Rich, colorful, exciting...um, "magical" springs to mind...Tamora Pierce introduces a character and a relationship that has converted me to a fan of fantasy literature
This second book in the Circle Opens quartet follows Briar's adventures as the four friends from the Circle of Magic quartet go separate ways for a while. It follows the pattern laid out in the first book (Magic Steps) - Briar finds an untrained mage and has to start their training while at the same time finding himself in the middle of a whole lot of trouble.
Despite the fact that the various Circle books are starting to feel a little formulaic, this was still an interesting, well writing book. I had a little more trouble getting into this one than I did the previous book. I think it's because this book felt a little preachy on the subject of gangs and gang violence. It's a good message, but I always dislike it when books start working on a social agenda quite so baldly. Regardless of the author's intentions I always feel a bit like I'm reading propaganda instead of a story.
However, I was eventually able to get through that and enjoy the ending of the book
Despite the fact that the various Circle books are starting to feel a little formulaic, this was still an interesting, well writing book. I had a little more trouble getting into this one than I did the previous book. I think it's because this book felt a little preachy on the subject of gangs and gang violence. It's a good message, but I always dislike it when books start working on a social agenda quite so baldly. Regardless of the author's intentions I always feel a bit like I'm reading propaganda instead of a story.
However, I was eventually able to get through that and enjoy the ending of the book
