Description:
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Tamora Pierce returns to the magical world of Winding Circle.
On their way to the first Circle temple in Gyongxi, mages Briar, Rosethorn, and Evvy pay a visit to the emperor's summer palace. Although treated like royalty when they first arrive, the mages soon discover that the emperor plans to invade Gyongxi, posing a fatal threat to the home temple of the Living Circle religion. Accompanied by one of the emperor's prize captives, the three mages rush to Gyongxi to warn its citizens of the impending attack. With the imperials hot on their trail, Briar, Rosethorn, and Evvy must quickly help the country prepare for battle. But even with the help of new allies, will their combined forces be enough to fight the imperial army and win the war?
Why I'm looking forward to it: I loved the first Winding Circle series, Circle of Magic. I was slightly less enthusiastic about the four books in the Circle Opens series, because I missed the relationships between the four young mages, but I did enjoy Briar's story, Street Magic, and his discovery of the young mage, Evvy. I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't read Melting Stones or finished The Will of the Empress yet, but I'm excited about Battle Magic nonetheless. The events in it actually precede those in The Will of the Empress, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for me to read the two books in reverse publication order. And I've yet to read a single Tamora Pierce book that wasn't solidly written and thoroughly engrossing. She's consistently good and usually terrific, with well-rounded, believable characters, wonderful worldbuilding, and fantastic storylines. I'm waiting for Battle Magic with bated breath!
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Category:YA Fantasy
Series: The Circle Reforged #3
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release date: Sept. 24, 2013
Links: Goodreads Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo
I can see why you are anxiously awaiting this one. I have yet to read a Tamora Pierce book, but would like to. I have read some amazing things.
ReplyDelete-Dilettantish Reader
She's great!
DeleteHmm, I'm not familiar w/ any of those, although I know the author name and have seen it pop up regularly. Perhaps I'm getting remiss in my fantasy ? I'll have to look into those, they certainly sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteShe's one of my very favorite authors, in part because she writes great stories, and in part because she writes great (as opposed to kick-a**) female characters -- and male characters, too, if it comes to that. Her worldbuilding is solid and believable, her magic comes at a cost, her plots are always interesting, and several of her MCs don't have magic at all, which is refreshing in a high fantasy writer. Above all, she makes me think.
DeleteWhat a pretty cover, this fantasy series is new to me but I love the elements it has :)
ReplyDeleteThe first four books, the Circle of Magic series, have MG-age protagonists but are equally interesting for older readers. This is a series that's probably helpful to read in order, to have the background. If you're interested, the place to start is probably Sandry's Book.
DeleteI get more excited for her Tortall series...but I'm eager to read this one too! Briar is my favorite of the original quartet of characters, so I'm excited for another adventure with him.
ReplyDeleteI like Briar too. And Tris. Oh, heck, I like them all! But yes, the Tortall books are closer to my heart than the Circle of Magic books. Did you know that she's working on the Numair book? It should come out next year (hopefully.) She's also planning a book about Tris going to University. And she hasn't ruled out writing more about Aly (which I always pronounced AL-ee in my head, but which the author pronounces as AH-lee).
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