Part of the 8-book Tamora Pierce reissue for Fall 2006, this title in the Circle Opens quartet features spellbinding new cover art. Coincides with the release of WILL OF THE EMPRESS in trade pb.
Briar Moss been training four years as a plant mage, but he hasn't put his past behind him. He meets a street girl, Evvy, using powerful magic to polish stones for a merchant, and resolves to find her a teacher. But Briar understands the city's gangs as well as he understands Evvy. When gang warfare breaks out, he discovers that the fiercest gang is seeking a stone mage to lead them to hidden gems. Only Briar and his magic can offer Evvy protection. Swept up in a bloody conflict, Briar must decide if he's ready to make the final step away from his former life as a "street rat".
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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
I liked it! It was sort of dissapointing that there was no romance, but I didn't expect any. It was pretty bloody, like Sandry's book, but it didn't make me throw up or anything. It isn't Tamora' Pierce's best book, but I didn't really expect that...Alanna and Daine can't be surpassed.I thought it was funny in some parts when Briar flirted with a girl, cause I didn't expect that of girl-hating Briar. LOL. I loved Evvy! She is so spunky and determined. This is a great book to read if you liked the Circle of Magic and Tamora Pierce, who is my favorite author!
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I have always thought Briar was a very great character despite him being a boy. And me a girl. I really don't care what a book is about even if it's kinda bloody. Like this book. Tamora is a gifted author who can capture a character in twisted plots where they end up nlowing things up. I don't care if no one likes my review but I think this is one of Tamora's best books since Sandry's book and Briar's book. Briar having to teach a young girl when ( this is what I have noticed) he doesn't really like girls. This Book reminds me of Magic Steps. Because in both books the young mages have to become teachers to younger mages.
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It's been four years since Briar Moss left Winding Circle Temple in SummerSea . Now he is in Chammur. There he meets Evvy. She is a 10 year old girl who uses her magic to polish stones for a local merchant. When Briar try's to talk to her she flees.Finally , she gives in and Briar starts teaching her about her magic. Then, a local gang called the Vipers here Briar say that Evvy has stone magic so they try to kidnap her to make a profit on her ability. In the meantime the Vipers are trying to take over Camelgut territory with the help of a rich noble. She gives them weapons and the Vipers start a war with the Camelguts. I won't spoil the whole book. All I can say is that this book is right up there with all of her other wonderful,marvelious,outstanding,terrific quartets. I highly reccomend this book. Only if you can manage complex plots and many confusing parts. I hope many of you out there have lots of acadimic ability!!!!!! Farewell!
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First Sentence:
In the city of Chammur, on the eastern border of Sotat: For centuries it had been called "fabled Chammur," "Chammur of the Flaming Heights," and "Mighty Chammur." Read the first pageKey Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
plant mage, stone mage, mage kit, green mage, stone magic, miniature trees, street rat, protective circle
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Winding Circle, Gate Lords, Golden House, Pahan Briar, Briar Moss, Jebilu Stoneslicer, Street of Hares, Grand Bazaar, Market of the Lost, Paban Briar, Cedar Lane, Nahim Zineer, Attaneh Road, Master Stoneslicer, Pebbled Sea, Triumph Road, Ikrum Fazhal, Karang Gate, Pahan Moss, Aliput Gate, Chammur Oldtown, Little Bear, Street of Wells
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