Author: Tamora Pierce
Year: 1997
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Protagonist: Sandrilene fa Toren, Briar Moss, Trisana Chandler, Daja Kisubo
I decided randomly a couple days ago that I was going to read all eight of my Emelan books (Circle of Magic quartet & Circle Opens quartet), which is most of the series, minus the Will of the Empress and Melting Stones. I thought I’d go through all the books I have right now to post here before I go getting any new ones, since, considering how many I have, I haven’t done a whole lot here yet. So in between working on my novel and doing random shit, I’m making my way through these. Already done Sandry’s Book so here you go.
The Circle of Magic stars four young mages-in-training as its protagonists: Sandrilene fa Toren (Sandry), Briar Moss, Trisana Chandler (Tris) and Daja Kisubo. But each book gives a little more focus to one of the characters. In this case, Sandry. It begins by splitting in their four very different situations.
A plague has come through Hatar where Sandry and her family are. Her parents are now dead due to it and her nursemaid, a Trader, is also after being killed by the mob since Traders aren’t universally well-liked. Sandry had been knocked into a small room, hidden by magic, for her own protection. Soon, the only light she has goes out and she is left in the dark with nothing but her weaving things. Trying to focus on something out, Sandry begins weaving. Soon, she is able to weave light into the thread she makes to help ‘keep her sane’. After being trapped for an unknown time, Niklaren Goldeye, a mage, and some others discover her. Niklaren, better referred to as Niko, takes her to her Uncle, the ruler of Emelan, before escorting her to Winding Circle Temple.
Daja’s a Trader and her family’s ship had set sail earlier than they should have. Her family’s ship is destroyed in a storm and she is its sole survivor. She floats on a piece of the ship with a suraku – survival box – for days before being discovered by a ship. Niko is on this ship and he and the crew save her. Back with the Traders, they brand her trangshi – bad luck or outcast – and give her a staff that symbolizes her as so since Traders believe sole survivors are bad luck. This also means she is not to interact with other Traders anymore. Niko is angered by this and thus takes Daja with him.
Roach is a streetrat in Hajra. He had been caught for the third time so he’s now to be sent to the mines or docks. During the trial, they sentence him to the docks but Niko interrupts the trial. He convinces the judge to allow him to take Roach with him to Winding Circle. Needing a new name, Roach calls himself Briar Moss, due to his interest and experiences with the plants of those names.
Tris is from a merchant family who doesn’t want her due to the strange things that happen around her. She had been passed from relative to relative until they had enough and she now resides in a dormitory at Stone Circle Temple. After overhearing girls talking mean things about her, she causes more havoc. The dedicate superior of the temple pleads with Niko to take Tris with him to Winding Circle and he does.
When the four children prove to have a hard time fitting in, they are sent Discipline under the supervision of Lark and Rosethorn.
That’s basically the beginning of Sandry’s Book. Once again, I’m gonna be a sweetheart and not spoil it for you because things aren’t as fun while you had spoilers. Unless you really wanted the spoilers but I’m not going to do that~ (Just call me lazy). Anyways, this book is very good and a good start to the Circle of Magic series. It may seem a little slow at first because we have to get them all to Discipline though where they see each other. But that doesn’t matter.
Characters of Importance
Sandry: young noble girl with weaving magic.
Tris: young merchant girl with weather magic.
Daja: a Trader with metal/fire magic.
Briar: a ex-thief with plant magic.
Niko: a mage who brings the four to Winding Circle. Tris’ teacher.
Lark: dedicate of earth who runs Discipline. Has weaving magic. Sandry’s teacher.
Rosethorn: dedicate of earth who runs Discipline. Has plant magic. Briar’s teacher.
Frostpine: dedicate of fire who works at the forges. Has fire/metal magic. Daja’s teacher.
Little Bear: Dog that the four rescue.
Creator: Izawa Hiroshi (author), Yamada Koutarou (artist)
