Customer Reviews

Melting Stones (Circle Reforged)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been a great fan of Tamora Pierce over the last ten years or so. Her worlds are rich and vibrant, her characters fun and human. The novels themselves tend to flow rapidly and evenly, making them very good reads.

This is the first audio-book of hers I have 'read' - or listened to. I would have gone for the book, if it had been out, but having listened to it I am actually pleased she brought out the audio book first. It took a few minutes to get into it but her characteristic humour, very dry, and interactions between characters soon came out. The book itself is from the point of view of Evvy, and the actress who plays her voice is very good. Just the right amount of emotion into the speech.

The story is typical Tamora. While it might be slightly predictable, and the plot not overly complex, it is an exciting 'read' with a lot of humour. Somehow Tamora introduces moral character development without being preachy, so you can empathise with the main character without being put off.

Of course for a true fan the book explains Luvo, and hints far more about what happeneded to briar, Rosethorn and Evvy on their trip. The relationship to the unpublished story, and to other books is well done although it may be lost to a new reader. The book is more aimed at existing fans, but there is still plenty for the new reader.

As a fan of Tamora Pierce and Full Cast Audio, I was eagerly anticipating this audiobook. However, it fell far short of my expectations.

The plot was very predictable. An attentive listener could discern the problem and the way it would be solved very early in the book, and there were no twists or turns along the way. More dissapointing than that, however, was the lack of original characters. Tamora Pierce's novels are usually so enjoyable because her characters and distinctive and vibrant. However, the main character, Evvy, is a young mage who grew up on the streets and has trouble trusting people. These two character themes are ones that Pierce has explored more than once already. Of the other characters, the only one that really captures the imagination is Luvo, who is a living rock.

Worse yet, the entire novel left me with a niggling feeling that it was all an allegory about war and self-destructive violence. Many of the characters assumed a preaching tone at times, as if the listener should pay attention to these life lessons. I was looking for a wonderful story, not trite moralizing.

However, Full Cast Audio reads the story with gusto. The voices are wonderful, and the performance makes up somewhat for the lackluster writing.

I have just completed reading Ms. Pierce's latest. What a disappointment! I slogged through this tedious book; the characters had few redeeming qualities and the dialog was ugly and awkward! I have no idea how it was as an audio book but it did NOT work as a real book.

I am a diehard fan...I have read every book Ms. Pierce has written and this is the first book I didn't enjoy... there were a few I really loved. Wait for the paperback if you must read this.

The Circle series have been one of my favorite series. I liked it even better than Harry Potter. I felt that Tamora made a great return with "The Will of the Empress", I loved it. This one was very disappointing. Evy is an irritating and boring character. I found it difficult to follow along as it got more boring and aggravating to read as the story just did not move along. It dragged. I sorry to say I could not finish it. I got to the end of chapter 20 when I couldn't take it anymore. Please, please, I hope the next one is better and gets back on track.

While I normally adore Tamora Pierce's writing, and I even preordered this book, I didn't enjoy it very much. I felt as though it was rather vague and un-attached, I didn't feel any connection with Evvy as a character. The plot didn't thrill me, and the way Mrs. Pierce chose to write it -- in Evvy's rather uncultured voice -- made the writing difficult to sink into. However, that was just personal opinion. Overall it was an okay read, but for Tamora Pierce? I'd say it was not one of her better books.

I was not at all impressed with "Melting Stones". Tamora Pierce has been one of my favorite authors for a few years now and I'll say that "Melting Stones" doesn't live up to her previous novels. The Circle of Magic quartet was quite good and exciting but this novel can be slow.

It took me some time to actually get through the beginning because I was so used to Ms. Pierce's fast paced reads. Usually with her books I'm done with the book in no time flat.

I will admit that maybe I just didn't like "Melting Stones" because Pierce's "magic" books have never been my favorite. I've always been the biggest fan of her knight books filled with action. So perhaps my opinion shouldn't be counted but either way I was not satified with this read.

Evvy is continuing her journey as a stone mage with her teacher, Rosethorn (a plant mage). Her troublesome behavior at Winding Circle (a place for mages) sends her on an adventure overseas and to an island where plants are mysteriously dying for no seen reason. It's up to them to find out what happened and save all they can.

I love Tamora Pierce as an author but struggled with this book. It is predictable but the main problem was she kept referencing things in the characters past that she hadn't written about yet!! I kept wondering if I had missed a major book in the series. And this story depends heavily on the prior events mentioned. It really bothered me.

I purchased this book recently from amazon. I love Tamora Pierce's books. This one is no exception. She has a way with language that draws you in and makes you unable to stop reading, or in this case, listening. However, you're probably wondering why I gave the book 3 stars. When I received the audiobook, I inserted the disc into my computer and found that half the discs were misnamed. It took quite some time to fix. I am unhappy that I had to do so. I think it would have been easier to download this from iTunes, but I really wanted the CDs. Make your choice. Otherwise, great book. The cast chosen is perfect. The story is unique and interesting. I can't wait for the hardcover printed book.

MELTING STONES is an excellent new 'Circle of Magic' novel and receives a powerful narration by Grace Kelly and the entire Full Cast staff, bringing to life with great drama the story of Evvy, a stone mage introduced in Street Magic who here discovers the reasons behind a mysterious plant die-off. Her efforts could save a planet or cost her life. MELTING STONES was written by Piece just for the voices of the Full Cast and comes to life in a gripping drama not to be limited to young adult listeners alone, but recommended for any public lending library strong in fantasy.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

this book definitely strayed from the others in this series. It seemed to concentrate less on the "Mystical" and way too much on the "Geological". The character didn't seem to be as fully developed and the book didn't seem to be well thought out about the characters relationships w/one another. People go from hating each other to understanding & maybe even liking each other without the reader ever really understanding why. Quite a disappointment to read.