack that's in danger. Daine answers their call for help and when she reaches the trouble she knows that it's not only the animals in danger but people are in danger too. Dunlath's rulers are discovering black opals and are trying to get them. They want the power to kill King Jonathon whom is the ruler of Tortall. Daine must stop them...until it's too late.

This book is an exciting sequal to the 'Wild Magic' book and is filled with adventure and magic. I'm sure almost everybody will enjoy this book. Tamora Pierce has created yet another masterpiece and is one of my favorites. I truly wish I could rate this book a 10.

Wolf-Speaker by: Tamora Pierce.......2007-03-14

Christine Huang

When the humans of Dunlath Valley suddenly begin to cut down the forest trees and dig holes in the valley, the wolf pack know something is afoot. So they send a request to a girl that they know will do something about it. Fourteen-years-old, Diana Sassari is a girl that can communicate with animals using her wild magic. Her father, who she knows nothing about, left her and her mother when she was young. When she was 12 bandits raided her home in Galla killing her mom and grandfather. Left alone Diane took her pony, Cloud, and left hoping to find revenge. The wolves helped her with revenge and have then been on friendly terms. When arriving with her friend mage, Numair, at Dunlath they are immediately alerted of treason. Lady Yolane and Lord Beldon are the center of it along with Masters Tristen and Gisa. When Numair goes back to send a report to the king, Tristen and Gisa put up a magical shield closing off Diane from Numair. Diana learns of a new ability, the ability to inhabit an animal without harming the body. Diane must now use her new ability and gather information on the enemy. She then learns of a new monster far more dangerous then anything shes ever met. A few of the animals that she inhabits are a squirrel, a chipmunk, and a hawk. She uses the squirrel named, "Flicker", to spy on the solider barracks, to count the number of armed men. Flicker was used a great number of times, and also rounded up the other squirrels to chew on enemy provisions. Tkaa is a basilisk that can change things to rock, and plays a key role in giving Diane's messages to Numair, who is stuck on the outside of the barrier. Tkaa also helps rally other immortals to help fight against the lords of Dunlath. The Badger god gives her valuable help as well. When she soon learned the after-affects of shape changing it is Badger who tells her how to change back to human. Badger also teaches her that even Stormwings (half-human immortals that have steel wings) are not evil. This causes Diane to show compassion toward ogers, thus allowing her to gain new and powerful allies. The main setting is in Dunlath, and is another important reason why Diane and Yolane fight over it. Dunlath is a fertile place with animals in abundance. The fertile soil allows the ogers to farm , which gives them a reason to help Diane. The fighting ends when the Kings Own (a branch from the King's army) distracts the other mages on Yolane's side, by wreaking havoc on enemy grounds. Diane manages to slip into the castle undetected, and smashes the model of the barrier, causing the real barrier to break.

Fun book.......2006-06-28

I found this book in a colection of my sisters books 3 or 4 years ago. It has a yonger mind set to it but still an enjoyable book that i would pick up and read again.

2nd in the immortal series.......2006-04-22

I started reading this series when I was about 12, I am now 19 and have read this series about a dozen times. I have also read all of Tamora Pierce's books. She is my favorite author of all time. If you haven't read one of her books and you enjoy fantasy I would definetly suggest at least one of her books.

This is the second book in the Immortals series, you go back to Daine's hometown which she was run out of. You meet new friends like Tkaa, and many more. I must admit out of this series this is my least favorite, but still excellent. You get to see Daine expand in her magic, where she can go inside the animals minds. This book has a conflict and climax (which I won't spoil) and definetly an excellent book. I would recommend this book and all of Tamora Pierce's books!

Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book - Reissue (Circle Of Magic)

Average customer rating:

Fire, Plants, Weaving, and Storms...come together
Ahmazing.
complicated (parts almost don't make sense) and boring, very boring
Don't Hezitate to read this book!
I love this book

Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book - Reissue (Circle Of Magic)
Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Circle Of Magic #02: Tris's Book - Reissue (Circle Of Magic)
Circle Of Magic #03: Daja's Book - Reissue (Circle Of Magic)
Briar's Book (Circle of Magic #4)
The Circle Opens #2: Street Magic
Magic Steps (The Circle Opens, Book 1)

ASIN: 0590554085

Book Description

Here begins the tale of Daja, Briar, Tris, and Sandry, four children brought to Winding Circle Temple for training in crafts and magic. They are outcasts in their homeland. But in this magical place, they are valued and respected for their special powers.

Customer Reviews:

Fire, Plants, Weaving, and Storms...come together.......2007-04-01

Sandry is in a dungeon...and her oil-lamp is nearly empty.

Daja is out at sea, floating. All her family was gone, they'd drowned.

Roach (later known as Briar) is about to be sentanced to the docks.

Tris's family doesn't want her anymore.

These four children all have something in common, magic. When Niko, a famous mage comes and takes them to Winding Circle, they are not getting along. Before they know it all four of them are kicked out and placed in Disciplin Cottage where their mentors Niko, Rosethorn, Frostpine, and Lark teach them about magic.

This is a great beginning to a great series! Anybody should enjoy it!

Ahmazing........2007-02-15

About four years ago, I got this book for my birthday. And at that time, I had no interest in fantasy, so I swear it sat on my nightstand for weeks--no, MONTHS before I even opened the thing. Eventually, I opened it. And I read a couple sentences, put the book down and started on homework. Then the calling came, my mind started edging towards ideas of what would happen to Sandry. Why was she in a cell, what did she do with the thread? I ended up crawling onto my bed and reading it. I couldn't stop. I fell in love with Sandry and Briar, Tris and Daja. I loved how everybody seemed to clash and then smooth over. That is when I fell in love with fantasy, with Tamora Pierce.

I reccommend this book for anybody who wants a good fantasy. Just give it a try.

complicated (parts almost don't make sense) and boring, very boring.......2007-01-13

Sandry's Book is a book I had to read for an assignment at school. The book gives you about 100 pages of almost a Martha Stewart, Dr.Phil feeling like your watching it on tv (you'd get it if you read it - which you should NOT)and the other 152 pages are dissapointing. There's about 2 parts of excitement and they both end quickly. This novel is very, very boring and I would only reccomend this to a person that is into weaving, gardening and metalwork.

Don't Hezitate to read this book!.......2006-11-25

At first I did hezitate to read this book because I don't know how I could ever leave Tortal. But I finally got the guts to do it. And after reading the first chapter I knew that I would LOVE this book. It has to do with four kids: Tris who has strange powers with weather, Sandry who surely can weave, Daja who has conections with blacksmithing, and Briar also known as Roach who has conections with plants. You'll absulutely love this book if you love magic and excitement!!
-Hannah M.

I love this book.......2006-11-07

I have read this book numerous times and so have my friends. We all love this book. I do like the English titles better, though. The rest of the books that follow are also favorites epecially Will of the Empress. Don't put this book down until you are done, it is worth it.

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