The stunning conclusion to the Circle of Magic quartet finds the young mages Sandry, Daja, Tris, and Briar facing their greatest challenge yet—a devastating plague that is sweeping Emelan.
Circle of Magic #4: Briar's Book
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–In the fourth book of Tamora Pierce's series (Scholastic, 1999), we follow the continuing adventures of four young mages in training: Tris, Sandry, Daja, and Briar. Each has a different magical talent, and Briar's is his ability to tap into the life energy of plants. The story begins with Briar's discovery that Flick, a friend from his past as a street urchin, has contracted an unusual illness. The disease spreads and before long becomes a plague. When Briar's beloved teacher, Rosethorn, contracts the illness, it becomes a race against time as Briar and the others struggle to find a cure. The author serves as narrator and the story is fleshed out with the many voices of a full cast production. Pierce reads her work in a slow and serious tone appropriate to the story, but some listeners might become frustrated with the pace. The other voice actors do their parts justice, but occasionally sound forced as they tackle some of Pierce's dialogue. As listeners are drawn into the production and caught up in the tension of the story, however, these minor problems become unimportant. The story stands well enough on its own for those unfamiliar with the previous titles in the series, but the emotional stakes are raised for those already acquainted with Briar. A good addition for audiobook collections, particularly those with the previous titles already on their shelves.–Jenna Innes, Grande Prairie Public Library, Alberta, Canada
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
About the Author
Best-selling fantasy author Tammy Pierce has written over twenty novels for young readers, including the well-loved Protector of the Small and Circle of Magic quartets. A former radio actress, Tammy has a special affinity for audiobooks, and loves being back in front of the microphone to work with Full Cast Audio. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, (spouse-creature) writer/filmmaker Tim Liebe, and their three cats, two parakeets, plus a floating population of rescued wildlife.
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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More About the Author
Tamora Pierce is a bestselling author of fantasy books for teenagers. Her books, known for their teenaged girl warriors and wizards, have received critical acclaim and a strong fanbase.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tamora Pierce was drawn to books from a young age. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, the child of a "long, proud line of hillbillies," her family never had much. "We were poor, but I didn't know it then. We had a garden where my folks grew fruit and vegetables and our water came from a well," she explains. But one thing they did have was plenty of books. So Tamora read.
A self-proclaimed "geek," she devoured fantasy and science fiction novels, and by the age of 12 was mimicking her literary idols and writing her own action-packed stories. It was thanks to her father that Tamora began writing. "He heard me telling myself stories as I did dishes, and he suggested that I try to write some of them down," Pierce says.
But Tamora's novels had one major difference: unlike the books she was reading, her stories featured teenaged girl warriors. "I couldn't understand this lapse of attention on the part of the writers I loved, so until I could talk them into correcting this small problem, I wrote about those girls, the fearless, bold, athletic creatures that I was not, but wanted so badly to be."
Seventeen years later, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, a brief career in teen social work and some time spent writing for radio, Tamora Pierce held true to her childhood crusade, and published Alanna: The First Adventure, the first in a quartet about a valiant, young, female warrior. Pierce's heroine struck a chord with readers across the country and quickly earned her a loyal following.
Pierce is now a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has written twenty-five books, including her newest, BEKA COOPER #2: Bloodhound. "It's a pretty good life, if I do say so myself. Struggling along as a kid and even through my twenties, it's the kind of life I dreamed of but never believed I would get. Yet here I am, after a lot of work, a lot of worry, a lot of care for details, and a massive chunk of luck, the kind that brought me such strong friends and readers. Pretty good for a hillbilly, yes? And I never take it for granted," she says.
Pierce lives in upstate New York with her husband Tim and their three cats and two birds.
PRAISE
"[Tamora Pierce's heroines] faithfully reiterate an ideal of feminine power that relies on brains, not beauty; of feminine attractiveness that relies on competence, not helplessness; and of feminine alliances that grow stronger, not weaker, in the face of conflicts." -The New York Times
BEKA COOPER #1: TERRIER
"With its rollicking adventures [and] appealing characters . . . Terrier will be in strong demand by Pierce's fans. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats." -School Library Journal, Starred
YOUNG WARRIORS
"Memorable characters and well-drawn settings. . . . This timely and appealing anthology will surely help swell the ranks of teenage fantasy readers." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S QUEEN
"The plot sweeps readers along in a whirlwind of court intrigue, deception, murder, and romance. The humor is wicked, and the plot twists will keep the pages turning to the supremely satisfying end. Teens will be inspired by Aly's determination, her resourcefulness, and her heart." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S CHOICE
"Aly arrives fully formed, a snarky, talented uber-heroine. Cameos of old favorites complement a rich cast of new characters. Aly's difficulty with the complexity of colonialism adds surprising, welcome depth." -Kirkus Reviews
LADY KNIGHT
"Unrelentingly realistic in its depiction of the horrors of war, this novel draws the reader into a complete and believable fantasy world. Pierce provides exquisite details of the weaponry, topography, and culture of her world, and her control of a voluminous cast of characters is masterful." -Voice of Youth Advocates
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tamora Pierce was drawn to books from a young age. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, the child of a "long, proud line of hillbillies," her family never had much. "We were poor, but I didn't know it then. We had a garden where my folks grew fruit and vegetables and our water came from a well," she explains. But one thing they did have was plenty of books. So Tamora read.
A self-proclaimed "geek," she devoured fantasy and science fiction novels, and by the age of 12 was mimicking her literary idols and writing her own action-packed stories. It was thanks to her father that Tamora began writing. "He heard me telling myself stories as I did dishes, and he suggested that I try to write some of them down," Pierce says.
But Tamora's novels had one major difference: unlike the books she was reading, her stories featured teenaged girl warriors. "I couldn't understand this lapse of attention on the part of the writers I loved, so until I could talk them into correcting this small problem, I wrote about those girls, the fearless, bold, athletic creatures that I was not, but wanted so badly to be."
Seventeen years later, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, a brief career in teen social work and some time spent writing for radio, Tamora Pierce held true to her childhood crusade, and published Alanna: The First Adventure, the first in a quartet about a valiant, young, female warrior. Pierce's heroine struck a chord with readers across the country and quickly earned her a loyal following.
Pierce is now a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has written twenty-five books, including her newest, BEKA COOPER #2: Bloodhound. "It's a pretty good life, if I do say so myself. Struggling along as a kid and even through my twenties, it's the kind of life I dreamed of but never believed I would get. Yet here I am, after a lot of work, a lot of worry, a lot of care for details, and a massive chunk of luck, the kind that brought me such strong friends and readers. Pretty good for a hillbilly, yes? And I never take it for granted," she says.
Pierce lives in upstate New York with her husband Tim and their three cats and two birds.
PRAISE
"[Tamora Pierce's heroines] faithfully reiterate an ideal of feminine power that relies on brains, not beauty; of feminine attractiveness that relies on competence, not helplessness; and of feminine alliances that grow stronger, not weaker, in the face of conflicts." -The New York Times
BEKA COOPER #1: TERRIER
"With its rollicking adventures [and] appealing characters . . . Terrier will be in strong demand by Pierce's fans. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats." -School Library Journal, Starred
YOUNG WARRIORS
"Memorable characters and well-drawn settings. . . . This timely and appealing anthology will surely help swell the ranks of teenage fantasy readers." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S QUEEN
"The plot sweeps readers along in a whirlwind of court intrigue, deception, murder, and romance. The humor is wicked, and the plot twists will keep the pages turning to the supremely satisfying end. Teens will be inspired by Aly's determination, her resourcefulness, and her heart." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S CHOICE
"Aly arrives fully formed, a snarky, talented uber-heroine. Cameos of old favorites complement a rich cast of new characters. Aly's difficulty with the complexity of colonialism adds surprising, welcome depth." -Kirkus Reviews
LADY KNIGHT
"Unrelentingly realistic in its depiction of the horrors of war, this novel draws the reader into a complete and believable fantasy world. Pierce provides exquisite details of the weaponry, topography, and culture of her world, and her control of a voluminous cast of characters is masterful." -Voice of Youth Advocates
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Briar's book/The healing in the vine,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Healing in the Vine (Circle of Magic S.) (Paperback)
First off, for those who are confuse, (I know I was), The healing in the Vine is, indeed, the re-titled version of Briar's book. And, as it happens, is possibly my favorite book on Earth. It tells about how Briar must dive into the sea of sick in order to save his friends, not to mention the hundreds of other dying, and then, at the far end of the book, Rosethorn comes down with the illness! Briar dives into death to save her, but does she survive? Now, you'll just have to read it, won't you?
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Briar's Book,
By Sierra Sloan (Salt Lake City, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Healing in the Vine (Circle of Magic S.) (Paperback)
This is a strange name for one of my favorite Tamora Pierce Books. Unless I am mistaken, it is really the book in the Circle of Magic series known as Briar's Book, and is truly an excellent fantasy story. I love all of Tamora Pierce's books, from the Lioness and Immortals Quartets, to Protector of the Small and the Circle of magic stories. I love fantasy... don't get confused by the strange name of this book!!! It is a very excellent story, and one that every fantasy lover should read.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Go Briar,
By A Customer
This review is from: Briar's Book (Circle Of Magic) (Hardcover)
Briar rocks and so does this book by my favorite author in the world! In the fourth and last book of the Circle of Magic quartet a deadly plaugue sets over the land. I thought it was a scary book not because I am scared of disease and stuff but I hate being helpless and I felt all the characters helplessness as they attempted to battle something they couldn't control. I am VERY sad that the quartet ended because I think the furute series is only going to focas on one character at a time and I REALLY LOVE the bond all four kids have. Plus I want Sandry and Briar to hook up and if they're all seperated I will be so sad. So all in all this is an excellent way to end the series
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