Wild Magic (Immortals) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Tamora Pierce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this first volume of a series, Pierce returns to the world and characters she introduced in her Song of the Lioness fantasy epic. Here, she tells the story of Daine, a 13-year-old orphaned girl with an extraordinary talent for communicating with animals. The teenager is swept up in the first skirmishes of a war, and is forced to master her fears and learn how to marshall her magical abilities. Trying to make the sequel to four previous novels stand on its own is no mean feat, and Pierce has a lot of exposition to relate. By telling the story through Daine's eyes, she allows new readers a chance to "catch up" on who's who along with her heroine. Although this device proves effective for the most part, some of the scenes are a little bewildering. However, Pierce's inventive descriptions of Daine's apprenticeship as a Mage, her riveting battles with griffins, dragons and other monsters, and her delightful, egalitarian ideals more than compensate for this minor flaw. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7- In this exciting fantasy that includes some characters from Pierce's ``Song of the Lioness'' quartet (Atheneum), a young heroine named Daine, who has a special way with horses, comes to accept and perfect her own type of ``wild magic'' after she is hired as an assistant to a horse-mistress of a mythical kingdom. Daine learns to channel her healing skills and to develop her power to communicate with animals, the latter of which she uses to fight vicious immortal monsters, the Stormwings. There are many gory encounters, most of them involving female fighting champions, including Alanna, the king's champion knight. Those readers who enjoy a swashbuckling imaginative adventure will enjoy this story, which is filled with all types of creatures and all sorts of magic. Some may be a bit confused by Daine's visions and by the extent of her power, which seems to allow her to revive even the dead. The ending leaves Daine undecided as to where she will settle and certainly points the way to a sequel. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067988288X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679882886
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (274 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #131,866 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 1 in The Immortals Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give Wild Magic a 25, December 9, 1999

By	Natalie Dupêcher (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

Tamora Pierce, the greatest author of all time, has written another miracle. No mere words can express my heartfelt praise: funny, thoughtful, top-of-the-line, number one, At . . . how about it's just, plain wonderful? Daine, a girl blessed with the unique ability to speak with animals, is hired by Onua, the woman that manages the Rider's ponies. The story weaves together danger, adventure, humor, and love in perfect unison. It also touches on the subject of finding your true self, which I thought was brilliant.

I have read Wild Magic, cover to cover more times than I can possibly count. It's perfectly suited to all ages groups. Fifth graders read it and think it's cool the way a girl can talk to animals, whereas high school students may read it and relate to the loyalty, bravery, and compassion of all the characters. If you're going to read one book in your entire life, make this one it. It's a journey unlike any other you have ever encountered. My copy is ragged and torn, but I look upon it like an old friend. I am an extremely avid reader, and out of all the books i've read, i have yet to see one come even close to ranking with Wild Magic. READ THIS BOOK!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A strong series-opener, October 19, 2001

By	S. A. Cain "librarian" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wild Magic is a great book. The storyline catches you from the beginning, and the characters are intriguing. Daine's secret is built well, and the different ways she interacts with humans and animals is well done. Readers of the Alanna books will be glad to know that the lady knight will be appearing in this series, though not as a main character. Other great new characters are Numair Salmalin, the mage, and Buri, the Queen's Rider.

Pierce's books are aimed at a strange demographic, since her main characters are usually girls and start a series around 10 years, but finish it around 18 years of age. Still, I read the Alanna books for the first time when I was about eight, and I've reread them several times (I'm 25 now). Same with The Immortals. There are often things I overlooked the first time I read it, and as I got older, other things stood out to me.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the defining work of fantasy literature, June 1, 2001

By	Jennifer (Sonoma, ca) - See all my reviews

Even now, at age 13, riffling through the well worn pages of my beloved Immortals series, I wonder how it is humanly possible to write books so amazing. I've always loved fantasy, and Tamora Pierce is my favorite author, and always has been. This entire series is a must read for any fantasy nut. It's just like a good smoothie - the perfect blend of everything. Humor, adventure, a touch of romance and a whole lot of enchantment, I consider the Wild magic story one of Ms.Pierce's finest. The young girl Daine, who has the wonderful gift of animal speech, and even shape shifting, starts out as a sad orphan who's lost her family.It was wonderfull to "watch" her slowly heal, and discover herself shinig through her past. But I really felt myself connect with all the characters, and I consider that one of the most important things about novels. I recommend this book for anyone who likes a good fantasy.