Tamora Pierce’s Wild Magic
Thirteen-year-old Daine has always had a knack with animals, but it’s not until she’s forced to leave home the she realizes it’s more thank a knack – it’s magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but also she can make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen’s Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and she becomes his student.
I read the Immortals quartet for the first time when I was about twelve, and eight years later I bought the whole quartet to own.
Tamora Pierce has a writing style that reflects my tastes – dialogue, focus on the people, action, and enough description to keep me aware that there are different locations. Her writing is clear but on a level that will be comfortable for the young adult reader.
Pierce does well in creating characters who are varied and have distinct personalities but who are also ‘simple’ enough so as not to distract the reader. The reader is interested in their personal lives, but their lives encourage the story along while satisfying what background a young girl is going to want to know about.
I mention young girl because, while young boys will probably enjoy this book, it’s great for young girls. Daine shows confidence, caring, and love even while dealing with some tough issues. She will be a great main character to follow.
Having read the entire quartet and knowing where some things end up, I do wish she would have started out a little older, but her age does serve well for the age group the books were written for so I won’t make a big deal out of it.
I definitely recommend this book. If you’re a mother with a young daughter, buy this book for her. You might even enjoy reading it yourself.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Yep, I heartily agree!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Thanks.