Customer Reviews

The Realms of the Gods (The Immortals)

5 star:		(230)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

"Realms of the Gods" is the final book in Tamora Pierce's "Immortals" quartet, and probably the best. As one can possibly guess, it's nearly impossible for someone to begin reading this series at this book - you at *least* have to read Book Three: "The Emperor Mage", though ideally you should have all three previous books under your belt: "Wild Magic" and "Wolf-Speaker" just to have the complete picture of what's going on here.

And what's going on is that our sixteen year old heroine and her mentor Numair are constantly on the move as they do their part for the kingdom against the hoards of immortal monsters spilling over the now-destroyed barrier between the mortal and divine realms and are marching against Tortall. Daine is sure that behind all of this is the ex-Emperor Ozorne, whom she toppled from his throne the previous year and is now out for revenge.

But there is another force also working against them, and indeed against the very gods themselves: Uusoae, the Goddess of Chaos who is using her newfound alliance with Ozorne to wage war against all the realms. It is in the middle of this tempest that Daine finds herself, but when she and Numair are nearly killed, the gods themselves intervene. Here finally, Daine learns the truth about her parentage, and the identity of her long-absent father.

But as happy as she is to be with her mother and father once more, she and Numair are very aware of the plight of their friends back home, and their importance in the coming battle. But the only way to return to the mortal realms is to beseech the help of the dragons, and to get there the two must take a dangerous journey across the Realms of the Gods...

Tamora Pierce really outdoes herself in this final installment, and though many may disagree, I feel that this is her best book to date, melding together a range of themes and ideas, with the cosmic battle of the gods contrasted against the human Battle of Port Legann; Daine's parental fear toward Kit the dragonet against the blossoming romance she feels for her long-time friend and mentor. Moments that feel utterly epic are matched against the everyday necessities of life, and throughout it all Daine remains an immensely likeable heroine: trustworthy, courageous, loving, kind and intelligent.

For those who have followed Daine's journey throughout the four books, this should be an immensely satisfying conclusion, filled with familiar faces: Tkaa, Kit, the badger, Jonathon and Thayet, and several new and equally fascinating ones: Gainel, the silent god of dreams (who gives Daine some fascinating dreams), Broad Foot, the god of the duck-moles and Weiryn, Daine's very own father. Most importantly for me though was the Stormwing Rikash, whose inclusion in the story completes Daine's self-growth: from a young woman who blindly hated and destroyed that particular race, to a woman who comes to consider one a friend. It is a particularly sublime bit of character development.

In fact, if there is one thing wrong with "Realms of the Gods", it is that there isn't enough of it! It could quite easily have been a novel twice as big, had Pierce taken the time to unfold the story a bit more gradually. The book is a treasure-chest of information and ideas, and I would have enjoyed reading more of it, at a more leisurely pace. However, it's fine just the way it is, and because it's a young-adult book, I can understand why she chose to keep the pace moving along swiftly.

I would have liked to have seen more from Kit, Alanna, Onua and Cloud (in particular I was sure that Kit's role had been building up in order to play a major part in this book) but the huge range of other characters compensate. The Daine/Numair romance might take some readers by surprise (she's sixteen, and he's thirty!) but they do make a strong, realistic couple, void of the mushy hearts and flowers of the usual courtly love to be found in fantasy. For those that are interested, we find out the name of Kit's mother, but strangely the badger remains simply "the badger". Finally, we are treated to a nice council of the gods at the conclusion of the story, and if you read closely enough, you might catch a cameo-appearance from a certain purple-eyed cat from the "Song of the Lioness" quartet!

Recently, my friend introduced me to the author Tamora Pierce. She is the author of several series, one being the topic of my writing today, The Immortal Series. This fantasy series was published by Random House Fantasy in 1992. It consists of four books: Wild Magic, Wolf Speaker, Emperor Mage, and The Realm of the Gods. The books are all approximately three or four hundred pages each.
The first book, Wild Magic, begins the magical journey that both the reader and the protagonist will take. The main character is a young girl named Daine. She is homeless as well as an outcast in society. At the tender age of thirteen, she is without a mother, doesn't know who her father is, and has no relatives to take her in. Her only companion is her horse, Cloud. She has an unusual ability to get a long with animals, they hear her, obey her, and some can even talk with her. Daine gets word of a job and goes to offer her services. The woman she begins to work for, Onua, is a horse handler who helps Daine realize the potential of her knack with animals. Her boss who also becomes her friend introduces her to many important people. They help her learn that her potential is enormous and take her under their wings. She finds that her skill is a form of the "gift" or a type of magic, although hers is wild magic. With the help of a powerful mage named Numair, she learns to use her magic to heal animals as well as make some interesting discoveries. Daine is able to sense immortals like Stormwings, creatures that have feathers made of knife sharp metal and live off the dead. We learn the reason for Daine being an outcast and how she once lived wild as a wolf. Daine uses this and her friendship with the animals, known in the book as the "People," to save her kingdom from invasion. Daine is constantly given help from her guarduan, a badger, who was sent by her unrevealed father. She aquires a dragon named Kitten when its mother dies in battle. Kitten along with Cloud are her constant companions.
This type of magical theme is carried throughout the rest of the series. The plot continues to hold many adventures. The setting is in a place where magic and sorcery are accepted, common and a way of life. The characters all have interesting talents as well as life stories.
In the second book, Wolf Speaker, We meet the pack of wolves Daine once belonged to. They helped the now 14-year-old Daine avenge her family's death. The wolves are in need of Daine's help in Dunlath Valley where their home is being destroyed. Daine and her tutor, Numair, travel to the valley where they find the destroyed terrain and a plot to overthrow the king. Once again, it's Daine's "wild magic'' that allows them to destroy a magical shield created by evil mages over the valley. We are given a few hints as to who her father may be.Daine learns that not only can she talk with animals but she is able to morph. Again, Daine aquires new friends, this time an immortal named Tkaa, a basilisk (a creature that can turn anything to stone).
Another fluent theme is that we are constantly left guessing who Daine's father may be. The significance of our not knowing her background and her not knowing her father is a common factor in the following books.
In the third book, Emperor Mage, Daine is specially chosen for a peace mission to Carthak, a threatening enemy to Tortall. The beloved birds of the emperor of Carthak are sick and because of Daine's healing powers and ability to converse with animals she was chosen to go.The emperor turns out to be evil and it takes courage and determination for Daine to conquer him with the help of a special gift from the badger.There is some foreshadowing of a future romance between Daine and Numair. This brings up a new theme, love...
In the fouth, and final book of the series, The Realm of the Gods, there is more trouble for Tortall. Gods pull Daine and the mage Numair into the realms to save their lives. The two feel they must return to earth, where they are needed in the desperate battle raging there. After a danger-filled trek to the land of the dragons, they make allies with its inhabitants who not only return them to Earth, but also join the altercation, along with other immortals. Daine's wild magic continues to develop, and some of the best scenes involve her interaction with beasts of various kinds. Mixed into the fighting are bits of humor. There is also a blossoming romance between Daine and Numair. All in all, a fulfilling ending to an enticing story.
I feel that many of the components of the story tie into what is happening in our world today. In each of the stories, fighting and war are major factors, and looking at the current situation of the United States as well as many other countries, we are all in the same predicament. Particularly in the story of The Emperor Mage , a situation like the one we have with Osama Bin Laden occurs. One man poisons the minds of his followers and produces an excuse for a war.
The Immortal Series is a great read that I definitely recommend. The books cover all anyone could ask for in a book. Romance, adventure, fantasy and more are all included. It is a book no teenager, more specifically girls, should be without a copy of it.

Alright, I don't think I have ever been more depressed in my whole life that I have finished a series of books than I am right now. This has been the best 3 days of my life. I could not put any of the books down. I would have to say this one was my favorite because Numair and Daine go together. I knew it was coming. Numair had fallen in love with her long before this book, but he was just to stupid to realize it till he almost lost her. Ahhhhh... memories. Seriously though, this series is fantastic for girls and guys. It is amazing, I can't even describe it. I can't saying anything or else I will end up underrating it, it is that good. If you haven't read this series you had better go out and buy it NOW! If you don't you are missing out. You can't read books without reading these. What a wonderful series! I loved every second I spent reading it. Everybook was great in its own way. I LOVE THE IMMORTALS!

This book was most definately the greatest in the entire world. What else could you say about it? The scenery seemed very real to me and I liked how Daine finally got to meet her dad. That was sooo sweet!! My only complaint? Her mother Sarra. Did anyone else get the impression of whiney, overprotective, overbearing, cant take care of herself, Mommy? I most certainly did. I was glad when they left there. It gave Daine and Numair a chance to be alone. They are so good together. And(this should make all you complainers feel better) in the new Tortall series that Tamora's writing, we find out just a little more about them. I haven't read it yet but I have high hopes. Why not? But I'm wondering about something. How in Mithros's name did they tell everyone? I sit awake at night wondering about that. I have a wide picture of Varice Kingsford feinting, Baron George grinning, and Onua and Alanna saying," Really? Are you quite sure?" I thought this book was the best in the Immortals series, and I'm hoping that we hear at least a little more about Daine and Numair in the future.

I loved this book, even the 50th time, and it rather irks me that people seem to be paying little attention to the details they are slamming. Yes, I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Numair is 30, not 60, and it is very common for people in stressful situations (such as being attacked by immortals on a regular basis) to have some white hair. Heck, my brother hasn't had any such stressful situations as far as I know and he has some white hair. The whole plot was, to say the least, origonal. It was nice to find an author that did not use the same ideas as every other author with books in print. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to Daine and Numair in the new Tortall series.

Tamora Pierce is my all-time favorite author... and that takes a lot. With all the books I read, it is hard to chose a favorite, but Tamora Pierce takes the cake. How the books can get less than five stars will continue to amaze me.

I have read, reread, and reread these books. I even have some parts memorized! The Realms of the Gods ends a fasinating series about an amazing girl named Daine who has a rare kind of magic that ivolves animals. Her tall and powerful teacher, the mage Numair, gets sucked into the realms of the gods with Daine, where she learns a little about her past, her enemy, her teacher, and even about her heart. Back in Tortall (current residence of Daine), there is a huge war taking place... Daine and Numair are needed... so they set out on the perilous journey packed full of surprises...

I can't say any more-- I might give it away! Oh well, but anyway- read to find out more. I have continually marveled at these books. And her other books. Read any of them-- it's all good. she is in the middle of two series right now, but my preference is the Protector of the Small books. They are about a girl named Kel who wants to be a knight. I will keep on rereading the first two books until June, when the third book Squire comes out.

Happy reading!

I have loved Tamora Pierce books since the 1st Alanna one. When I started the Immortals series, I didn't find it as interesting as the Alanna ones.BOY WAS I WRONG! These books are fantastic! I loved the romance parts. Sure, of course I liked the action sequences and all the rest, but it was so juicy to find the little love scenes. The only problem was, there wasn't ENOUGH! Tamora needed to put lots of kissing parts, and gazing and stuff like that because those are some of the best parts! I don't care if Numair is almost twice Daine's age, it's the fact that he LOVES her that counts! Aaahhh. Tamora, make another book with more romance between Daine and Numair!

Ok, so I REALLY REALLY REALLY liked this book... I liked the plots better in the other three books in the Immortals series but I REALLY liked the romance between Daine and Numair... Although, it would have been interesting if she and Kaddar...Nah... Anyway, I really liked the darkings but I DID NOT like it when stupid ole Ozorne... Well, if you read the book you know what he did but I will not spoil it for other readers...All in all this was either my least favorite or most favorite in the quartet (I can't decide because you have to balance out the plot and the romance:)

To Ms. Pierce, from a reader who has read almost every one of your books (I still haven't been able to get my hands on the second Song of the Lioness book), I'd just like to say this: HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO US! There is no thing more cruel in the world, than to end not a book, but a SERIES, just after someone proposes. We don't even know if Daine said yes or not! Although, the chemistry between Daine and Numair really was evident (especially in Emperor Mage), and I'm surprised that there were actually people who were surprised when they got together. Come on! How do you not see it? And I don't care what anybody else says. This book was wonderful (even though it left us hanging), and I'm always right, so don't even try to argue.

This is a great way for the Immortal Series to end! I couldn't put it down! IF you like the Tamora Pierce books- you have got to read it! She's got her usual suspense and the perfect touch of romance. i dont' see why the average customer review is 4 and a half stars~ it deserves all 5!