Street Magic (The Circle Opens, Book 2) [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Tamora Pierce (Author), Bruce Coville (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2006

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–In the Circle of Magic quartet, Tamora Pierce introduced readers to four young mages who each had different magical abilities. Briar Moss, the plant mage, is featured in this second book (Scholastic, 2001) of a new quartet. Briar has traveled to Chammur with his mentor, Rosethorn, in order to help the farmers of the town. While roaming the busy market, Briar meets a street urchin who has the ability to turn lumps of rock into glowing stones. Briar is dismayed to learn that since he discovered Evvy's magic, he is responsible for training her. Matters become complicated when rival street gangs struggle to control Evvy for their own ends. Evil Lady Zenadia controls one of the gangs and is determined to have her way. Pierce fans will find much to enjoy here. Briar is a likeable character and it is amusing to see his role reversal from student to teacher. The accompanying music enhances the Middle-Eastern setting. The full cast of narrators do a fine job of bringing all the characters to life. A treat for fantasy fans.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-9. After years of training, 14-year-old Briar Moss, a reformed street-gang member, is now an accredited mage. While in the city of Chammur, he meets Evvy, a street urchin unknowingly gifted with powerful stone magic. Evvy needs a mentor, as well as protection from a local gang seeking to exploit her talents. Reluctantly, Briar becomes her teacher and guardian and soon finds himself caught between warring gangs whose violent lifestyles will lead to continuing tragedy unless he intervenes. The second title in the Circle Opens series, which will stand well on its own, is rich in descriptive, inviting prose and inventive detail. Pierce's exotic, imaginary settings, intricate plots, and dimensional characters provide entertaining reading, as well as an unusual backdrop for exploring social concerns--in this case, gang culture. Briar is a likable, compelling character, an ecoactivist whose past and present challenges are sympathetically portrayed, and his endeavors are sure to satisfy Pierce's fans and gain new ones. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Audio CD: 1 pages
• Publisher: Full Cast Audio; Unabridged edition (April 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933322489
• ISBN-13: 978-1933322483
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good..., March 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Street Magic (The Circle Opens, Book 2) (Hardcover)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Briar's character!!!, June 11, 2001

By 

... (Midland,TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Magic (The Circle Opens, Book 2) (Hardcover)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Briar the Plant Mage at fourteen!!!, April 30, 2001

By 

"ghaggerty1" (Souther California,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Magic (The Circle Opens, Book 2) (Hardcover)

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!