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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I've read this before, but I adore these stories.
Comfort rereads.
Comfort rereads.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am once again shocked at the much darker tone The Circle Opens books have taken from the initial tetralogy, but it really works and I don't think it's too mature for children readers. Briar continues to be my favourite of the four, and so far this is my favourite of the Circle Opens books, wherein Briar begins to realize some of the flaws of his upbringing while helping teach a new young magician, Evvy, who is an excellent addition to the cast and has a much stronger presence than the students of either Sandry or Daja.
I also enjoyed Bruce Coville's narration in this one (more than I enjoy Tamora Pierce's narration in the other books. She's an excellent author; she's not such a great narrator, I'm sorry to say).
Sad Shatterglass doesn't have an audiobook and so therefore its going to take me a lot longer to get through it, but I'm hoping I"ll be able to find time throughout my semester to do so!
I also enjoyed Bruce Coville's narration in this one (more than I enjoy Tamora Pierce's narration in the other books. She's an excellent author; she's not such a great narrator, I'm sorry to say).
Sad Shatterglass doesn't have an audiobook and so therefore its going to take me a lot longer to get through it, but I'm hoping I"ll be able to find time throughout my semester to do so!
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Briar has always been my favorite - and I love seeing him and Rosethorn in a place so radically different then Summersea and Winding Circle. Evvy is also a definite plus in this book, funny, quick, and stubborn enough to make Briair rethink everything he's ever done, lol.
Love Briar, loved Evvy, my only regret is that I miss the interplay between Briar and the girls. Still, enjoying myself and will be moving right along to the next book in the series.
I would still rate the whole series overall as a 4 though. I was interesting and honest in how the characters would deal with difficult situations like being a mentor, and the trauma that they have to face being young and powerful in a very adult world. It takes the wool from the characters eyes and you see them lose their youthful ignorance. Powerful stuff.
Briar and Rosethorn are two of my favorite characters from the Circle of Magic series, and Evvy is a perfect addition to their dynamic. In my opinion, the only way this book could be improved is with the addition of Dedicate Crane (who we don't see often enough). I could read a whole series based on these characters.
Briar is probably my favourite of the four so I was always going to have a soft spot for his books, but Tamora write his books in a way that I just can’t resist. Like with his book in the first series, The Healing in the Vine from The Circle of Magic, Briar’s story revolves around those in the slums. Specifically, those in gangs.
The way Briar has really accepted his magic, and his connection to plants is amazing. Every time I read this, I have certain moments, like the jasmine vine, that I just smile at. I can’t help it! It’s so sweet and touching to see a manly man so in touch with his green thumb.
However, the growth we see in his maturity as he accepts that he needs to teach Evvy about her magic, how to control it and even how to use it for good, is amazing. He’s only just finding his own place in the world, yet he accepts (grudgingly, like any teenager) his responsibility as a qualified mage and takes Evvy under his wing.
The fact that he cares for her in more ways than his magical responsibility is amazing. He fights for her in ways I feel like he’d only fight for his sisters. As a young teenager when I first read this when I didn’t have many close friends, this was amazing, and I wished I had someone who’d fight for me like this.
The lengths he goes to protecting Evvy is amazing. He doesn’t seem to care about his own health or life so long as he can save his student and friend. The fact that they have a friendship is easy to see, even if it took a while to get there.
When I’m re-reading Tamora’s books, this is one I always look forward to reading. It gives me the warm and fuzzies every time.
The way Briar has really accepted his magic, and his connection to plants is amazing. Every time I read this, I have certain moments, like the jasmine vine, that I just smile at. I can’t help it! It’s so sweet and touching to see a manly man so in touch with his green thumb.
However, the growth we see in his maturity as he accepts that he needs to teach Evvy about her magic, how to control it and even how to use it for good, is amazing. He’s only just finding his own place in the world, yet he accepts (grudgingly, like any teenager) his responsibility as a qualified mage and takes Evvy under his wing.
The fact that he cares for her in more ways than his magical responsibility is amazing. He fights for her in ways I feel like he’d only fight for his sisters. As a young teenager when I first read this when I didn’t have many close friends, this was amazing, and I wished I had someone who’d fight for me like this.
The lengths he goes to protecting Evvy is amazing. He doesn’t seem to care about his own health or life so long as he can save his student and friend. The fact that they have a friendship is easy to see, even if it took a while to get there.
When I’m re-reading Tamora’s books, this is one I always look forward to reading. It gives me the warm and fuzzies every time.