Synopses & Reviews
Sandry, Daja, Briar, and Tris, are older now and back together again, in an exciting and much-awaited, stand-alone novel by everyone's favorite mage, Tamora Pierce.
For many years, Sandry's cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has pressed her to visit. But Sandry prefers to stay with her own family in Emelan. Now, as is her right, the Empress has insisted. Sandry will not travel with a group of warriors -- that would only insult the Empress. She will travel with her friends from Winding Circle: Daja, Briar, and Tris. But the four young mages haven't been together in some time, and their friendship isn't what it used to be. Since they left Winding Circle, each has seen magic manipulated in ways -- both good and bad -- that they could not have imagined (cont'd)
Review
"Pierce's voluminous book starts slowly, but once it gets rolling she proves again that she is still a very good, page-turning storyteller." Children's Literature
Review
"Pierce's characters are, as always, fully developed, and there is a feminist slant to her writing along with suspense, romance (including a non-explicit lesbian affair), and a great sense of humor. A delightful page-turner." KLIATT
Review
"This book stands alone, but readers unfamiliar with the earlier books will be asking for them after finishing this one." School Library Journal
Review
"When Pierce first began writing longer books, her pacing was shaky; she's settled into the length quite well. Satisfying." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Four mages. One destiny. No turning back.
The four mages of Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens books are together again, but things aren't what they used to be. Daja, Briar, Tris and Sandry have grown up and grown apart since their days together at Winding Circle, and Sandry's especially disappointed with the change. When Sandry's uncle requests that her three old friends accompany her on a visit to Sandry's vast lands within the Empire of Namorn, the young mages discover that they've landed in a trap. Namorn's iron-willed Empress has plans for Sandry and her companions, and she has wily and powerful mages to help her. But so, of course, does Sandry if only she can get them to work together...
About the Author
Tamora Pierce is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, including the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets, THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS, MELTING STONES, and, most recently, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Beka Cooper trilogy. She lives in New York State with her husband, Tim, and her seven cats and two birds. Visit her online at www.tamorapierce.com.