Tamora Pierce, 2: The Circle Universe

Will contain SPOILERS of sorts.

I welcome back an author I consider to be stellar. Tamora Pierce is back with 3 series this time. Rather significantly fewer than the 5 in the Tortall Universe, but not any less well written or interesting. I happen to love the Circle Universe almost as much as the Tortall Universe. This time, these 4 protagonists must be read chronologically, as I review them. There will be spoilers. There is no way to avoid them.

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The Circle Universe:

Initially set in Emelan, a powerful country in this world, the Circle Universe begins in the city, Summersea. As a port city, Summersea is both a stronghold and the capitol of Emelan. Again the world is structured very similarly to that of the Middle Ages in Europe. Summersea has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such, just as Tortall does. (Click here for the Tortall Universe).

Again, magic is a normal thing is this world. Although not everyone possesses magic, it is common and accepted in society. Winding Circle is a temple-city just outside of Summersea, where there is a center for those with ambient magic go to study. It is just as prestigious as the Lightsbridge University for Academic Magic. The temple serves as a school for the general population as well. But, once the students turn 16, they must become a novice of the Living Circle (the pagan religion of Emelan) or leave the school.

The Series:

Sandry’s Book (1997), Tris’ Book (1998), Daja’s Book (1998), Briar’s Book (1999)

The Circle of Magic – 10 year-old’s Sandreline “Sandry” fa Toren, Trisana “Tris” Chandler, Daja Kisubo, and Briar Moss (formerly known as Roach) are introduced to the reader. They are all “ambient mages” – they are all able to use magic externally. Niklaren “Niko” Goldeye, a powerful mage, discovers these four and puts them into a cottage aptly named, Discipline.

Dedicate Rosethorn and Dedicate Lark run Discipline Cottage - they are two rather opposite women. Where Dedicate Lark is soft and kind, Dedicate Rosethorn is rough and commanding. Discipline serves as a home to “special cases” in Winding Circle. Generally, it is for students who don’t get along with others during their education.

There the four learn about their strange abilities: Sandry is able to manipulate thread and fabric; Tris is able to manipulate the weather; Daja has an affinity to manipulate fire and metal; Briar is able to manipulate plant-life. Niko pairs them with teachers, but can everyone get along? Can a noblewoman, a street-rat, a Trader (a trading race despised by most), and a merchant realize their potential and set their differences and pride aside? Can they master their uncommon magic and earn the respect of the adults they encounter? Can they protect themselves, let alone those around them? Perhaps… Perhaps not.

Magic Steps (2000), Street Magic (2001), Cold Fire (2002), Shatterglass (2003)

The Circle Opens – Four years after Sandry’s Book, Winding Circle finally acknowledges the four young mages. With their respective teachers, Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja decide to travel around the country. There each find a mage they can teach. Suddenly becoming teachers themselves, the four protagonists struggle to balance their own studies with that of their new students.

In Summersea, Sandry finds a 12 year-old boy, Pasco Acalon, with dance-magic. When a serial killer preys on a rich trading family, Sandry and Pasco work together to defeat the mages and their deadly weapon, unmagic – the absence of magic and life itself. Can their lively magic defeat something so sinister and life-less?

Briar finds a stone-mage named Evvy on the streets of Chammur. But, the sponsor-woman of the Viper Gang has her eye on Evvy. Briar must protect his pupil from the lady’s greed, but also help his teacher with assisting the sickly locals. Can Briar maintain a battle on two fronts?

Daja travels north to Namorn, where she finds twins with magical talent. Nia has an affinity for carpentry and woodwork, and Jory has an affinity for cooking. When someone is setting fires throughout the city, Daja takes it upon herself to help Bennat Ladradun – head of the firefighters – keep Namorn from burning to the ground. Can Daja protect her new friends from the fiery threat?

While the other three branch out, Tris encounters a man named Kethlun “Keth” Warder, a glass mage who “lost” his ability when struck by lightning. After the incident, Keth is able to mix lightning and glass. However, there is a murderer on the loose, and Keth’s glass spheres contain visions of the killer’s work. Keth accidentally creates a living glass creature and refuses to indulge his magic anymore. As Tris tries to convince Keth of his ability, she tries to uncover the identity of this murderer. Can Tris hunt down this murderer without getting killed?

The Will of the Empress (2005)

The Will of the Empress – Sandry’s cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has been begging for her little cousin to visit her for years. Finally, Sandry agrees to see her cousin, but there’s a slight catch. Sandry’s uncle requests that her three mage-friends join her. After years of being apart, the foursome is no longer as chummy as they once were. Now adults, they each carry secrets that, years ago, they once would’ve shared with each other.

Sandry expects a quick visit with her cousin, and then return home to her Uncle in Emelan. But, her Empress cousin has other plans. The four soon find out that the will of the Empress is considered law here in Namorn. If they are to escape, Briar, Sandry, Daja, and Tris must set aside their qualms and learn trust each other as they once did. But, it is easier said than done. Can they repair what was lost?

Tamora Pierce has announced the following book is in the works. The series will be called The Circle Reforged. No word, yet, as to how many books she intends to write for this segment of the story.

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Another book describing what Briar, Evvy, and Rosethorn encounter in Yanjing and Gyongxe, is also in the works. An audio book called Melting Stones was released in 2007. It was in Evvy’s perspective as she goes with Rosethorn to determine the source of weird phenomena on an island. This has also been released in book-form since. My sister quite liked it!

Tamora doesn’t seem as though she'll stop writing any time soon. And as long as she writes, I will read whatever she publishes. Give her a try! You may find her books to be your cup of tea! If the Circle Universe isn't your style, try out her Tortall Universe. Perhaps Alanna might be more to your liking.

Happy Reading!

-Isabel