sbauer378's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I'm going to ding this book just slightly because I don't like how much Sandry gets ganged up on by the others. They blame her/take out their anger on her for every little thing. Especially Daja and Briar in regards to her wealth, which is a bit hypocritical since they are decently wealthy in their own right.
The empress is a wonderful villain and this book is a great example of how to write an intriguing story. Nothing like the pile of crap that is Battle Magic. Berenene and others aren't all bad but nor are they all good.
Also, I love that we get to see Zhegorz. I love the connection back to the previous series and it didn't feel forced at all.
The empress is a wonderful villain and this book is a great example of how to write an intriguing story. Nothing like the pile of crap that is Battle Magic. Berenene and others aren't all bad but nor are they all good.
Also, I love that we get to see Zhegorz. I love the connection back to the previous series and it didn't feel forced at all.
nanceoir's review against another edition
5.0
I love these books and these characters and this world and I want there to be more than two more books left.
saunteringvaguelydownward's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
bbqrplanting's review against another edition
5.0
I love everything by Tamara Pierce, this book is no different.
momogajo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There was a lot of telling not showing. The backstory about how this group of "siblings" came together is vaguely referenced. What happened to each of them when they were apart is also told to us rather than shown in a connected way to the characters. I know their pasts effected them, but it is shared so dispassionately that it just feels disjointed emotionally. Not bad but not great.
rosegoldteacher's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
4.0
Reread. F yeah getting the team back together. And explicit underlined queer rep!
ikiteahill's review against another edition
4.0
Compared to the books in the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens series which preceed this book, I was pleased with the pacing and the complexity of the story given that it was more than twice as robust a novel. The four main characters are older in this book, about 17 or 18 years old, so it felt appropriate that the story and the character's motives should be more complex. Similar to the previous books, at times it seemed like the characters were acting unrealistically more mature than their age, but compared to the previous books, there are romantic interests introduced for several of the characters and I thought that the ways they each handled those relationships was relatively authentic for their age. I also loved that the way Pierce wrote Daja and Rizu's romance did not feel forced or like queer baiting. The development of the relationship felt very natural and Daja's personal realization that she liked women felt authentic.
During the Circle Opens series, it was nice to get more individual time with each of the main four characters and to see them traveling in different countries, but in this book it was really nice to have them back together again. That time apart really influenced the way they each learned to navigate the world as young mages and the reasons they had hangups on reforming their magical bond. The complexity of their thoughts and emotions felt truer to their ages and experiences. It was also cool to see how their magics continued to grow and become more powerful and creative.
"The Will of the Empress" was written and published before "Battle Magic" which is why I read it first, but chronologically in the story line the events of "Battle Magic" happen earlier. Since Briar's trauma from the events that happen in "Battle Magic" influence his actions so thoroughly throughout "The Will of the Empress" I felt like I was missing out on critical information having not read "Battle Magic" yet. However I also don't think I can handle reading about a war at the moment so I'll probably put it off for a little while.
I also want to say that I love the Full Cast Audio productions of these books. The voice actors do a lovely job and it makes for very pleasant company on long drives.
During the Circle Opens series, it was nice to get more individual time with each of the main four characters and to see them traveling in different countries, but in this book it was really nice to have them back together again. That time apart really influenced the way they each learned to navigate the world as young mages and the reasons they had hangups on reforming their magical bond. The complexity of their thoughts and emotions felt truer to their ages and experiences. It was also cool to see how their magics continued to grow and become more powerful and creative.
"The Will of the Empress" was written and published before "Battle Magic" which is why I read it first, but chronologically in the story line the events of "Battle Magic" happen earlier. Since Briar's trauma from the events that happen in "Battle Magic" influence his actions so thoroughly throughout "The Will of the Empress" I felt like I was missing out on critical information having not read "Battle Magic" yet. However I also don't think I can handle reading about a war at the moment so I'll probably put it off for a little while.
I also want to say that I love the Full Cast Audio productions of these books. The voice actors do a lovely job and it makes for very pleasant company on long drives.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
I do love Tamora Pierce books. They do not fit very well in my usual favourites, but somehow she simply gets me hooked every time.
Her books are all very similar in style and world, often her different series even share one world. So if you already loved something by her, you will like the others too.
If you haven't - it is easy to read YA fantasy, that quite often has girls as her main characters. What i do love about her books most, is the lack of all those modern love triangles that seem to be a given today. It's simply adventerous fantasy that usualy includes growing up and finding yourself.
If you're looking for "sophisticated" fantasy, or for something dark and gritty you will not be happy with Tamora Pierce's books. But if want you want is an easy, entertaining, engaging YA read, that gets you hooked in just a few pages, you'll love them. ;)
Her books are all very similar in style and world, often her different series even share one world. So if you already loved something by her, you will like the others too.
If you haven't - it is easy to read YA fantasy, that quite often has girls as her main characters. What i do love about her books most, is the lack of all those modern love triangles that seem to be a given today. It's simply adventerous fantasy that usualy includes growing up and finding yourself.
If you're looking for "sophisticated" fantasy, or for something dark and gritty you will not be happy with Tamora Pierce's books. But if want you want is an easy, entertaining, engaging YA read, that gets you hooked in just a few pages, you'll love them. ;)
loumc's review against another edition
5.0
This book is serious comfort reading for me. I've read it so many times I have sections memorized, so it's hard for me to give it an objective rating. But the fact that it's stuck so strongly with me certainly deserves a high star count.